Jonathon Flaum to talk about helping clients find their howl

How do we help a client find their howl - their authentic voice that they can speak without armor or disguise?  How can we facilitate a genuine relationship between the internal client world and the external public world?  Find the answers to these questions at the June PRSA Tar Heel luncheon meeting, when author Jonathon Flaum will explore:

• The relationship between internal and external perception
• The PR professional as an advocate of honesty
• The power of moving through vulnerability
• The process through which honest communication emerges

Flaum is the co-author of The 100-Mile Walk (AMACOM, 2006) and How the Paper Fish Learned to Swim (AMACOM, 2007); he is also the author of How the Red Wolf Found Its Howl (Lotus Way Press, 2008). His work has been featured in BusinessWeek, The New York Times, Investor's Business Daily and on 800 CEO READ. Jonathon has published two manifestos for Changethis.com: "Work as Refuge" and "Finding Your Howl" and is a regular contributor to the Asheville Citizen-Times with his column, "Meaning at Work." A former playwright and university instructor in philosophy of religion, Jonathon brings a unique perspective to the world of business, nonprofit, and government success, drawing on both the contemplative and creative traditions to achieve genuine results with today's top leaders. 

Register for the June luncheon now.

PRSA will make history during the National Conference in November as the assembly delegates vote on a revised set of national bylaws. While the bylaws have been amended over the years, this is the first time in 60 years that the national bylaws have been completely re-written. The PRSA Board of Directors recognized these changes represented an opportunity to modernize PRSA's governance structure and to reflect changes in current best practices in association management.

The board of directors has approved the revisions and it's up to us, the membership, to provide input and suggestions on these changes. Three main areas have been revised and they are Membership, Governance and Leadership. Among those areas, the following is a quick snapshot of the critical issues included in the bylaws changes:




My fellow Assembly Delegate, A.-C. McGraw and I, will keep you updated as we move closer to the National Conference. There are conference calls scheduled, so please let us know your thoughts and comments so we may represent the chapter on this issue.

If you have questions, you may reach me at jsaintsing@bbbsnc.org or for more information on the bylaw changes go to http://www.prsa.org/aboutUs/Bylaws/index.html. In addition a Governance e-Group  has been established in the MemberNet section of the PRSA Web site. Also, questions may be sent to governance@prsa.org.

PRSA is offering a financial hardship plan to members who are unemployed or temporarily disabled. If you've been a member of PRSA for at least five years and are unemployed, and if you've recently renewed at the full rate or your membership is up for renewal, you can save $110 off the regular rate.

To apply, email Member Services at membership@prsa.org or call (212) 460-1400. More details here (PDF).

Have you considered the next step in your career? For those serious about a career in public relations, accreditation is a must. Not only is accreditation a fantastic personal achievement, but the process to APR is a learning experience that will help you in your daily work. Though not required, a formal study class is offered by your PRSA chapter. This in-depth 12-week course will  prepare you for your readiness review and examination.

There will be an information session at Altyris, 4100 Mendenhall Oaks Pkwy., Suite 130, in High Point on June 23 at 5 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, contact John Mims at john.mims@altyris.com.

We'd like to celebrate the anniversaries of members who joined this month.

Members celebrating anniversaries in June:

George Griswold, APR, 50 years
Vincent Holbrook, APR, 25 years
Rick Hodson, APR, 7 years
Dawn Marin, 7 years
Karla Comer, 1 year
Judie Holcomb-Pack, 1 year
Allison White, 1 year
Catharine Davidson, 1 year
Angi Wesson, 1 year
Maria Arnn, 1 year


Are you new to the chapter? Have a question you'd like to ask? When you come to the meeting look for the folks with the red ribbons on their nametags. Our board members will be happy to welcome you, answer questions or take your feedback.

Update Your Member Profile and You Could Be a Winner
Take a few minutes to help PRSA serve you better. Tell us your job title, organizational setting, industry and area(s) of specialization. Each month, May through August, we will randomly select five members who update their demographics information to receive gifts, including a $100 Amazon gift card and items from the PRSA Store. You could be a winner!
                                            
Update your demographics information on MemberNet today. If you are renewing your membership by mail or fax, you also can update your demographics on the back of the dues invoice.

Young Pros Celebrate First Year with Summer Break
The PRSA Tar Heel Young Professionals had a great first year of networking and professional development events. The group will be taking a two-month hiatus, but will return in August for our monthly after-work meetings. Have a great summer!

Need a Name Tag? Let us Know!

Please contact Vice President of Membership, Teresa Loflin, at membership@prsatarheel.org. Members of the Tar Heel Chapter are asked to keep their name tags and bring them to each meeting. If you haven't yet picked your name tag up, please be sure to do so at the next meeting you attend.

 

PRSA Tar Heel Chapter Board Meetings, are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Chapter members are always welcome to attend and provide input. For location or more info, contact Ken Smith, APR at president@prsatarheel.org.

Bring a guest to a PRSA monthly luncheon meeting and when they join our chapter -- who wouldn't, right? -- you will receive one free monthly luncheon meeting as our way of saying thanks for supporting and expanding your chapter.

We'd like you to take this luncheon within six months of earning it, and each member is eligible for two free luncheons a year. The Spinks Banquet and Professional Development are not considered luncheons, sorry!

This newsletter is provided each month to members and prospective members of the Tar Heel Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The Tar Heel Chapter serves the Triad area of North Carolina. If you would like more information about the Tar Heel Chapter, please contact Teresa Loflin, VP of Membership, at membership@prsatarheel.org. If you have comments or suggestions regarding the newsletter, contact  Mark Tosczak at newsletter@prsatarheel.org.