PRestige February 2018

Nick Zoller, APR, of the Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) recently earned professional public relations accreditation, and received the designation of Accredited in Public Relations (APR).

Looking through the content for this newsletter makes me so proud of our FPRA Ocala Chapter. Announcing another APR achievement (Congratulations, Nick!), seeing the opportunities for professional development, networking, community service and the outstanding Image and Toolkit events on the horizon is very exciting!

Each month as I write this column, I reflect on how FPRA has influenced me and what our chapter is offering to its members. There are so many things to mention; I hope you know about these activities and you are taking advantage of all your FPRA benefits!

A committee is working on the PaRade of Excellence – our annual local Image Awards program. The Image Awards program recognizes outstanding public relations programs in Florida, encouraging and enhancing professionalism. This will culminate with the PaRade of Excellence on April 26th, beginning at 5:30 pm at the Medical Health Center in Ocala.

During the PaRade of Excellence, we will also recognize nominees for the Wilton F. Martin, Jr. Communicator of the Year award. The Wilton F. Martin, Jr. Communicator of the Year awards will be presented to one individual and one institutional winner that evening. Is there someone you should nominate for this honor?

Another committee is working on the Toolkit for Success seminar – our annual professional development seminar. This year’s seminar title is “Engage” and it is shaping up to be great half-day workshop with fabulous speakers and topics. The seminar offers an excellent opportunity for our chapter to reach business professionals and nonprofits while positioning our association favorably. Who will you invite to attend the seminar on May 17^th at the College of Central Florida.

Yet another committee is developing a strategy for reaching students in our community who might be interested in learning more about FPRA. Thanks to our partners at Webster University and the College of Central Florida for this effort. We are looking for members who are willing to speak to students about a variety of topics. Can you help with this? If so, let Lauren Debick know!

As you can see, we are a busy group. I hope you are pleased with the member services we are offering. I am open to feedback and suggestions, so don’t hesitate to call or email me directly. Your idea might be the next great example of BOLD PR!

Sincerely,

Lisa E. Varner, APR, CPRC

As our monthly meetings have grown, we are limited on introductions and announcements which help us build our networks. To offset that, a monthly FPRA (Friendly, Professional, Relaxed, Atmosphere) gathering allows members to meet in a more social setting. Join us this month at the new Crazy Cucumber,  one of Ocala’s fun and tasty Heathbrook venues. This is a time to catch up and connect. If you have any questions, please call Lauren Debick at 352-454-4264.

Wed., Feb.21 at The Crazy Cucumber 4414 SW College Rd #1910, Ocala from 5:15-7 p.m.

Want to advance your PR skills to the next level? Looking for a way to polish your professional style? Need a boost to invigorate your career? You should pursue APR, or Accreditation in Public Relations, for any of these reasons and more.

Study sessions start February 12 on Monday evenings, 5:30PM-7PM in Downtown Ocala. The three-step process to achieve APR involves a self-assessment, Review Panel presentation, and a computer-based exam. Study sessions spark creativity to think outside the box when it comes to APR. Start 2018 with a challenge by contacting Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, to get your APR process rolling with study sessions. While study sessions are free, online options are also available at expense to individual members.

The New Year kicked off with many opportunities for professional development through FPRA. My LeadershipFPRA class had two separate sessions this past month. The first session was part of the Counselor’s Network Winter Symposium. I found this session valuable because our class was able to bring up topics and ask questions of highly experienced PR professionals. This type of forum gave new perspectives and insights to workplace challenges and opportunities. I look forward to earning my CPRC so I can attend more CN events in the future!

Our second session covered the topic of government and was held in Tallahassee. While legislative processes (More)

Leadership Ocala/Marion County Regent Elaine McClain (R) welcomes fellow FPRA members Lauren Debick and Katie Hunnicutt to their most recent session for Class XXXI.

The FPRA Ocala Chapter is pleased to have a majority of its members actively engaged in the community serving in key leadership roles in government, business and not-for-profit sectors.

#FPRAisforLeaders #FPRAOcalaLeaders

Carolyn Maue, Executive Coach and Consultant and leadership resource for FPRA, will discuss the elements of successful teams, including the importance of trust, the ability to successfully work through conflict, commitment and accountability to the team’s efforts, and the importance of measurement and accountability. This interactive presentation will provide participants with tools to identify the unique strengths they bring to teams, opportunities to discuss challenges and roadblocks to successful team performance, and suggestions and solutions for creating dynamic and successful team interactions.

Friday, Feb. 16, 2017 • 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

College of Central Florida • Ewers Century Center

(11:30 a.m. networking; noon to 1 p.m. program)

Please RSVP to christy.jergens@flhealth.gov. Payment can be made by visiting http://www.fpraocala.org/event-registration/.

Please RSVP for either of these workshops to Allison@AandACampbellGroup.com.

Workshops are free, but RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED!

If you were not in attendance during our January monthly meeting, you missed quite a few treats! First off, Heather Danenhower, APR, CPRC shared so many amazing tips of the trade about her Local Image and Golden Image award winning campaign. We all walked away knowing more about the Image process as well as how to create our own award-winning campaigns.

We also were treated to a King Cake straight from Louisiana courtesy of our own Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC. Kristina Donohue of The Centers received the “baby” in her piece of cake, so she will receive 50% off of her Image entry registration should she submit an entry this year. Devon also created amazing chocolates and save the date cards for everyone to take home.

The Conference Call Workshop held on January 23 provided insightful information and helpful tools for first timers and veterans alike. Coming up on Tuesday, February 6 from 12 – 1 p.m. at Medical Health Center will be an in person, bright your own bagged lunch workshop and February 13, Fat Tuesday is our Image entry “swap and critique.” If you haven’t started writing your two-page summaries, it’s time to get cracking. You will want your peers to review your summary before the March 9 deadline… and that Fat Tuesday is just around the corner!

Be sure to check out the Call for Entries (Link to online Call for Entries) and submission info is available by clicking on “Ocala Chapter” at fpraimage.org

To RSVP for workshops or to ask any image related questions, Allison@AandACampbellGroup.com or call (352) 895-4693.

It’s an exciting time to start thinking about a PaRade… of Excellence!

The nomination process is open for the Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year award!

In 2017, we introduced the first Lifetime Achievement in Communications. Although this award is not necessarily given on an annual basis, consider whether or not you have a worthy candidate to nominate.

To nominate a deserving candidate, visit fpraocala.org/nominate

Make plans now for ENGAGE: 2018 FPRA Ocala Toolkit for Success.

This half-day seminar will be packed with actionable take-aways to help you ENAGE with your team, your audience and the media.