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Thursday, November 20, 2008

- In This Issue -

PRSA Luncheon

Letter from the President

Professional Development

Ethics

Program Recap

November 2008

PRSA Luncheon:

November Meeting – The Story of Templeton Rye – How they took their brand from bootlegged to top shelf

Date: Thursday, Nov. 20

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Hilton Garden Inn

8600 Northpark Drive

Johnston

This is a story that isn't in your history books, but it's American history, intrigue and survival at its best.

When prohibition outlawed the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in 1920, many enterprising residents of tiny Templeton, Iowa, (population 350) came together to create an American classic known as Templeton Rye Whiskey, or "The Good Stuff" to those in the know.

Over the course of its storied history, Templeton Rye became Al Capone’s whiskey of choice, quickly finding its way to the center of his bootlegging empire. Speakeasies in Chicago, New York and as far west as San Francisco, poured Templeton Rye, which was known as the "Best Whiskey in the House.” Later legends suggest that a few bottles even found their way inside the walls of Alcatraz to the cell of prisoner AZ-85. Today, the whiskey has many loyal fans, including the popular band "The Nadas," who wrote a song about the product called "Templeton Rye."

During the meeting, Templeton Rye president and founder, Scott Bush, will share more about the history of Templeton Rye and explain how the enterprising residents of Templeton, Iowa, came together to survive during the hard times of The Great Depression. Join us to learn how this Iowa company took a brand from bootlegged to top shelf.

Please register online at www.prsaciowa.org by Thursday, Nov. 13. If you have questions about the online registration process, please contact the chapter's treasurer-elect Jarad Bernstein, at 280-2040, or jarad.bernstein@hubbellrealty.com.

Letter from the President:

Small Things Make Big Impressions

I usually don’t take note of restaurant experiences, but this really made an impression with me and taught me a thing or two about customer and client service.

Earlier this month, my wife and I visited the Texas Roadhouse in Johnston. The visit started like so many other experiences. When we arrived, the lobby was overcrowded and people were standing outside. Luckily, we had called ahead, so within minutes of our arrival, our number was called and we bypassed everyone waiting; I was shocked. In fact, I made a comment to the hostess asking if we were called to stand in another line, or was it really our turn. No, we were headed to our seat.

As we were walking to our table, my wife made a comment to the hostess that this was our first time visiting. We were seated and handed menus. Within a few minutes, the manager came to our table, greeted us, thanked us for coming and offered us a free appetizer. A very nice touch, I thought.

When the appetizer came, it was a full-sized portion, not the smaller size that was supposed to be their way of saying “thank you.” The waitress explained “oh, they just made you the larger portion, enjoy.” Again, a nice touch.

After a pleasant dining experience, our waitress came back with three to-go containers. Two were empty and one had four extra rolls in it. Again, she said “thank you again for trying us out.”

The memory of this experience still lingers with me for a few reasons. First, the restaurant has been open in Johnston for three years – I would not consider it brand new and needing to impress new visitors to grow a customer base. I would call it fairly established. Second, I am positive that two-hour waits are common on weekend evenings. To me, it looks like the restaurant has more business than it can handle.

So why did they do so much for first-time visitors? That was the question I kept asking myself the rest of the evening. My conclusion is that by providing experiences like the one my wife and I had, they try to hook customers for life. They succeed. But, they didn’t have to do this. Then again, maybe this is one reason why there are many people waiting in line each weekend?

As a professional communicator, I took a lesson from this experience and am trying to apply the same great service to the people I work with each day – my co-workers, media, other public relations practitioners and vendors. Going the extra mile to provide great service leaves long-lasting impressions. I can certainly attest to this, as I just experienced it.

Darin Leach, APR

President, Central Iowa PRSA Chapter

Darin.Leach@ia.usda.gov

Ph: 284-4747

PRSSA News:

Iowa State University PRSSA Students are Working with NASA

The Iowa State University chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is working with NASA on a campaign focused on their Constellation Program – a program committed to the next generation of human space expeditions.

A team of ISU students have begun researching potential audiences and identifying strategies to help promote the new Constellation Program that will ultimately send humans to the moon and Mars. Planning and research will focus on how to directly and indirectly reach targeted audiences through formal and informal networks, while working to generate interest among the general public through pop culture.

Stage one of the national competition is to develop a 30-second story board representing a video public service announcement that could potentially be published by the team if they advance to round two. After the team decides on a way to best design the promotion plan, the story board will be created and sent in with the proposal for review. Four finalist teams will then be selected and will receive a cash award of $1,000 and an opportunity to experience “behind-the-scenes” visits at the Johnson Space Center in Houston and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Finalists will be producing their branding strategy and 30-second video, and will have the chance of winning $10,000 if their proposal is chosen.

This is a challenging competition that has given Iowa State’s PRSSA team a chance to broaden the chapter’s opportunities and successes in the future.

New Members:

A Warm Welcome to PRSA’s Newest Members

In an effort to welcome new members to PRSA, each month, we will highlight individuals who have recently joined the Central Iowa PRSA Chapter. This month, we are pleased to welcome the following individuals to our chapter:

Sara Gilbert, Hanser & Associates
Bonnie Harris, United Way of Central Iowa
Donna Johnson, Beecher Public Relations
Tammie Krausman, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sarah Oltrogge, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (reinstated)

Current members are encouraged to introduce themselves to these new members at future luncheons or events and make them feel welcome.

Member News:

Happy Anniversary!

In each issue of this newsletter, we will recognize Central Iowa PRSA Chapter members who are celebrating milestone anniversaries that month. This month, a special congratulations goes to Melissa Anderson, of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., for celebrating five years of being a member of PRSA.

Upcoming Events:

Holiday Social for Iowa Communicators

On Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, PRSA members are invited celebrate the Christmas season with other area communicators at the first-ever Des Moines Communications Group Holiday Event. From 6 to 9 p.m. at Vaudeville Mews downtown, enjoy desserts, a cash bar and comedian Jeff Havens. Tickets are $25 each and will be mailed to you prior to the event. To learn more about the event or to register, visit the Central Iowa PRSA Web site.

Events:

PR Week at Iowa State

The Iowa State Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is hosting PR Week, Nov. 12 to 14, on the Iowa State campus. PRSA members, Iowa State graduates or not, are encouraged to attend the following events:

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Seminar Room of Hamilton Hall – PRSSA is hosting a networking luncheon for students and professionals to interact and talk about the industry, interview and resume tips, employer expectations, and what the “real world” of PR is all about. There will be two lunches, one from 11 a.m. to Noon, and another from Noon to 1 p.m. to accommodate the students’ class schedule. The cost to attend is $5. If you are interested, please RSVP by Friday, Nov. 7, to Emily Oliver at emilyo@iowacreditunions.com and indicate your time preference and if you’d like to carpool.

Thursday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m. – Ed Nicholson, Director of Communications and Public Relations of Tyson Foods, will speak about corporate social responsibility. He will be discussing Tyson’s hunger relief efforts along with their work with RAGBRAI and raising hunger awareness in Iowa.

As of February, the company had donated more than 50 million pounds of Tyson products to hunger and disaster relief efforts since the year 2000. Nicholson has been at Tyson Foods since 1995. Prior to that he owned the marketing and advertising firm, The Works, as well as held the positions of creative director, writer and producer for Smith and Jennings. The presentation will be held at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room on Iowa State’s campus.

PRSSA invites those attending the speech to donate canned goods or money to be given to Mid-Iowa Community Action, which is a nonprofit organization serving children and families in Central Iowa.

Friday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m. – Connect with ISU PRSSA alumni and network with PRSSA students at this year’s first annual PRSSA Alumni Social. On Friday, Nov. 14, PRSSA is hosting a get-together with alumni at Olde Main Restaurant and Brewery at 316 Main St. in Ames. The event will start at 6 p.m. and will include a tour of the brewery. ISU PRSSA will provide appetizers, and are asking for a freewill donation to help strengthen the chapter. Please RSVP by Friday, Nov. 7, to Emily Oliver, ISU Professional Liaison, at emilyo@iowacreditunions.com or 515-221-3015.

This will also be a great weekend to head to Ames to cheer on the Cylcones. On Saturday, Nov. 15, there is a football game against Missouri, a men's basketball game against UC-Davis at 7 p.m., and a wrestling match at the Lied Recreation Center. On Sunday, Nov. 16, there is a women's basketball game against UMKC at 1 p.m. and a men's basketball game against UW-Milwaukee at 7 p.m.

Mentor Program:

Student/Professional Mentor Program

The Central Iowa PRSA chapter will once again conduct its student/professional mentoring program for the spring of 2009. During the months of November and December, PRSA members are encouraged to sign up to serve as a professional mentor for PRSSA students attending Iowa State University, Drake University and Simpson College.

Matches between students and professionals will be determined in December and students and mentors will be encouraged to set up times throughout the semester to meet with each other. These gatherings may consist of half or full-day job shadowing, meeting for lunch or something else that would be beneficial to students and may include such things as reviewing resumes, conducting mock interviews or discussing the job market.

In February, professionals and their student mentees will be invited and encouraged to attend the February PRSA luncheon to convene with each other and meet other professionals and students. If you are interested in mentoring one or more students, please contact Lindsey Maas, Central Iowa PRSA chapter intern, at lindsey.maas@ia.usda.gov, or 515-284-4444.

General News:

Scholarships Now Available for Professionals and Students!

Now is the time to get your application in for one of the chapter's scholarships!Available to students and professionals, these scholarships aid in the pursuit of public relations education.

Education Scholarships

For the past 25 years, the chapter has recognized a student with the Ferne Bonomi & Dr. Henry Milam Undergraduate Scholarship. Three years ago, the chapter added a graduate degree scholarship for practicing public relations professionals.

Advanced Degree – Are you a PRSA member pursuing an advanced degree? The scholarship application is here.
Undergraduate Scholarship – Are you a PRSSA member looking for some extra money? The scholarship application is here.

Professional Development

The chapter also provides a professional development scholarship that can be used in many different ways to further your career. Here are some ways the professional development scholarship can bring value to you:

Reimburse your expenses for attending PRSA chapter or national events, such as National Conference, monthly luncheons, Webinars and teleseminars, or on-site conferences that further your public relations expertise.
Use the scholarship to help fund your pursuit of the APR process. The money can be used to buy books, pay for study courses and the testing fee.
Pay for your national and chapter memberships.

These are just a few of the ways the professional development scholarship can be used. Be creative and give us your proposal for this scholarship if your idea isn't listed. The application for the professional development scholarship is here.

All scholarship applications are due on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009. Mailing information is found on each of the applications. If you have any questions, please contact Immediate Past President, Antoinette Bernich, at 515-453-2115.

Featured Member:

Meet Darin Leach

Each month, a different PRSA member will be featured in this newsletter. However, instead of reading a member profile, these will be presented as podcasts. This month’s featured member is Darin Leach, who is serving as the 2008/2009 President of the PRSA Central Iowa Chapter and also is the Public Information Coordinator at USDA Rural Development. In this podcast, Leach shares his vision for PRSA this year, as well as provides some interesting information about what he does at the USDA and how he likes to spend his free time. To listen to the podcast, visit spotlight-leach.mp3.

Professional Development:

Earning Your APR Will Benefit Your Career

Starting in this issue of the monthly newsletter, we will be featuring APR members of our chapter. The purpose is for you to get to know the APRs in our group, as well as find out why achieving your APR designation is an important part of your career. If you have any questions about the APR process, please feel free to contact APR Chair Jennifer Perry, at perryja@ihs.org, or 515-241-5283.

“I got my APR to continue my education in the profession. The class allowed me to take a step out of the fast-paced work world to reflect on learning. I met some wonderful people along the way.”

– Jill Spiekerman-Carrothers

"Participating in the APR training classes, preparing for the portfolio review and studying for the exam helped me grow my knowledge and confidence as a public relations practitioner. Plus, I gained so many wonderful friendships along the way."

– Darin Leach

Ethics:

Ethics on the Move

2008 Assembly Update

The work of the National Assembly, PRSA’s governing body, at the 2008 PRSA International Conference in Detroit promises to be vastly different from previous years. Customarily, discussions at the one-day Assembly have focused on revisions to the bylaws, confirming new directors, etc.

This year’s Assembly will involve delegates in an interactive “think tank” session designed to answer the question “What Role Should PRSA Play in Establishing Practice Standards for the Public Relations Profession?”

The premise for this exercise arises from an ongoing debate about the enforcement, or lack of enforcement, surrounding PRSA’s Code of Ethics.

A Little History

In 2000, PRSA dropped the enforcement system from the Code, because of the Society’s lack of legal authority to subpoena evidence and sanction members to enforce the Code. What resulted is the present-day, voluntary Code, which aims to inspire and create understanding of ethical behavior.

Recently, the Board of Ethics & Professional Standards (BEPS) was urged to take another look at how a judicial-based system might work for PRSA members and the profession in general. BEPS determined that any judicial-based system cannot work without legal authority. All other professions that have strong and working practice standards and ethics codes share one thing — practitioners must hold state certifications or licenses to practice. Violators can be expelled from the profession and even jailed if they are out of compliance with their certifications and/or licenses.

In 2006, BEPS called for consideration of professional licensing and certification for the public relations profession, resulting in a discussion at the 2006 PRSA Assembly in Salt Lake City that continues through the work of a PRSA Certification Taskforce. The taskforce, established in August 2007, is charged with exploring the possibilities of developing such a program. Work is continuing, and recommendations to the PRSA Board of Directors are expected during the last quarter of 2008 or the first quarter of 2009.

At the Assembly

Another approach, the establishment of practice standards, is what will be explored at this Assembly by discussing “What Role Should PRSA Play in Establishing Practice Standards for the Public Relations Profession.” With delegates representing chapters, districts and sections across the country, the “think tank” is bound to render many valuable ideas.

Add Your Opinion! Want to weigh in on the current Code of Ethics discussion?

Feel free to express your opinion now or in the future to ethics chairperson Leigh McGivern, APR, at (515) 287-3725 or basicleighcommunications@mchsi.com. Stay tuned for more information about the next steps following the International Conference!

Program Recap:

Communications During the Flood of 2008

On Thursday, Oct. 16, the Central Iowa Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) held its monthly meeting at inPlay in Des Moines. A panel of the city of Des Moines’ communications professionals presented an energetic and informational overview on how they informed the media and community at large about the floods of 2008, while being in the center of it all.

Amelia Hamilton-Morris, Chief Communications Officer, Public Information Office, City of Des Moines; Marylee Woods, Management Analyst, City Manager’s Office, City of Des Moines; and Kandi Reindl, Assistant to the City Manager, City Manager’s Office, City of Des Moines spoke on the difficulty and stress of having to inform the media and public about the flood, while having to move their own office from the flooded downtown area of Des Moines.

The women explained the communication plan that was developed while on the move, which included plugging in and presenting news from DMTV-7 cable channel from wherever they were at the time; holding daily press conferences for local and national media to receive the latest updates; continuously updating the Public Information Office’s Web site; and creating a flood hotline, which was advertised on their Web site, billboards and in news releases. Between keeping the city of Des Moines properly informed about the flood and continuing usual administrative business, these three women were an integral part of communication during the floods of 2008.

If you missed the October meeting, you can listen to a few highlights during a podcast from Hamilton-Morris at http://tinyurl.com/456fw7. (Central Iowa PRSA has partnered with Hanser & Associates to produce a variety of podcasts this year, which will feature members and provide "sneak peeks" of upcoming luncheon topics.)

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