Byword

IABC/Tucson Chapter Newsletter – February 2007

In This Issue:

Our March Meeting – “Winning Work Plans for Winning Projects”
Each year IABC/Tucson hosts the Cactus Quills competition to recognize best practices in business communications. Part of the process is judging how well the work plan for a project is clearly stated. The work plan is a road map to guide a project and it identifies such issues as:
  • Need for the project
  • Audience
  • Budget
  • Challenges
  • Measurement

Cactus Quill winners Susan Guerrero, John Patterson, Steve Pender and Martha Retallick will detail how their work plans earned the accolades of judges and how you can develop one for a successful project, whether you seek success among your professional peers or with your boss.

Whether you intend to enter the Cactus Quills or begin a major communications project, you’ll learn how to strategically prepare an accurate, complete work plan from our panel of award-winning experts.

The Panelists
Susan Guerrero has more than 20 years experience in marketing communications and currently works as webmaster at University Medical Center. She’s a former IABC/Tucson president and has two Cactus Quill Awards for Merit for web site development.

John Patterson, a senior communications specialist at Raytheon Missile Systems, has won several Cactus Quill Awards. Before working for Raytheon, he spent 20 years in broadcast journalism.

Steve Pender owns Family Legacy Video, a company devoted to creating personal video biographies. He’s worked as a video editor, scriptwriter and producer for public relations firms and video production companies. He’s won four IABC awards, including a Cactus Quill Award of Excellence and regional Silver Quill Award of Merit.

Martha Retallick’s Western Sky Communications provides business web and graphic design services. She earned a Cactus Quill of Excellence last year and was on a team at the University of Arizona Foundation that won two regional Silver Quill Awards. She currently heads this year’s Cactus Quill Awards program.

  • When: Thursday, March 1, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
  • Where: McMahon’s Prime Steakhouse, 2959 N. Swan Road, Tucson AZ
  • Cost: $18 for members with reservations, $25 at the door and for guests, $14 for students.
  • RSVP by Monday, Feb. 26 to Mimi Villafane at mimivgib@yahoo.com
    Be sure to indicate your entree preference: meat or vegan.
Fame Could be Yours!  Enter the IABC/Tucson Cactus Quill Awards
The competition is open to anyone involved in business communications in Arizona. If you enter, you get constructive comments about what worked and what didn’t in your entry from business communications professionals from other states.
Winners receive:
  • A personalized Cactus Quill Award
  • Acclaim at our awards ceremony on June 7, 2007
  • Personal mention on IABC/Tucson’s website
Key dates: For more information, visit www.iabctucson.com
Double Your Entries, Double Your Fun
IABC Phoenix is also accepting entries in that chapter’s Copper Quill Awards competition. Entries must be received (not postmarked) by 4:30 pm March 7.
For more information, visit www.iabcphoenix.com
You’re Invited – Upcoming AIGA Arizona Mixer
IABC/Tucson member Julie Ray extends to her fellow IABC members an invitation to an upcoming mixer hosted by AIGA Arizona, the professional association for design. The event will be held on Wednesday, March 7, 2007. RSVP now to join graphic designers and other members of the Tucson creative community for networking and appetizers!

When: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Monkey Box, 100 N. Stone Ave.
Cost: Free for AIGA members, $5 for non-members
RSVP by Feb. 28 to tucson@arizona.aiga.org
In Case You Missed It . . .
On February 1, IABC International Vice Chair Todd Hattori paid a visit to Tucson to help us celebrate our chapter's 25th Anniversary. His presentation, “New Technology: What’s Right for Your Communication Mix," is now available for download at www.iabctucson.com.
Looking for a Few Great Photos
Paul Tumarkin, Webmaster for IABCTucson.com, is hoping some of our members, friends and colleagues will have some photos they would like to have posted on our site. Paul has been overhaulin’ our site to improve its functionality, content, and appearance. If you have some photos that you would like to contribute to the site – such as shots of beautiful Tucson as well as depictions of IABC gatherings, business meetings, and other aspects of business communications – please contact Paul at pkt@barkingshelby.com

Interested in Electronic Payments for Meetings?
Tired of waiting to enter an IABC meeting while people make change or write checks? We are currently evaluating several options to make payments more convenient for our members.  Please answer the following questions and convey any other views you have about electronic payment methods to Michelle Rau, our chapter’s Finance Director, at Michelle_Rau@intuit.com 

Questions:

  1. Does your bank have an online bill pay feature, and are you using it now?
  2. Are you interested in using PayPal as a payment option?
  3. Would you be willing to pay up to $1.00 for the convenience of using a credit card? 
  4. Is there another electronic payment option you're using now that you'd like us to consider?  If so, which one?

Update from IABC International IABC 2007 International Conference

June 24-27, 2007
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
New Orleans, Louisiana

Revitalize your career and the historic city of New Orleans at the 2007 International Conference. From a triumphant return to New Orleans to innovative learning sessions to unparalleled networking opportunities, you will experience the extraordinary at this year’s International Conference. In addition to attending the conference, you can do more – join IABC staff and volunteers who will come together in New Orleans on Friday, 22 June and Saturday, 23 June to build family homes through Habitat for Humanity. For more information, visit www.iabc.com.

February is Membership Month
Do you know a communication professional who could benefit from IABC membership? Spread the word among your friends and colleagues this month! When any new or lapsed member joins or rejoins IABC in February, the application fee will be waived. This is a $40 savings for faxed, mailed or phoned-in enrollments.

Ready to join/renew? Contact IABC headquarters:

  • Phone: Call the IABC headquarters at 1 800.776.4222 (from the U.S. and Canada) or +1 415.544.4700 (from all other parts of the world).
  • Mail/Fax: Download the membership form at www.iabc.com and mail or fax it to the IABC headquarters along with your payment.

    International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
    One Hallidie Plaza, Suite 600
    San Francisco, CA 94102
    Fax: +1 415.544.4747

IABC membership grew 7.7 percent in 2006. If you’re not already a member, now’s the time to join!

Upcoming IABC Webinars
Attend an IABC Webinar to gain powerful insights and new professional skills – from the comfort of your office or conference room. Each 90-minute telephone seminar with visuals presented on the Web costs $199. Share the event with colleagues and save. For more information, visit www.iabc.com.
  • Powerful Presentations: The secrets, strategies, and skills
    21 February 2007
  • Handling Avian Bird Flu and Other Mass Casualty Situations
    28 March 2007
  • Media Coaching for Media Coaches
    25 April 2007
  • What Do They Want? Influencing Employee Attitudes, Rethinking Employee Communications, Challenging Current Assumptions
    23 May 2007
  • Becoming a Trusted Adviser
    20 June 2007

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