PRSAHouston.org RSS Feed

Media Panel on 16-Sep-10 5:30 PM

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:30:00 GMT

Media Panel
Start Date: 16-Sep-10 5:30 PM
End Time: 16-Sep-10 6:30 PM
Location: KPRC Local 2, Houston, TX 77074
Speaker: TBD

Event Details:

Tour the inner sanctum of one of Houston's most popular broadcast stations. Learn the ins and outs of what makes news and what hits the newsroom floor. See the evening newscast in progress, and get up close and personal with producers.

Registration is limited, so act fast!

Please note that since this is a tour of the TV station, refreshments will not be served for this event.

Registration will be limited to 20

KPRC Local 2

8181 Southwest Freeway

Houston, TX 77074

PR Day Planning Meeting on 22-Sep-10 12:00 PM

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:00:00 GMT

PR Day Planning Meeting
Start Date: 22-Sep-10 12:00 PM
End Time: 22-Sep-10 2:00 PM
Location: United Way Community Resource Center, Houston, TX
Event Details:

This meeting will be for those volunteering to work on PR Day, a full day of professional development to be held Nov. 30 at the Hyatt Regency.

United Way Community Resource Center

50 Waugh Drive

Houston, TX

Awards Judging on 25-Sep-10 8:30 AM

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Awards Judging
Start Date: 25-Sep-10 8:30 AM
End Time: 25-Sep-10 2:30 PM
Location: FKM Public Relations, Houston, Texas 77027
Event Details:

Judging Cincinnati Chapter Awards

Refreshments will be provided

FKM Public Relations

1800 West Loop South

Houston, Texas 77027

Monthly Luncheon: Bob Hale on 6-Oct-10 11:30 AM

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:30:00 GMT

Monthly Luncheon: Bob Hale
Start Date: 6-Oct-10 11:30 AM
End Time: 6-Oct-10 1:30 PM
Location: Briar Club, Houston, TX 77027
Speaker: Bob Hale

Event Details:

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.

Briar Club

2603 Timmons

Houston, TX 77027

PR Day Planning Meeting on 13-Oct-10 9:00 AM

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:00:00 GMT

PR Day Planning Meeting
Start Date: 13-Oct-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 13-Oct-10 11:00 AM
Location: United Way Community Resource Center, Houston, TX
Event Details:

This meeting will be for those volunteering to work on PR Day, a full day of professional development to be held Nov. 30 at the Hyatt Regency.

United Way Community Resource Center

50 Waugh Drive

Houston, TX

PRSA International Conference: Powering PRogress on 16-Oct-10 8:30 AM

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 13:30:00 GMT

PRSA International Conference: Powering PRogress
Start Date: 16-Oct-10 8:30 AM
End Time: 19-Oct-10 5:30 PM

PR Day Planning Meeting on 27-Oct-10 12:00 PM

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:00:00 GMT

PR Day Planning Meeting
Start Date: 27-Oct-10 12:00 PM
End Time: 27-Oct-10 2:00 PM
Location: United Way Community Resource Center, Houston, TX
Event Details:

This meeting will be for those volunteering to work on PR Day, a full day of professional development to be held Nov. 30 at the Hyatt Regency.

United Way Community Resource Center

50 Waugh Drive

Houston, TX

Election Day on 2-Nov-10 7:00 AM

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Election Day
Start Date: 2-Nov-10 7:00 AM
End Time: 2-Nov-10 7:00 PM

Monthly Luncheon: Dr. Renu Khator on 3-Nov-10 11:30 AM

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:30:00 GMT

Monthly Luncheon: Dr. Renu Khator
Start Date: 3-Nov-10 11:30 AM
End Time: 3-Nov-10 1:30 PM
Location: Briar Club, Houston, TX 77027
Speaker: Dr. Renu Khator

Event Details:

Bring your friends and colleagues to hear Dr Khator discuss the strategies employed in the campaign to take University of Houston to Tier 1 status, the importance of The Jack J. Valenti School of Communication and the growth of communications major with Public Relations emphasis at University of Houston.

PRSA Houston will generously donate the proceeds of this luncheon to the Public Relations Foundation of Houston, the mission of which is to enhance the quality of education by providing scholarships for students studying communications and/or public relations at local universities.

You can make an individual contribution to support the Foundation by making a donation at the luncheon with your check or credit card. For more information on the Foundation go to www.prsahouston.org/foundation

Wear red clothing to the lunch and find out how this has rallied school spirit.

Briar Club

2603 Timmons

Houston, TX 77027

PR Day Planning Meeting on 10-Nov-10 9:00 AM

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:00:00 GMT

PR Day Planning Meeting
Start Date: 10-Nov-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 10-Nov-10 11:00 AM
Location: United Way Community Resource Center, Houston, TX
Event Details:

This meeting will be for those volunteering to work on PR Day, a full day of professional development to be held Nov. 30 at the Hyatt Regency.

United Way Community Resource Center

50 Waugh Drive

Houston, TX

September Luncheon Photos Posted

Paula Ruth, APR — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:00:00 GMT

A few photos from the luncheon and membership orientation are posted here. A log-in may be required.

1-Sep-10 8:00 PM

October Monthly Meeting: Selling Real Estate & Realtors through Effective Communications

Paula Ruth — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:15:00 GMT

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’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.

Thank you to HAR and PR Newswire for stepping up as sponsors for this must-attend event.

Details:

Date: Oct. 6, 2010

Where: Briar Club

Register

Please be sure to note whether you need a vegetarian meal, in advance.

1-Sep-10 7:15 PM

PRSA Houston ePRo August 2010

Erin Schwartz — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:15:21 GMT

Welcome to the month edition of ePRo , the electronic newsletter of the Houston chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Houston). Dive in and let us know your thoughts!

Wednesday: Texas Tribune Editor on 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.

A New Member Orientation will take place prior to the luncheon. Houston Chapter President Stephanie Dedeaux and key committee chairs will share how being involved in PRSA Houston benefits your career and the profession.

We encourage you to attend this orientation and enrich your knowledge, contacts and involvement in the Houston chapter.

Please RSVP to Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717; you must register for the luncheon separately.

Register now

Details

Date: September 1, 2010

Time: 11 a.m. New Member Orientation
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Luncheon

Location: Briar Club

Contact: Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717, for event information
and sponsorship opportunities

Free ‘September Sipper’ Mixer

Start celebrating Labor Day weekend a little early with your PR pals Sept. 2 at PRSA Houston’s fun, free September Sipper event.

Admission is free to with advance on-line registration. Hurry, as space is limited.

This mixer is generously provided by Flora & Muse Bistro and Bar, who will welcome guests 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.

Register to Attend (it's free!)

Details

Date: September 2, 2010

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: Flora & Muse
(Town & Country CITYCENTRE) Directions

Contact: David Casey, 713-560-9721

Judges Needed for PRSA Cincinnati Event

We are looking for PRSA Houston members, especially Accredited members, to volunteer to judge PRSA Cincinnati’s Excalibur Award entries.

We were thankful to have PRSA Cincinnati help judge our Excalibur Awards this year. Now, it’s our turn to return the favor.

Judging will take place Saturday, September 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at FKM near the Galleria. (Directions) Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

This volunteer effort is a great opportunity to network with other PRSA Houston members as well as help another PRSA chapter in-need.

Please submit your interest by Wednesday, Sept. 22.

Contact: Ed Davis

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, Disc, Inc.

Exhibitor - PR Newswire, Customer Research International, VMS, Texas Press Clippings

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

Meagan Stangle: (713) 243-8879; meagan@HopkinsPR.com

Oct. 6: How PR-savvy CEO is Leading HAR

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’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

Nov. 3: UH's Road to Tier One: What's Helping Pave the Way?

Bring your friends and colleagues to hear the inside story about UH’s campaign to achieve Tier One status. University of Houston System chancellor and University of Houston (UH) president Renu Khator, Ph.D., will share these insights, as well as the importance of The Jack J. Valenti School of Communication and the growth of communications majors with Public Relations emphasis at UH.

Appointed in January 2008, Dr. Khator is the first Indian immigrant to head a comprehensive public research university in the United States. Under her leadership, the University of Houston has experienced record-breaking research funding and private support. In 2009, UH brought in $110 million in research awards and began construction on a 75-acre Energy Research Park, the Cougar football team ranked among the Top 25 and a pathway to Tier-One status was created by the state legislature and approved by Texas voters.

UH serves more than 61,000 students, has an annual budget that exceeds $1.25 billion and generates a $3 billion impact on the Houston area’s economy, annually.

PRSA Houston will generously donate all luncheon proceeds to the Public Relations Foundation of Houston (PRFH), whose mission is to enhance the quality of education by providing scholarships for students studying communications and/or public relations at local universities.

You can make an individual contribution to support the PRFH by making a donation at the luncheon with your check or credit card. Visit the PRFH site for more information.

Register today

Details

Date: November 3, 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 November Luncheon sponsor

PRSA Houston Blog Bite

“While working in the mortgage industry during the now waning housing crisis, being informed is crucial to establishing and maintaining employee morale during these troubling times. It’s hard to put forth your best effort and focus on the job at hand when the possibility of unemployment and the terrors of job hunting loom over your head. Nothing is neutral; even to stay silent during periods of uncertainty sends a strong message to the workforce. I have no way of knowing whether our CEO is familiar with Grossman or the ideas he shared, but my company’s leader seems to understand how powerful the messages he sends to his employees can be.” Read more on PRSA Houston’s Blog site

An excerpt from a the blog entry “Why Leaders Can’t NOT Communicate – Even as a Mortgage Company CEO” by Jason Saenz, public relations writer/editor, Cornerstone Mortgage Company, about what he learned from PRSA Houston’s July luncheon.

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.

Welcome to Our New Members
(July 27-Aug. 23, 2010)

Jill Sinden

Michella Cross

Carrie Stallwitz, Witz! PR (reinstated)

Adelina Espat, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Laura Nathan-Garner, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Tina Jaekel, DiCentral

Gretchen Krueger, Krueger& Public Relations

Sarah Newson, MD Anderson Cancer Center (reinstated)

Thank You to Our Renewing Members

(July 26-Aug. 23, 2010)

Kimberly Abey, Spotlight Creative LLC

Frank Agraz

Karen Barbier, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Donna Boyer, Marathon Oil Company

Susan Burnell, APR, Imagination Inc.

Dagmar Climo, PCCA

Ed Davis, III, PRSA Houston Board member, United Way of Greater Houston

Tanya Doescher

Osjetta Gascey-Morris, Texas Children’s Health Plan

Wendy Gottsegen, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Elizabeth Grimm, APR, Liz Grimm Public Relations

Jessie Haynes, APR, Beaumont Independent School District

L.K. Herlong

Rose Maltby, Parker Drilling Company

Michelle McCormick, PRWSA Houston President-Elect, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

Celia Morales, Houston Image Group

Susan Richardson, Southwestern Energy

Kari Short, APR, Short Communications

Jennifer Silva, Chevron

Tricia Singer, APR, Shell

Gale Smith, The Methodist Hospital System

Jennifer Snyder, Harris County Medical Society

Lindsey Threlkeld, EnerVest, Ltd

Shauna Tysor, Houston Ballet

Carol Ward, APR, Carol Ward Public Relations

Ronda Wendler, Texas Medical Center News

Luncheon Sponsorships Offer Good Marketing Value

Are you a company looking for exposure to more than 2,000 communications professionals? PRSA Houston has monthly luncheon sponsorship opportunities available.

Thanks to MedTouch for sponsoring out August luncheon, featuring UTMB director of media relations Raul Reyes. Other sponsorships are available. Luncheon sponsors get the following benefits for $500:

mention in promotional e-mail sent to database of 2000-plus subscribers
mention and text link in ePRo, the PRSA Houston newsletter sent to 2000-plus subscribers
text/Logo link on PRSA Houston Web site for one month
ability to distribute materials to all luncheon attendees
table in room to talk with luncheon attendees before and after the event
speaking opportunity at the luncheon (no more than 3 minutes)
one free lunch registration at the President's table; others available at $30 member rate
One time use of an electronically provided member list of physical addresses for all 440 PRSA Houston members.

Luncheon sponsorships do not include PR Day, for which we offer several exclusive PR Day sponsorship packages. Read more about this premiere event on the PR Day Page. Multi-event sponsorship agreements are also available.

Contact: Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717

Get More for Your Membership – Submit a Business Directory Listing

Several firms have asked PRSA Houston how they can get more from their membership. Involvement in PRSA Houston is the best option, but a firm should also have a listing on the Business Directory.

Thank you Nancy Mills, APR, The Mills Agency, for becoming a new advertiser in the Business Directory. For the low price of $100 for a year, the Bayou City Public Relations name, contact information and the company’s specialties are noted on one of the top sites Googled for “public relations & Houston.” Posting your business in our online directory also helps PRSA Houston better field calls it receives asking for specific expertise.

Contact: Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717

Job Hunting? Post Your Resume, Search Listings in PRSA Houston’s Job Bank

Are you a job seeker? Are you a company looking for fresh talent? Look first to PRSA Houston’s Job Bank for new PR and communications opportunities.

It’s easy an easy, free feature for members to take advantage of and a low-cost option for businesses (Only $100)! Post a position or apply for a job quickly.

PRSA Houston also has a free resume search feature in its site, where members can post their resumes for employers looking for talent. Employers may go to the same link and search the resumes posted. This is a completely free service that has been offered by PRSA Houston for more than a year. You may also sign up for a free career newsletter that tells of recent postings. Log-on to PRSA Houston’s site and add this option to your profile.

EPRo is the electronic newsletter of the Houston Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Houston). The deadline for submitting items for the September newsletter is Thurday, Sept. 23. Send to epschwartz@mdanderson.org.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Be sure that the email address you provide is capable of receiving emails from PRSA Houston. Add webmaster@prsahouston.org to your "address book" or "safe senders list." Coordinate with your IT department to allow email from webmaster@prsahouston.org.

30-Aug-10 5:15 PM

Select PRSA Houston Leaders by 5 p.m. Today

Erin Schwartz — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:15:43 GMT

Hello [firstname],

2011 Leadership Election Closes Today

The electronic voting system for the PRSA Houston 2011 Leadership Election will close today at 5 p.m. This is your last chance to chime-in on the leadership of our chapter!

If you have already voted, help the chapter by making a call or sending an e-mail to your member colleagues who may not have, and encourage them to vote today. Winners will be announced at the Sept. 1 luncheon and Annual Meeting.

You should have received a voting ballot Aug. 12 from Katrina Kokoska. If you did not receive it, contact Paula Ruth, APR. Only one vote per member will be permitted. Once a ballot ID has been used, it may not be used again.

Before casting your ballot, take time to look at the candidate biographies, reflect on what you would like from the Houston Chapter and identify those people you think can lead it best over the next three years.

Voters must select four directors and one delegate.

There are nine members running for election to one of four open three-year Board of Director terms beginning in January 2010.

Pictured in top row, left to right: David Casey, Stacey Cox, APR, Kami Huyse, APR. Middle row: Dr. Barbara Langham, APR, Rob Lazaro, APR, Trazanna Moreno, APR. Bottom row: Meagan Stangle, Bronwyn Wallace, Don Young, APR.

Two members are seeking to be elected to one open three-year Assembly Delegate term 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

30-Aug-10 11:15 AM

Last Chance! PRSA Houston Election Closes Aug. 30

Erin Schwartz — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:38:10 GMT

Hello [firstname],

2011 Leadership Election Closes Aug. 30

Voting continues to be very close in the 2011 PRSA Houston leadership election. The votes outstanding could move any candidate into the finalist spots. The electonic voting system will close Monday, August 30, 2010.

While you may have voted, please encourage other members to get their votes in by the end of the day Monday. Winners will be announced at the Sept. 1 luncheon and Annual Meeting.

You should have received your ballot on Aug. 12 from Katrina Kokoska. If you did not receive it, contact Paula Ruth, APR. Only one vote per member will be permitted. Once a ballot ID has been used, it may not be used again.

Voters must select four directors and one delegate.

Two members are seeking to be elected to one open three-year Assembly Delegate term 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.

All Board candidates are members in good standing with PRSA Houston. Assembly candidates are accredited or are serving as a current chapter officer.

Contact: Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717

Follow PRSA Houston

27-Aug-10 10:38 AM

PRSA Houston News, Events Aug. 24, 2010

Erin Schwartz — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:48:07 GMT

Hello [firstname],

2011 Leadership Election Closes Aug. 30

The online voting system for the 2011 PRSA Houston leadership election will close Aug. 30. Every vote is important, so get your vote in today! Winners will be announced at the Sept. 1 luncheon and Annual Meeting.

Voting has been strong and evenly spread among the highly-qualified candidates. Before casting your ballot, take time to look at the candidate biographies, reflect on what you would like from the Houston Chapter and identify those people you think can lead it best over the next three years.

Voters must select four directors and one delegate.

Two members are seeking to be elected to one open three-year Assembly Delegate term 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.

All Board candidates are members in good standing with PRSA Houston. Assembly candidates are accredited or are serving as a current chapter officer.

Contact: Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717

Sept. 1: Texas Tribune Editor on 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?

We encourage you to attend this orientation and enrich your knowledge, contacts and involvement in the Houston chapter.

Please RSVP to Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717; you must register for the luncheon separately.

Register now

Details

Date: September 1, 2010

Time: 11 a.m. New Member Orientation
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Luncheon

Location: Briar Club

Contact: Paula Ruth, APR, 281-870-1717, for event information
and sponsorship opportunities

Free ‘September Sipper’ Member Mixer

Start celebrating Labor Day weekend a little early with your PR pals Sept. 2 at PRSA Houston’s fun, free September Sipper event.

Admission is free to PRSA members with advance on-line registration. Hurry, as space is limited.

This 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.

Register to Attend (it's free!)

Details

Date: September 2, 2010

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: Flora & Muse
(Town & Country CITYCENTRE) Directions

Contact: David Casey, 713-560-9721

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.

Read more about Thrash and Taaffe on the PR Day page.

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

Meagan Stangle: (713) 243-8879; meagan@HopkinsPR.com

Oct. 6: How PR-savvy CEO is Leading HAR

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’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

Nov. 4: UH's Road to Tier One: What's Helping Pave the Way?

Bring your friends and colleagues to hear the inside story about UH’s campaign to achieve Tier One status. University of Houston System chancellor and University of Houston (UH) president Renu Khator, Ph.D., will share these insights, as well as the importance of The Jack J. Valenti School of Communications and the growth of communications majors with Public Relations emphasis at UH.

UH serves more than 61,000 students, has an annual budget that exceeds $1.25 billion and generates a $3 billion impact on the Houston area’s economy, annually.

You can make an individual contribution to support the PRFH by making a donation at the luncheon with your check or credit card. Visit the PRFH site for more information.

Register today

Details

Date: November 4, 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 November Luncheon sponsor

APR Spotlight: Christine Ruiz Hopkins, 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 talked to Christine Ruiz Hopkins, APR, public relations manager, Mitchell Historic Properties. Here, she shares her Accreditation story.

PRSA Houston: What made you decide to become Accredited at this stage in your career?

Hopkins: Accreditation has been a long-term professional goal of mine, but I just kept putting it off. Early in my career, I felt like I didn’t have enough experience, then later, it seemed I was too busy to commit the time to studying. This year I turned 40, and getting Accreditation in my profession was one of my goals for this milestone in my life. I thought if not now, when?

PRSA Houston: How did you prepare for the Readiness Review and computer-based exam?

Hopkins: Last year, I participated in an APR study group PRSA Houston coordinated. This weekly meeting gave me the confidence to realize I had the necessary experience, and it served as a good review for the process. I also read the recommended study guide and Public Relations Strategies and Tactics (Ninth Edition). I really enjoyed this book and the case studies. I also participated in PRSA's APR Boot Camp immediately before the exam. It forced me to focus on studying, taking my readiness review and the test all in a week.

PRSA Houston: What advice do you have for others who are considering Accreditation?

Hopkins: Both the study group and the boot camp were very helpful. This is a great service to PRSA members, and it helped me make the time to become Accredited.

PRSA Houston: Do you have any other comments or suggestions for people thinking of becoming accredited?

Hopkins: The exam was a good test of work experience and knowledge base. I’ve been out of college since 1992, so I was really intimidated about taking the test. During the boot camp, one of the speakers told us to consider the test as research. This gave me a better perspective and reduced my anxiety.

Passionate About PR? Bloggers Wanted

Contact: Mike Wysatta for more information.

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24-Aug-10 9:48 AM

What's the Role of PR Pros in 2015?

Erin Schwartz — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:20:32 GMT

Hello [firstname],

Last Chance to Contribue to Important 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 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.

Today is the last day to participate in this survey! Your feedback is very important. Let’s demonstrate a good response from the Houston chapter!

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

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23-Aug-10 1:20 PM