Byword

IABC/Tucson Chapter Newsletter – July 2007

In This Issue:

For previous issues of the Byword, visit our archives.

Reserve Now for August 2  Luncheon Meeting to Discuss  “A Day in the Life of…"
Come have lunch with two media insiders who will discuss how reporters and producers are using old and new technology to get their information and generate copy. Learn what communications grab their attention most, and how to help your news rise above the noise. Get tips on using blogs and websites to our advantage in capturing the media's attention:

  • Topic: "A Day in the Life of….."
  • Speakers: Arizona Daily Star Business Editor Tim Steller and KOLD News 13 News Producer Christopher Francis
  • Date: Thursday, August 2, 2007
  • Time: 11:30 a. m.- 1:30 p.m.
  • Location: Viscount Suite Hotel, 4855 E. Broadway Blvd., east of Swan NOTE THIS IS A NEW LOCATION FOR IABC LUNCHEON MEETINGS. If overflow parking is needed, uncovered spaces are available at Pima Community College on Broadway across from hotel.

RSVP: By sending an email to gescobedo@pima.edu  or call 206-4717. Reserve by Monday, July 30. Please indicate your preference for regular or vegan menu. Costs are $19 for members with reservations, $26 for guests and at the door, $16 for students.  No shows will be billed.

President's Message
This summer I’ve thought a lot about our association and all we’ve accomplished together in our 25th anniversary year. What strikes me most is the strength of IABC/Tucson—found in the skills of our members and in our value to our community. We are communicators with a mission to learn from each other, to build awareness for our profession, and to support the communication needs of Tucson through our programs and our people.

I’ll work hard this year to keep IABC/Tucson valuable to you, our members, and to our community. Recently, our Board met to plan our activities. In the months ahead, expect exhilarating sessions and workshops to hone your professional skills! You’ll also have many opportunities to meet people who do exactly what you do. Hopefully, there will be plenty of fun along the way. Get involved and volunteer on our committees. Help us move Tucson communications and IABC forward.

Please check our web site for current information on dates, times and locations of events. I hope you'll take advantage of every opportunity and I look forward to seeing you at our meetings!

-- Mimi Villafañe

At Your Service…
We’re “on board” and ready to serve the IABC/Tucson membership. Please email any of us if you have ideas and comments! IABC/Tucson’s NEW Board of Directors:

  • President: Mimi Villafañe, Communications Services Specialist, Trico Electric Cooperative
  • Vice President: Linda Herrick, PR and Events Coordinator, Eller College of Management, The University of Arizona
  • Secretary: Juleen Eichinger, principal of Eichinger Communications LLC
  • Finance Director: Michelle Rau, Communications Specialist, Intuit Inc.
  • Past President: Elena Acoba, writer
  • Membership Director: Romi Carrell Wittman, Communications Services Director, Trico Electric Cooperative
  • Professional Development Director: Geneva Escobedo, Program Manager, Pima Community College
  • Communications Director: Monica Surfaro Spigelman, retired, United Parcel Service Corporate Communications Director
  • Technology Director: Paul Tumarkin, Owner, Barking Shelby Communications

Pacific Plains Region Notes
Did you know that the Pacific Plains region encompasses 22 chapters in 14 Western states? Or that our chapter’s own Mark Flint, an IABC member since 1998, has been elected Director of the Pacific Plains region?
When IABC restructured from multiple districts in the United States to three regions, Tucson was slated to be in the South Region. A poll of members showed unanimous support for aligning our chapter with others in the West because of business relationships and cultural similarities.
One of the functions of both IABC International and the Pacific Plains Region is to support chapter leaders, because strong leaders mean strong chapters. This support includes sharing of best practices and helping build leadership skills at the annual Leadership Institute. Check out the region website resource section…if you are interested in Accreditation, for example, you can learn more about it on the Pacific Plains Regional Website.
And congratulations to Mark, who is looking forward “to helping our region deliver value to the membership and to supporting chapter leaders."

Check out IABC Conference Downloads and Member Benefits
Have you visited the IABC website recently? If not, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find an array of resources and information that will inspire you and stimulate your business communications smarts.

  • IABC International Conference Buzz: More than 1200 attended the New Orleans international conference last month, and those members who didn’t attend can still reap the benefits of fabulous communications sessions. Sign on to our website and browse a comprehensive selection of resources – including tips on measuring program success, managing communications as a business asset, e-marketing or communication department best practices. For downloading speaker handouts go to: http://www.iabc.com/ic/2007_IC_Handouts.htm (Member log-in required)
  • Your online member handbook lists benefits available as well as in-depth information about IABC volunteer opportunities, governance, policies and procedures. Visit http://www.iabc.com/members/pdf/memberhandbook.pdf (Member log-in required.)
  • And, if you’ve ever needed help in developing a comprehensive, strategic communications plan, the Online Benefits Guide includes instructions on building an individualized MyComm planner. This nifty tool will help you create and download a complete plan in a file. For instructions on how to use resources found in the members-only parts of the IABC website, go to: http://www.iabc.com/members/pdf/onlineMbrBnfts.pdf (Member log-in required.)

Get more out of your membership with these tools!

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