Byword
IABC/Tucson Chapter Newsletter – July 2006
In This Issue:
- Using Blogs for Organizational Communication - Chapter Meeting on August 3
- IABC/Tucson Board Welcomes New Members
- Cactus Quill Awards a Success
- Get Involved! Two Committees Seek Volunteers
- Put Your Stamp on the Chapter’s Image
- Website to Receive a Facelift
- Talk to the President
1. Using Blogs for Organizational Communication - Chapter Meeting on August 3
When he traveled to Vancouver for IABC’s International Conference, Stephen Reidy, APR was skeptical about the value of blogs for organizational communication. While he had read Business Week’s May 2, 2005 cover story, “Blogs Will Change Your Business,” as senior editor for the 6,000 Engineering Directorate employees at Raytheon Missile Systems, he didn’t want to add to the infoglut.
“Our rocket scientists bill their valuable time to the government, and we are careful not to distract them unnecessarily,” he said. “Before I embrace a new communication medium, I want to be sure of its value. But at the conference, I saw numerous examples of blogs that are highly effective in helping organizations achieve their goals.”
At the IABC/Tucson Chapter’s August 3 luncheon, Reidy will share information revealed during the conference, including:
- How blogs can help your organization succeed
- Seven types of business blogs
- Why blogs combat skepticism and disengagement of internal and external stakeholders
- How blogs can be highly influential without a high readership
- How to safely and effectively host a blog behind the organization’s firewall.
He also will provide attendees with condensed reprints of the Business Week article and other materials. Reidy, a chapter member since 1988, has served as chapter president, District 5 secretary and Silver Quill co-chair.
The 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. meeting will be held at McMahon’s Prime Steakhouse, 2959 N. Swan Road on the southwest corner with Fort Lowell Road. Cost is $18 for members, $25 for guests and members without reservations, and $14 for student members. No-shows will be billed. Meal choices are Chicken Piccata or Mediterranean chick peas. Either entrée will be served with gazpacho, pasta and seasonal vegetables. To make a reservation and indicate your meal preference, contact Mimi Gibson at mimiv@trico.org or 744-2944, extension 1363 by Monday, July 31.
2. IABC/Tucson Board Welcomes New Members
Four first-time IABC/Tucson board members have been elected for 2006-2007:
- Juleen Eichlinger, Eichlinger Communications, Chapter Secretary
- Nancy McCluskey-Moore, Carondelet Health Network Marketing, Chapter Communications Director
- Paul Tumarkin, Barking Shelby Communications, Chapter Technology Director
- Romi Carrell Wittman, Sierra Southwest, Chapter Membership Director
During a retreat in June, board members collaborated on developing many ideas for improving the services provided to chapter members. We’ll keep you posted as our offerings are expanded and enhanced in the months ahead. Meanwhile, you can contact any of us via the IABC website. Just click on Contact Us.
3. Cactus Quill Awards a Success
Former Board members Kathy Hippensteel and Steve Pender have left the chapter a wonderful legacy – the most successful Cactus Quill Awards program in its five year history. The 2006 event garnered 36 entries resulting in 23 winners of excellence and merit awards. The Cactus Quill Awards program provides entrants with feedback from other communications professionals about their work and potentially some much-deserved recognition. In addition, it is a valuable source of income to fund other services provided to chapter members. Hats off to Kathy and Steve for doing an outstanding job!
4. Get Involved! Two Committees Seek Volunteers
In 2007, IABC/Tucson is celebrating its 25th anniversary. We are seeking two or three people to join Steve Reidy and current board members in planning some special commemorative activities. The effort should entail about four months of low-intensity planning work beginning in September.
Martha Retallick, Judging Coordinator for IABC/Tucson, needs at least one more volunteer to assist with managing the sixth annual Cactus Quill Awards program. This project will require about eight months of work beginning in October.
Neither committee assignment requires a full-time commitment. For further details, contact Elena Acoba, Chapter President, at acoba@dakotacom.net or 520.742.1979.
5. Put Your Stamp on the Chapter’s Image
IABC Tucson needs a fresh, new chapter logo to match the branding efforts of the international organization. We’d like to tap into the talents of our members and reward one for creating our new image. Stay tuned for details about a forthcoming contest to develop a new IABC/Tucson logo. You could win a full rebate on your next membership renewal!
6. Website to Receive a Facelift
In addition to changing our chapter logo, we also are engaged in revamping our website. Paul Tumarkin, Chapter Technology Director, plans to add new features to better meet the needs of our members. Current efforts involve reviewing other IABC chapter sites for desirable features/functionality and appearance. If you have some ideas or recommendations you’d like to share, please send them to Paul at pkt@barkingshelby.com.
7. Talk to the President
Have ideas, comments or concerns about IABC Tucson that you’d like to share? Chapter President Elena Acoba encourages members to contact her at any time at acoba@dakotacom.net or 520.742.1979. Your input could launch the next great program, activity or benefit for our members.
IABC Tucson
Post Office Box 43262
Tucson, Arizona 85733-3262