FALL 2012

WWW.AWCSPRINGFIELD.ORG

P.O. Box 5192 Springfield, IL 62705-5192

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF COMMUNICATIONS EXCELLENCE

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

It continues to be a near record year for AWC Springfield. Our membership is incredibly strong and active, and our monthly programs offer quality topics from many great presenters. We have submitted applications for three national awards, and we have applied for a Chapter of Excellence designation. Our Immediate Past President has also been working with National AWC to allow us to host an AWC National Convention. With so many things going on, there is one particular feature of AWC Springfield I would like to address and this is our networking opportunities. With so many new members, I realize that not everyone knows everyone else. Before each monthly program, there is time to introduce yourself to someone new and to strike up a conversation. Or simply reconnect with someone you already know. You can also take advantage of our social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook to start a conversation. You never know where it might lead.

Jennifer Anderson
SAVE THE DATE - AWC SPRINGFIELD PROGRAMS
Programs are usually held on the second Wednesday of the month at the Sangamo Club at 227 E. Adams. 11:30 - 12:00 - Networking & Registration 12:00 - 1:00 Program $16 Members; $10 Students; $21 Non-Members Upcoming Programs: October 10 - P.R. and the Political Campaign Every four years there is extraordinary pressure on political campaigns to use traditional tools and social technologies to share their persuasive messaging with the electorate. Our guest speaker, Ryan Keith, will share his perspective and insights. November 29 - In the Trenches: P.R. Lessons Learned Following the Deadliest Tornado Ever Recorded - Special time & place: Northfield Center @ 6:00 p.m. Hear a first-hand account from two PR pros (part of a 10-member team) called in by the City of Joplin to provide support in the days following the disaster. Youll find out how both social and traditional media relations played into Joplins disaster response and recovery strategy. Check the AWC-Springfield website for program updates: www.awcspringfield.org/programs

AWC MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

New members save $50 through Thursday, November 15 The Fall membership drive has begun and we need your help to recruit new members to the AWC Springfield Chapter. From Sept. 15 - Nov. 15 the national application fee will be waived for all NEW members -- A $50 savings! Heres how you can help: Bring a guest to the October 10th program. The member who brings the most guests will receive a free lunch at the next program! Connect and share your AWC experience on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Share the special application form from www.awcspringfield.org/membership with potential members Did you know? AWC offers a $50 scholarship to new and existing professional members; $25 to student members (financial support to self-employed or self-paying AWC members.) Share your AWC experience. Recruit new members. Compete for prizes! Recruit at least five new members and be eligible for prizes from the National AWC campaign. The more you recruit, the better your chances to win. Dont forget...Our Springfield chapter was recently named Overall Outstanding Chapter by the National Association of AWC, recognizing us as the top chapter in the nation! Lets keep this momentum going! If you have questions, please feel free to contact membership@awcspringfield.org.

PAST AWC-SPRINGFIELD PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

August Program Making the Headlines: A Media Relations Panel Discussion

- Natalie Sparacio, Anchor & Reporter, ABC NewsChannel 20 - Bob Heisse, Executive Editor, The State Journal-Register - Melissa Hahn, Public Information Officer, Office of the Illinois State Treasurer An informative and experienced panel discussed the tools and best practices for managing and improving your media relations initiatives. Lisa Rigoni moderated the session.

September Program Seven Keys to Email Marketing

- Tammy Finch, Social Media Consultant, Owner, Web Tech Services, Inc. Tammy spoke on the power of email marketing and provided insightful tips on how you can create highly effective and professional emails that inform, engage and increase your reach.

MEMBER NEWS
New Jobs/Promotions Jennifer Anderson - Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Memorial Medical Center Laura Evers - New Agent Support Specialist, Horace Mann Katherine Dinges - Account Manager, HPR Marketing & Consulting Group Vanessa Ferguson - Scheduling Manager, Hoogland Center for the Arts New Announcements Kristin Fyans - Welcomed a new baby boy, Charlie, on August 26th Springfield Clinic: AWC Members Include Christy Broccardo, Courtney Enlow, Kristin Fyans, Emily Moore & Shelley Simon - 2012 Clarion Awards - Marketing Communications Campaign - Budget of $50,000 or less, Get Your Butt In Here Campaign & Online Marketing Campaign - Facebook Page - 2012 Ragan PR Daily Award - Best Facebook Page

CALL FOR COMMITEES

The 2012 - 2013 AWC Springfield Board is continuing to search for Committee Members. Enhance the skills section of your resume and use your talent to help the AWC Springfield chapter. The committees are a vital part of keeping our chapter strong! Take a moment to look over the committee descriptions on our website at www.awcspringfield.org/about. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any of the current board members about their respective committtees. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you to make the AWC Springfield chapter even stronger!

JOIN AWC CHATS!

Dont miss the chance to participate in AWCs newest professional development forum, @AWCchat. The chats take place on Twitter every Thursday at 11:30 am CST. Simply follow @AWCchat on Twitter, then use #awcchat to join in the discussion. Dont forget to follow our chapter at AWC_Springfield!

NATIONAL CONFERENCE COMES TO SPRINGFIELD in 2013

The AWC Springfield Chapter is proud to have been selected as host of the 2013 AWC National Conference! Our chapter continues to be recognized as one of the nations leading chapters as we grow not simply in numbers, but in strength as forward thinkers. Accepting this opportunity allows us to contribute back to our national organization and promote continued education in the communications field as well as networking on a national level, right here at home. We are finalizing the date and the venue now, working with the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and National AWC. The conference will either be in September or October of 2013. Your National Conference Committee includes Lisa Rigoni, conference chair, Jennifer Anderson, Mary Beth Clark, Christy Broccardo, Jessie Decker, Mary Schaefer and Patti Thompson. We will work closely with Sheryl Liddle of AWC National and will have many volunteer roles for Springfield Chapter members. Want to get involved? Send an email to Lisa at LRigoni@prwithpurpose.net. More details (including specific volunteer needs) on the event will be coming soon!

CELEBRATING OUR 35th YEAR

As the Springfield chapter celebrates its 35th anniversary year, we'll be sharing a variety of historical items. Here's the first The chapter began in 1977 when the petition for a professional chapter was submitted to the national office. In those days, a chapter could be started by five at-large members. Monica Bayer [now Heaton], then assistant city editor at the State Journal-Register, took the lead. She had joined as a student at the University of Iowa. We know three of the four other founding members - Delores Story Kaufmann, chief public information officer, State Office of Education (and our first chapter president); Francine Richards, a publications editor; and Nancy Severa Zimmers, (still a member of the chapter) who had moved from her job at Northwestern University in Evanston and was job hunting. Perhaps the work on the chapter archives will help us find that missing name. In its second year, 1978-79, the Springfield chapter had 15 members and another 30-some people on the mailing list. The members were (two affiliations are not known) Kitty Behof, Jeff Brody and Mike Kienzler, State Journal-Register; Steve Eckert, WAND-TV; Fletcher Bud Farrar, Illinois Times; Christina Fenner, Capital Machinery; Ann Gillies (the chapters second president) and Linda Prather, WICS-TV; Imogene Jeff Hall, Lincoln Land Community College; Delores Story Kaufmann, State Office of Education; Tari Marshall, Illinois Information Service; Suzanne Muckensturm; Francine Richards; and Nancy Severa Zimmers, SIU School of Medicine. Look for more AWC Springfield historical information coming in the next AWC Springfield newsletter!

NEW ANNIVERSARY LOGO

Take a look at our new 35th Anniversary logo! The logo will be used to remind our members of our chapters strong history throughout the year on various chapter communications.

MEDIA DIRECTORY UPDATE

The AWC Media Directory committee is currently reviewing the contents of the AWC Media Directory and Guidebook. The Committee would love your input on whether you find the Directory worthwhile and would like to see its contents updated. Historically, the media directory has been a comprehensive source available for the Springfield area press contact information. In addition, the directory provides key tips and tools on media relations in the central Illinois area. Please contact Mary Schaefer at mbschaefer3@gmail.com with any comments you might have related to what you would like to see in the contents of the new Directory.