Byword

IABC Tucson Chapter Newsletter, November 2007

In This Issue:

For previous issues of the Byword, visit our archives.

Tucson Will Host Regional Leader Development Meeting in 2008
We’re thrilled to report that our chapter successfully bid to have the Pacific Plains Region of
IABC hold its Chapter/Leader Development Meeting in Tucson April 4-5, 2008!

The meeting will draw about 35 regional and chapter board members from the Midwest, the Plains and Four Corners regions, the West Coast and Hawaii to conduct region business and train leaders in running their chapters. We thank everyone involved for their help in netting this special honor – especially members Mark Flint, John Brown and Elena Acoba.

Stay tuned for more info on this upcoming event. If you want to help plan such activities as a
dine-around, welcome reception and logistics, contact Elena Acoba, 742-1979 or acoba@dakotacom.net.

November 1 Meeting Attendees Discuss 7 Steps in Integrated Communications
Great ideas about effective communications planning surfaced during our November chapter meeting – Were you part of the discussion? IABC-Tucson chapter Vice President Linda Herrick led the session by presenting a 7-step integrated communication planning process which was modified from a workshop originally presented by Patricia Whalen, Ph.D., APR., at the IABC Business Writing Conference in Chicago. Some tidbits from the discussion:

  • The #1 mistake made in strategic planning: Starting with tactics.
  • Set the stage for your plan with a structural analysis that will help develop your plan’s strategies.
  • 7 Steps were identified in integrated communications planning: situation analysis; objectives; strategies; targets; message; tactics, and evaluation.
  • Group discussion ranged from building evaluation into each layer of the strategic process, to providing clients with a one-sheet checklist you complete together prior to deciding tactics.

Download the steps and Herrick’s complete PowerPoint presentation. Note this is a .pptx file. If you're unable to open it in your version of Power Point, visit Microsoft.com to download the appropriate viewer.

During the meeting those interested in submitting entries for the 2008 Cactus Quill Awards learned award-winning techniques for their projects. The 2007 award-winning communications plan from Buffalo Exchange was on display to provide inspiration. Please make note of the 2008 Cactus Quill dates:

  • Early Bird deadline: March 21, 2008
  • Absolute deadline: March 28, 2008
  • Awards ceremony: June 5, 2008

Around the Chapter
Welcome to new members:

  • Sally Sumner, Firehouse Pictures
  • Alice Seabaugh, Lockheed Martin.
Happy Anniversary: Romi Wittman (2 years) and Krista Neis (16 years)

New From Headquarters

  • IABC international dues will increase $6 for 2008, bringing the total for IABC/Tucson to $261. Students and retired members will pay $44 next year, a $1 increase. You can lock in this year's dues of $255 for another year by renewing before December 31, 2007, at www.iabc.com.
  • You’re part of a growing network: IABC membership has set a new record, crossing the 15,000 mark in September 2007.

IABC recently researched member interest and participation in social media Internet sites. Here are some Interesting tidbits from the survey: The majority of surveyed members (64%) expressed interest in social networking (but don't actively participate); about 20% do participate actively. The top three preferred sites are LinkedIn (321 mentions), Facebook (120), and MyRagan (76). If IABC offered resources, the following features hold the most interest: Forums/bulletin boards (65%), Personal profiles/pages (58%), and Vendor directory (47%).

Learning Our ABCs
Whether you were interested in hearing more about the IABC professional Accreditation program or just looking for help with your portfolio, the October 4 chapter meeting was packed with useful information and inspiration.

Mark Estes, ABC, joined us via teleconference to address the process and the value of IABC accreditation. Estes, senior communications strategist for Phoenix-based SRP (Salt River Project), is former director of examiners for the IABC international accreditation council. Affiliated with IABC since 1982, he also is part of an IABC delegation visiting China to help the Shanghai Public Relations Association implement an accreditation program.

He talked with us about accreditation as a confidence booster. He also discussed how accreditation offers ways to demonstrate strategic thinking and planning, as well as to certify superior skills in various facets of internal communications. One aspect of the luncheon program involved the steps in creating a quality portfolio. “The heart of the portfolio is the work plan,” noted Estes.  His tip: Make sure the work plan includes these elements: opportunity/challenge, background, audience, objectives, timelines/budget, selling the plan, special challenges, implementation, evaluation.

While accreditation will bring peer group recognition and credibility, Estes advised doing the process for only one person – yourself. “This is a validation of your professionalism…offering communicators a way to demonstrate - to employers, fellow communicators and themselves -their ability to successfully manage and perform those tasks effective to organizational communication,” he said. 

Remember, October is IABC Accreditation Month – applications submitted now reap special benefits. To participate in the IABC accreditation process, go to:  http://www.iabc.com/abc/

Your IABC Member Benefits: SPECIAL RATES FOR CLUB QUARTERS HOTELS
IABC has become a member of Club Quarters—a group of private hotels for the exclusive use of guests and employees of member companies. Members pay the lowest rates for a quality hotel room in 13 prime locations which include New York City, Boston, London, Chicago, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, San Francisco and Houston. You can get complete details at the IABC.com website.

2008 Fellow Award: Call for Nominations
Do you know a member who has demonstrated outstanding professional leadership and provided service to the association? Then nominate her or him as the 2008 IABC Fellow. Any IABC member can nominate another member for the award. Nominations must be received by January 11, 2008. Visit http://www.iabc.com/awards/fellow.htm for information and a nomination form.

Our Jolly Holly Event
Don’t miss our December 11 gathering at the Arizona Inn. That’s when Tucson chapters of both PRSA and IABC will host a fabulous holiday party. Festivities begin at 11:30am, with door prizes, good food, lots of networking cheer and entertainment by comedy troupe, Not Burned Out Just Unscrewed. Watch for your email and website updates within the next few weeks.

About Byword
Byword is emailed monthly by the Tucson Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators to its membership. For questions or ideas regarding Byword content, please contact Monica Surfaro Spigelman at msurfarospigelman@gmail.com

IABC Tucson
Post Office Box 43262
Tucson, Arizona 85733-3262