The Update

1/2007

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.

Join us Friday, Jan. 5th at 7:30 a.m. for the next joint breakfast meeting of the Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter and the Spokane Public Relations Council! The meeting will be held in Cataldo Hall on the campus of Gonzaga University from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and is open to any interested public relations professionals and students. The meeting fee, which covers breakfast, is $9 for members, $11 for non-members and $7 for students.

The Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter Presents Awards to Local Leaders
PRSA recognizes excellence in public relations through local and national awards programs. This year, we are honoring Eckart Preu and Cher Desautel for their PR skills and service to the community. Our featured speaker, Eckart Preu, is receiving the Communicator of the Year award, which honors a CEO or leader who excels in communications leadership. Cher Desautel will also be receiving an award, the Degerness Award for Excellence in Public Relations. This award honors a local member who has delivered outstanding service in support of chapter activities and who has contributed in some important way to the improvement of the PR profession.

More about our speakers:

Eckart Preu, Conductor of the Spokane Symphony
Eckart Preu is in his third highly acclaimed season with the Spokane Symphony. A native of Germany, Preu came to the U.S. as winner of the National Conducting Competition of the German Academic Exchange Service (1996) for graduate studies with Harold Farberman at the Hartt School of Music. Preu's early musical training was in piano and singing. For more biographical information, visit http://www.spokanesymphony.org/ind.php?page=director

Eckart was nominated by Professor Steve Blewett, EWU, and his nomination was seconded by Annie Matlow of the Spokane Symphony.

Cher Desautel, APR, CEO & President of Desautel Hege Communications
Cher has years of experience in corporate, governmental and nonprofit sectors, including a strong background in health care. Her skills, which include doctoral work at Gonzaga University, have helped DHC produce award-winning local, regional and national work. She volunteers her planning, marketing and public relations skills with numerous Spokane area organizations. Cher is accredited in public relations through the PRSA.

For more information about the PRSA awards, visit http://www.prsaspokane.org/awards.asp

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Dear fellow PRSA members,

Can you believe it is time to start another year? Let me be one of the first to wish you a wonderful year in 2007. Your PRSA board is working hard to make this year an eventful one with professional development, networking and social time together as a chapter. 

I encourage you to take time out of your busy schedule for professional development activities this year. One of the cornerstones of our profession is that we continually work to learn new things, and with all the new advancements in communications technologies there are many opportunities to use new skills to enhance your day-to-day work and your organization.

As I start my term as your chapter president, I look forward to hearing from each of you. Please contact myself, or any of your PRSA board members, and let us know what activities you would find beneficial. We are here to serve you and provide chapter opportunities that are in line with your needs. Please stay in touch and tell us how we are doing.

Sincerely,
Tamitha
Chapter President

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It is estimated that the net profits will be enough to cover two of the three annual scholarships offered to EWU, WSU and Gonzaga Universitry PRSSA students. Despite this year's shortfall the PRSA chapter will cover the difference from the reserved savings account for this year's third scholarship. "We are obviously disappointed that we did not meet our goal to support the scholarships. However, our commitment to the PRSSA students is more important than the auction's bottom line. Greater Spokane PRSA is good for our word," said Maggie Crabtree.

Donations to the scholarship fund will still be accepted. Donations can be sent to:
Spokane PRSA
P.O. Box 1606
Spokane, WA 99210
and should designate PRSSA scholarship fund on the check.

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First Night Spokane has been recognized as the “Event of the Year” at the Inland Northwest Tourism Awards, and received the prestigious honor in being named the “Arts Organization of the Year” for 2004 by the City of Spokane Arts Commission.

Living up to the high expectations of the more than 130,000 previous participants, First Night Spokane has prepared a variety of programming that will dazzle and astonish all who attend. Over 150 Visual and Performing Artists will be perform and present in over 45 downtown venues.

Over the past five years First Night has showcased a number of performing and visual art mediums including; modern dance, the Spokane Symphony, glass blowing, chainsaw carving, film, cabaret, stand up comedy, and fireworks.

Snowboarding, sculptures exploding with fire, masks, a venue showcasing local religious performing groups, and a room completely enclosed in bubble wrap are a few of this year’s big additions. This will also be the first year for free parking and shuttle service in partnership with STA.

Top regional athletes will be showcased in the First Annual Snowboard Rail Jam in Riverfront Park’s clock tower meadow from 7-11:40pm. This new addition sponsored by Vorpahl Wing Securities will feature snowboarders and skiers doing flips and tricks as they slide down custom made rails.

Local firefighter Ron Weston and Bill Close from West Valley High School are both preparing sculptures made from metal that will explode with fire throughout the night. Both of these sculpture represent First Night’s theme of “Fire and Ice.” Both will be prominently displayed on Main Street in front of River Park Square.

The Greater Spokane Association of Evangelicals (GSAE) has partnered with First Night Spokane to present a variety of visual and performing arts. Performances will include; Gospel Choir, Theatre, Classic Praise, and more. These series of performances will take place in Lewis and Clark High Schools main auditorium from 7-11:40pm.

Downtown’s transformation during First Night Spokane always involves turning a variety of venues into stages and performing spaces. First Night Spokane has been known to turn a bank lobby into a Native American display featuring a full size teepee, a parking garage into an art gallery, and an alleyway into a glass blowing demonstration space. This year a vacant space in Crescent Court has been transformed into a bubble popping room. An empty retail space has been covered from floor to ceiling in bubble wrap, creating every young child’s dream room. The concept is simple and fun, simply go in the room and pop away!

Back again this year, is First Day Spokane, held on New Year’s Day. In partnership with hotels and businesses, First Night attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities including; free admission at the MAC museum, discounts in Riverfront Park, and special performances. First Day provides an economic benefit to the downtown core, by extending tourists stays in a non-traditional time of year.

For complete information on this year’s event we encourage you to visit our website, www.firstnightspokane.org.

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Whether you choose to play this game at work or at home, that's up to you and your ethics. But, one way or another, you'll learn more about ethics with this word search puzzles from the Ethics Resource Center. Visit: http://www.ethics.org/erc-publications/values-word-search.asp

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This year’s conference includes a full social program, plenary and breakout sessions, exciting lunch and keynote speakers, the annual awards gala and a chance to explore Alberta’s Capital City as it gears up for festival season.

Among the confirmed speakers for the event, is Torie Clarke, renowned political and business commentator and currently a senior advisor to Comcast Corporation and a CNN analyst. As the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Clarke led the program of embedding media correspondents with military units in Iraq. She will take you through the increasingly complex challenges of communicating effectively to your key audiences. She will present insight into which strategies will meet the challenge and which ones are doomed to fail.

Book your calendar to hear Clarke and other speakers including author and futurist Robert J. Sawyer, health researcher Linda Duxbury and Dell’s Dave Vanden Bosch. Register before January 30 and you will have a chance to win an iPod.

Visit www.cprs.ca/fastforward to view the full conference program, registration details and tourism information about Edmonton. PRSA members also qualify for CPRS member rates under the Global Alliance agreement.

The world moves pretty fast. Go forward with Fast Forward next June 13-15 in Edmonton, Canada.

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Spokane Regional Health District is giving a Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 4-6 p.m. at the Red Cross building. If you would like to learn more about crisis communications and the importance of messaging in times of emergency, please give Abi Weaver at call at the Red Cross. RSVP today -- limited space available -- (509) 326-3330 ext. 218.

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Have a story idea for the Spokane PRSA newsletter? Send your article, announcement or shameless plug to Lance Kissler by the last Wednesday of each month.

Contact:
Lance Kissler
lkissler@mail.ewu.edu
(509) 359-6317

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