WMPRSA September 2005 E-Newsletter 

President's Message

A faculty colleague of mine scoffed at the notion of an "Ethics month." He was responding to a comment I made about PRSA's efforts to promote ethical practice in the profession. He made a snide remark about PR professionals considering ethics for only one month of the year. Some academics have a less than fuzzy view of our beloved profession.
 
But I told him what I'm telling you--it IS good to emphasize ethics once a year. It doesn't mean we abandon our ethical commitment during the other 11 months. But we do need to refocus our commitment to ethics, and more importantly, to remind those outside our profession what ethical public relations means. So, in keeping with PRSA's national leadership, the West Michigan chapter is emphasizing ethics in September. A few years ago, in 2000 to be precise, PRSA overhauled its code of ethics to simplify it and to more clearly articulate both the values we base our ethics on as well as the specific provisions of the code. At the same time, because ours is not a licensed profession and therefore has no punitive authority, PRSA moved from an "enforcement" ethics program to one of "inspiration." In other words, the organization is not going to be an ethical police force, but we do hope to inspire practitioners and others to be ethical professionals.
 
In that spirit, the West Michigan chapter has two great ethics-related events this month. On September 13, in a partnership with the Grand Rapids Economics Club, we will hear John Paluszek, APR, of Ketchum Public Relations, New York, speak about "Corporate Social Responsibility." The concept isn't new, but it is increasingly relevant in an era of scandal and public mistrust. CSR is a key avenue for PR practitioners to express the unique PR perspective to management and a framework to counsel management to behave ethically. A second event in Kalamazoo on September 28 will feature a panel of nonprofit and business executives discussing "What to Do When No One is Watching." It will be an executive view of ethics.

I hope to see you at one or both of these exciting events. Remember, as always, to invite a colleague or client. And whatever you do, whether it's ethics month or throughout the rest of the year, keep "enhancing the profession."
 

Tim Penning, APR
2005 West Michigan PRSA President 

SEPTEMBER MEETING
Corporate Social Responsibility: A PR Imperative (A joint event with the Economic Club of Grand Rapids)

Sponsored by: Seyferth, Spaulding & Tennyson

PR always wants a seat at the table with other managers, and on September 13 we have it! WMPRSA joins the Economic Club of Grand Rapids to hear a presentation on Corporate Social Responsibility by veteran PR practitioner and longtime CSR advocate John Paluszek, APR. Paluszek is senior counsel at Ketchum Public Relations in New York, a PRSA Fellow, co-chair of the Commission on Public Relations Education, and PRSA's liaison to the United Nations. He is in demand nationally as a speaker and we are fortunate to have him speak to us here in West Michigan, thanks to generous sponsorship of the local public relations firm, Seyferth, Spaulding, and Tennyson. He will address how a corporation's social responsibility is inherently tied to its business strategy and why how public relations is the function that ties the two together.

WHEN: Monday, September 13, 2005
Registration/networking:11:30, food served at 12:00, presentation at 12:30

WHERE: Ambassador Ballroom, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Address: Pearl and Monroe, downtown Grand Rapids

COST: Member $30, Non-Member $35, Full time student $25
RSVP DEADLINE: Tuesday, September 7, 2005

TO REGISTER, call the WMPRSA hotline at 616-336-0678 or fax to 616-451-3108 or send an e-mail to Julie Metsker at admin@wmprsa.org. All program reservations MUST be guaranteed with VISA or MASTER CARD. You can still pay the day of the event with a check.

When you make a reservation we will need your name, company name, phone number, membership status and credit card number and expiration date, and credit card billing address (including ZIP code) of where you receive your credit card bills. "No shows" will be billed. 24-hour notice required for full refund.

 When Nobody's Watching: Ethics In Action

September 28

 It's alarming fact:  Ethical behavior in business and society has become a murky subject.  Corporate scandals, political accusations, even widespread cheating in education all point to the need for a dialogue on the issue.  During PRSA National Ethics Month, the West Michigan chapter of the Public Relations Society of America will sponsor such a dialogue.

Join PR professionals, business leaders and students from across West Michigan for an interactive evening during which panelists and audience members will determine what is and isn't ethical behavior.  Harold J. Decker, former interim CEO for the American Red Cross, will be the keynote speaker.  Decker led the effort to restore faith in the Red Cross in the wake of controversy over management of September 11 donations.  Joining Decker will be panelists Neil Nyberg, corporate ethics director for Kellogg Corp.; Bob McDonough, community relations manager for Pfizer Inc.; and Steve Willis, corporate environmental and social responsibility representative for Whirlpool Corp.

When: Tuesday, September 28
Time: 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where: Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo
Brown Hall (next to Miller Auditorium)
Room 1021
Cost: To promote greater participation, there is no charge for this event.
Refreshments provided by the Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce.
More info: Rick Chambers, APR, (269) 833-6387 
                Joe Yantis, APR, (269) 327-6006

OCTOBER 13 - SAVE THE DATE

Don't miss WMPRSA's October 13 meeting for a skills building session with commercial/industrial photographer Dan Watts.  Dan will talk about how to work effectively with a photographer to make sure that you get the results you want and make the most of your budget dollars.  Mark your calendars now for this lunch meeting.  Location and costs will be announced in an upcoming meeting notice.
 

UAB Announces Year One

Examination Stats

With the new Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) program now in
existence for one year, the UAB is announcing its first-year results for
the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). Since July 1, 2003, when the re-engineered Examination was launched, through June 2005, 360 candidates have applied to sit for the Examination, 171 candidates have participated in a Readiness Review, 148 have advanced from Readiness Review and 68 have taken the computer-based  Examination. Of those 68 who have taken the computer-based Examination, 49 have passed it and earned Accreditation - a 72% pass rate. To view the entire news release, click here:
http://www.prsa.org/_Advance/apr/news080504.asp.

Refer a Colleague to PRSA in September And Be Rewarded

Introduce a friend or colleague to PRSA and be rewarded during PRSA's Member-Get-A-Member promotion. Receive a $25 PRSA voucher for the first full Member you refer and $15 for the first Associate Member - yes, Associate Members may participate in this offer! Recruit more than one member and the  rewards increase.  Vouchers can be used towards PRSA National teleseminars or seminars (excluding the International Conference), or publications and merchandise in the PRSA Store. New members benefit, too. Upon joining, they not only receive all the benefits of membership but they will also receive, with our compliments, the new edition of the Associated Press Stylebook and a voucher they can redeem for a PRSA gift item. For more information visit www.prsa.org.

Be A Part Of Champions For PRSSA

During September,  PRSA like to solicit your help. Champions for PRSSA  is reaching out to PRSA Chapters to enlist member's support. For 15 years, the Champions have sponsored and solicited contributions to the annual PRSSA scholarships for students excelling in academic studies, leadership, internships and service. To date, more than $74,000 has been awarded to 55 students in 41 schools. Three scholarships -- $2,000, $1,500 and $750 - are presented annually, with ties and a fourth scholarship awarded when funds permit.

With November being PRSA/PRSSA Relationship Month, this sends a strong message to students that we recognize the value that they bring as the public relations professionals of the future. It is our goal to achieve 100 percent participation by Chapters this year, as well as increase the number of individual professionals supporting the Champions.  Last year, 54 of the 116 Chapters were Champions and only 111 of almost 20,000 professionals joined.

The annual membership is just $50 for a Chapter or professional to become a Champion, and every dollar is used to support PRSSA. Any additional monies given by Chapters or professionals goes directly to the scholarship fund. The tax-deductible $50 membership fee for 2005-05 is payable to the PRSA Foundation, noted Champions for PRSSA, and should be mailed to Jeneen Garcia, PRSA Director of Education, 33 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038-5150. For further information, contact Jeneen Garcia, (212) 460-1466, or visit the PRSSA Web site.

JOB BOARD

Public Relations Account Manager

Bruyn & Associates seeks a creative and ambitious individual to help serve a growing number of prestigious clients with the highest quality marketing communications and public relations. Requirements include three to five years of solid experience in marketing communications and public relations with a strong emphasis on PR strategies, promotional writing for print and Web communications, West Michigan and national media relations, presentation skills, project management, and interface with executives. Competitive salary based on experience, health benefits, 401k plan.

Send resume and writing samples to Bruyn & Associates, 161 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 409, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. For more information, go to www.bruynassociates.com

Subscriptions and 2005 Newsletter Editor Contact

This monthly electronic newsletter comes from the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Sponsorship of the newsletter is provided by http://www.pathwaynet.com, which also hosts the WMPRSA website.

WMPRSA
PO Box 68124
Grand Rapids, MI 49516
Phone: 616-336-0678
Fax: 616-451-3108
http://www.wmprsa.org

Send newsletter feedback, ideas and accompanying color or b&w photos in jpeg format to: Carol Tanis at ctanis@grsymphony.org.

Deadline for newsletter content is the 1st of each month.