Challenges and Victories in the Hot Seat
presented by Ellen Qualls, Press Secretary for Governor Mark Warner
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
11:00 am networking and registration / 11:30 am program and lunch
Holiday Inn Executive Center, 5655 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach
$15 Members · $25 Guests
Register (and pay!) online before Mon, April 5 at www.prsahr.org or e-mail meetings@prsahr.org.
When making reservations, please provide your phone number, and indicate if you are a member,
guest or student. Also, let us know if you would prefer a vegetarian meal selection.
Promissory billings are not accepted. No-shows and cancellations after the registration deadline will be billed.

Challenges and Victories in the Hot Seat

What do you do when a democrat wins the Governorship of a strong Republican state, then calls YOU to be his press secretary? You say, “Yes,” of course and prepare to be in the Hot Seat for the next four years.

Ellen Qualls accepted the position of Press Secretary from Gov. Mark Warner in 2001. Since then, she’s aggressively and methodically executed the governor’s communications plan, in good times and bad, as he sells his vision for Virginia’s future to the public, General Assembly members and local government officials.

Join us at our April 7 PRSA chapter luncheon when Ellen shares her challenges and victories while serving in the communications hot seat in one of the country’s most conservative states. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Virginia Beach, 11:30 a.m.

In her role as press secretary, Qualls works with the Governor on message development and media interactions and oversees a press office that produces news releases, editorials, radio actualities, the Governor’s Web site and an archival record of the administration’s appearances in the media. She also assists cabinet secretariats and state agencies with press releases and event planning that involves the Governor. Prior to the Governor’s inauguration in January 2002, Ellen worked for one month on the administration’s transition team.

From the President
Linc Smith, APR

Another thank you to Mark Cox, APR, Director of Public Communications for the City of Chesapeake, Diane Roche, APR, Assistant to the City Manager of Media and Communications in Virginia Beach and Paula Miller, Spokesperson, City of Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office, who spoke at our March lunch about the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake public relations strategies for the D.C. sniper trials. Our luncheon was once again attended by over 60 members and guests. Well done to Dave Rourk, Program Committee Chair and Jared Myers and Rachel Vaughan, our March monthly meeting staff.

On the Chapter Homefront

Strategic Plan
Emma Inman, APR, is leading the review of all aspects of our Chapter Strategic Plan. Our latest plan was written in 2000, and can be viewed on our chapter website. As we review and update our strategic plan this year, we encourage input from all members. If you have thoughts about the plan, please forward to Emma. We value your feedback.

APR
Harry Kenyon, APR, our Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) committee chair, is leading the charge to revamp our chapter APR program. The test format for obtaining APR has recently changed, and our chapter is now working to design a program to prepare candidates to take the newly revised APR exam. If you are interested in taking the APR exam this year, please do contact Harry for details.

Chapter Historian
During the March Board meeting we established the position of chapter historian. Thank you to Kelley Anderson who has volunteered to be our historian. There is an extensive chapter history, which covers the period 1983-1990, and we look forward to bringing our chapter history up to date.

PRSA

Relocation
The PRSA Board of Directors has approved signing of a 13-year lease for relocation of the Society's national headquarters. PRSA will be moving from 33 Irving Place to 33 Maiden Lane in the Manhattan financial district. Move time is scheduled for late April early May timeframe.

College of Fellows
The College of Fellows was established in 1990 by PRSA to honor seasoned practitioners and educators who have made significant contributions to the profession. The deadline for the College of Fellows 2004 class is May 6. Qualifications to become a fellow are: 20 years of experience as a public relations practitioner or educator, demonstration of personal and professional capabilities which serve as a model for others in the profession and advancement of the profession through unusual and exceptional contributions to the field of Public Relations.

Next Month

Ellen Qualls, Communications Director for Governor Mark Warner, will be our featured speaker at our April meeting. Look forward to seeing you there.

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One of March's guest speakers, Diane Roche, APR, Assistant
to the City Manager (Virginia Beach) for Media and Communications, with chapter president Linc Smith, APR.

Welcome New Members

James Moir, Jr.
Public Affairs Officer
Commander Navy Region Mid Atlantic

Lamar B. Raker
Public Affairs Officer
Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek

Lydia R. Robertson
Public Affairs Officer
United States Navy Atlantic Fleet

New Newsletter Schedule

Beginning this month you'll notice an earlier publication date for News & Views. The deadline for submissions is now the first Monday of each month. Send your Member Milestones and story ideas to Maria Miglioretti, APR, at prsanews@cox.net.

Help for those Bound for the College of Fellows

PRSA members with 20 or more years of professional full-time experience in public relations are eligible to apply for membership in PRSA's College of Fellows, a group that recognizes excellence and achievement that has contributed to the advancement of the profession. Applications are due May 6, 2004, and those selected for membership will be inducted during PRSA's International Conference in New York in October 2004. Complete information on the College of Fellows, the application process and the application form can be found on the PRSA Website: www.prsa.org.

Dr. Judy VanSlyke Turk, APR, Fellow PRSA, has volunteered to serve as a "Goodfellow," one of the "coaches" the College of Fellows matches with candidates who would like advice and/or assistance in connection with the application process. She's at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and is available by e-mail, telephone or possibly in person to offer assistance to any chapter member who wishes. She can be contacted at jvturk@vcu.edu

News from National
What do Donald Trump and Al Roker have in common?

Donald Trump has been named as the first of three keynote speakers who will be featured at PRSA's 2004 International Conference, Oct. 23-26 in New York City. Trump, whose most recent venture is as executive producer and star of the NBC reality drama, "The Apprentice," will share his insights into weathering negative publicity, creating and communicating an image and the art of persuasion on a big screen scale, promising a high-energy, provocative and thought-provoking start to this annual public relations event.

Trump will join two other keynoters to be announced - one from the world of public affairs and one major media leader.

In a special conference feature this year, the annual "Legends" luncheon, which honors PRSA leaders, will welcome Al Roker as master of ceremonies. Roker is co-host, weathercaster and feature reporter of NBC's "Today" show.

AP Style

Easter, in the computation used by the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church and by Protestant churches, falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after Mach 21. If the full moon falls on a Sunday, Easter is the following Sunday. Easter may fall, therefore, between March 22 and April 25 inclusive.