President's Message
Dear Colleagues,
 As 2007 draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to thank you, our members, who continue to support our growing and dynamic chapter.
Thanks to you...
- We have been able to increase our membership by more than 40 new professionals.
- We now have 200 active members involved with the Orlando Regional Chapter.
- We hosted a successful Sunshine District Conference in July with a record number of attendees and nationally recognized speakers. (Check out the photo from our Sunshine District Conference Committee Appreciation Party in September.)
- We recognized the Institute of Internal Auditors as our third PRSA Orlando/Frank R. Stansberry Ethics Award recipient for their high ethical practices.
- Our treasury is fiscally sound, and we are able to fully endow the PRSA Orlando/Frank R. Stansberry Scholarship at the University of Central Florida.
- We have nearly 50 local professionals who are accredited and 13 people currently studying for the APR exam.
- We held our first ever Speed Mentoring Workshop in October with nearly 30 participants.
- We learned about several organizations in the community through our Chatting Up a Charity program and had the opportunity to donate much needed items and money.
Truly, it has been a privilege serving as your PRSA Orlando Regional Chapter President. I want to acknowledge the PRSA board and the Sunshine District Conference Committee members who volunteered their time this year to work together to make excellent things happen for all of you. Their commitment, hard work and insight continuously inspired me and reinforced my passion for PRSA and for our profession. Thank you!
Finally, I look forward to supporting your 2008 President Dawn Vaughan, a talented professional who I feel is already a fantastic leader. Many of you know that she successfully served as our Sunshine District Conference Chair earlier this year, and if the conference is any indication of what's to come for our chapter during her presidency, we are bound for even greater things.
I hope to see you next week, December 13, at our luncheon. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones!!
Best wishes,
Lorelie Johnson, APR
Join us for the PRSA Holiday Luncheon!
December 13, 2007
Celebrate the season and join your fellow PR Professionals for a festive holiday networking event. We invite you to share your best practice success stories while learning how others achieved benchmarks throughout 2007.
Where: The Citrus Club, 255 S. Orange Ave., 18th Floor, Orlando
When: Thursday, December 13, 2007
Networking/registration begins at 11:30 a.m.; lunch begins at noon
Entrée: N.Y. Strip Steak
Dessert: Key Lime Pie
A vegetarian meal also is available.
Cost:
$20 for members
$30 for non-members
$15 for students
Walk-ins are welcome, but seating is not guaranteed and admission will not be discounted.
Chatting Up a Charity
As part of PRSA Orlando's "Chatting Up a Charity" initiative," guests attending this month's program can help support The American Red Cross of Central Florida. Maria Yabrudy, communications manager for the Central Florida ARC, will be on hand to talk about this area organization and answer any questions.
Although most people think of the American Red Cross only during hurricanes or tornadoes, the truth is that the organization works every day of the year in local communities across the country. The American Red Cross of Central Florida meets the needs of our neighbors through a variety of programs that help people recover after a disaster, as well as prevent, prepare for and respond to them.
Some statistics from the last fiscal year:
- Local disasters responded to: 239 (mainly home fires)
- Families helped in response to those local disasters: 467
- Local military families helped: 1,931
- Members of the Armed Forces briefed by our Red Cross before deployment: 141
- People trained in First Aid/CPR/Automated External Defibrillation: 14,939
- People taught in water safety courses: 3,902
- Youth trained in babysitting course: 286
- Youth volunteers: 550
- Number of youth Red Cross Clubs: 8
- Number of calls made to homebound seniors through our Dial-A-Friend program: 23,920
The greatest current need of the organization is increased awareness and understanding of our everyday presence and the need for monetary donations.
For information about volunteering, making a donation, taking a lifesaving course or simply learning more about your local Red Cross, visit The American Red Cross of Central Florida.
Ten Minutes/Ten Questions
Name: Muffet Robinson
Occupation: Director of Communications and Community Relations, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc.
PRSA Involvement: I am now attending monthly meetings and events as a full-fledged PRSA member, though I did take advantage of the programs during my years as a member of sister organizations in both Orlando and Baltimore, MD. I audited the APR preparation workshops this fall and plan to move forward on the formal process to become accredited.
Person who has most influenced your life: I don't even know her name, but her thirst to be able to afford the children's encyclopedia I was selling (door-to-door as a summer job in college) led me into professions that have enabled me to help others.
Quote to live by: Regrets of the past and fears of the future are the robbers of now!
What made you choose PR as a profession? The profession chose me! I made the switch from community organizing (social work) to community relations when the Maryland Mass Transit Administration was building a subway system. I never looked back and have kind-of come full circle in my current position.
Best PR advice you ever received: Never lie to the media; and always answer the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How in your communications.
Greatest accomplishment: Taking the risk to move to Orlando. I knew no one and left my lifelong support system behind in Baltimore. I am fortunate to have kept my old friends, albeit long distance, and to have developed a wonderful network of friends and colleagues here.
Favorite thing to do on the weekend: Go to plays, especially Community Theater.
Something nobody really knows about you: I am much shyer than anyone would ever know!
Are You Ready for the APR?
Save the Date / Spring 2008 APR Workshops
APR is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice. Candidates earn accreditation based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective and sound professional judgment.
Are you ready for the APR?
The APR spring workshops begin February 25 and all interested candidates are invited to attend. This one-hour workshop is an orientation to the APR process, including these topics:
- APR Overview
- Study Guide
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Application Process
February 25, 2008
HD Supply
501 W. Church St.
Orlando
Visit the official Web site of the Universal Accreditation Board for the Candidate's Process Chart for the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations and the Eligibility Form.
About the APR Workshops
APR workshops are held weekly from February 25 through April 21 at a convenient time and location for participating candidates. The one-hour sessions are led by seasoned APR facilitators to guide a discussion of core topics that will be covered on the APR written exam. The workshops are not required 'classes' but rather a professional development networking group of mentors prepared to help you succeed.
Key Dates
- Submission of the UAB Eligibility Form: January/February 2008
- Orientation APR Workshop: February 25
- Written Submissions Due: March 14
- Readiness Review Panel: Week of March 31-April 4
For more information and to RSVP, please contact: Laura E. Richeson, APR, at (407) 478-4040.
PR Grants for Non-Profits
For the fifth consecutive year, CyberAlert, Inc. will award public relations grants to a minimum of 10 not-for-profit organizations in the U.S. and Canada.
Each grant consists of one full year of free press clipping/media monitoring service from CyberAlert. Each grant ranges in value from $2,700 to $3,900.
CyberAlert is accepting grant applications until December 31 and will announce grant recipients in early January. A simple and secure grant application is available online at CyberAlert Grant Application.
For more information and a listing of previous recipients, visit CyberAlert PR Grants.
UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Now Offering Certificate Program
The UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management now offers a Certificate Program in Event Management.
As a leader in undergraduate education in event management, the College has created a new certificate program designed for working professionals and those desiring to enter this exciting industry, including:
- Meeting, event, and training planners, coordinators and assistants
- Conference and convention service managers and coordinators
- Directors of special events
- Nonprofit organization staff that plan events
- Administrative assistants with responsibilities for meetings and events
- Experienced professionals who want to keep abreast of the latest trends and knowledge
The Program is delivered in module format with one module a month for six months. Each module consists of two days of instruction. Classes meet on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Breaks and lunches are provided both days.
The next Certificate Program in Event Management begins in January 2008. The dates for this program are:
- Foundations - Event types and event management: January 11/12
- Technology: February 8/9
- Contracts, negotiations, risk management, legal issues: February 29/March 1
- Promotion and marketing: April 4/5
- Event design and production: May 2/3
- Professional development, starting your own business: June 6/7
To register online, visit the Division of Continuing Education of UCF. (From the home page, click Professional Development on the left hand side of the page. This will take you to a list of subject areas where you will click on Hospitality Management, then click Certificate Program in Event Management.)
For more information, please contact Ashley McMeel.
Lunch Program Price Adjustments in 2008
The PRSA Orlando Regional Chapter will make some minor price adjustments in 2008.
Beginning in January, monthly lunch program costs will be $25 for Orlando Regional Chapter members; $40 for non-chapter members and guests; and $15 for students.
These new prices reflect program costs and service fees that will enhance member benefits and professional development opportunities. If you are not a current member of the Orlando Regional PRSA chapter and would like to become a member, please contact 2007 membership chair Scott Toncray.
Thank you for your continued support of the PRSA Orlando Regional Chapter. We look forward to a successful 2008!
New Members
Welcome!
- Rachel Tidwell - Marketing Communications Coordinator, Wycliffe Foundation
Check out the Job Bank
Keep checking PRSA Orlando's up-to-date job bank for the latest openings in Central Florida.
Or, if you're looking for the best talent in the area, post your company's open positions on the site.
Click below to check it out!
Submissions
To submit stories or ideas for the PRSA newsletter, please contact Communications VP Michelle Lynch.
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