The Update

6/2007

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 on Friday, June 1 at 7:30 a.m. in Cataldo Hall on the campus of Gonzaga University for the joint PRSA/MARCOM breakfast meeting. This month's meeting features three case studies from the "Brightest Sparks" (2007 Spark Awards). Find out what made them successful, the challenges they faced, and perhaps how you can make your entries shine even better next year!

The meeting is open to any interested public relations professionals and students. The meeting fee, which includes breakfast, is $9 for members, $11 for non-members and $7 for students. Those students who are participating in the Day-on-the-Job program do not have to pay the meeting fee.

Brightest Sparks Presenters
• Liz Strauch, Assistant Director for Annual Giving and Zac Jones, Web Designer: Whitworth Fund Holiday Appeal (Electronic and Interactive Communications; Multimedia)

• Laurine Jue, Communications Manager: Avista “Safety Hits Home” poster (Design; Posters)

• John Carter, Communications Associate: Saint George’s School Rebranding Campaign (Design; Logo/Organizational Identity)

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Dear fellow PRSA Members,
Throughout the Inland Northwest, schedules are changing into summer mode. School will soon be out and the June breakfast meeting will be the last for this summer. For many professionals summer is a time when things slow down a bit; just enough to enjoy the wonderful Northwest weather and spend more time with your family.

As you make your summer plans, be sure to include professional development on your list of to-do items. Our profession is one of continual growth and learning. I encourage each of you to make time, at least once this summer, to invest in yourself and your career through professional development. Professional development takes many forms, from participating in webinars and keeping up-to-date on industry news, to volunteering your time to help a local event. A large part of professional development is using your public relations skills in a different way. By volunteering your time, you are not only helping the event, but also yourself as a professional.

There are several exciting events taking place in our region this summer, including the National Junior Disability Championships July 21-29 and Hoopfest June 30-July 1. These great community events give each of us an opportunity to use the skills we have in a new and different way. This helps our minds to stretch and grow as we tackle new challenges. I encourage each of you to put your public relations skills to work and volunteer in our community this summer.

Best wishes,
Tamitha

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There are over a dozen jobs that have been posted on the PRSA website. Perhaps its time for that career move or maybe you know of a friend or colleague who would be a great candidate. Check out the Job Info section of the members-only section on the Spokane PRSA website - another great member benefit!

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Kathryn Clark of University High School received the Edward R. Murrow Award from WSU for her photography work performed as a student photographer for the VOX edition of the Spokesman Review. As a senior high school student, Kathryn also worked closely with Melanie Rose, conducting PR for the school's Genocide Project which raised $27,000 for victims of genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. This is another great example of PR professionals mentoring future PR stars!

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Shriners Hospitals for Children – Spokane, with its community partner, St. Luke’s Rehabilitation, is pleased to host the 2007 National Junior Disability Championships on July 21-28th in Spokane. We are excited to welcome over 300 athletes from all over the U.S., many of whom are working hard to qualify and compete at the U.S. Paralympics.

This exciting week of competition will be held at our host hotel, the downtown Doubletree, Spokane Falls Community College, Gonzaga Prep and at Whitter Pool at Mission Park. The event is free to attend.

Here’s what we are looking for:
Host Teams – we have a few more spots available to organizations or groups who would like to “adopt” a Junior Nationals team. You will be the welcome committee for the team, have members present to cheer for them and offer your support during the week.

Crowds – We want to show these athletes and their families what Spokane-style support looks like. If you want to gather some co-workers and friends to come cheer or watch the games, you are welcome! Contact us for a schedule.

Media Coverage – We are also on a mission to get this event on regional and national media outlets! We have many local media partners who are working with us and a couple of regional magazines that are including the event, but we want to put Spokane and these young athletes’ stories in the nation’s eye! If you have ideas or want to help, please contact us.

Please contact Sally Mildren at Shriners for more information, a schedule or host applications at 623-0424 or smildren@shrinenet.org.

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Ever wondered what's happening outside of Spokane? Check out www.marcomevents.org for a listing of events, workshops and seminars in the Puget Sound area.

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Do you have a friend or colleague who isn't a PRSA member yet? Take your profession (and theirs) to a whole new level — and get a local PRSA Chapter membership FREE for one year when you join PRSA National during May or June 2007 at the full member rate of $290 ($225 national dues plus $65 initiation fee).

Join online today and be sure to enter Promotion Code CHAP2007 or use this specially marked application (PDF).

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The board had its regular meeting on May 8, 2007. Items that were briefly discussed included the fall workshop, the annual fundraising event and future webinar/teleseminar promotions.

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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@ewu.edu  
(509) 359-6317

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