BY: Laura Van Hoosier, APR, Greater Fort Worth PRSA
What a time! As my tenure as GFW PRSA president ends, I look back with pride and fond memories. Every project your chapter leadership undertook this year reflected passion, commitment and excellence. How gratifying to be at the helm with such an exemplary cast of achievers.
We had a year full of education and jumped head-on into learning everything we could about the new media opportunities. We now have a chapter blog, a Facebook page and a Twitter presence. Our chapter donated countless hours giving back to our community and our profession with four service projects. We will also be a part of this month’s JPS book benefit.
Receiving PRSA national’s Chapter Diversity Award was a major highlight, and the “Champions of PRSSA” honor from national underscored our support of the TCU, UTA and ACU PRSSA chapters (we awarded three scholarships this year to students at those schools). Texas Wesleyan is now establishing a PRSSA chapter, too.
We established a special interest group for those working with nonprofits, and another is forming for social media efforts. We made APR prep a focus when we established the Jim Blackmore, APR Memorial Scholarship. The PRSA Southwest District liked the idea so much, its board established a similar program this fall.
I have been in PRSA for almost 11 years and have made lifelong professional and personal friendships. I have been blessed to serve alongside personal heroes, and the organization has provided so many opportunities to learn and grow. I encourage all of you to join a committee or workgroup. Here’s the e-mail: abennett@fortworthchamber.com. Do it. You’ll be glad you did.
A hearty thank you to these 2008 directors and committee chairs for all they do to make GFW PRSA a good place to be: Lisa Gail Barnes; Andra Bennett House, APR; Tom Burke, APR; Lauren Burkett; Allyson Cross; Donna Darovich; Mary Dulle, APR, Fellow PRSA; Richie Escovedo; Nancy Farrar; Marc Flake; Barbara Griffith; Sajata Hale-Williams; Joan Hunter; Linda Jacobson, APR; Dan Keeney, APR; Lara Kohl; Lauren Kwedar; Bill Lawrence, APR, Fellow PRSA; Sarah McClellan-Brandt; Stacey Mensik; Stephanie Mitchell; Carol Murray, APR; Nancy O’Malley; Kelly Owen; Jerrod Resweber; Margaret Ritsch; Susan Schoolfield, APR; Heather Senter, APR; Kelly Shafer; Kim Speairs, APR; Lisa Starnes, APR; Jahnae Stout; Paul Sturiale, APR; Glenda Thompson; and Cindy Vasquez. Next time you see them, tell them how much you appreciate their work.
Let’s all invite a colleague to join us for our holiday luncheon Dec. 10, when we’ll recognize the 2008 board and committee chairs as well as present a few key awards. And be sure to save Feb. 27-March 1 for the Best of the Southwest Communicators Conference in Frisco, presented by the Texas Public Relations Association and the PRSA Southwest District.
Thanks again, everyone. I wish you the very best of the season.
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