Welcome back from Thanksgiving break!  I hope everyone had safe travels and an enjoyable time with family and friends.  What an exciting time of the year this is as we get away from life’s daily tasks and spend quality time with those who are most important in our lives.

This month we are offering two very exciting opportunities for spending a little extra time with your PRSA friends. Please make plans to attend Dr. Jim Verlengia’s presentation staring at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 11 at InPlay in Des Moines.

The registration deadline has been extended to Friday, December 5.

Thank you to this year’s Professional Development committee for organizing such a great presenter.

Also, on Thursday, December 18 join your fellow PRSA members and other communications professionals from central Iowa for a night of fun with comedian Jeff Havens.

More information about both events can be found below and on our web site.

Finally, I want to say thank you to everyone who has participated in our chapter’s activities this fall. It has been great seeing so many of you at our different events.

Coming up this spring we will have monthly meetings in January, February, March and May, with our annual Institute Event and Awards Ceremony in April and our annual business meeting in June.

Enjoy this holiday season!

Darin Leach, APR

2008-2009 Chapter President

This month we are spotlighting Angela Feig.  Angela has been a member of PRSA since 2005.  She recently joined The Meyocks Group as a Senior Public Relations Director.

Click here to listen to a podcast featuring Angela.

Our chapter's podcasts this year are being developed by Hanser & Associates.

Congratulations to the following members on milestone anniversaries this month!

15-Year Member

Brenda Wiarda

10-Year Members

Joyce Allard

Rhonda Clark-Leyda

Dr. Jim Verlengia will present a thought-provoking and motivating presentation on December 11. His presentation will allow you to take a step back from reality and focus on the most important aspects of your life. As a motivating and optimistic speaker, Dr. Verlengia is sure to inspire and impact both your personal and professional life.

To register click here.

Dr. Verlengia is currently a Partnership Director at Heartland AEA11 and leads a team in the Des Moines Public Schools. He has dedicated his life to education serving students as a teacher, coach and administrator.

Dr. Verlengia received a BA from the University of Northern Colorado, a MA from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, and an Educational Specialist and Doctorate Degree from Drake University.

Through presentations Dr. Verlengia gives throughout the nation, he continues to support and promote what he believes to be our country’s biggest natural resource – our children.

For his efforts and commitments to youth, Dr. Verlengia has received local, state and national recognition as a catalyst in the middle school movement, and was the recipient of the Iowa Middle Level Educators’ “Educator of the Year” award.