PRSA Western District Fun and Business at the Intnl Conference

It's that time of year again. We're continuing our tradition. The Third Annual Western District PRSA/PRSSA reception will be Saturday, Oct. 16 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Buca Di Beppo (1825 N. Connecticut Ave. N.W.). There will be a cash bar with drink specials and appetizers will be provided by the District.

All PRSA members from the Western District (and their spouses/partners) are welcomed to attend. We will be hosting more than 20 PRSSA students from Arizona State University and San Diego State University who are participating in student conference and/or competing in the Bateman Competition.

For those who would like to stay for dinner, we'll be getting a table at 7:30.

Please RSVP to Nancy Syzdek (nancy.syzdek@jt3.com) by Oct. 14 so we can get an accurate headcount.

We want everyone to have fun, but remember we have business to attend to as well.

Yes, Sunday morning (Oct. 17) we'll be dropping the gavel at 8:30 a.m. for our last in-person District Board meeting in the Jefferson & Lincoln West Rooms at the Washington Hilton. PRSA National will be providing a continental breakfast and coffee.

Please be sure you have a chapter representative at the meeting on time. We have many things to discuss including spending options for the District's windfall funds. We also need to vote on next year's Board of Directors.

We'll be pushing to wrap the meeting by 9:45 a.m. to accomodate folks with flights home and to allow folks to get over to the PRSSA Speed Networking event that's being coordinated by our own Jane Dvorak, APR, (Soon-to-be) PRSA Fellow.

Call for Entries for PRSA Chapter Diversity Award

Did your chapter put together a diversity-themed professional development event or luncheon this year? Do you integrate diversity efforts into your chapter's culture? Give your planning committees the credit they deserve and get financial support to take your diversity programming even further thanks to PRSA's Diversity Committee.

Up to four chapters will receive a Chapter Diversity Award from the PRSA Diversity Committee at the PRSA 2010 Leadership Assembly luncheon, Saturday, Oct. 16 in Washington, D.C. The award is given to PRSA Chapters that embody and demonstrate key values in diversity as outlined by the mission statement, and that contribute to advancing diversity as seen by submissions of their best practices and/or case studies. These awards will recognize their local efforts, as well as provide further support for continued achievements at the Chapter level. Nominations must be received by Thursday, Sept. 30.

Visit the Chapter Diversity Award Web page to download the application form.

Contact Candice Bellittera with questions.

CyberAlert offering free clipping services to Nonprofits

CyberAlert, Inc. has announced that it will provide free media monitoring and clipping services to nonprofit organizations as part of its eighth annual "public relations grant" program.

According to the company's news release, a minimum of 15 nonprofits will be selected to receive one full year of services ranging in value from $3,000 to $4,500.

Applications will be accepted until December 31 via the company's online application form.

Thanks to PRSA-LA for sharing this great opportunity with the District.

Speed Networking Session with PRSSA students

Are you planning to come to the National Assembly and/or International Conference in October? Make sure your travel plans can get you there (or keep you there) long enough to participate in the PRSSA Speed Networking Event on Sun., Oct. 17 from 10:30 a.m.-noon at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park.

Our former Western District Chair, Jane Dvorak, APR (and soon to be PRSA Fellow), is coordinating event and she needs your help. In fact she needs 24 people to help make this event as successful as it was last year.

"This is not a resume/portfolio session. We’re trying to focus very specifically on networking and the skill set needed to be successful. The session is designed to give students insight on the basics; like the initial handshake to initiating conversation to appropriate follow up techniques."

The event was highly successful last year and is once again returning as part of the PRSSA program.

Have no fear, Jane guarantees that you'll be back to the conference hotel in time to catch the opening keynote speaker. She'll even make sure you get a ride there.

Please contact Jane at jane@jkdjane.com as soon as possible to volunteer your time. If you can't be there, find someone in your chapter who will be at the conference and twist their arm into volunteering.