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!
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!
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!”
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!”
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!”
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!”
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!”
