Welcome to PRVisions Cincinnati Chapter Newsletter.

Tell us about promotions, success stories or failures in your work world and let us share them with fellow PRSA members. To read about your fellow members, please click here.  Please email Darcy Little at dlittle@sunriseadvertising.com with your news. 

-Laura Carr (2009 Cincinnati PRSA Chapter President)

Inside you'll find the most up to date PRSA news:

On the local front:    

New Articles from PRSSA Chapters from :   

Also find out about other news about our chapter and more on the National PRSA front (including an opportunity to become involved on the national level) and many other amazing opportunities for our members to help each other, non-profit organizations and many others. 

Editor's Note

Thanks & Good-Bye (Sort Of)

Pictures, Comments ... All are Welcome!

By Shasta Taber

Dear Members:

After nearly five years as Editor of this newsletter, I am stepping down in this position.  I thank all of you for your readership, as well as those that have contributed with news items and comments/suggestions.  I have enjoyed hearing from many of you & am sure I will see/talk to many of you at PRSA events.

As for the new Newsletter Editor, Darcy Little will be taking over this position starting in January 2010.  I wish her all the luck & I’m sure she will do a wonderful job. 

If you take any pictures from any of our upcoming events (whether from luncheons, Blacksmith Awards, APR classes, New Pros events, etc.) please send them to Darcy Little at dlittle@sunriseadvertising.com with some basic information.  Thanks!

Shasta Taber

Newsletter Editor

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Chapter Administrator's Note

JOIN THE EXPRESS LANE!

By Anne Campbell

“I realized it was the express lane, I just didn’t realize how express!”

That was a comment heard by one of the attendees at the November luncheon.  He had registered himself and two guests online and paid via the new system.  By doing so the three of them did not have to stand in line to be checked in.  All they had to do was pick up their nametags, drop their business card in the bowl for the door prize drawing and start their networking.  I’m sure if you asked them they would recommend the new registration system to you.

Another benefit to paying online is that all major credit cards are accepted.  If you wait to pay at the door we can only accept MasterCard and Visa.  At least three people tried to pay with their corporate American Express card at the November luncheon and instead had to use a personal MasterCard or Visa.  They commented that they will be sure to use the online system next time.

The system is still fairly new and we appreciate any feedback.  Some improvements have already been made based on your comments.  The process is fairly straightforward.  Go to the meetings page of our website, www.cincinnatiprsa.org and click on the link for the event you wish to register for.  You will be taken to a page to give your contact information as well as the names of any guests you would also like to register.  Once you click submit you will be taken to a shopping page to select a registration option (Member, Non-Member, etc.).  You will be given both “Buy Now” and “Add to Cart” options for the various registration rates.  If you are paying for just one reservation, simply click “Buy Now” next to the appropriate option and follow the payment procedures.  If you are paying for more than one reservation you will need to click the “Add to Cart” button for each rate (Member, Non-Member, Student) you need to use.  Once you are in your cart you can change the quantity for each rate.  For example, if you are paying for 3 members, just click on the “Add to Cart” button once next to the Member rate.  Once your shopping cart comes up you will need to change the quantity shown to 3 before checking out.  If you are paying for one member and one non-member you will need to click “Add to Cart” next to the Member rate.  Then click “Continue Shopping” from the shopping cart, which will return you to the page where you can click “Add to Cart” next to the Non-Member rate.  Be sure to double check your shopping cart and then check out.

Please forward any questions or comments to Anne Campbell, Chapter Administrator, acampbell@fuse.net.

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Chapter News

Cincinnati PRSA 2010 Board & Leadership Team

Board:

• President - Chris Kemper, APR
• President Elect - Elaine Zeinner, APR
• Immediate Past President – Laura Carr
• APR Chair - Debbie Copeland-Bloom, APR
• Community Service Chair – Megan Licursi
• Diversity Chair – Dawn Woods, APR
• Ethics Chair - Adrienne Gutbier, APR
• Membership Chair - Jonathan Kissell
• Programming Chair - Sarah Pasquinucci, APR
• Treasurer - Emily Carpenter Pulscamp, APR
• Member at Large - Jackie Reau

Leadership Team:

• Blacksmith  Chair - Jackie Reau & Gail Meyers
• Chapter PR - Gina Douthat
• Job Bank Coordinator - Maureen Richmond, APR
• Media Day Chair - Ashley Walters
• New Professionals Chair - Brandy Williams
• Newsletter Editor – Darcy Little
• Social Media Chair - Mike Boehmer, APR
• Sponsorship Chair - Lauren Doyle 

Cincinnati PRSA Joins the Social Media Scene

By Megan Licursi

There are numerous stories every day about the impact of Web 2.0.  As PR folks, we know firsthand how effective social media campaigns can be.  A startling factoid: Readers are three times more likely to act upon a recommendation seen in a blog as opposed to that same article appearing in traditional media.

I’m pleased to announce that the Cincinnati PRSA has joined Web 2.0 on Facebook and Twitter.  What is Twitter?  Well, that’s probably the subject of another newsletter article. Or a luncheon.  But, to quote one of our members, Kevin Dugan, @prblog, Twitter has the immediacy of instant messaging with the permanence of a blog.   Twitter is broken down into two groups: Followers and Followees. You choose people to follow based on your personal preferences:  relevant postings, industry colleagues, friends, they like the color blue, too, or any other reason, however obscure.  People choose to follow you for the same reason. 

The media are one of the early-adopters of Twitter. One local reporter, Gregory Korte at the Enquirer, @gregorykorte, regularly posts (aka “tweets”) requests for sources. CNN tweets their breaking news. To see the evergrowing list of media on Twitter, check out:  http://mediaontwitter.pbwiki.com/United+States+-+NATIONAL.  Here’s a list of Ohio reporters on Twitter:  http://mediaontwitter.pbwiki.com/United+States%3A+O+-+Z. 

Our Young Pros group took the lead, creating a twitter ID, @cinprsanewpros.  The rest of the chapter followed suite on Twitter. Come follow us at @CincinnatiPRSA. 

On the Facebook front, the Cincinnati PRSA chapter now has a group page:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=48730262862.  Join us here to see photos from past luncheons, discuss subjects such as luncheon speakers and brown bag topics. And, to talk trash about the Blacksmith’s!

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Mark Your Calendar

January 12: Monthly Luncheon

Featuring Gary McCormick, National PRSA President

“Welcome a New Year and a New Normal – Preparing for the Climb in the PR Landscape”

Join Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA and Chair/CEO of PRSA in 2010 as he discusses the outlook for the public relations industry. Following a year that changed how we view business and approach our profession, McCormick outlines why he’s optimistic about PR and talks about its future. From reduced traditional media outlets to growing social media challenges, public relations is forever changed and picking the correct approach sets our course for success.

Learn why he feels that partnerships and integration will become a larger part of public relations strategies, including how HGTV and the other Scripps Networks brands are leveraging this outreach with their customers and clients.

Sponsored by:

Luncheons are typically held on the second Tuesday of each month but may vary depending on speaker and location availability.

Click here to check out further details on upcoming luncheons and other events on the Cincinnati Chapter’s website.  (http://www.cincinnatiprsa.org/meetings.htm)

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Membership Corner

Membership Promotion for November and December

By Jonathan Kissell

What makes the current promotion special is both existing PRSA members and new members benefit. Current PRSA members will receive $20 off if they add a Professional Interest Section during November and December while new PRSA members will receive a Section membership for free (note there are some exceptions for Counselors and New Pros.)! Each of PRSA’s 17 Professional Interest Sections provides practice-specific tools for strategic planning, tactical know-how and networking.

PRSA Implements Hardship Program

By Jonathan Kissell

(See more details about the program in the National PRSA section of the newsletter)

PRSA offers a financial hardship plan to members who are unemployed or temporarily disabled. The plan is available to anyone who has been a member of PRSA for a total of five or more years and is up for membership renewal. Complete details are available at www.prsa.org. The National rate under the hardship plan is $115, which is a savings of $110 from the regular dues of $225. Members wishing to take advantage of or learn more about the hardship plan should contact Member Services at membership@prsa.org or (212) 460-1400.

Group Membership Program

By Jonathan Kissell

PRSA group membership program offers incentives and benefits for large organizations to join with multiple representatives. The memberships are organization-owned and transferable among employees, if an employee changes departments or leaves the company. The program also provides the convenience of consolidated billing for all members. Finally, the group membership program maximizes savings for organizations by covering the costs of chapter dues or professional interest section fees during the first year.

To qualify, at least eight employees from an organization must join, and two may be current PRSA members. Please contact Malia Moore, PRSA membership development manager, for complete details about the program, Malia.Moore@prsa.org

PRSAY Helps Build Bridge

By Jonathan Kissell

In January, PRSA launched a new blog, PRSAY, to connect members with the PRSA leaders. We encourage you to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to engage in dialogue and offer perspective about integral aspects of your professional career. The first several posts came from PRSA Chair and CEO Michael Cherenson, APR, making him available to listen to your comments and suggestions.

PRSAY is one of the many valuable components of a PRSA membership. Please take a moment to check it out at www.prsay.prsa.org.

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Accreditation Corner

Read more about accreditation on the PRSA National Web site, www.praccreditation.org .

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Diversity Section

If you are interested in participating in PRSAs Diversity efforts please contact Dawn Woods, APR at 513-551-1474 or dpwoods@health-partners.org.

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New Professionals

An Excellant Year for the New Pros

By Darcy Little

Wow – our New Pros group did a lot this year, didn’t we?

We executed Pro-Am Day (a first for our group), visited the Cincinnati Museum Center, rubbed elbows with key media contacts and discussed important topics such as slavery and efforts to end human trafficking.

Plus, we enjoyed a few happy hours.

That’s not even half of it.  Our programming was phenomenal, and I’d like to thank the people who were responsible for planning these excellent events that increased attendance and participation in our group:

The 2009 New Pros Committee

Lauren Boettcher

Allison Brinkman

Kristin Doidge

Ashley Van Sickle

Brandy Williams

If you see these professionals at a luncheon or out-and-about downtown, give them a pat on the back, a high five, a nod or whatever your congratulatory gesture of choice is.  (Speaking of Brandy, she will be the New Pros 2010 chair.  She’s awesome.)

I’m proud that Cincinnati PRSA has an engaged and excited YP presence in our amazing city.  I’m honored that I was a part of that.

I’ve had the privilege to not only work with my committee members, but also meet other driven and talented “new pros” at our events.  Rest assured, Cincinnati PRSA, that our chapter will be in good hands in the years to come.

This won’t be the last you hear from me – I’ll be our newsletter editor in 2010.  So it’s not goodbye – it’s, “See you next year!”

Call for 2010 New Pros Committee Members

By Darcy Little

Hey, New Pros!

A great way to get involved with PRSA and receive more benefit from your membership is to join a chapter committee.  You meet excellent professionals and build lasting relationships with your colleagues.  Not to mention – you learn more about the profession and develop leadership experience!

We are putting out our call for the 2010 Cincinnati PRSA New Professionals Committee.  Members of the committee will help next year’s chair, Brandy Williams, develop programming for the Cincinnati PRSA New Pros group.  Serving on the committee is a fun and enriching experience with a very manageable time commitment.  Committee members plan one to two events per year, and event planning typically requires only a couple of hours total.

As a committee member, you will have a say in the direction of the New Pros group, and creativity is encouraged!

The only requirements to serving on the committee is that you be a PRSA member and are a “new pro” (typically five or fewer years of professional experience).

If you are interested in serving on next year’s New Pros committee, please respond to CincyNewPros@yahoo.com by Friday, December 18.  Please also reply to this e-mail address if you have any questions.

Thanks, and we’re looking forward to an excellent 2010 (because you will make it excellent)!

Best,
Darcy Little
2009 Cincinnati PRSA New Professionals Chair

December Event

By Darcy Little

Celebrate the holidays and the end of 2009 with your friends and colleagues in the Cincinnati PRSA New Pros, Cincinnati AMA YP group and Ad2: Cincinnati!

"YP Jingle & Mingle"

6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Thursday, December 17

Bootsy's (631 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, 45202)

There will be raffles for fabulous prizes, great food and lots of fun with your favorite YP’ers!

RSVP isn't required, but it would be helpful to have a general headcount.  (So try to let us know if you can by December 16 by sending an email to CincyNewPros@yahoo.com!)

Cincinnati PRSA encourages all event attendees to enjoy its social networking events responsibly.

Social Media

Follow Cincinnati’s PRSA New Pros on Twitter: @CinPRSANewPros!

Join our Facebook group, too (you must be in the Cincinnati FB network to have access): “PRSA New Professionals Cincinnati Chapter.”

Call for speakers

Would you be interested in sharing your experience with the PRSA New Pros?  We’d love to listen to your stories.  E-mail cincynewpros@yahoo.com if you’d like to be added to our speakers list!

Call for new members

If you’re a new or young professional, we’d be thrilled to have you at our events!  If you’d like to be added to the New Pros’ e-mail list, send a message to cincynewpros@yahoo.com.

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Job Bank

Cincinnati PRSA is a Job Search Resource

By Maureen Richmond

With Ohio’s unemployment rising to record levels, networking and the utilization of local resources is more important than ever. Don’t forget to add www.cincinnatiprsa.org to your bag of tricks. The Job Bank is regularly updated with new positions – including both full-time and internship opportunities.

In addition, consider emailing your resume to maureenrichmond@ymail.com for addition to our resume database. Employers routinely contact the Job Bank for resumes prior to posting the positions online.

Have you found your position through the Job Bank? Let us know. We’d love to feature your success story in a future issue of PR Visions. Email maureenrichmond@ymail.com with your success story today!

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Volunteer Bank

Acclaim Seeking PR Chair

Acclaim is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to build local theatre audiences by identifying, celebrating, and inspiring excellence in Cincinnati non-profit theatre. In addition to the Acclaim Awards that highlight the best accomplishments in each Cincinnati theatre season, Acclaim offers a series of grants to support local theatre artists in their artistic growth, and to reward the work of outstanding local theatre educators and students.

Acclaim needs a seasoned PR professional to serve as the PR chair to help us inform and engage the community as partners in this mission. Duties include: supervising the PR committee; promoting Acclaim and its programs nationally and locally; overseeing social networking for Acclaim; and working closely with special events and Award Event committees.

Time commitment: about an hour a week, plus a monthly meeting of the Acclaim Executive Committee.

We are looking for enthusiasm and creative ideas from someone who previously (or currently) has experience leading PR campaigns. We welcome your expertise and your leadership in this position.

Contact Kate Spencer at (513) 541-6306 or at kspencer1@zoomtown.com to learn more about the position and application process.

Nonprofit for Elderly Needs Your Help!

Healthcare communications/marketing

By Nancy Lyons

PHC Foundation seeking PR help.  We want to get the word out to Cincinnati’s philanthropic community that there is an organization serving a seemingly forgotten generation right here at home. 

The PHC Foundation is a leader in providing home health care for low-income seniors in western Hamilton County.  PHC Foundation is the only independent (not affiliated with, nor supported by any national agency or charity), nonprofit home health care agency in western Hamilton County providing home health, personal care and homemaking services.

Certified Nurse’s Aides and Home Health Aides assist older adults with meal preparation, medication reminders, laundry, bathing, light housekeeping and companionship - under direct supervision of a Registered Nurse - in the privacy of their own homes.         

PHC Foundation’s clients are the poor, needy and elderly (at least 60 years of age) residents of western Hamilton County.  We serve an average of 65 seniors per year. 

Those who need our services are physically unable to perform everyday tasks without help.  Activities we take for granted every single day are simply unattainable for many older adults.

Any help with publicity, communications, writing, web, special events, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

We’re just trying to make a difference in our community and let people know that we’re out here.  Cincinnati’s elderly community will benefit by us reaching potential board members, volunteers and donors. For more information www.privatehcfoundation.org

Contact Information:

Nancy Lyons

Development Director

PHC Foundation

Nancy@privatehcfoundation.org

513-662-8999

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College View

University of Cincinnati PRSSA:

CONTACT: Sarah Starcher/Matt Stephens-Rich

Phone #: 740-814-0836/419-239-3424

ucprssa@gmail.com

UC PRSSA Helps Prepare Members for PR Careers

By Matt Stephens-Rich

As competition increases in the PR career market, members of the University of Cincinnati PRSSA are continuously meeting through different workshops to gain valuable knowledge and insight on how to succeed in the PR profession.  By honing in on skills desired by employers, members are better situated to land competitive internships to jump-start their professional career. Workshops vary from discussions on the importance of social networking to the ingredients of a winning portfolio. 

“These workshops are a valuable resource for students who are unclear on certain aspects of professional life,” says UC PRSSA’s president Kelley Ujvary.  “Our members want to be fully prepared to succeed with their careers, and this is a place to do that prep work.”

PRSSA’s most recent meeting centered around the construction of a good portfolio, having students present their own portfolios as examples, allowing advisors to weigh in on what they look for in a portfolio.  “We are giving members the knowledge on what they need to secure important internships and professional careers,” says Ujvary.  “PRSSA is an environment to polish up those skills.”

The University of Cincinnati chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America received its charter in 2005 and has nearly 75 members.  The student-run organization strives to apply classroom knowledge to real life campaigns.  Email the chapter at ucprssa@gmail.com.

Miami University PRSSA:
http://www.orgs.muohio.edu/muprssa

A Continous Trend: Student-Run PR Firms

By Stephanie Mater

Student-run public relations firms have been popping up at colleges and universities all over the nation. They offer undergraduate students real-world experience that helps them to develop practical public relations skills. By working with clients in the communities surrounding these universities, students build relationships with industry professionals. These professionals can be key contacts when it comes to networking and job searching.

Working in any organization, but especially a student-run PR firm, helps students understand how to work in committees. Students are held accountable by their peers and their client to maintain quality work.

The fall 2009 issue of Forum, the national newspaper of PRSSA, Jessica Lawlor of Temple University addresses “Simple Steps to a Successful Student-run Firm.” She suggested that a successful student-run public relations firm needs to be organized, must have strong leadership, must be motivated, committed and adhere to set policies.

The firm must maintain its organization by being thorough planners. Meetings should be consistent and scheduled far in advance. The firm should utilize sites like Blackboard that allow for continuous communication and document posting.

Each team must also stay organized by making sure it is always on the same page as its client. Projects should be completed in a timely manner. Students must have good time management skills so they can balance work for the PR firm with schoolwork, jobs and work for other organizations.

Student firms must have strong leadership and a clear chain of command. The student director of the firm should be in charge of the day-to-day activities and regulate member activity. A faculty advisor should be present to help resolve any problems that arise and provide suggestions about the best course of action.

The remaining members should be divided into teams or committees that manage a specific client. Each committee should be lead by an account executive (AE) with support from an assistant account executive. The AE can then delegate client-specific tasks to the committee members. The AE should maintain contact with the client and relay necessary information to the committee and the firm director.

Members should be motivated and committed to the organization. Members of the firm should act as though they are part of a professional organization rather than a regular student organization because it is part of the larger professional community. Some universities motivate members with extrinsic rewards, while hope students will get intrinsic rewards. Students should enjoy the task they are completing. Miami University offers students class credit to hold them to higher standards. But the greatest reward any member should receive is the intrinsic reward that he has helped an organization maintain a better relationship with its publics.

Student-run public relations firms could benefit from following PRSA’s principles for becoming a nationally affiliated PR firm. A firm must be: organized and structured, accountable, outcome driven, geared toward professional practice, PRSSA centered, PRSA connected and ethically based.

Miami University has its own student-run public relations firm, PR Visions. Created during the 1986-87 school year, its start-up was encouraged by PRSSA. Brian Maloney, Miami graduate and owner of Maloney and Fox, a PR firm in New York, created its name.

Andrea Sober, director of PR Visions, says students must interview to join PR Visions. Interviews are done to make sure that the students are dedicated and have a good work ethic. Sober is also better able to group members together into teams of people with complementary talents.

Sober emphasizes the importance of meeting with clients face-to-face on a weekly or monthly basis to see their goals, needs and wants. In addition to these meetings, teams must be in constant communication with their client.

PR Visions’ teams are responsible for doing whatever the client asks of them. This includes writing press releases and pitch letters, researching and interacting with social media.

PR Visions is a part of Miami’s chapter of PRSSA. It serves client from the surrounding Oxford area, including clients in Cincinnati and Dayton. Clients are solicited by word of mouth. Bill Brewer, PRSSA faculty advisor, PR professional and professor at Miami, recommends some of the clients.

PR Visions works to maintain positive relationships with its clients, so they return or they tell a friend about PR Visions. The 2009-2010 school year clients include PRISM, Therapeutic Recreation for the Disabled, Miami Athletic Department, Venturepax.com, Bagel & Deli and the Oxford Skating Club.

Northern Kentucky University:

www.nkuprssa.org

Xavier University PRSSA:

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Visions Viewpoint

Hoping To Inspire Good Things Going Around With New Blog

By Lisa Desatnik

Do you know someone who has gone out of his or her way to make a difference in the lives of others? Lisa Desatnik, communication contractor and consultant, is looking to share positive stories of just plain goodness, stories that will serve to inspire more goodness. And thus, help keep good things going around. If you’ve got something to share for consideration, please contact Lisa at lisadesatnik@fuse.net or 513-984-5474. Her blog is located at www.goodthingsgoingaroundcincinnati.com

Pitch Guests & Topics to Business Focus

By Rodger Roeser, APR

Eisen Management Group president Rodger Roeser is returning to his roots and parlaying his success with current radio talk show That Marketing Show into its online television counterpart – Business Focus. The online show, which features many local and national business leaders, is slated to debut at www.eisenmanagementgroup.com in October. The show records at the Greater Cincinnati EMG location in downtown Newport, Kentucky in their new online television recording and editing studio. The show will also do remote shoots on location for certain high profile guests.

“Doing the news has always been in my blood, and I will always say that I am a news person first – always will be,” Roeser said. “Being a newspaper editor, and also working in broadcast for years helped shape how I approach public relations and marketing, and I believe that is a key reason why our clients and EMG have been so successful. This show is an extension of that success, and reflects things that I am truly passionate about – that is sharing expertise to make better business leaders and helping our business community to promote itself in this medium.” 

Roeser explained that the show will be a simple talk format with host and guest, and each segment will run approximately five minutes. Business leaders or their public relations representatives are encouraged to pitch show producers regarding guests and topics at businessfocus@eisenmanagementgroup.com.

This program continuing in 2009 … look for ID cards at a PRSA Luncheon

F.I.N.S. Program

(Flash ID –N- Save)

The F.I.N.S. program is designed to offer PRSA members an easy, short-step option toward purchasing tickets to the Newport Aquarium at a discount.

What is F.I.N.S.?  

F.I.N.S. is an acronym for “Flash ID -N- Save”.  When members come to the Newport Aquarium, have them show their organization’s ID badge at the ticket window.  The Newport Aquarium is able to provide preprinted cards with PRSA’s name on them to be distributed soon to members.  These cards will act as an ID badge.  The member and their guests will receive discounted ticket prices. (They must have their current, valid, organization ID to receive the discount.)  Showing their organization’s ID badge will provide a $2 discount for each adult and child ticket purchased and a $3 discount for every senior ticket purchased.  This discount will be taken off of the regular general admission price.

Some of the unique benefits of this program are:

• No out-of-pocket money needed prior to a visit.
• No worries about losing a paper ticket.
• Member discount applies every day of the year…. no expiration date.
• Discounts can be applied to every visit members make to the aquarium, as long as they show a current, valid, member ID badge at the ticket window.

The Newport Aquarium reserves the right to change the General Admission Price, and/or benefit(s) to the F.I.N.S. Program at any time during the Agreement. 

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Member/Agency/Company News

Request for News!
By Shasta Taber

If you, or you know someone, that is a member of the Cincinnati Chapter of PRSA that has received an award, been promoted or recently hired, or even their company/agency has received an award, or new client please share it with the rest of the chapter by submitting a short article to Shasta Taber, newsletter editor at srtaber@hotmail.com.  Articles submitted in a Microsoft Word document would be greatly appreciated.

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PRSA National News (from www.prsa.org)

Hardship Plan for PRSA Members

PRSA is pleased to offer a financial hardship plan to our members who are unemployed or temporarily disabled. The plan will be launched April 1. The terms of the plan are stated below.

1. The financial Hardship Plan is available to anyone who has been a member of PRSA for a total of five or more years and is unemployed, and who is currently up for renewal of his/her membership (has received one or more invoices).

a. Those working part time — regardless of whether or not they are practicing public relations — are not eligible.

b. Members who recently lapsed and who meet these criteria may apply for the plan.

c. Members who recently renewed at the full dues rate and who meet these criteria may request a refund of $110; the amount of the hardship credit.

2. Temporarily disabled members, including those on maternity leave, also are eligible for the plan provided they meet the terms of service stated above.

3. The hardship dues rate for regular National members is $115, a savings of $110 from the full dues of $225. Some Chapters also have reduced their dues as part of this plan; ask us about your Chapter. Professional Interest Sections and Fellows dues have NOT been reduced.

4. The hardship dues must be paid in full. The hardship rate cannot be combined with the Quarterly Payment Program.

5. This is a one time offer of one year duration — in other words, an individual may only apply to have their dues reduced under the hardship program once over their lifetime.

6. Members who renew with the hardship plan will still receive all PRSA member benefits.

7. To apply for the hardship program, members must complete and sign a short application on which they attest that they are unemployed or temporarily disabled and must submit any applicable dues.

Members wishing to take advantage of the hardship plan should notify a Member Services representative at membership@prsa.org or (212) 460-1400. Member Services will send the member a short application which states the terms of the plan, asks the member to indicate whether they are unemployed or temporarily disabled, and asks them to sign it. Members may pay the adjusted dues by mail, fax or phone. They cannot renew online if they are opting for the hardship plan. The member’s renewal will be processed once the application and the renewal have been received at PRSA National.

Mail: PRSA, Member Services Dept., 33 Maiden Lane 11th Fl., New York, NY 10038-5150    Fax: (212) 995-0757

PRSA's Jobcenter Launches New Job Mentoring Program Providing Expert Career Advice for Public Relations and Communications Professionals

Participants Receive Career Advice, Resume-Writing Tips and Interview Coaching From PRSA's Accredited Experts

NEW YORK (March 9, 2009) — Professionals using the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Jobcenter will now find the site easier and more functional when searching for communications and public relations jobs. PRSA recently added “Job Mentor” and “Ask the Experts” (courtesy of College of Fellows) programs to the Career Resources portion of Jobcenter, making it a fully featured career resource site that offers more information and easy-to-use functionalities for job seekers and employers.

Jobcenter provides job seekers access to free advice from a job mentor who is a career expert in resume writing, interviewing techniques and building networks. Job seekers also can access the “Ask the Experts,” which allows them to pose questions regarding what to say and not say in interviews, how to respond to salary requirement queries, what to do if submitting resumes but not getting interviews, and much more.

“These two newly launched Jobcenter programs give job seekers the edge they need in today’s market,” said PRSA President and COO William Murray. “The PRSA Jobcenter provides career development tools and expert advice to aid job seekers in securing their first job, advancing in their field or transitioning into the public relations and communications industry.”

PRSA also continues to engage TopRank Online Marketing to provide search engine optimization and promotion services to extend the visibility of Jobcenter listings on Web sites, such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Live. TopRank works with some of the largest companies on the Internet.

Attention PRSA Members: Take Advantage of Preferred Insurance Rates
New Insurance Offerings for Members and Chapters Now Available

NEW YORK (Feb. 18, 2009) — The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announces a new member benefit that allows you to get the insurance coverage you need for you, your family and your business at preferred rates. The new program includes health, dental and life insurance for members or their families, and general liability, directors and officers, and errors and omissions insurance for your business. The general liability insurance also is available to Chapters for special events.

“PRSA is pleased to extend the insurance benefits program, which members may find cost-effective for their families and businesses,” said William Murray, PRSA president & COO.  “We’ve made this available as a pass-through benefit for our members — so they’ll be getting the best deal the broker has available, with PRSA having no financial stake in the transaction.”

This new program replaces insurance programs previously available to PRSA members and Chapters. Members receive preferred rates through PRSA's insurance broker. Below is a sampling of products offered to members:

• Health Insurance — covers medical and hospital expenses for individuals and organizations. Plans vary by state.
• Dental — covers treatments and services, including orthodontics. Plans are available to corporations, individuals and their families.
• Business Office Insurance — covers against “all risks” to the contents of your office, extra expenses incurred if you are unable to use your office space, as well as General Liability/Special Event Liability. Limits available up to $5 million.
• Public Relations Professional Liability — protects your business from lawsuits against an error of omission. Limits available up to $5 million.
• Cyber/Internet Liability — protects your intellectual property if your laptop computer is lost or stolen.

For more information, log in to MemberNet and click on Member Benefits.

Search Thousands of Public Relations Jobs for Communications Professionals on PRSA’s Updated Jobcenter
Job Seekers Can Post Resumes Anonymously at No Cost; Pre-Screened Filters Helps Employers Narrow Down Candidates

NEW YORK (June 16, 2008) Using the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Jobcenter is now easier and more functional than ever when searching for communications and public relations jobs. PRSA recently launched the updated and redesigned Jobcenter, which is now a fully featured career resource site that offers more information and easy-to-use functionalities for job seekers and employers.

Posting a resume is FREE, and an anonymous resume posting option for job seekers is now available. Career resources also include a job alert system, career search management, access to Job Bulletin, a weekly e-newsletter, and a library offering more than 100 career-based articles. Posting a resume on Jobcenter provides members with career resources and access to a public relations and communications targeted community of more than 32,000 members, including more than 9,900 students, as well as a database of 45,000 public relations, corporate communications and other communication professionals from across the country.

“The PRSA Jobcenter now contains enhanced career development tools in a more user friendly platform,” said PRSA President and COO William Murray. “As the world’s largest and most targeted association for public relations professionals, it was only fitting for us to develop one of the most robust public relations and communications job centers in the industry. Our newly launched Jobcenter guides job seekers and employers with career-related articles, filtering capabilities, easy access for viewing resumes and job postings, career mentoring and increased coverage of listings for the functional areas of public relations, communications and marketing.”

Employers now have the benefit of pre-screen filters, bulk posting and a user-friendly candidate management system. Moreover, PRSA has developed a new heavily discounted pricing structure for members. A targeted public relations job board, designed for job seekers, saves time for employers when identifying prospects since candidates are asked their location preferences, job specializations and salary requests. 

In addition to enhancing the Jobcenter design and functionality, PRSA has engaged TopRank Online Marketing to provide search engine optimization and promotion services to extend the visibility of Jobcenter listings on Web sites, such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Live. TopRank works with some of the largest companies on the Web.

Make a Difference - PRSA is Seeking Volunteers!

(found in March 2007 PRVisions)

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National PRSA Calendar of Events (from www.prsa.org)

Categories: APRCommunications Planning & Measurement, International Conference, Management & Leadership, Media Relations, Meetings, Networking, Relationship & Reputation, Social Media & Emerging Trends and Techniques & Tactics

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Past PRVisions Issues

November 2009

October 2009

September 2009

August 2009

July 2009

June 2009

May 2009

April 2009

March 2009

February 2009

January 2009

December 2008

November 2008

October 2008

September 2008

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