In-coming FPRA State President Rachel Smith, APR,CPRC, will share her insights on developing strong leaders as guest speaker at the Florida Public Relations Association Ocala Chapter monthly professional development luncheon. This meeting takes place Friday, August 15, from 11:30AM – 1PM at the Ocala Conference Center – Holiday Inn & Suites located at 3600 SW 38th Ave. in Ocala. Smith will also install the chapter’s 2014-2015 officers and board of directors during this meeting. Whether engaged in a small volunteer organization or leading the charge for a corporation, the same basic principles of public relations apply. Smith will outline what it takes to inspire individuals to achieve, find synergy in diverse thoughts, and strengthen the dialogue with stakeholders. A public relations veteran, Smith serves as communications director for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, a 
state agency helping people with disabilities secure or keep a job. Previously, she worked at Florida State University for the Department of Oceanography. She also worked for the Girl Scout Council of the Apalachee Bend and earned numerous awards for her PR/marketing campaigns and public service announcements. Smith has been a member of the Capital Chapter of FPRA for more than 23 years, having served as president, Image chair, treasurer (twice), and accreditation chair for multiple years. She has also served on the state executive board as VP of Finance, Annual Conference, Chapter Services, Planning and Research, Accreditation and Certification, two years as VP of Golden Image. This is her third year as an adjunct professor teaching the student Certificate in Principles of Public Relations at FSU. Guests are welcome to attend the seminar and luncheon and can register by visiting www.fpraocala.org/events.html. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for guests. For additional information, contact Pamela Calero.
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Share Your Case Studies
The Image Award process is a wonderful way to recap case studies that could prove to be a valuable resource for members. A project deemed worthy of winning an Image Award has used the proper methods to execute PR strategies a can serve as a teaching tool to other members. Award-winning entries have been submitted and are featured below. If you would like to summit one of your winning entries, email the summary and an image representing the work to [email protected].
FPRA Ocala announces call for Communicator of the Year nominations
OCALA, FL — The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) announces its Communicator of the Year awards and welcomes nominations from the community. Established in 2005 and renamed in 2011, the Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year Awards recognize individuals and institutions who have demonstrated excellence in strategic communications to improve the quality of life in Marion County. Award recipients will be honored by FPRA Ocala at a luncheon in July.
Candidates do not have to be members of FPRA but must exemplify the highest professional standards in the communications field. Candidates may include journalists, educators, community/civic leaders and professionals from allied fields, including advertising and marketing. Nomination deadline is 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 3.
Awards are made in individual and institution categories. The Individual Communicator of the Year recognizes the person who uses his/her position to enhance Marion County’s community causes, advance the field of public relations and uphold the ethical standards representing the Ocala Chapter.
Institutional recognition honors the institution/media outlet that has gone above and beyond to provide timely, accurate and critical information to the community, and has demonstrated mastery of communications skills and strategies. The later recognition could be awarded based on year-round consistent effort or a singular outstanding example of communication during an emergency, or both.
FPRA Ocala Chapter hosts internationally-renowned expert on media law and First Amendment at June meeting
OCALA, FL – From Facebook and Twitter to YouTube and more, posting, reposting, Tweeting and re-Tweeting are abundant – but are they legal? And what penalties do you face if you’re caught violating copyright law online?
Professor Sandra F. Chance, J.D., media law professor with the Department of Journalism at University of Florida, reviews the essentials of copyright and its impact on social media as guest speaker at the Florida Public Relations Association Ocala Chapter monthly professional development luncheon on Friday, June 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ocala Conference Center – Holiday Inn & Suites located at 3600 SW 38th Ave. in Ocala.
In addition to teaching media law at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, Chance is the executive director of the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information. A faculty member since 1993, Chance has taught close to 6,000 students. Chance is the campus coordinator for the Liberty Tree Initiative, a program which promotes First Amendment education on campuses across the country. She is also on the board of directors of the First Amendment Foundation and is active in the National Freedom of Information Coalition. She is the Sunshine Chair for the Society of Professional Journalists and is a member of the American Bar Association, the Communications Law Forum, IRE, and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.
Chance graduated with honors from the University of Florida’s College of Law in 1990 and was named to the Order of the Coif. Chance received both her B.S in Journalism with high honors and M.A. in Journalism and Communications with Distinction from UF. A member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, the Florida Bar and admitted to practice before the federal courts in Florida, Chance is a past president of the Gainesville chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. She has served as a director of the Florida Magazine Association and was active in the Florida Press Association. Guests are welcome to attend the seminar and luncheon and can register by visiting www.fpraocala.org/events.html. The cost is $20 for members who RSVP by noon on Tues., June 17 and $25 for guests.