Byword

IABC Tucson Chapter Newsletter, January 2008

In This Issue:

For previous issues of the Byword, visit our archives.

President’s Message

The Tucson Chapter of International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) wishes its members and colleagues a very prosperous and successful 2008.

As we work on making this a successful year, we are pleased to offer programs that will assist you in your efforts to keep abreast of new technology, to enhance your communications, marketing and public relations skills, and to help you continue to grow professionally.

The next several months will bring a variety of speakers with diverse backgrounds from many industries. Join us in February as we go behind the scenes with Lisa Reed, Director of Community Relations for the Border Patrol, as she shares stories about communications in the nation’s most visible border sector. March’s speaker, Kimball Hansen, regional communications manager for Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Co., will delve into the challenges faced in building a copper mine in his presentation, Opening a New Copper Mine: Building and Maintaining Community Support. In April we’re hosting an evening networking reception for the Pacific Plains Regional Leadership Conference. At May’s breakfast meeting, we will offer a web seminar – Managing Tomorrow's Crises With 21st Century Tools: Social Networking, Dark Sites, Blogs, Word of Mouth, and More. June’s meeting is the Cactus Quill Awards evening ceremony, where, as communications professionals, you can be recognized for your best practices, products and efforts.

As we continue our efforts to provide innovative, exciting and relevant professional programs, be sure to watch our website, www.iabctucson.com, for information about these and upcoming fall programs, for information on national IABC workshops, and for updates on IABC members in the news. We look forward to the pleasure of your company at our meetings this year and to providing you with interesting and valuable professional programs as part of your IABC membership.

Here’s to a successful year!

Mimi Villafañe

February Meeting Spotlights US Border Patrol Community Relations

On February 7, veteran Border Patrol Community Relations Officer Lisa Reed shares stories about community relations and communications in the nation’s most visible border sector. With over 16 years of strategic communications experience for the Federal Government that includes assignments in Buffalo, Toronto Canada, San Diego and Tucson, IABCer Lisa Reed will provide keen insights and tips about her role in developing a highly visible community relations program. Attend and get details about the nuts and bolts of this challenging communications assignment!

  • Date: Thursday, February 7, 2008
  • Time: 11:30 a. m. - 1:30 p.m.
  • Location: Viscount Suite Hotel, 4855 E. Broadway Blvd., east of Swan.
  • RSVP: By sending an email to gescobedo@pima.edu or call 206-4717.
  • Reserve by Monday, February 4, 2008. Please indicate your preference for regular or vegan menu. Costs are $19 for members with reservations. No shows will be billed.

Yes You Can! Enter the Cactus Quill Awards Program

Have you downloaded your entry application? Time is now to gear up for the 7th annual Cactus Quill Awards. You should have received the first reminder postcard about the Awards competition by now – please let us know if you didn’t. The chapter competition is open to everyone involved in business communications in Arizona, and there are a variety of categories for your entries. Check out all the details at: http://www.iabctucson.com/cactus-quill.htm.

And put the deadline for submitting entries on your calendar: Early bird deadline is March 21. It's not too soon to start working on your submission!

Roundup: Chapter News

Volunteer! Get to know your colleagues better, sharpen your leadership skills and add to your resume by serving as a board volunteer. The nominating committee is looking for some members to plan and execute programs for the next board year starting July 1, 2008. If you're interested in hanging with a bunch of fun-loving folks, contact committee chair Elena Acoba, 742-1979, acoba@dakotacom.net and find out how you can serve.

Anniversaries: Congratulations to two long-service members:

  • Juleen Eichinger, 6 years
  • Paul Tumarkin, 2 years

IABC News and Resources

  • If your organization is at all involved in the conversation about Web 2.0, the January edition of Communication World is must reading. From Shel Holtz’s report on intranets to Marx Wright’s article on integrating social media, the edition is a fantastic resource. Members can read it online at: http://www.iabc.com/cw/
  • The 3 December USA Today snapshot reported that 60 percent of IABC communicators surveyed expected a 3-5% pay increase for their next salary review. See the clipping at news.iabc.com and read the IABC Research Foundation report online, too.
  • Because February in Worldwide Membership Month, when any new or lapsed member joins or re-joins IABC, IABC will waive the application fee. Please note that this promotion does not affect active renewing members or students. Please contact any chapter board member for additional information or assistance.
  • With all the talk about change in today’s media, it might be interesting to reread Chris Day/Roger D’Aprix’s report on engaging senior leadership to communicate change in an organization. “Change for the Better” appeared in a fall 2006 edition of Communication World and is available for download here. (Link requires IABC member login.)

Calendar Notes

  • February 7: Lisa Reed, US Border Patrol Community Relations (Viscount) March Kimball Hansen, Jr., Copper Mine Case Study (Viscount)
  • March 21: Early bird deadline, Cactus Quill Awards
  • March 28: Absolute deadline, Cactus Quill Awards
  • April 3: Regional Leadership Meeting Reception (Hotel Arizona)
  • May 21: IABC Webseminar (Viscount)
  • June 5: Cactus Quill Awards!

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