The Update

4/2006

Welcome to the official newsletter of the Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter. Past issues can be found by going to www.prsaspokane.org and clicking on the "Newsletters" link.

Friday April 7 is the next joint SPRC/PRSA breakfast meeting at Cataldo Hall (Gonzaga University). Programming includes this year's PRSA Day-on-the-Job event where college students interested in public relations have the opportunity to job shadow a PR professional. For more information about the Day-on-the-Job program, read the feature article in this month's newsletter. Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar, former NASA astronaut and current President and CEO of the Museum of Flight in Seattle, will present a speech entitled, "The Dream of Flight."

More about our speaker:
Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar is currently President and CEO of The Museum of Flight in Seattle Washington. The “MOF” is the largest private air and space museum in the world, with an education program that provides for nearly 100,000 students per year and an aircraft restoration center. Dr. Dunbar recently retired from the NASA Johnson Space Center where she was Associate Director, Technology Integration and Risk Management for the Space Life Sciences Directorate (SLSD) of the NASA Johnson Space Center. SLSD is responsible for Astronaut Crew Health, Human Health Research for Space Exploration, Human Factor Design of Spacecraft, and Life Support Requirements.

A NASA Mission Specialist astronaut and veteran of 5 space flights, Dr. Dunbar has logged more than 50 days in space. She has served as the Payload Commander on two flights, including the first Space Shuttle docking mission to the Russian Space Station Mir.

Dr. Dunbar holds BS and MS degrees in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Washington, and a PhD in Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering from the University of Houston. Prior to working for NASA, she was a senior research engineer with Rockwell International Space Division, where she helped to develop the equipment and processes for manufacturing the thermal protection system for the Space Shuttle. Dr. Dunbar is a member of the American Ceramic Society (Fellow), the National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA/Associate Fellow). She has been awarded the NASA Space Flight Medal, the NASA Exceptional Leadership Medal and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. Dr. Dunbar is a registered Professional Engineer, a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and in 2002 was elected to the National Academy of Engineers.

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By GARRY MATLOW
Chapter President

I don’t know how the decision was made to have New Year’s resolutions declared on Jan. 1. (OK, I do know, but humor me for a minute.) New Year’s resolutions are supposed to symbolize changes for the better, new hope, new beginnings and new life. But when you open your eyes on Jan. 1, it’s still the dead of winter and you have a good three months before you’re able to experience extended sunshine.

This is a much better time for new beginnings. The grass is starting to turn green, and the tulips and crocuses are poking up through the ground. With the return of daylight-saving time and Bloomsday, people are ready to get out and do more.

That makes spring the perfect time to resolve to get more out of your PRSA membership. I was encouraged by the turnout at the Ann Wylie “Think Like a Reader and Get Read” teleseminar a couple of weeks ago. This year your PRSA board has decided to offer teleseminars free to Greater Spokane Chapter members as a benefit of membership and at a nominal charge for non-members. We’ll have a couple more coming up this spring; watch your email inbox or our website, www.prsaspokane.org, for details.

Also starting April 12 is a 10-week training seminar to help you prepare for the APR accreditation exam. Even if you don’t plan to take the test at this point, the sessions offer valuable training in a group setting. Again, this activity is free to PRSA members.

And what would April be without our annual Day on the Job. Many of you have already agreed to host students for half a day to give the next generation of PR practitioners a taste of what we do every day.

Springtime is officially here, so go ahead and make that resolution to be a more productive PRSA member. You won’t regret it.

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PRSA’s Day on the Job adds a new element for 2006! After the morning program and one-on-one workplace interaction between communications professionals and students, participants will gather for a free lunch and time to reflect on their mornings experiences. Additionally, an afternoon panel will share tips on professionalism with participating students.

Communication students and professionals alike will benefit from PRSA’s 2006 Day on the Job. Students have the rare opportunity to shadow a communications professional at work. Professionals have the chance to contribute to the profession and help inspire the next generation of professionals.

The Day on the Job event begins at the regularly scheduled PRSA/SPRC breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, April 7 at Gonzaga University. Breakfast is free for participating students. Everyone in attendance will hear from former NASA astronaut Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar about "The Dream of Flight." After the breakfast meeting, professionals and students disperse to their respective places of work. At noon, students and professionals will gather back at Gonzaga for the free lunch, networking and reflections. Students will be interested in this year's professionalism program - a panel of young PR professionals will discuss "What Your Professor Wouldn't Tell You." The professionalism program for students begins at 1:00 p.m. and concludes at 2:00 p.m.

As much as possible, students are paired with professionals whose jobs most closely match their interests. Participating schools include: Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, University of Idaho, Washington State University and Whitworth College.

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History of and current issues in public relations
Management skills & issues
Business literacy
Crisis communication management
Ethics & Law
Using information technology
Communication models & theories
Media relations
Research, planning, implementing & evaluating communication programs
Advanced communication skills

The small group study will begin Wednesday, April 12 at Shriners Hospitals for Children from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. As PRSA members you are invited to attend any or all of the free classes for this series. The completion of the series provides the review for taking the readiness review through PSRA. For more information please contact Maggie Crabtree at 623-471 or at mcrabtree@shrinenet.org.

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On March 16, a group of NUMBER professionals attended the PRSA teleseminar, "Think Like a Reader and Get Read." Ann Wylie, president of Wylie Communications, Inc. gave an overview of the tools necessary to master the process of writing copy that will grab the attention of your readers. Join us at the next teleseminar (free to PRSA chapter members; non-members welcome to attend); more information will be coming soon!

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	PRSA members put your skills and professional experience to great use and volunteer with your local American Red Cross chapter! Several members of your local Spokane PRSA Chapter have already trained and responded to local and national incidents as public affairs volunteers.
Find out what others are doing, read the American Red Cross Power of 2 Newsletter (March 2006 issue): http://www.prsaspokane.org/documents/PowerOf2-March06.pdf (Adobe PDF)
Get involved today! Contact: Abi Weaver, weavera@spokaneredcross.org / 509-326-3330 x218

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Receive free publicity tips from Joan Stewart (also known as The Publicity Hound). Log onto www.publicityhound.com and sign up for the free weekly newsletter.

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• Respond to media inquiries, primarily from Idaho media
• Develop relationships with Idaho-based media.  This will involve travel throughout Idaho.
• Develop new opportunities for Sen. Craig to communicate his message
• Represent Sen. Craig at community meetings throughout southwest Idaho, and other areas, as requested
• Help the D.C.-based press organization as needed.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, writing releases and columns, responding to national press, distributing releases, updating portions of the website, etc.
• Produce audio and video content
• Assist with office duties in the Boise office, including answering the phone, meeting with constituents, etc. as necessary

The ideal candidate will possess the following characteristics:

• Outgoing
• Networked and respected in Idaho media
• Experienced in media or communications work
• Shared philosophy with Senator Craig
• Can-do attitude focused on getting the task done
• Entrepreneurial spirit constantly focused on improvement and innovation
• Video production experience
• Ability to work under pressure
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Technical competence with a willingness to learn
• In touch with Idaho

Keep in mind, this represents the ideal candidate.  Anyone interested should submit their resume and a cover letter explaining the value they will bring to Senator Craig’s office to Dan Whiting via e-mail at dan_whiting@craig.senate.gov.

Salary depends on experience.  Employees are eligible for federal benefits, including health insurance, retirement, disability, student loan repayment, life insurance, etc.  However, Congressional employees are at-will and are not civil service employees or part of the civil service pay system.

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