The Association for Women in Communications One organization embracing ALL communications disciplines
Communiqué Connect,R engage, advance: be a communications leader www.womcom.org
New members signing up by Nov. 30 as an executive, professional or entrepreneur member will save $50.
AWC Fall 2010 Membership Campaign In today’s challenging economic times, networking and advancing one’s skills is key. Being a member of the country’s leading communications association is, as you know, a great way to do this. This fall, AWC is making it more affordable for communications practitioners from across all disciplines and around the country to join AWC. New members signing up by Nov. 30, 2010 as an executive, professional or entrepreneur member will save $50, as the national application fee is waived. Some great prizes await AWC members who recruit the most new members, too. AWC members are encouraged to recruit new members and compete to win prizes: • The individual member with the highest number of recruited new members will receive a Flip video camera! Second place wins a Blu-ray DVD player, and third place wins a complimentary AWC webinar of their choice. Campaign, cont’d. on Page 2
September-October 2010
What’s inside:
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Pick up lines that really work
TechTrekking to Lafayette
Update your profile
Campaign, cont’d. from Page 1 • The professional chapter with the highest percentage of new members attained during the campaign will receive one complimentary registration to the 2011 AWC National Conference in Tulsa, Okla., a $400+ value. Second place will receive one complimentary membership renewal to present to an outstanding chapter volunteer, speaker, or VIP, and third place will receive $75 worth of AWC branded merchandise. • The student chapter with the highest percentage of new members will receive one complimentary student registration to the 2011 AWC National Conference in Tulsa, Okla., a value of $250+. Second place will receive $50 worth of AWC branded merchandise, and third place will receive a complimentary AWC webinar of their choice. By joining now, new members will benefit by reduced pricing on programming, culminating with the 2011 AWC National Conference in Tulsa, Okla., Oct. 13-15, 2011. Here’s what you need to do: Check with your chapter leader or the national office for recruitment e-fliers and postcards that you can send to friends and colleagues, inviting them to join our terrific organization. Be sure that new members include your name on the “referred by” section of their membership application so you get the recruiting credit. To be eligible for prizes, you must recruit at least five new members. Also, use your Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts as a method of recruiting. By linking to AWC national, as well as your local chapter, potential members will find out which membership level is appropriate, the cost and information on AWC. You’re not alone in this recruitment venture. AWC national is supporting your efforts through a dedicated page on the www.womcom.org website, direct mail and social media outreach, all directing prospective members to AWC’s benefits and membership application form, as well as local chapters if there is one in their area. Potential members will be able to participate in live webinars to learn about AWC membership on Sept. 28, Oct. 18 or Nov. 16. For more information or to obtain campaign materials, please contact AWC Membership Manager Dan Mondloch, at members@womcom.org or (703) 370-7436.
Connect, Engage, Advance: Be a communications leader
What do you do? Every business professional needs an engaging answer to that question. On Sept. 21, join 2009 AWC Headliner Lorraine Howell, author of “Give Your Elevator Speech a Lift!” for a guide through her proven process for creating a winning elevator speech. You will learn how to craft your own elevator speech, enhance your personal brand, improve your networking skills, connect with any audience, and create effective speeches and presentations. Register today and make your own 30-second commercial! Visit the Upcoming Events page to register for the AWC Webinar Series.
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AWC is filled with instant support
Judy Arent-Morency AWC National Chair
AWC
in the news
Bess Furman, 1949 recipient of the Headliner Award, was featured on a series about Nebraskans by Colleen Williams with the local ABC affiliate, KHGI-TV. Bess was chosen as the first woman to be featured on this special celebrity series. AWC National Chair Judy Arent-Morency and emeritus member Maurine Beasley were interviewed for the story and are included in the clip. Click here to go to the website, click “Media” on the left-hand side of the screen.
With the roller-coaster changes that have occurred in the field of communications during the past few years, we all need a way to connect with each other for guidance and professional growth. The benefits of AWC membership are enormous and include networking, industry information, career guidance, and lifelong friendships. AWC also provides an avenue for thirdparty certification of job skills, the ability to communicate with members in a wide variety of disciplines, and a forum to learn how to utilize the latest technological tools. Members can take advantage of local chapters, volunteer opportunities, and a virtual community to share specialized information and even promote their own businesses. The association has an awards program to honor individuals, teams, and organizations for their exemplary work. But, it is the intangible benefits that have meant the most to me. When I graduated from college, I landed a job in a part of the country I had never lived in before. The previous marketing director had left for greener pastures; there was no one to really explain what it was I should do. I decided I could learn the ropes in two ways: 1) make it up as I went along; or, 2) learn from experienced AWC members. I distinctly remember looking at my budget and not seeing a line for memberships. Nevertheless, I vowed to attend as many AWC meetings as possible. The first few meetings I went to were like entering an alternate universe. I didn’t know the people and I didn’t understand the culture. I was surrounded by much older women, some whom had 30+ years of experience! I had anticipated a very competitive atmosphere. What I discovered was exactly the opposite. I was in a welcoming, accepting atmosphere. These women patiently helped me learn the ropes, taught me about the community, and helped me avoid the pitfalls I didn’t even know were there. On top of that, they recommended I get involved in some chapter committees. From that point on, I was an insider. I had access to all sorts of experts and fellow professionals. When my boss asked me a difficult question, I could put him off for a few hours, make a phone call and receive instant support. My staff never knew that my saying, “Let me sleep on it” meant “I’m going to the membership directory.” It is easy to see that joining AWC is beneficial for your own professional development and the future of your career. The connections you make, the resources made available to you, and the ideas and advice you’ll discover, represent an outstanding return on what amounts to a modest, manageable investment of time, money and effort. Take a minute and share this benefit with your friends. The price of joining will not be lower than it is right now. Make certain your friends put your name in the “referred by” line on the application. This automatically enters you in the competition for the top prizes. If each member would recruit just one new member, we would double our networking potential. From the AWC National Chair Judy Arent-Morency
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Member inspiration
by Jenny Engle
Pick up lines that work! Writing e-mails that get read One of the key elements to writing e-mails that get read is capturing your readers’ attention. Why? With hundreds of e-mails vying for potential clients’ or customers’ consideration each day, your messages have to stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re trying to sell a product or service, educate or inform, create a call to action, or simply get some questions answered, knowing what techniques work best will help you write e-mails that get read time after time. E-mail subject lines are the newspaper headlines of the Internet. If one grabs your attention in that second or two you’re scrolling down Need more the page, you’ll click on it and read. One of the keys to creating e-mail tips? a good subject line is to tell, not sell. Write to the reader, not at them. Remember, you’re working to build trust and a positive, Join us for the E-mail long lasting relationship. That’s why it’s equally important Tips and Trends 2010 that you know your audience and their general behaviors. Since you can’t share everything in the subject line, you webinar on Nov. 17 with have to follow a few simple rules. First, include your brand Christy Broccardo-Davis. and a name in the “from” section of the e-mail. People like Learn tips for your e-marketing to hear from other people, not huge companies or do-notreply sites. Plus, a name and title make your message seem efforts, such as e-newsletmore personal, as well as important. Keep your subject lines ters, e-announcements and relatively short and sweet, between 35 and 55 characters, e-invites. including spaces. Longer lines may get truncated or cut off by various programs — which is an automatic delete. Register today! Likewise, avoid using all caps and exclamation points. When writing, be clear and concise, try to convey action or value, and, if appropriate, have a little fun. However, steer clear of those 100 or so words that automatically alert SPAM detectors (“FREE!,” “BUY NOW,” “URGENT MATTER,” etc.), as well as the pointless adjectives (amazing, stupendous, fantastic, etc.) that really add nothing but incredulity. Whatever the particular reason for why people open your e-mail, the fact that they have opened it means you’ve won half the battle. Now you have to deliver equally great copy they can scan and determine “what’s in it for me” ... in about seven seconds. That’s why it’s so important you mention the key points immediately. Whether you choose to use a normal copy style or a series of bullets, be clear and to the point. Be sure to proofread for typos and grammatical errors. Spellcheck doesn’t catch everything! Finally, to ensure that your e-mail gem gets the attention it deserves, keep a sharp eye on the time you send it. Late in the day or early in the morning generally don’t work well. The same logic applies for Monday mornings and Friday afternoons, and at the beginning or end of the month. A good rule of thumb is to think of your own reading and deleting habits. When are you more likely to give your inbox closer scrutiny? Jenny Engle, past AWC national president, is a strategic marketing and communications consultant, entrepreneur, speaker, and writer. Her business, jke marketing & communications, recently earned Green Plus Certification from the Institute for Sustainable Development for her efforts to develop and implement sustainable practices that benefit people, planet and performance.
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Lafayette Chapter takes advantage of national offering; brings TechTrekking to town, Oct. 22 When the Lafayette Chapter heard about the new one-day TechTrekking seminar that AWC was offering to chapters, their Board decided that this program was the right fit for their chapter and community. They contacted the national organization about scheduling a date and on Oct. 22, the TechTrekking will be held in Lafayette, Ind. TechTrekking is a oneday seminar that has been developed for AWC professional chapters to use as a way to raise the awareness of AWC in their community, as well as provide technical information in the everevolving digital world to both AWC members and non-members. The TechTrekking seminar covers the basics of Web design and standards, content management systems, podcasting/blogging, video production and photoshop basics. “It’s especially germane to those communicators who have found that they are behind in understanding what the new digital communications can do for their clients or employer,” says Maria Henneberry, one of the TechTrekking instructors. “It’s a great way to get a thorough understanding of the value of each of the technologies, as well as knowledge of the basic start-up techniques.” Phil Vandiver and Maria Henneberry started Contemporary Visuals, a multi-media production company, after college and during the past 20 years have expanded their clients to include non-profit agencies and universities, to Fortune 500 companies. Together they produce countless video projects each year and are both on the cutting edge of digital technology and communicate to others how to navigate within that world. Click here to read more about the event and instructors.
TechTrekking - Right for your chapter? Tech Trekking was held in Kansas City in April and received very positive feedback on the material presented. As more AWC professional chapters request this seminar for their city, other instructors may become part of the presentation team. The program can be designed to adapt to particular topics that meet the needs of a chapter or community. This is a great opportunity for AWC chapters to connect their members and community with the latest in the digital world by partnering with AWC National. It’s also a way to connect with local sponsors and earn money for your local chapter. If your chapter is interested in bringing TechTrekking to your city, contact Sheryl Liddle, immediate past AWC chair, for more details on how to make this happen. From left to right, Kat Keyes, Carol Francis, and Angela Frizell listen to the TechTrekking instructors in Kansas City.
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Chapter Connections San Antonio awards students and local media The San Antonio Chapter hosted its 30th Annual Awards Banquet & Silent Auction, Fri., June 18, at the Westin Riverwalk San Antonio Hotel, continuing a long history of honoring community leaders with the chapter Headliner awards. Every year the chapter awards two scholarships during the awards banquet, with this year’s Ajay Castro Scholarship for Re-Entering Women going to Ivonne Martinez and Ligia Gomez. Also, the chapter selects a member of the local media to receive the Edna McGaffey Media Excellence Headliner. This award, sponsored by the San Antonio Express-News, went to Wendy Rigby, a local veteran medical reporter on KENS 5 San Antonio.
From left are: Ivonne Martinez, Scholarship Chair Ginger Hall Carnes, and Ligia Gomez.
Seattle’s Scholarship Putting Challenge The Seattle Chapter’s eighth annual Putting Challenge on Aug. 4, sponsored by the Startup Sisters, raised funds for college scholarships. Overlooking the beautiful view of the Golf Club at Newcastle, attendees putted their way through 18 holes, followed by a light buffet. During the past 25 years, the Seattle Chapter has awarded more than $75,000 in scholarships to communications students at Washington colleges.
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Sponsor Mel DePaoli waits her turn as Carol Loe putts.
Get Smart 2010, Oct. 21 in Austin The Austin Chapter’s professional development conference is scheduled for Oct. 21 in Austin, Tex. A diverse group of marketers, journalists, publishers, PR specialists, writers, radio/television/film professionals and others will gather to network, to advance their career skills and knowledge, and to be inspired by the personal and professional journeys of keynote speakers Matthew Dowd and Stephanie Klein, as well as learn from learn from fabulous breakout sessions, including “Destination Get Smart — Your Journey Begins Here!,” “Define Yourself! Taking Charge of your Personal Brand,” and “Why Entrepreneurs Can Make Money in Any Economy.” Let’s go! Find out more information and register today on the website.
Tulsa Chapter opens house to drive members
More than 100 prospective and current members gathered for the Tulsa Chapter’s annual open house at Harwelden Mansion. Tulsa Chapter member Gayle Long assists a prospective member with her application during the open house Aug. 20.
Hats off President and CFO Denise Baker’s DRB Electric, Inc. has been ranked the #6 Woman-Owned Business in the state for 2010 by the New Mexico Business Weekly. Margo Berman was promoted to full professor of advertising at Florida International University. She will be on leave in the spring semester of 2011 to write her third book, which will focus on copywriting. Aleesa Ross graduated in May from Texas Tech University with a Master of Education in Instructional Technology. Patti Douglas has received the Silver Star Award from the Lubbock Advertising Federation, recognizing her outstanding contributions to advertising and furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern.
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Update your AWC profile The more information you provide in your online profile, the easier it will be to network with fellow AWC members. If you do freelance work or provide services, those attributes will be searchable in the directory. You will also be able to register for events and webinars with just a couple clicks! The new system’s more professional design will have several new features: • Register for events and purchase membership at the AWC online store • See and update your profile, including your recent transactions, renewals, committees and upcom ing events • More robust and user friendly member directory: instantly search for friends, colleagues, chapter members, and services that member offer. • National committees and chapter leaders share notes and meeting minutes online To get the most out of the new system, please edit your profile. Sign in with your e-mail address and enter Password1 if you haven’t signed in yet. You will be prompted to change the password to your own. If you have trouble logging in, just click the “Forgot your password?” link and follow the instructions. Primary E-mail Address: (your e-mail) Password: Password1 Now you will be able to renew your membership without filling out a bunch of long forms! When you are up for renewal, about 90 days before your membership expires, you will receive notification that you have an “open order.” To pay your open order, you simply go to “My Transactions” and pay via credit card online, or print out the open order and mail a check. For guidance on how to renew your membership, update your profile, and register for events, watch the new features training video. As always, please contact AWC national headquarters with any questions, problems or concerns you have at members@womcom.org or (703) 370-7436.
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Your AWC National Board of Directors Liaisons Each AWC professional chapter has a friend on the AWC National Board who makes periodic calls and responds to chapter questions and concerns. Please note, some chapter liaisons may have changed. Austin Prof. Chapter Jane Baxter Lynn Bloomington/Normal Prof. Chapter Maria Henneberry Dallas Prof. Chapter Jane Baxter Lynn Des Moines Prof. Chapter Linda Strelluf Detroit Prof. Chapter Sue Voyles Independent Members Melanie Trunkey Camp Kansas City Prof. Chapter Sheryl Liddle Lafayette Prof. Chapter Sheryl Liddle Lubbock Prof. Chapter Billie Rodely New Mexico Prof. Chapter Melanie Trunkey Camp N. New Jersey Prof. Chapter Carla Capizzi Madison Prof. Chapter Judy Arent-Morency Oklahoma City Prof. Chapter Billie Rodely Rochester Prof. Chapter Sheryl Liddle San Antonio Prof. Chapter Jane Baxter Lynn Santa Barbara Prof. Chapter Whitney Mason Seattle Prof. Chapter Whitney Mason S.E. Wisconsin Prof. Chapter Judy Arent-Morency South Florida Prof. Chapter Melanie Trunkey Camp Springfield, IL, Prof. Chapter Maria Henneberry Springfield, MO, Prof. Chapter Wendy Morlan Student Chapters Linda Strelluf Topeka Prof. Chapter Wendy Morlan Tulsa Prof. Chapter Judy Arent-Morency Washington, D.C., Prof. Chapter Carla Capizzi
AWC Matrix Foundation seeks board nominations Are you a seasoned communicator looking to give back to the organization that has given you so much over the years? Would you like to help foster the educational efforts of women entering our ranks? Do you want to help recognize outstanding communicators who have gone the extra mile to protect our First Amendment Rights or advance our profession? Then, maybe it’s time you thought about joining the AWC Matrix Foundation Board of Directors. The AWC Matrix Foundation Board is a small group of seasoned AWC members who oversee the foundation’s mission to “promote the advancement of women in the communications profession by providing funds for education, research and publications and works in cooperation with AWC to carry out its education and charitable goals.”
Maybe it’s time you thought about joining the AWC Matrix Foundation Board of Directors.
As we approach the foundation’s annual meeting this October, we find ourselves in need of candidates to fill several board slots that are set to expire and therefore are soliciting nominations from the AWC membership at large.
Candidates for the foundation board positions should: • Have experience with nonprofit or other organizational boards • Be active members and have working knowledge of AWC • Have AWC leadership experience at the chapter and/or national level.
In addition, fundraising knowledge, skills and accomplishments would be a big plus. Members of the AWC Matrix Foundation Board generally serve three-year terms unless they are selected to fill existing unexpired vacancies. The success of the AWC Matrix Foundation is directly tied to the level of commitment of the members of its board of directors. The following list defines the role of board members in actively promoting the mission of the foundation.
• • • • • • • • •
Attend and participate in the in-person meeting at the AWC National Conference. Participate in periodic teleconference meetings during the year. Help set priorities for foundation support and provide input into the planning processes. Take an active role in implementing actions related to achieving those strategic plans. Promote the AWC Matrix Foundation mission by actively participating in its programs and initiatives. Counsel, plan, and actively participate in fundraising efforts. Advise on issues relating to management of the foundation’s funds. Participate in one or more of the standing or ad hoc committees of the foundation. Make an annual financial contribution to the AWC Matrix Foundation.
If you, or another AWC member, feel like a good fit for these qualifications, let us know right away. Please send an e-mail and a copy of your resume to AWC Matrix Foundation Chair Marcia Drucker or via the Contact Us page on the AWC Matrix Foundation website: http://www.matrixfoundation.us.
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The Association for Women in Communications 3337 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314 Ph: 703-370-7436 Fax: 703-342-4311
Website: www.womcom.org
AWC Mission Statement The Association for Women in Communications is a professional organization that champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era.
The AWC National Headquarters is managed by ASCENT Management, LLC, an association management company.
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Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion of the Association for Women in Communications.
Editor: Betsy Schroeder – e-mail: bschroeder@womcom.org Designer: Wendy Morlan – e-mail: wendy.morlan@redlogic.com Photography credit: Maggie J. Szymanek, Uncommon Photography, www.uncommonphotography.com, 703-618-6362 Communiqué is published by the Association for Women in Communications. Send ideas, photos, and Hats Off information to bschroeder@womcom.org. All past issues of Communiqué are archived on www.womcom.org in the Members Only section.
AWC contacts at National Headquarters
AWC Executive Director – Pam Valenzuela, CAE, e-mail: info@womcom.org Membership Manager – Dan Mondloch, e-mail: members@womcom.org Clarion Awards & Communications Manager – Betsy Schroeder, e-mail: bschroeder@womcom.org
Welcome New Members July-August 2010 Austin TX Brittany E Wilson Christian Sundance McGee Goff Emlea L Chanslor Jennie Trower Lynn Freehill Mrs. Kamille McIver Girton Mrs. Karen F. Aroian Ms. Christina Vara Ms. Dawn Simonich Ms. Kim Pichanick Ms. Rachel Brownlow Patricia L DiBenedetto
New Mexico Deana Frye
Bloomington/Normal IL Kristen M Hill Molly Casteel Ms. Beverly M. Edgerton
Seattle WA Abbey Jo Corzine
Detroit MI Mrs. Sandra Sue Dalka-Prysby
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Northern New Jersey Barbara Keefe Rosenstein Caryn Michele Starr-Gates Fabiana Michel Ms. Nicole Esposito Oklahoma City OK Eden Manning Kendra JoLynne Thomson Laura Addie Poff
South Florida Ms. Jennifer Hampton Springfield IL Shelley Simon
Topeka KS Leah Anne Sewell Regina Marie Budden Suzann M. Biggs Washington DC Corinne Nicole Berry Mrs. Maria L Romero Ms. Dana Rayl West Ms. Sarah Cook-Raymond At Large Monica Palkovic Ms. Carmen J Nash Ms. Nicole Purmal Ms. Susan E Lindsey Sheena Williams Stephanie Young