Elastigirl(s) to the Rescue

Happy Monday FPRA Treasure Coast!

Elastigirls to the Rescue
Flexibility is so important in our business, right? Well, we're going to have to be flexible for this month’s program as our scheduled speaker had an unexpected work-related appointment that prevented her from coming to the Treasure Coast tomorrow. So, as I thought about it, we have some pretty darn good (ok, great!) experts in public relations and Image Award winners right here in our own Chapter. For tomorrow’s monthly program, we will hear from our very own “Elastigirls” (think “The Incredibles”) Adrienne Moore, APR, CPRC, Nancy McCarthy, APR, Robin Delgado and Dorothy Kamm. Nancy will focus her presentation the value of entering and Dorothy will address the changes in the entry process. Robin and Adrienne will talk about following the rules…kind of like a “What Not To Do” (think “What Not to Wear”) for Image Award entries. We will have all “25 Tips on Image Awards Entries” prepared in a handout for those in attendance and other useful handouts as well. I am grateful that our panel of experts ~ Adrienne, Nancy, Robin and Dorothy ~ is willing to fill in at the last minute, and I am sure we will all leave tomorrow’s meeting with valuable and important information.

Speaking of Image Award Entries…
Let’s continue with more information on entering an Image Award from Adrienne Moore, APR, CPRC.

15. When you read the entry booklet, you will see that the judges have the right to disqualify an entry. You don’t want that to happen, especially if this is a strong project with great results.

Make sure you follow all the rules regarding the set up of the entry binder, from font and type size to page layout. Use the Research, Objectives, Implementation, Evaluation and Budget headings in your two-page summary. With new rules for budgets, be sure to follow those instructions in order to identify hours working on the project.

Judges are instructed to look for the headings listed above in the summary and sometimes, will even measure the margins around the summary pages to make sure they are one inch around, as instructed.They also have the discretion to move your entry to another category. That, however, will NOT disqualify your entry. Don’t pick the OTHER category, if you can avoid it.

Mark your calendars
Be sure and mark your calendars for the February 10th luncheon meeting in St. Lucie West where we will focus on Crisis Communications and the very special March 10th FPRA Treasure Coast 25th Anniversary Celebration reception and performance at the Sunrise Theatre in downtown Fort Pierce.

Member News
Judy Cruz and Mille Wood were spotted in the Sunday edition of Luminaries pictured at the opening of the St. Lucie Heart Gallery to benefit the Children’s Home Society.

Congratulations to Kendall Clifford on her engagement to T. J. Large, a professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox. Her engagement announcement and photo was in Sunday’s Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. Kendall is an account executive (i.e. Sparkstarter) and public relations and marketing specialist for The Firefly Group. The couple plan to marry on December 5, 2009. Best of luck, Kendall and T.J.!!

And finally, congratulations to the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce Leadership St. Lucie Class 27. FPRA Treasure Coast boasts three members in this class ~ Cara Perry, Florida Atlantic University; Catherine Whitaker, St. Lucie County Fire District; and Tanya White, St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce! Way to go ladies!

Have a great week,
Linette