PRSA

The Seattle Association of Black Journalists will sponsor a career reinvention workshop, “Making the Leap to Your Post-Journalism Career,” from 9 a.m.-noon this Saturday, April 25 at UW Seattle. All ethnicities welcome! It's free, but please register. Visit: http://www.sabjonline.org/workshop.html

South Sound Social next Tuesday at Fish Tale Brew Pub in Olympia

Join your fellow communication professionals for lively conversation and cocktails at the popular Fish Tale Brew Pub. You don't actually have to live or work in the South Sound to show up--you're all invited to join this famously involved, really fun group of folks.

When:	Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 4:45 to 6:45 p.m.
Where:	Fish Tale Brew Pub, 515 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia 98501
Contact:	Diane Schuirman-Hagedorn, JayRay, 253.284.2537, dschuirman-hagedorn@jayray.com Michelle Warmuth, City of Tacoma, 253.591.2005, mwarmuth@cityoftacoma.org

Nuts & bolts of award-winning campaigns PR panel

In an industry based on creating campaigns, how does your work stand-out from the crowd? How do you translate your hard work into an award? Learn all about the nuts and bolts of what makes an award-winning campaign from our experienced panel.

When:	Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 7:30 a.m. (meet and greet) 8 to 9 a.m. (program)
Where:	Seattle Times Auditorium, 1120 John St, Seattle, 98109
Cost:	$24 for PRSA members; $30 for non-PRSA members; $5 for PRSSA members
Register:	Register Online or call 206-623-8632

FREE Webinar: Why so many people get it wrong and how you can get it right

One of the most compelling challenges facing the public relations profession is quantifying its value and return-on-investment. Each year organizations invest millions of dollars collectively on outside services, agencies and other resources to prove to internal clients that an investment in public relations is a wise one. And yet, questions persist. What have we been missing? Join Mark Weiner is the CEO of PRIME Research in North America for the answers. 3–4 p.m. EDT.

Communicopia: Effective communications in the digital age

The popular Portland Communicators Conference is back. This year’s theme, “Communicopia: Effective Communications in the Digital Age,” will help you get a handle on the expanding range of communications choices confronting today’s professionals. The event will offer proven strategies, the latest tactics and best practices for reaching and interacting with individuals and groups on the communications frontier.

Registration is $95 for members of PRSA and IABC, $115 for non-members, and $50 for students. All prices include lunch.

North-Enders get together!

Join fellow communications professionals to share your latest PR campaigns, network and socialize. We’ll also gather your ideas for more programs this spring and summer in the north end!

Where:	Scott’s Bar & Grill – 8115 Lake Ballinger Way, Edmonds
When:	May 12, 5:30-7 p.m.
Cost:	No cover, buy your own drinks.
Where:	Not necessary
Register:	Neil Neroutsos, 425-783-8444 or nsneroutsos@snopud.com

PRSA South Sound Group: “Strategic Partnerships”

Belts are getting tighter but demand continues to grow. In these tough economic times it is more important than ever to know who your friends are. Listen to a panel of community leaders talk about their partnerships -- the good, the bad and the ugly. No reservations necessary.

When:	May 14, 2009, 8-9 a.m.
Where:	Metro Parks Tacoma Headquarters, Frst flr bd. Rm. 4702 S. 19th St., Tacoma
Cost:	$5 PRSA members and students; $8 nonmembers
Register:	Not necessary
Contact:	South Sound co-chairs Diane Schuirman-Hagedorn, 253.284.2537 or Michelle Warmuth, 253.591.2005

On-Site audio seminar “Secrets of Social Marketing”

Join us for a brown bag lunch at noon on May 19 for the "Secrets of Social Marketing” audio seminar, hosted by veteran journalist Paul Gillin, who has been reporting on the impact of technology and media for 25 years. Hosted at Publicis in downtown Seattle.

When:	May 19, Noon
Where:	Publicis, 424 2nd Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119
Cost:	$20 for PRSA members; $30 for non-members
Register:	Register online or call 206-623-8632
Info:	Sherry Bourzac, ido26_2@hotmail.com or 425-829-3902

Upcoming Events

August 19:	Half-day Seminar with Ann Wylie, University of Puget Sound
October 21:	Annual Meeting, Seattle
November 5:	Non-Profit Seminar

News

Terry LaBrue, APR, spearheads literary cookbook

The King County Library System Foundation announces an exciting new cookbook, Literary Feast, The Famous Authors Cookbook, to benefit literacy and lifelong learning programs in communities across King County. Literary Feast offers nearly 100 recipes along with author profiles plus their personal perspectives. “I would never have imagined that a cookbook about top writers would be so entertaining,” said project author and Puget Sound PRSA delegate Terry LaBrue, APR. “It gave me a chance to peer over their shoulders and into their lives.” Notable Northwest authors such as J.A. Jance and Garth Stein are featured alongside national bestselling writers such as Alexander McCall Smith. Order copies at www.thriftbooks.com.

Engaging Social Networks white paper

Win a Starbucks card, show off your ethics savvy!

This month's Ethics Minute focuses on protecting privacy and safeguarding confidences. You work in the communications department of a local hospital. A major car accident involving 25 people occurred about 2 a.m. last night. A neighbor calls you to say her 17-year-old high school son has not come home from visiting a friend in the neighborhood of the accident. You know that the accident involved adults; no teenagers or children have been admitted. What can you ethically and legally tell your friend? First one* to provide a correct answer on the PRSA Puget Sound Linked In Discussion Board, wins the free gift card. *Sorry! Previous winners not eligible.

Help user-test our new web site

Feedback from our friends in the communications industry is vital to our success in developing the best chapter website for you, our audience. In the coming months we’ll need volunteers to test our new site for ease of use, navigability, relevance and aesthetic appeal. Ideally we’d like people of a broad range in age, technical background and professional experience. If you’re able to help, please contact Carrie Wiste, 206-405-4000 or carrie.wiste@businesswire.com. Thank you!

Get to Know the Board

Karla Slate

Karla Slate is Secretary for the chapter as well as the 2010 Totem Award Board Liaison. Slate recently took on the role of Community Relations Coordinator for the City of Covington and before that was the Marketing Communications Coordinator for Seattle Southside Tourism, a multijurisdictional program of the cities of Tukwila, SeaTac, Kent and Des Moines. Slate started her PR career coordinating the public relations efforts for a local architecture firm before leaping into the public/government realm. She has a degree in Communications from Washington State University with an emphasis in Advertising. But, she realized quickly that she’d prefer PR to Advertising – relationship building to persuading purchases. Karla has also served as the PRSA Programs Co-chair and volunteered on Totems in the past.

Kauilani Ostrem

Kauilani Ostrem, also known as Ui, joined the Board in January and also serves as the Board’s liaison to the PRSA Jumpstart and Student Outreach Committees. Ostrem graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Communications with a public relations emphasis, and currently works as an Assistant Account Executive for Publicis Consultants | PR. She is an award-winning public relations and marketing professional with over three years of experience. Her specialties include consumer/trade media relations, event planning, copywriting/editing, food industry marketing, health professional communications, online/print materials development and research for food commodity clients. Prior to joining the Board, Ostrem Co-Chaired the Puget Sound PRSA Student Outreach Committee. She currently serves as Co-Professional Advisor for the UW PRSSA Chapter, of which she was formerly president. Currently, Ostrem is busy planning her September wedding, taking place in her native Hawaii. Her love for cooking, traveling and water sports rounds out her free time.

Membership

Welcome New & Returning Members

New Members as of 3/20/09
Alicia Lawver, City of Tacoma
Ross Peizer
Jeanine Marie Stewart, Writer

Renewing Members as of 3/20/09
Rebecca Lyn Burgess, Sur La Table
JoAnne Lee, Port of Seattle
Shula Jill Neuman
Richelle Nielsen, Bastyr University
Jeffrey Parietti, Kenworth Truck Company
LuJean Smith, Good Samaritan Hospital
Tim Smith, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide

If we missed your name, please contact V.P. of Membership J. Ryan Shannon, APR, at 253-304-6013 or rshannon@elementzpr.com

PRSA offers hardship plan for unemployed members

PRSA is pleased to offer a financial hardship plan to our members who are unemployed or temporarily disabled. The plan launched April 1 and is designed to assist members who have lost their jobs retain their PRSA membership and the valuable resources that can assist in the job search process. Visit: http://www.prsa.org/membership/documents/PRSA Hardship Plan.pdf

Associate members score with April membership promotion

Join PRSA during April and get reduced National dues: This promotion is for individuals who qualify for PRSA Associate membership:

But wait, there’s more! You’ll also get a free one-year membership to the National New Professionals section — a $20 value. Puget Sound Chapter dues are an additional $52. Enter promotional code APR2009 on the Membership Application.

Initiation fee waived for PRSA memberships in May and June

Join PRSA during May and June and get the $65 initiation fee waived – bringing the National dues to just $225. Puget Sound Chapter dues are an additional $52. Enter promotional code SPRING2009 on the Membership Application.

APR

Interested in Autumn Accreditation Classes – Act Now!

The chapter is planning a series of APR preparation classes in downtown Seattle Wednesday evenings September 16 through October 28, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Participants must be PRSA Puget Sound chapter members and have applied with PRSA national and been accepted into the APR program by June 26 to be eligible. For more information on the APR program or the classes, contact Troy Brown, APR, at tjbfam@earthlink.net.

Encourage peers to pursue APR and win prizes

PRSA national is encouraging existing APRs to spread the word about the benefits of accreditation. If you know qualified public relations professionals who consistently demonstrate excellence, visit the APR Invite-a-Peer Web site, add their e-mail addresses and click “send.” To thank you, PRSA national will enter your name into multiple drawings for free teleseminars and other great prizes. The more peers you introduce to the accreditation process, the better your chances of winning.

Stay Connected

Facebook, Twitter and Blogs, OH MY!

Don’t forget you can find us on Facebook, Twitter and the Chapter Blog! Check out our PRSA Puget Sound Facebook group page brimming with program info, event dates, discussion threads, wall posts and more. But, that’s not all! We are now on Twitter too! Follow us on Twitter @PRSAPugetSound for great updates on programs, events and more. And, last but not least, hit up our blogspot at prsapugetsoundchapter.blogspot.com for recaps on events, PRSA news and more.

Get LinkedIn to PRSA Puget Sound

Network. Network. Network. Expand your Linkedin network by adding Puget Sound PRSA to your LinkedIn Profile. Connect with fellow PRSA members and participate in related discussions. To add the group to your profile, search for Groups and type in Puget Sound Public Relations Society of America.

Interested in Submitting an item for Newsflash?

Members interesting in submitting content for Newsflash should please send it to Rachel Tynan at Rachel.tynan@scovillepr.com by the 13th of each month.

In this issue:

Programs/Events

Free post-journalism career workshop hosted by SABJ