The monthly newsletter for the
Hampton Roads Virginia Chapter of PRSA - June 2007

June Meeting Preview

An Inside Look at TV News

Ever wondered why and how certain stories find their way on the airways and others don't? Find out the 'secrets' of how television stations function as a business and news operation at the June 6 PRSA meeting. An insider's perspective can change how you think about pitching story ideas to this highly visual and competitive medium.

Drew Berry, general manager and vice president at WMAR-TV in Baltimore, Md., joined the faculty of the Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications as a visiting professor in January 2007.

Berry has been at WMAR-TV, an E. W. Scripps Co.-owned ABC affiliate in Baltimore, since 1997 when he became the news director and station manager. In 2000, he was promoted to general manager and vice president. He has more than 25 years of media experience in six markets including New York, Dallas, New Orleans and Philadelphia. Under his leadership, WMAR-TV won numerous Associated Press, Emmy and other awards and has sustained a continuous growth. Berry also has a strong newsroom, business, marketing and sales background.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Holiday Inn Select, Norfolk Airport
1570 N. Military Hwy.
Norfolk, VA 23502
11:00 a.m. - Networking and registration
11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. - Lunch and program
Cost:
$20 for members
$30 for non-members
$15 for students
$20 for military
Reservations / Registration

Ready to start the path toward Accreditation?

Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is a symbol of professionalism that demonstrates your dedication to and achievement in public relations. The Chapter's accreditation program aims to help candidates pursue accreditation and pass the required readiness review and online examination.

What is the cost? How long does it take? What does the readiness review entail? All of your questions will be answered at an information session Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Oceanfront Area Library in Virginia Beach. Whether you decide to take classes with your chapter colleagues or study on your own, this session will familiarize you with the process, requirements and expectations to earn accreditation.

Know what is expected, get organized, study the right materials and follow the right process - this is the best way to earn the APR credential. Come ready to listen and ask questions and you'll be well on your way to accreditation.

What: Accreditation Information Session
Where: Oceanfront Area Library
700 Virginia Beach Blvd
Virginia Beach
When: Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Contact michelledragas@gmail.com for more information.

Focus on Leadership - Michelle Rogerson Dragas, APR

Full name:
Michelle Rogerson Dragas, APR

Hometown:
Virginia Beach

Family/Pets:
I live with my husband, Markos, and three very active border collies.

What brought you to Hampton Roads?
My family has called Hampton Roads home for several generations. I am fortunate in that most of my extended family lives in the area.

How long have you been in the PR field?
I've spent 8 years in PR, mostly in integrated marketing communications roles.

Current position:
Independent practitioner and freelance writer

What do you like to do on a day off?
When I'm not working, I'm usually traveling and competing with my dogs in various canine activities. But I also like to read a good book on the beach if I can find the time.

What has been your most memorable PR challenge?
Working on the opening of the Virginia Beach Convention Center was an exciting time in my career. I got to work on a team with some incredibly talented individuals. We were making decisions everyday that would have a lasting impact on the region. Some of the highlights were building a brand, planning the topping off and grand opening events and spending Fridays in a hardhat and boots offering media tours of the construction site.

Who do you most admire?
I admire people who have the drive and passion to pursue their dreams. I hear so many people talk about what they would like to be doing, but only a few of them are willing to take the risks and make the sacrifices to actually pursue their goals. I have a few friends who have demonstrated this courage and each one of them inspires me.

What is the most valuable feature of being a PRSA HR member? Getting to know other members! I have met so many wonderful people through PRSA HR. I have come to depend on these colleagues for advice, ideas and support.

Current PRSA HR leadership role(s):
I serve as Accreditation Chair for the chapter. I found accreditation to be a very rewarding experience. It's a pleasure to guide chapter members through the process and share in their professional development.

If networking ranks high on your agenda, get LinkedIn
by Michelle Rogerson Dragas, APR

Assuming you're not a teenager or college student, you may feel a little left out of the social networking craze. Let's face it, a posting about media relations or crisis communications is not exactly MySpace or FaceBook material. Thankfully, there's a place for us professionals to convene online. LinkedIn, an online network of more than 10 million experienced professionals, offers just the right platform for people who want to make connections, find jobs and share business knowledge online.

A basic membership account is free and it's easy to join. To get started, create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments (just copy and paste from your resume). LinkedIn helps you invite your colleagues to the network and find former co-workers and classmates who already belong so you can build your network quickly. The result is a network that consists of your connections, your connections' connections, and the people they know. You can then use your network to seek and post job opportunities, get back in touch with former colleagues or ask questions to industry experts.

The "Answers" area of the Web site is industry specific and the public relations section offers a valuable resource for information. Post your own question (previous questions include "Which companies have the most effective online press rooms?" and "Whose data is better, Bacon's or Vocus?") or share your knowledge and expertise by answering the questions posted by others.
So get networking! Visit www.LinkedIn.com to join and find out for yourself why online social networking is all the rage.

Member Benefit Focus - PRSA Hampton Roads Listserv

Have an idea that you need to bounce off of a fellow PR professional? Need an opinion on a potential vendor? If so, join the Hampton Roads PRSA Listserv! HRPRSA is an e-mail list exclusively for members of the Hampton Roads Virginia Chapter of Public Relations Society of America. Members are encouraged to discuss issues of concern to chapter members and public relations practitioners in general, and to ask and give advice. Since this is a restricted list, your mailbox won't fill up with irrelevant junk. Subscribe now and join the community. Please note that the Listserve is to be used as a resource to help solve public relations issues, and not for marketing or employment seeking purposes.

To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: HRPRSA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

For more information on the list, go to Yahoo Groups: HRPRSA

Member Milestones

Gail Kent, ABC, owner of The Buzz Factory, a public relations firm based in Newport News, won two awards in the 2007 Virginia Press Women Communications Contest.

Kent won first place in the PR printed materials, catalogue/educational institutions category for a four-color catalogue and calendar developed for the Executive MBA Program at The Mason School of Business at the College of William & Mary. She also won first place in the creative verse, single entry category for "Accident of Nature," published in Ricochet. Kent wrote the poem in conjunction with her studies in Old Dominion University's MFA in Creative Writing Program.

The award was presented Friday, April 20, at Virginia Press Women's spring luncheon at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. Congratulations Gail!

News from National

The results are in! PRSA Hampton Roads wins award for for Taste of PRSA promotion

Thank you to everyone who took advantage of the Taste of PRSA promotion that national PRSA offered this past winter and spring. Many new members took advantage of this valuable promotion that waived the national $65 initiation fee. PRSA Hampton Roads tied with the Hawaii chapter for most new members in the medium chapter category. In recognition, our chapter will receive funds from PRSA to be used toward our chapters' professional development expenses.

Not a Member? Join PRSA in May and June and save!

Take your profession to a whole new level — and get a local PRSA Chapter membership FREE for one year when you join PRSA National during May or June 2007 at the full member rate of $290 ($225 national dues plus $65 initiation fee). As the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals, PRSA puts you in a better position to advance your career and stay up-to-date with issues that affect your profession.

Treasurer's Report
The April 2007 Treasurer's Report will be included in the next issue of News & Views.

Deadline for submissions for
the July issue of News & Views is
June 7, 2007.

News & Views is published monthly for members of the
Hampton Roads Virginia Chapter of PRSA.

Feedback please! Your opinions are important. Please e-mail questions, comments, suggestions, story ideas or concerns about News & Views to Jennie Burge.

Miss an issue? Visit our archives collection.

Listings for the job bank should be sent to Karen King, APR.

Changes in membership information should be made in the Chapter's online Membership Directory.