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| Tuesday, September 7, 2010 |
| - In This Issue - |
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Creating Authentic Green Value Consumers and Businesses Will Trust
Date: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: AllPlay
615 3rd Street
Des Moines, Iowa
Colette Chandler, Principal of The Marketing Insider, is a nationally recognized green marketing and trends expert. Colette will provide insight into the $200 billion health-conscious and environmentally-friendly consumer market, and how to effectively communicate to these growing market segments.
Please register online at www.prsaciowa.org by Friday, Oct. 9, 2009. If you have questions about the online registration process, please contact the chapter's treasurer-elect, Alexson Kane, at 515-453-2000.
Mark Your Calendar for the November Meeting
PRSA members are encouraged to mark your calendar now for the November luncheon, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 at the Sheraton in West Des Moines from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lee Konfrst, Vice President of Policy Works, will present on how to influence public opinion.
Lee has more than a decade of diverse experience in communications, and has proven success in strategic planning and implementation of public affairs campaigns for clients across the United States. He will share specific examples and interesting case studies of how his clients were able to use effective communications strategies to get published and influence the public policy process. |
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Happy Anniversary!
In each issue of this newsletter, we will recognize Central Iowa PRSA Chapter members who are celebrating milestone PRSA anniversaries that month. This month, a special congratulations goes to the following individuals:
- Catherine Huggins, APR, of Aviva USA – 20 years
- Eric Kinman, of Veridian Credit Union – 5 years
- Gregg Lagan, of Mercy Medical Center – 10 years
- Leigh McGivern, APR, of Des Moines Public Schools – 15 years
- Dale Stark, of Civic Center of Greater Des Moines – 5 years
- Mara White, of Flynn Wright, Inc. – 15 years
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Finding Your Passions
This has been a very eventful year for my family. My youngest daughter, Kayla, turned one in February and to celebrate, she spent time in the hospital recovering from a respiratory infection. Then, later that month, we received emotional news that my father had skin cancer. He had surgery in March to remove a small spot on his leg and was out of the hospital in two days. However, just five days later, he was fighting for his life, as a staph infection had taken over his body. He remained hospitalized for 23 days and slowly regained his strength.
Thankfully, dad has been able to resume most of his farming activities and Kayla is keeping my wife and me on our toes as a happy and busy 19-month-old. All those days spent in the hospital this year gave me plenty of time to reflect on many topics. I spent considerable time prioritizing my true passions in life and identifying what motivates me to take on each day.
This fall, I challenge you to reflect on what motivates you about your job. What do you enjoy about your career and the public relations profession? Is there something you want to learn more about? Is something holding you back or keeping you from truly living out your passions? If so, take steps today that will get you closer to what you truly enjoy.
Please let me know if there is anything our chapter can do for you during your journey. Maybe you would like to hear a presentation on a certain topic? Or maybe you would like to see a small discussion group formed? Any ideas are welcome and appreciated.
Darin Leach, APR
President, Central Iowa PRSA Chapter
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Make Plans to Attend the International Conference in San Diego
The theme of this year’s PRSA International Conference, set for Nov. 7 to 10, 2009 in San Diego, is “Delivering Value” and will feature addresses from Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, along with other outstanding keynote speakers, including Todd Buchholz and Bob Garfield.
If you haven’t attended PRSA’s International Conference in a while, this would be a good one to check out. For more information, please visit http://www.prsa.org/ic2009/. The deadline to receive special hotel rates is Oct. 8, 2009. |
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PRSA is Tweeting!
Central Iowa PRSA is tweeting and wants you to join the conversation! To get the latest news and special announcements about Central Iowa PRSA, follow @PRSACIowa on Twitter.
Following Central Iowa PRSA on Twitter not only allows you to receive up-to-the-minute information, but it allows you to become part of a PR community that is able to endlessly exchange thoughts and ideas about the profession and other PR issues.
If you’re unfamiliar with how to access Central Iowa PRSA on Twitter, follow these easy instructions:
Current Twitter Users:
- After logging onto your Twitter account, click on “Find People” located in the top right hand corner of the page.
- Type “PRSACIowa” in the search box.
- Click “Follow” to be updated with the latest news and information about Central Iowa PRSA.
- Be sure to visit your Twitter account often for updates and event details coming up within PRSA.
Soon-To-Be Twitter Users
- Visit www.twitter.com.
- Click “Sign Up Now.”
- Create your Twitter profile by personalizing it with a username and information about yourself.
- After creating your profile, click on “Find People,” located in the top right hand corner of the page.
- Type “PRSACIowa” in the search box.
- Click “Follow” to be updated with the latest news and information about Central Iowa PRSA.
- Be sure to visit your Twitter account often for updates and event details coming up within PRSA.
Remember, you can also receive news and updates for Central Iowa PRSA on Facebook – just add “Central Iowa PRSA” as your friend.
If you have any problems or questions concerning PRSA’s Twitter or Facebook accounts, please contact Lindsey McKelvey or 515-223-1383. |
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Receive Free First-Year Chapter Membership with Paid National Membership
There’s no better time to join the PRSA Central Iowa chapter than now. During October, new PRSA National members, and reinstating members who have been inactive for at least one year, may enjoy a free one-year membership to the PRSA Chapter of their choice.
Benefits of a PRSA Central Iowa chapter membership include the following:
- Become a visibly engaged member in the public relations community, while expanding your circle of colleagues and contacts.
- Atttend local seminars, meetings, luncheons, receptions and programs.
- Earn recognition through industry awards.
- Step into a leadership role and advocate for the public relations profession.
- Learn about business development and job opportunities in the community.
Membership applications will be available at monthly luncheons, or contact Andrea James to have an application e-mailed to you. |
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PR Week at Iowa State
The Iowa State Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is hosting the second annual PR Week, Oct. 12 to 14, on the Iowa State campus. PRSA members, Iowa State graduates or not, are encouraged to attend the following events:
- Tuesday, Oct. 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 Wednesday, Oct. 7, to Amanda Molitor and indicate your time preference.
- Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Room 0169 of Hamilton Hall – Help PRSSA students learn the basics about being a PR professional in the first PR “boot camp.” This workshop will cover the fundamentals all PR students should know about, including: how to pass a writing test, the correct format of press releases, implementing social networking successfully, and where the field of PR can take you. If you are interested in speaking to the PRSSA chapter about a certain topic, please feel free to e-mail Jenna Nikkel.
This will also be a great weekend to head to Ames to cheer on the Cylcones, as it is Homecoming Week. On Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m., the Cyclones will host Baylor for another great football game. |
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How to Write a Perfect Cover Letter
With unemployment rates continuing to climb across the United States, competition for jobs also has increased among current job seekers, especially in the public relations industry. In an effort to help individuals who may be looking for a job, the following are tips on how to write a perfect cover letter from Deborah Walker, Career Coach at Alpha Advantage.
Your cover letter has only one job – to entice the reader to open and read your resume. Sounds simple, but job seekers often stress as much over their cover letter as they do the resume. If this sounds like you, there is a simple approach to cover letters that will streamline your application process and give you confidence every time you send out your resume.
1. Keep it Short – More often than not you'll send your cover letter via e-mail or some other electronic system. Your reader won't be looking at a piece of paper, but at their computer screen. Because attention spans are shorter when reading text on a computer versus paper, it’s important to keep your cover letter short, concise and to the point. Recruiters don’t have the patience or time for lengthy text, especially if they have hundreds of cover letters and resumes to read through.
2. Focus on Qualifications – Most job seekers freeze up when writing cover letters because they don't know what information recruiters want to see. The first person in an organization to read your resume is a recruiter or HR professional who acts as a screener. They are interested only in identifying candidates who match their set of qualifications. Don't worry about explaining why you are interested in the position, the screener only wants to know if you qualify as a viable candidate. Use the job posting as a guide to know exactly what qualifications to mention in your cover letter.
3. Don't Try to Get Fancy – Job seekers get frustrated writing cover letters because they try to make it into a creative writing exercise. That's not necessary. It's much more important that you keep your ideas clear and easily understood. When writing about your qualifications, use the same verbiage to describe your skills as are in the job posting. You'll make the resume screener's work much easier and they will recognize you as a perfect candidate match much quicker.
Using this simple approach will allow you to take a customized approach with each cover letter you send. Generic cover letters usually sound canned no matter how much time was spent writing them.
While cover letters have changed from paper to electronic today, they are still a vital part of your job-search marketing materials. Cover letters provide your first opportunity to make a good impression on your potential new employer. It pays to write them with clarity and simplicity.
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HighIighting Member Accomplishments or Achievements
In an effort to recognize accomplishments of PRSA members, or public relations and marketing awards that have been earned by Central Iowa businesses, this information will be shared in the newsletter on a regular basis. Accomplishments by members can include anything from receiving a promotion, changing jobs, obtaining a degree or designation, as well as announcing weddings, births, etc. To share your accomplishments or company achievements, please send your information to Melany Stonewall.
This month, a special congratulations goes to John Dutcher, APR, who was elected in September to a four-year term on the Johnston Community School District Board of Directors. Dutcher, a Central Iowa PRSA member since 1991, took the oath of office to serve as a director of Iowa’s 14th largest public school district on Sept. 14. The seven-member Johnston Board of Education is responsible for the education of more than 5,800 students, a annual budget of more than $75 million, 836 full and part-time employees, and operation of eight schools. Dutcher is president of Dutcher & Associates, L.L.C., a Johnston public relations firm specializing in national and international media relations. |
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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. We are pleased to welcome the following individuals to our chapter:
- Caroline Jones
- Anne Kassel, Trilix Marketing Group
- Travis Olson, Farmers Co-op Society
Current members are encouraged to introduce themselves to these new members at future luncheons or events and make them feel welcome. |
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How did we do?
Take our monthly meeting survey and give us your feedback on this months event.
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