Today is our monthly professional development session.  I hope you’ve reserved your seat at the table to hear Abby Pemberton talk about Publix and her company’s social media success.  You can still pay at the door if you’ve not RSVP’d. 

Because some folks missed it last week, here’s adirect link to the December issue of PRestige, our monthly newsletter.  News tip: next month, PRestige takes on a whole new look… stay tuned!

 

Heard of WestJet Airways?  I hadn’t either… until I watched this video.  What a GREAT example of PR that’s gone positively viral! 

 

 

Annual Conference:  “FPRA: The Road Best Travelled,” August 11-13, 2014, in Orlando.  Clickhere for more info.

Looking for a job? Know someone who needs a job?  Here’s one in Lake County:  

Click here to see this job posting.

Finally, I wish each of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Season, and a Safe and Joyous New Year!

 

Until next time… continue to “think FPRA!”

Thursday Thoughts, 12.12.13

FPRA Ocala Chapter

Click here for a festive surprise! 

Next Friday, Dec. 20, is our monthly professional development session: click here for more info and to RSVP. 

“FPRA: The Road Best Traveled” – FPRA’s 76th annual conference takes place August 11-13, 2014 in Orlando. Click here then scroll down for a short video on next year’s conference. 

December’s PRestige newsletter is linked for your perusal.

Like music trivia? Check it out. Particularly like Christmas music? Check out this funny video...

Or, if you're like me and prefer the original version, here's Andy Williams...

The Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) has finalized a new “Certificate in Principles of Public Relations” for students.  By way of background, the certificate is designed for any undergraduate student who is:

• a public relations major or major in a similar field at an accredited college or university with a faculty member who will certify he/she is a public relations or related major
• within six months of graduation (before or after) 
• prepared to take a formal preparatory course 
• willing to pay the $125 exam fee (to cover Prometric testing) plus a $25 registration fee.

The latest FPRA white paper benefits us all: PR is Not Always Loved by Management; Here’s How to Get the Romance Started 

Finally, State Office membership rosters will be purged at the end of this month. If you know someone who has YET to renew his/her membership, encourage them to do so now. If they wait, they’ll have to start the process all over again, submit a resume and application, be board approved… and perhaps even pay a late fee.  Remember, memberships are renewed through the State Office.

Gearing up for just one more complete shopping week before Christmas… I encourage you to “think FPRA!”

Kevin Christian, APR

FPRA Ocala Chapter President
Marion County Public Schools

Thursday Thoughts 12-5-13

Click here for a festive surprise!

Our monthly professional development session on December 20 is confirmed with a great speaker… you won’t want to miss this one! Think Publix, Facebook, and Twitter combined… more details to follow in your inbox.

REMINDER:  The FPRA membership database will be purged December 31.  Anyone who renews after this date will not be included in the printed membership directory, may have to start the entire application process over, and may have to pay a $25 late fee to re-join.  Currently, the Ocala chapter has the fourth-best renewal rate in the state… which would improve if more non-renewals sign up.  Questions? Contact Jenifer Lowe, president-elect and membership chair.

Have you considered the next step in your career -- becoming Accredited in Public Relations?  APR is the only universal, post-graduate credential available in the public relations profession. It is considered the “Mark of Distinction” for those demonstrating knowledge, experience and commitment to the profession. When you earn your APR credential, you join an elite group of 5,000 public relations professionals worldwide.  Join some of your credentialed peers Monday, Jan. 13 at 11:30AM in the Hospice of Marion County board room (3231 SW 34th Ave. Ocala, 34474) to hear an overview of the credential process. All you need to bring is your lunch and an appetite for information -- we’ll supply the rest! If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Lisa Varner or call 352.854.5230.

Finally, our Image Award committee is hard at work finalizing details for Save the Date, Call for Entries, and Awards Invitation… based on the “recipe” offered in the November meeting, the 2014 Local Image Awards promise to be desirable, delightful, and delectable!  More details to come in future communication…

Until next time, continue to “think FPRA!”

Thursday Thoughts 11-27-13

As you enjoy time this Thanksgiving with family and friends, I encourage you to pause for a moment to reflect on how much we all have for which to be thankful.  Even in our worst scenarios, we have so much more than many others around the world.  Perspective is a good thing, and holidays provide prime time to examine and reflect.   If you need inspiration, read this quote then click on it for more:

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”  --W.T. Purkiser

It’s possible some chapter members may NOT receive email communications from the State Office due to firewall restrictions.  Some issues of e-facts (state newsletter) may not make it through company filters. If you’re not receiving emails from the State Office and your company cannot change firewall settings, you might consider using a personal email address instead (remember to provide this to the State Office for future membership / contact rosters).

From Barbra Hernandez, APR, with Marion County Board of County Commissioners:  [Individuals, brands and PR practitioners that succeed in this new era will do so with edict similar to Dachis Group’s CEO Jeff Dachis new mantra – “This shift from mass communications to a mass of communicators has created a strong fundamental shift.” He’s right, and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his team just underestimated how mass this group of communicators could be. Click here to read the full article.

Finally, here’s a “visual invite” to our December meeting, complete with holiday music and snow: 

(Special thanks to Devon Chestnut, APR, Gainesville Chapter member and State Board Executive Committee member, for producing this spot for us!)

In giving thanks, continue to think FPRA!

Thursday Thoughts 11-21-13

Happy Thursday! One week from today, we’ll enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with family, friends, and others who make our lives meaningful.  I hope the time away from your job is peaceful and filled with rest… although some of you may venture into the “Black Friday” zone.  If you do, best of luck with that!

Special thanks to Carole Savage, APR, CPRC, on a successful ACES meeting this week.  Though small in attendees, the conversation was rich and full of thought!

Last week’s State Board meeting was filled with information for chapter members.  Among them:  Golden Image is going electronic!  Yes, that’s right – no more three-ring binders at the state level.  Stay tuned to Heather Danenhower, APR, for more details on this exciting evolution and how it may impact our local Image Awards.

In membership, the Ocala Chapter slipped to 4th in the state for renewal rates, but from those listed as “non-renewed” on the State roster, we’ve identified several locals who already ARE in the process of renewing.  If you’re still undecided, do so today… you’ll avoid a late fee and possibly having to start the entire process from scratch.  If you’re not sure, you can always email the state office. <mailto:state@fpra.org>

Exciting changes are in store for our newsletter… so keep reading these weekly emails to discover those changes!

Here's information on the 76th annual FPRA Conference in Orlando...
 

I hope you’ll start making plans now to attend!

MARKETING OPPORTUNITY – we’re looking for monthly meeting sponsors wanting brief time before Ocala’s best PR professionals.  If you know someone who’s interested (for a fee), let me know.  I’m happy to contact them to make the pitch.

And finally, watch for a new job posting on www.fpraocala.org <http://www.fpraocala.org>  soon offering someone with graphic arts experience a good opportunity that’s local.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thursday Thoughts 11-14-13

Fall is in the air, and cooler temperatures -- at least for today -- are refreshing!

Tomorrow is our monthly professional development session at the Holiday Inn & Suites / Ocala Conference Center.  Networking starts at 11:30AM. I hope you’ll join us to hear Megan Licata, APR, of Fry Hammond Barr Public Relations in Orlando.  Megan was the lead executive in charge of transitioning the famed Peabody Hotel – ducks and all – into the Hyatt Regency Orlando.  With rebranding as her focus, Megan has great experience to share with us. If you’ve not RSVP’d, you can still pay at the door with the $25 price.

FPRA’s State Board of Directors meets this weekend in Jacksonville.  Your Ocala Chapter is well represented on this prestigious leadership team.  Tina Banner, APR, CPRC, is vice president of Accreditation and Certification; Laura Byrnes, APR, is vice president of Professional Development; and Allison Campbell, APR, serves as the vice president of Golden Image.  In addition, Barbra Hernandez, APR and your Programs Chair, and I will attend to represent our chapter. I look forward to bringing home great news for our chapter from this meeting.

And finally, this comes courtesy of our own Toni James, APR, CPRC,… What a museum did to attract visitors: The Rijksmuseum in Holland had an idea:  Let's bring the art to the people and then, hopefully, they will come to see more - at the museum. They took a 1642 Rembrandt painting, “Guards of the Night,” and brought to life the characters in it, placed them in a busy mall, and the rest you can see for yourself!   
http://www.youtube.com/embed/a6W2ZMpsxhg?feature=player_embedded <http://www.youtube.com/embed/a6W2ZMpsxhg?feature=player_embedded>

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Until next time, continue to “think FPRA!”

Thursday Thoughts 10-24-13

What a beautiful FALL day here in Central Florida!  The cool weather is quite refreshing!  As you enjoy this (hopeful) change of season, you might consider the following as well:

·        Image Awards are coming!  I’m usually challenged when people tell me no – when they say something’s NOT possible or downright demand me not to do something. For some reason “no” and “don’t” often prompt me to do the exact opposite. Call it reverse psychology or awakening the rebel within. So today, I advocate disobedience and beg you, please don’t take this survey <http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C6TKFDP> . Please don’t provide us your feedback <http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C6TKFDP>  by tomorrow.


·        Many of our chapter members work for non-profits and other organizations that depend largely on volunteers.  In this spirit, National Philanthropy Day is coming very soon.  The information attached to this email may be useful for you and for any organization wanting to recognize one outstanding giver of time, talent, and/or treasure. (Thanks to Chapter Treasurer Lauren DeIorio for these details.)


·        “Blogs, Tweets, and Posts – Oh My!” – No, this isn’t the latest Wizard of Oz chapter; instead, it’s an invite to follow FPRA-Ocala on social media.  Our technology guru, Ginger Broslat, is spearheading efforts to revive our social media presence, so Tweet, re-Tweet, post, follow, tag, pin, snap, whatever platform you use – think FPRA while doing so!



·        Finally, membership renewals are on the up and up, with many of you renewing by the Oct. 31 deadline (thank you).  I’ve spoken with more than a dozen people recently about joining, rejoining, or renewing their FPRA membership.  I hope you’ll do so – we want you as part of the Ocala chapter!



Until next time, continue to “think FPRA!”
  

Thursday Thoughts 10-9-13

This week’s message is short and sweet…

From the mountains of North Carolina, I’m gaining perspective.  I hope you, too, soon have time to gain perspective on the daily grind our profession presents.

APR/CPRC – achieve this milestone for great perspective along with personal and professional accomplishment. Email Lisa Varner <mailto:lvarner@hospiceofmarion.com>  for more details.

Attend this Friday’s Professional Development session with Joe Hice, APR, CPRC. Invite a friend.

Renew, renew, renew.

That’s it! Continue to “think FPRA!”

Thursday Thoughts 10-8-13

Here’s an early edition of “Thursday Thoughts” arriving on – go ahead, you know what day it is, you can say it -- Hump Day!!!

Two items linked…

1.      October’s Prestige Newsletter for FPRA-Ocala members.  Perspective, promise, and production are themes this month.  Enjoy some time away; follow through on research; and get to know a new member – all covered in this month’s issue.


2.      If you’ve never seen the “PRiodic Table of Elements,” it’s a creative look at all things PR!  Some humor and ingenuity helped create this interesting look at our industry and its many, many facets.  Thanks to Lois Brauckmuller, APR, for sharing this resource!

Remember to RSVP for this month’s professional development session with Joe Hice, APR, CPRC.  You’ll enjoy his presentation and perspective, I promise!

Finally, renew your membership by Oct. 31 and our chapter benefits greatly.  We’ll have membership materials at next week’s meeting if you want to invite a guest. And if you’ve not renewed, you’ll likely be hearing personally from someone very close to FPRA Ocala!  J

Until next time, continue to “think FPRA!”

Thursday Thoughts 10-4-13

Happy Thursday!  With fall in the air and humidity down, it’s a great time to enjoy Florida.  It’s also the BEST time to renew your FPRA membership.  I encourage you to renew by Oct. 31st so our chapter receives maximum credit!  If you wait, chapter rebates are delayed. If you don’t renew by Dec. 31, the FPRA State Office purges membership rosters and you must pay a late fee or start the process all over again… I don’t want that to happen to anyone so please renew as soon as possible.  If you have questions, feel free to contact President-Elect / Membership Chair Jenifer Lowe <mailto:Jenifer%20Lowe%20(jlowe@marionso.com)>  for answers.

Regarding professional development this month, stay tuned for info on our guest speaker, Joe Hice, APR, CPRC, with the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.  Energetic, knowledgeable, and entertaining… and that’s just his personality.  For those who attended last month’s meeting, please complete the survey when your invite arrives.  We value your opinions!


Thanks to a successful Leadership Summit featuring washing machines and origami, your board of directors is finalizing goals and objectives for this year.  We all know what gets measured gets done, so we’re setting lofty goals to excel, achieve, and succeed.  YOU play a big part in all of these!

Finally, I’m humbled to email you each week, hopefully with something that’s beneficial, meaningful, or enlightening. Thanks for reading… and continue to “think FPRA!”

Thursday Thoughts 9-26-13

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about where I am in my professional career.  I'm not exactly where I thought I'd be, but I have accomplished several goals and "bucket list" items since college graduations. What about you? Where do you stand? What's holding you back?

Admittedly, I've always made appropriate plans and "to do" lists to accomplish more.  I've always believed you must have goals; otherwise, you have nothing to shoot for.

These same thoughts carry over to tomorrow's Leadership Summit with your board of directors.  I'm confident your colleagues have your best interest in mind when coming up with this year's plan -- goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics (thanks, APR).  But this plan will always be "in action" thanks to follow-up, evaluation, redesign, and constant input. That's where you come in.

We are always open to your suggestions, feedback, and ideas.  As a chapter member, you have a voice, and I encourage you to make that voice heard by getting involved, suggesting solutions, creative ideas, and unique ways to make your FPRA experience bigger, better, and brighter!

Until next week, continue to "think FPRA!"

Thursday Thoughts 9-13-13

Yes, I know it’s not Thursday… but in the spirit of “thinkFPRA,” I send these reminders your way on Friday the 13th so you’ll feel lucky:

Ø RSVP today to reserve your seat at next Friday’s PRofessional Development session with Carrie Hoeppner.  She’s the director of communications for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in Central Florida and founder of Wave Media Relations. Her media expertise, PR skills, and PResentation style will benefit all of us.

Ø PRepay your way to save money!  Annual PRepays offer the best discount. Advance PayPal RSVPs also offer discounted PRices at least three days in advance – do so before Tuesday @ Noon.  Any later than that and at the door, it’s $25 per person, member or guest.

Ø REMEMBER, the session takes place at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Ocala Conference Center (3600 SW 38 Ave., Ocala, 34474), NOT at the Ocala Hilton.  Please note this change for this and future monthly meetings.


Your leadership board is developing some GREAT ideas for this year… I’m excited to bring them your way thanks to your colleagues’ efforts.

And our website’s getting a major makeover – stay tuned to learn how YOU can be part of this endeavor!

Kudos to Toni James, APR, CPRC, who’s returned to the United Way of Marion County as its interim PResident.

Finally, “thinkFPRA” by sharing our PRofessional organization with someone around you. Invite them to next Friday’s session. Communicate your FPRA experience with them. The investment is worth the time, effort, and payout!

Have a great weekend and continue to “thinkFPRA!”

Thursday Thoughts 9-5-13

It’s Thursday, which is really Friday eve (or maybe even Friday by the time you read this)! So it’s a great way to start my first email to you as your FPRA Ocala chapter PResident! Each week, you’ll hear from me – sometimes about upcoming events, sometimes about someone’s accomplishments, sometimes about whatever’s PResenting itself as the hottest thought-PRovoking topic.

Our thought for today is “Think FPRA.” It’s our annual theme for the new year (compliments of FPRA PResident Chris Gent, APR, CPRC), and I hope it’s habit-forming for all of us! When you need a helping hand, “Think FPRA.” When you need advice, “Think FPRA.” When you need another set of eyes and ears, “Think FPRA.” When you need inspiration, “Think FPRA.”  I think you get the point…

When your e-invite comes for this month’s PRofessional development session, “Think FPRA” -- PRepay and RSVP immediately!  If you don’t, you’ll regret it.  Here’s why:  based on your board’s unanimous decision last month, PLEASE NOTE new policies regarding payment for our monthly sessions.  These decisions were made to streamline the RSVP and payment PRocess benefitting our chapter and our new meeting location -- Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Ocala Conference Center (3600 SW 38 Ave., Ocala, 34474):

1.   Beginning in September, all members and guests arriving at the door must pay $25 via cash, check or credit at the time of the meeting.

2.   Beginning in September, payment options include: PRepayment annually (12 months; no more quarterly PRepays), PRepay using PayPal at least three days before the meeting, or Pay at the Door (see #1 above).


“Think FPRA” as you read our next PRestige newsletter, coming to your inbox shortly.  After reading it, “Think FPRA” by sharing it with a colleague.

You’ll hear me mention “Think FPRA” on a regular basis over the next 12 months… I’ll reinforce it as much as I can… I hope you will, too! (something seems to be wrong with the PR keys on my keyboard… they automatically appear bolded and much larger… hmmmmmm…….maybe I need to have this thing checked…)