Message from the president
In 2008, as I prepared to take on the role of chapter president, I met with chapter founder Bruce Pozzi who gave me some very good advice. He advised me not to take on too much and encouraged me to identify a few important things and work hard to accomplish them.
I’d only been involved in chapter leadership for a couple of years before I was elected president. As I reflected on my experiences on the board, and what Bruce Pozzi said some goals became readily apparent. While the main goal is of course to fulfill PRSA’s mission of “advancing the profession and the professional,” I determined that as chapter president I specifically wanted to get more members actively involved in the chapter, and I hoped to expand the leadership circle with the goal of improving our succession planning.
My goals were aimed at enhancing the individual’s experience with the chapter while improving the strength of the chapter to better ensure that it thrives for the longhaul. As many of you have likely heard me say, you only get out of the chapter what you put into it, and the success of the chapter absolutely depends on the involvement of member volunteers.
Late last month the chapter board and committee chairs met for a half-day, mid-year planning retreat, facilitated by advocacy co-chair Joette Storm of Wordwright LLC. This is standard practice for our chapter, offering an opportunity to reflect on the goals we established for the year, evaluate our accomplishments to date and prioritize our efforts for the remainder of the year.
This reflection and evaluation left me feeling newly energized. I am so thankful for the talented and hard working board members and committee chairs who are making all the good works of our chapter possible, and I hope all of you will agree that 2009 is shaping up to be a year of renewed energy for the Alaska Chapter.
Some highlights from the first few months include:
- expansion of the leadership circle by building our committee structure and encouraging committee chairs (or their assigned committee members) to attend board meetings;
- establishment of a formal welcome and orientation program for new members; and
- re-establishment of the mentoring program.
My sense is that these efforts are moving us toward the goals of getting more members involved and introducing more people to the chapter leadership structure.
Thanks to the hard work of many board members, committee chairs and volunteers, we’ve also continued to provide quality professional development opportunities that we promote to members and non-members. We’ve hosted a national leader, conducted our annual awards program, taken opportunities to advocate for the profession, recruited sponsors for our programs, participated in district and national PRSA activities, re-energized the PRSA accreditation program and so much more! All toward the larger goal of advancing the profession and the professional.
At midyear the question posed is, “What are the next steps in our efforts to enhance the experience of our membership?” The board adopted several measurable objectives and established timelines for meeting those objectives. We planned beyond the calendar year to assure more continuity in our efforts. As a result of our discussions at the retreat many of you will be receiving phone calls from board members or committee chairs inviting you to share your thoughts on PRSA and specifically on our chapter. You may also be invited to take advantage of the professional development afforded when you are active in chapter activities, to join a committee or consider a chapter leadership position.
I hope you’ll take time to consider what investment you can make to get the utmost from your PRSA membership… I’m going to say it again… you only get out of your membership what you put into it, and the success of the chapter absolutely depends on the involvement of member volunteers. Let’s all work together to make PRSA work for us!
Best regards,
Amy Burnett, President, PRSA Alaska Chapter
Anchorage lunch program focuses on evolution and integration of the web and TV news at KTUU
Ed Bennett, manager of assignments and web content at KTUU Channel 2 News, will explore the increasing importance of the Internet and how KTUU has responded to the changing viewing habits of today’s news audience. In his position, Bennett coordinates coverage for all news coverage by the station and its “Second Channel,” also known as KTUU.com
Bennett will share his perspective on changing corporate mindsets, understanding the audience, and how to tactically redeploy assets. He will also reveal how the station tracks result and monetizes the content.
Learn from an APR and veteran of nearly 40 years of journalism and public affairs experience – from the trenches of being a reporter for Alaskan Forces Radio Network while serving in the U.S. Army, to overseeing the construction of one of the first major corporate websites in Alaska (the name of the company responsible for this site may surprise those who are not sourdoughs – find out at the next PRSA luncheon!)
Register by July 13th with Cvent now
Date: July 15, 2009
Location: Hilton Anchorage Hotel
Time: Doors open at 11:30 a.m., program begins at noon
Price: $22 for PRSA, $30 for non-members, and $10 for full-time students.
Ethics question of the month
Ethical practice is the most important obligation of a PRSA member. We view the member code of ethics as a model for other professions, organizations and professionals.
A competitive company in the same area you now work has recruited you. You accept the position since it offers higher pay, better advancement opportunities and other benefits. One of your initial assignments is participation in a business development initiative similar to one at your previous position. You know how your former employer is approaching this opportunity, including strategy, tactics and budgeting.
What's your next step with your new employer? Which code provision of the PRSA Code of Ethics best applies to this situation? Hint: Review the PRSA Code of Ethics on line at http://www.prsa.org/aboutUs/ethics/preamble_en.html
(see bottom of newsletter for answer)
PRSA National News & Announcements
Update your member profile and you could be a winner
Take a few minutes to help PRSA serve you better. Tell us your job title, organizational setting, industry and area(s) of specialization. Each month, May through August, national will randomly select five members who update their demographics information to receive gifts, including a $100 Amazon gift card and items from the PRSA Store. You could be a winner! Update your demographics information on MemberNet today. If you are renewing your membership by mail or fax, you also can update your demographics on the back of the dues invoice. Alaska Chapter member Sherrie Simmonds of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation was a June winner! She updated her demographics information in May and won merchandise from the PRSA Store.
Value for members
- Next FREE Webinar: July 28, on SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Visit the Calendar of Events for details.
- What are my National benefits?
- See the Member Benefits page or the printable benefits page for details.
- New and enhanced members-only offers include insurance programs, shipping, car rental, office products, and free access to a financial planning e-hotline, monthly personal finance articles. Details are in MemberNet under “Member Benefits.”
- PRSA National LinkedIn group for members only, with more than 4,000 participants. The Alaska Chapter has a Facebook profile.
- PR QuickStart, free Web-based training for new professionals, created in partnership with PRSA’s Counselors Academy and the Council of Public Relations Firms.
- PR Journal, an online publication that showcases original communications research of PRSA members, further extending the industry knowledge base.
May-June Membership Promotion — Extended to July 15
PRSA is waiving the $65 initiation fee for prospects that join and mention the promotion code SPRING2009. New members pay $225 for their National dues; Chapter dues are additional. Click to find out more about the promotion and the benefits of PRSA membership.
Hardship plan for renewing members who are unemployed
This plan — whereby qualified members receive a one-time reduction in their National dues — has been announced to members who are unemployed, are up for renewal, and have been members for five or more years. Click to read the terms of the plan. Since the plan launched on April 1, 44 members have taken advantage of National’s hardship plan.
Group memberships
Groups of eight or more individuals receive special rates on dues when they join, as well as receiving all member benefits; a few individuals in the group may be current members rolled in to the group. Group memberships are transferable (not available for memberships purchased individually), a plus for the organization, along with a single invoice for the group. Contact Malia Moore for more information (212-460-1473). Got a group of less than five? Let’s talk! The number of groups, and total members in the groups, has held steady, even in this economy at more than 50, and more than 550 group members.
REMINDERS
Renew with the quarterly payment plan
Members can renew with quarterly payments. To sign up, contact Jackie Gonsalves, Member Services billing manager, at Jackie.gonsalves@prsa.org or (212) 460-1492. The option is for renewing members only and is not available through online renewal.
Answer to ethics question of the month: Disclosure of Information
Answer to Ethics Question of the Month: Safeguarding Confidences.
Discuss the situation with your new employer and request that someone else replace you on this new business development initiative. It would be unethical to share information about your former company’s development initiative.
Source: Public Relations Society of America website