Message from the president
Dear Members –
I am excited and honored to announce that our chapter’s president-elect, Nance Larsen, APR, vice president of marketing for US Travel, will be inducted into PRSA College of Fellows during a ceremony on Nov. 7, during PRSA’s International Conference in San Diego. A total of 11 PRSA members from around the country will be inducted into the college this year.
Nance follows in the footsteps of a long line of outstanding Alaskan 
professionals who have been inducted into the College of Fellows, beginning with Bruce Pozzi who was inducted in 1993. Vivian Hamilton was our next inductee in 2000, followed by Karen Cedzo in 2001, Mary Barber in 2003, Joette Storm in 2004 and Bruce Batten in 2005.
The College of Fellows was founded in 1990 as a way to recognize individuals who have demonstrated superior capabilities as public relations practitioners or educators. According to PRSA Bylaws, College of Fellows candidates must have 20 years experience or more in the public relations industry and exhibit exceptional personal and professional qualities while advancing the state of the profession. The College of Fellows is considered the capstone of progression in professional development for our industry, and members of the college are meant to serve as “role models of distinction.”
The Alaska Chapter board voted unanimously in favor of supporting Nance’s application to the College of Fellows. We were asked to assess Nance’s public relations career, as we know it, and attest to her professional capabilities, contributions to the profession and status as a role model.
Nance has been involved in our chapter for many years, serving as the chapter’s PRSSA advisor as well as the chair of our APR committee. In these capacities alone, Nance has been a mentor to students, young professionals and experienced professionals who are ready to take the next step in their own professional development. She is currently serving as the chapter’s president-elect, poised to take on the top leadership role, putting her in a prime position to help shape our chapter’s future.
Nance has claimed more than six dozen PRSA Alaska Chapter Aurora Awards and Awards of Excellence, a testimony to the quality and thoroughness of her work. In 2008, Nance was named as the chapter’s Communicator of the Year, an honor that was based on her historic contributions to the profession and the chapter as well as several major milestones she helped our community achieve in 2008. To learn more about Nance’s career, click here to read the article in February regarding Nance’s Communicator of the Year award.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nance on her admission into to the PRSA College of Fellows. Nance exemplifies the criteria established for those who hold this highest honor and level of recognition in our profession. We can be proud to have Nance join the ranks of the other esteemed professionals representing our chapter at this highest level of distinction.
Best regards,
Amy Jennings Burnett
Anchorage lunch program focuses on how the National Guard handles crisis communications
Register by August 17th with Cvent now.
Due to a late breaking development, PRSA Alaska is rescheduling its program, "Celebrating 50 Years of PR in the Great Land" in order to take advantage of a rare opportunity to present a national PR expert who will be in Anchorage Aug. 19!
Jack Harrison, Director of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications, National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., will be in Anchorage to train senior Alaska National Guard officials. He has agreed to break from his busy schedule for an hour to speak at our monthly luncheon.
Harrison is the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Craig R. McKinley, who is the first four-star general in the history of the National Guard. Mr. Harrison directs and oversees the public affairs operations and strategy for the Army and Air National Guard, an organization of 460,000 service members serving a dual role in both domestic and overseas missions. He is responsible for managing more than 2,000 public affairs soldiers, airmen and civilians, all working around the world in garrison and combat environments.
As the senior spokesperson for the National Guard's top leaders, Mr. Harrison's daily public affairs work includes coordination with communications officials for all 54 states and territories, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States along with senior officials of other government agencies.
Mr. Harrison will share his experiences as a senior PR director handling crisis communications scenarios—during several natural disasters, contingency events and in varied political environments. He'll offer insight and discuss strategies and tactics applicable to all PR professionals. Join us for this rare opportunity; this is one program you won't want to miss!
PRSA Alaska apologizes to members who signed up for "Celebrating 50 Years of PR in the Great Land." We offer full refunds to those who do not want to attend this luncheon.
PRSA Alaska has decided to increase the luncheon fee for registering at the event. Late registration will be $29 for members and $35 for non-members.
WHEN:
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009 11:30a.m. - 1:00p.m.
WHERE:
Hilton Hotel, Chart Room
500 West Third Ave.
ATTIRE:
Business attire
COST:
Member fee: $25/$29 at door
Non-member fee: $30/$35 at door
Student fee: $10
Notes from the July PRSA Alaska Chapter board meeting
Board members met in a half-day retreat in late June to review our progress during the year and plan for the rest of 2009. In the July board meeting, board members focused their discussion on monthly luncheons, professional development and building our membership.
Amy Slinker, chair of the membership committee reported on the upcoming membership drive, scheduled for September to November. Board members are assisting in outreach to our membership during August as well helping contribute to prizes that new members might win, including public relations training opportunities.
The board discussed at considerable length a proposal that had been on the table several months ago to increase our monthly luncheon fees. Even with luncheon sponsorships and increased publicity, the chapter leadership found that our monthly event fees do not fully cover our obligation to the hotel or expenses incurred by our on-line registration system and credit card processing fees. The group voted to increase the fees, effective in August to $25 for members in advance or $29 at the door. For non-members, the new luncheon fee is $30 in advance and $35 at the door. We hope our members and visiting non-members will bear with us in this increase. The modest increase (just $3 for members) helps us continue offering monthly programs that benefit our members.
The board also discussed a variety of ideas for upcoming luncheon speakers as well as potential half-day professional development opportunities. Look for more information as these events are announced.
The chapter’s yearly Aurora Awards planning is well underway. Committee Chair Kristen DeSmith and her committee will send out a Call for Entries in August. The awards program recognizes the achievements of communications projects and tactics during 2009. It is open to both members and non-members of PRSA.
The board also recognized the Rasmuson Foundation for its sponsorship of the forthcoming “Celebrating 50 Years of PR in Alaska,” recently postponed from August to November in order to accommodate a last minute opportunity to feature Mr. Jack Harrison, senior spokesperson for the National Guard, at the August luncheon. Sponsors for the September meeting on ethics will be the chapter’s accredited public relations professionals.
Election to board positions will be held this fall. New board members are always being sought. Please contact Amy Burnett, chapter president (Amy.J.Burnett@conocophillips.com) if you are interested in working on our chapter board. Participating in the chapter board offers you invaluable experience while increasing your professional network in Alaska and beyond.
The board will meet on August 27, 2009, at the Rasmuson Foundation Board Room, 4th Floor of the Wells Fargo Building at the corner of C St. and Northern Lights, Anchorage. Members are encouraged to attend.
-- Submitted by Julie Pollock, APR, Chapter Secretary
UAA senior wins PRSA Alaska Chapter Scholarship
University of Alaska Anchorage senior Cassidy Davis is the recipient of the 2009 Len McLean Public Relations Scholarship. Ms. Davis was chosen from among applicants for the $1,500 award given to a public relations or communications student annually by the Alaska Chapter.
Ms. Davis will be a senior at UAA this fall and expects to graduate next spring. She has a 4.0 in her major and wants to eventually work overseas for a public relations firm. She believes we each have a responsibility to ensure honest and ethical communication practices by monitoring those sites and blogs we enjoy. In addition to academics, Ms. Davis is a classical ballerina and provides input to the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy's public relations efforts.
The scholarship is awarded annually by the Alaska Chapter to Alaska residents interested in public relations. More information is available at www.prsaalaska.org/scholarships.htm
PRSA National News & Announcements
July 16 through August — Prospect development program contest
“You Could Win a Free Membership” — Nonmembers may enter; answer three PRSA trivia questions and be eligible for a free one-year National membership or other prizes.
Membership Promotion
This promotion will run Sept. 1 to Oct. 31.Terms of the offer are:
- New members join National – online or by mail/fax – for $290 ($225 dues + $65 initiation fee) and receive the first year of Chapter membership for free. (Quarterly payment plan is not available to new members.)
- Lapsed members of one year or longer can rejoin – mail/fax/phone, not online – for $260 ($225 dues + $35 reinstatement fee) and receive the first year of Chapter membership for free. They MAY opt for the quarterly payment plan.
Additional Membership Promotions
- 2008 lapsed members - Rejoin for $260. Incentive of free one-year Chapter dues. July 28 – August.
- Long-lapsed (18 mo+) members. Rejoin for $260. Incentive of free one-year Chapter dues. Starts Aug. 10, through the end of the month.
REMINDERS
Renew with the Quarterly Payment Plan.
Not currently available if renewing online or for new members. National is evaluating the ability to extend this to new members in the future.
Hardship Plan for Members who are Unemployed.
The Hardship Plan offers unemployed members of five years or more a one-time reduction in their National dues. Since it launched on April 1, 61 members have taken advantage of National’s hardship plan.
AP stylebook tip of the month: The doctor is (not necessarily) in
If you work in public relations in higher education, the following tip can be one of the more contentious ones with your faculty members who have earned their Ph.D. According to AP, you should use "Dr." in first reference as a formal title before the name of an individual who holds a doctor of dental surgery, doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of podiatric medicine degree, i.e., Dr. Jonas Salk.
Because the public frequently identifies "Dr." only with physicians, care should be taken to assure that the individual's specialty is stated in first or second reference. The only exception would be a story in which the context left no doubt that the person was a dentist, psychologist, chemist, historian, etc.
In some instances it is also necessary to specify that an individual identified as "Dr." is a physician. One frequent case is a story reporting on joint research by physicians, biologists, etc.
Do not use "Dr." before the names of individuals who hold only honorary doctorates.
Do not continue the use of "Dr." in subsequent references.
Note: Sometimes it’s specifically necessary to use “Dr.” to indicate expertise in a subject as opposed to a lay understanding.
(Taken from the Associated Press Stylebook 2006)
On the move: KD/PR virtual team expands company
Kathy Day Public Relations (KD/PR) Virtual has expanded its team and launched a new web site. The company is Alaska’s only full-service, virtual public relations firm. KD/PR Virtual includes 10 independent communications professionals who provide a full suite of agency services, without the building.
New members to the KD/PR Virtual team include Public Relations Consultant Jordan Hanson of Black Sheep Public Relations, Web Site Designer Taughnee Stone of Endeavor Creative and Videographer Matt Cassens of Alaska Shooter.
KD/PR Virtual’s web site, www.kdprvirtual.com, was re-launched this week with several new features including the ability to view and share all client news releases, the Virtual View blog, client work samples and links to some of the company’s favorite blogs and social networking sites.
Other members of the KD/PR Virtual team include Public Relations Consultants Kathy Day and Elizabeth Odom of EO Communications, Graphic Designers Amanda Rothbarth of Creative North and Deborah Fields of D.Fields Design, Media Buyer KimTaggart of Kim Taggart Media Services, Social Media Expert Aliza Sherman Risdahl of Conversify and Videographer Larry Bottjen of DVD Technology. KD/PR clients include Kenai River Sportfishing Association, BP Alaska, Spenard Builders Supply, Trinion Quality Care Services, Alaska Dinner Factory, The Foraker Group, Aurora Productions, World Wildlife Fund-Alaska Field Office, Alaska Pacific University and Concrete Polishing & Staining.
Contact KD/PR Virtual at (907) 868-4884, by sending an email to kathy@kdprpvirtual.com or search for Kathy Day on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.