Two members are seeking to be elected to one open three-year Assembly Delegate terms beginning in January 2010.
Pictured left to right: Laura Frnka, APR and Aaron Woods, APR.
The Board thanks the Nominating Committee, under the direction of Terri Larson, for producing an excellent slate of candidates. Each candidate’s enthusiasm is appreciated.
Election Information
Under PRSA Houston's bylaws, at least 25% of a chapter’s membership must participate in the election process for the election to be valid.
The election candidates are being considered for positions that will determine the direction of PRSA Houston for a three-year period. In choosing a candidate, remember that a good Board requires a diverse mixture of people who work hard as well as those who will bring prestige, connections or financial support to PRSA Houston.
All Board candidates are members in good standing with PRSA Houston. Assembly candidates are accredited or are serving as a current chapter officer.
About one-third of the Board positions change each year. In the case of the Assembly Delegates, these are the members who represent us at the General Assembly of PRSA which is held just prior to the International Conference.
Contact: Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717
Member Survey: The Role of the Public Relations Professional in 2015
What are the skills needed for the PR Pro of 2015? How will the profession change in five years?
PRSA’s National board is requesting input from Chapter Members as part of an ongoing effort to prepare the organization for the future. At this fall’s international conference, the 2010 Leadership Assembly will discuss how the knowledge, skills and abilities currently used by PR professionals will change in the future.
Your feedback is very important. Let’s demonstrate a good response from the Houston chapter!
Please take a few minutes to answer the brief five-question survey by August 23.
Take the survey now.
This survey is restricted to members only. You will need to log in to complete the survey.
Click here to retrieve your password.
Your PRSA Houston 2010 Assembly Delegates appreciate your prompt participation:
Chris Bozman, APR
Julie Fix, APR
Kelly George, APR
Barbara Langham, APR
Judi Martin, APR
Sept. 1: PR’s Role in the Future of Nonprofit Journalism
Can Evan Smith and his colleagues at The Texas Tribune save watchdog journalism in Texas? And what does its new nonprofit model mean for the state’s media relations practitioners?
Smith, CEO and editor of The Texas Tribune and former president and editor in chief of Texas Monthly, will discuss the year-old media outlet’s mission to promote civic engagement and discourse on public policy, politics, government, and other matters of statewide concern. In addition to publishing the work of its seasoned staff online, The Texas Tribune partners with organizations such as the Houston Chronicle and the University of Texas on research and investigative reporting projects.
Smith joined The Texas Tribune in August 2009 after 18 years with Texas Monthly. A New York native, Smith holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University and is a founding co-chair of the Texas Film Hall of Fame.
Register now
Details
Date: September 1, 2010
Time: 11:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Briar Club
Contact: Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717, for event information
and sponsorship opportunities
Free ‘September Sipper’ Member Mixer
Does the idea of beating the summer heat with cool cocktails after a hard day’s work sound enticing? Then join your PR pals after work Sept. 2 for PRSA Houston’s fun, free September Sipper event.
This free member mixer is generously provided by Flora & Muse Bistro and Bar, who will welcome members with light bites, a complimentary first beverage and door prizes.
Flora & Muse is a new bar/lounge/café concept with a whimsical, neo-Victorian setting encompassing numerous indoor and alfresco seating vignettes. Opening mid-August, PRSA Houston members will be among the first Houstonians to experience this soon-to-be Houston hotspot.
Admission is free to PRSA members with advance on-line registration. Hurry, as space is limited.
Details
Date: September 2, 2010
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Flora & Muse
(Town & Country CITYCENTRE) Directions
PR Day Keynote Speakers Announced
PRSA Houston has confirmed two of the PR and communications industry’s finest to headline its annual PR Day event Nov. 30 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown.
Becca Cason Thrash, a Houston PR pioneer, philanthropist and co-founder of Paper City magazine, will be this year’s Breakfast Keynote speaker. (Photo credit: Dave Rossman, Houston Chronicle)
Paul Taaffe, global CEO and Chairman of Hill & Knowlton, will be the Lunch Keynote speaker.
Read more about Thrash and Taaffe on the PR Day page.
Attendees of this year’s PR Day event, themed: PRSA: Promoting Relationships, Surviving Adversity, will be able to gain great insight into communications and public relations strategies from these two dynamic industry 
professionals. Both keynotes will be speaking to this year’s theme but will bring different perspectives based on their unique knowledge and expertise within the industry.
PR Day is one of Houston’s premiere annual professional development events, offering something for everyone - whether you’re just starting out or you’ve got your fair share of war stories to tell. It's a great time to get involved in PRSA Houston to build relationships crucial to your career.
Special thanks go out to our early commitment sponsors:
Conference Kit - CenterPoint Energy
Lunch Keynote - Hill and Knowlton
Swag Bag - Business Wire
Scholarship - Shell and Disc, Inc.
Exhibitor - PR Newswire
Lagniappe - Whitney Bank, Wristbands.net and Eyelit Designs
We also appreciate our in-kind sponsors Graphique, Flowers by Nino, Perfect Touch Linens, DiscPro Printing & Graphics and Encore Printstore.
Several PR Day sponsorships are still available, including the Breakfast Keynote Sponsor! Download our Sponsorship Guide for details, and visit the PR Day page for complete event information.
Interested in helping plan this year’s PR Day? Join the 2010 Planning Committee!
Contacts: PR Day Chair Lady Oliver, 832-866-6608
Communications Chairs - promotions, media
Kristi Krupala: (713) 792-2096; kkrupala@mdanderson.org
Kim Miller: kmiller@graphique.com
Sponsorship Chairs - sponsorships, vendor exhibits, donations
Osjetta Gascey: ocgascey@texaschildrens.org
Angela Randolph: angela.randolph@gmail.com
Programming Chair - speakers, program
Cynthia Miller: (225) 610-0592; cynthia.miller@hillandknowlton.com
Venue Logistics - exhibits, logistics, speaker travel
Oct. 6: How PR-savvy CEO is Leading HAR
PRSA Houston welcomes one of Houston’s most PR-savvy chief executives to its Oct. 6 luncheon. Bob Hale, chief executive officer for Houston Association of Realtors (HAR), will address selling real estate and realtors through effective communication.
Despite a recession partially driven by a national real-estate bust, a month doesn’t pass without HAR making headlines with its home sales reports.
Hale not only champions HAR’s benefits to association members, he supports robust communications with consumers to help them understand the importance of including realtors in their real-estate transactions. Routinely recognized by trade media as one of America’s most influential people in real estate, Hale also received the 2010 Communication Leadership Award from IABC Houston.
Hale’s enthusiastic belief in all types of traditional and social media helps drive a million unique visitors a month to HAR.com and makes HAR the largest organization of its type in the nation.
Register now
Details
Date: October 6, 2010
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Briar Club
Contact: Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717, for event information
and sponsorship opportunities
Thanks to our October Luncheon sponsor
APR Spotlight: Suzanne Ogle, APR
APR is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice. APR candidates are selected based on their broad knowledge, strategic perspective and sound professional judgment.
PRSA Houston recently talked to Suzanne Ogle, APR, vice president, Marketing and Investor Relations, Valerus. Here, she shares her Accreditation story.
PRSA Houston: What made you decide to become Accredited at this stage in your career?
Ogle: I believe learning is a lifelong experience, and by stretching yourself beyond your current level, you accelerate your level of competence. Throughout my life, I have consistently set goals and hurdles to help me move along. The APR accreditation was important to me, because it represented a level of professionalism and commitment to continued growth.
PRSA Houston: How did you prepare for the Readiness Review and computer-based exam?
Ogle: I took the prep course taught by Julie Fix, and then studied with the online course. I found that helpful as it allowed me to fit studying into my crazy schedule.
PRSA Houston: What advice do you have for others who are considering Accreditation?
Ogle: Study. It was my experience that day-to-day best practices in my professional life do not always represent best practices.
PRSA Houston: Do you have any other comments or suggestions for people thinking of becoming accredited?
Ogle: Houston has a large resource network of talented professionals. It is important to take advantage of these resources, and then give back to your industry and the professional community.
Passionate About PR? Bloggers Wanted
Have an opinion on a PR issue you want to share? Share your viewpoint with hundreds of PR professionals in the Houston area, and blog for PRSA Houston. Become a trusted resource on some of the great PR issues of our time — from BP to teabaggers and beyond. PRSA provides the forum. You provide the thought leadership. Your followers provide the dialogue.
Contact: Mike Wysatta for more information.
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