Leading Edge

The Leading Edge An Update for Chapter Leaders on NSPRA Business and Board Actions @NSPRAChapters

Issue: Spring 2013 The Leading Edge is an update for chapter officers sent out following NSPRA Executive Board meetings during the year. Executive Board meetings are held in July, November and March. In it we will update you on important chapter information and deadlines and provide a summary of Board actions impacting the Association. We encourage you to read through this newsletter and to forward it to your chapter members as well. We now have a Twitter feed for Chapter Leaders, so follow us on @NSPRAChapters.

NSPRA Executive Board Spring Meeting The NSPRA Executive Board met March 8 & 9, 2013 at the NSPRA headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. Some business of interest to chapters include: 2013 NSPRA Scholarship Recipients Named The Board named the following members to receive scholarships to the San Diego Seminar: • • • • • • •

Tammy Dodderidge, communications manager, Kansas City Kansas Public Schools – NSPRA Foundation scholarship with $250 stipend Ana O’Loane, senior specialist, Orange County Public Schools, Orlando, Fla. – NSPRA Foundation scholarship with $250 stipend Erin Clary, communications specialist, Questar III BOCES, Castleton, N.Y. – Dawn K. McDowell Memorial Scholarship Nancy Silva, communications coordinator, Butte County Office of Education, Oroville, Calif. – Don Bagin Memorial Scholarship Becky Bean, communications director, Lexington County School District One, Lexington, S.C. – Pat Jackson Seminar Scholarship Candace Reimer, director of communications, Erie 1 BOCES, West Seneca, N.Y. – San Diego Seminar Scholarship Jack Sheard, marketing and communications coordinator, Grand Island (Neb.) Public Schools – NSPRA Leaders Memorial Scholarship

These NSPRA scholarships are provided through the NSPRA Foundation for the Advancement of Education. Sarah Pacheco, public information officer, Sierra Vista (Ariz.) Unified School District was selected to receive the 2013 Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Scholarship by last year’s Gaskins Award recipient Jim Cummings, APR. 2013 Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Award Recipient Selected The Board approved the selection of Bonnie Reidy, chief communications officer for Gaston County Schools in Gastonia, N.C., as the 2013 Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Award recipient.

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She will be recognized at the San Diego Seminar during the July 9 General Session for her support and mentoring of colleagues in the school PR profession. Board Appoints Dr. C.J. Huff as New NSPRA Vice President at-Large representing Superintendents Dr. C.J. Huff, superintendent of Joplin (Mo.) Schools has been appointed to serve as the next Vice President at-Large – Superintendents. His term runs from October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2015. He will follow Dr. Steven Walts, superintendent of Prince William County Public Schools in Manassas, Va., who completes his two-year term in September. Board Approves New Vice President at-Large Focus Area Current Vice President at-Large for Civic Engagement & Deliberative Democracy Matt Leighninger will retire from the Board in September after serving two terms. The Board approved a new focus area for the next appointee to this position – Communication Technology & Innovation. A position description and list of responsibilities is being prepared and per policy, Executive Director Rich Bagin, APR, will identify and recommend a candidate to the Board for approval. Current Project Team Updates School Communication Benchmarking – the first three component rubrics on the Critical Function Areas of Comprehensive Professional Communications, Internal Communications, and Parent/Family Communications are near completion. The Project Team will present a session at the San Diego Seminar on the scope of the project and how members can use the rubrics and measures to improve their programs. This work has been possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of SchoolMessenger. Diversity Engagement Project Team – major progress has been made on preparing a Diversity Communication Toolkit and the Project Team is on track to complete their work and roll out the kit at the San Diego Seminar. They will also be presenting a session on diversity communication and how members can use the toolkit. Future Focus Project Team – the work of this team is now complete and many of the recommendations submitted are now being addressed by the Executive Board in a number of special Board work projects now underway. These include: updating and revising the Chapter Leadership Guidebook to move it to an online resource; a content review of the NSPRA website; development of a Communication e-Kit for Superintendents; creating a leadership development presentation for engaging NSPRA members; and a review of the Regional Vice Presidents roles and responsibilities.

Regional Chapter Reports Now Online Prior to each NSPRA Executive Board meeting, chapter presidents are asked to provide an update of their chapter activities. This helps the Board and NSPRA stay apprised of what is happening in our chapters and around our regions. You can review these reports on our website under the NSPRA Info/Chapters tab in Regional Chapter Reports. Learn what other NSPRA chapters are doing and gather some ideas for your programs and activities.

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Post Your Chapter Conferences and Events on the NSPRA Website You can increase exposure for your upcoming chapter conferences and events by posting information on the NSPRA website under NSPRA Info/Chapters/ Chapter Conferences and Events.

“Mark of Distinction” Chapter Recognition Program Applications Due May 15 The “Mark of Distinction” Chapter Recognition Program offers expanded recognition opportunities for chapters of all sizes. There are two entry sections – Membership Building and Special Focus Areas, as well as two categories within them based on current membership percentages. Chapters can enter one or all of the Special Focus Areas as well as Membership Building, and have an opportunity to receive numerous recognition incentives, from discounts on Seminar registrations, to PR Power Hours, professional memberships, and other offerings. Recognized chapters will be able to use the special “Mark of Distinction” (shown above) on their websites and chapter newsletters and stationery. We hope you will take the time to enter your chapter this year in one or more categories and earn incentives that benefit chapter members. Chapters who earn the “Mark of Distinction” will be recognized at the Annual Meeting held July 7 at the San Diego Seminar. Deadline for entries is May 15.

Calling All 2013-14 Chapter Leaders! Plan Now to Attend the Leaders’ Meeting/Annual Meeting at the San Diego Seminar on Sunday, July 7 at 1:00 p.m. We have made some changes to the Sunday Seminar schedule this year that will hopefully allow more chapter leaders and others to attend the Leaders’ Meeting and the Annual Meeting. We will be combining the Annual Meeting/Celebration of Achievement with the Chapter and Committee Leaders’ Meeting and it will start at 1:00 p.m. to allow for those traveling on Sunday morning to arrive in time. Chapter Mark of Distinction Awards will be given out along with other member recognition awards, and you’ll hear about NSPRA highlights and major initiatives underway. We will review chapter leader tasks and responsibilities for the year ahead and you’ll have a chance to meet with your Regional VP and share best practice ideas with other chapters. The meeting will conclude in time for you to attend the Regional Colleague Connections meetings at 4:00. This is a great opportunity to learn about your association and connect with other chapter and NSPRA leaders to get your year off to a good start. You will be receiving an invitation soon from President-elect Nora Carr, APR, but start planning your travel now so you can arrive by 1:00 p.m. and start building your leadership connections!

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Join the Chapter Chat Caffeinated Connections dialogue on Wednesday morning at the Seminar In addition to our Leaders’ Meeting conversations, President-elect Nora Carr, APR, will be hosting a “Chapter Chat” table on Wednesday morning at the Caffeinated Connections session from 9:00 – 10:15 a.m., so you’ll have an additional opportunity to talk about chapter issues and challenges with colleagues.

Reminder: Chapter Officer Election Results Due in to NSPRA in May Please be sure to send us the complete contact information on your newly elected chapter officers for 2013-14 as soon as your election is complete. It is also important to remember that in order to serve as chapter president, president-elect, treasurer, and VP of membership/programs (or other designated position), your officers also are required to hold a professional membership in NSPRA, as stated in NSPRA and chapter bylaws. If elected officers are unable to join NSPRA themselves and the chapter is not in a position to pay for their membership, you will have to hold another election with eligible candidates, so we encourage you to notify candidates in advance of this requirement.

Access Important Chapter Information and Resources at www.nspra.org You can find all the important information you need as a chapter leader on our website. Go to the Chapters tab under NSPRA Info and follow the menu to Updates for Chapter Leaders to access the list of deadlines, Cash Flow report form, the “Mark of Distinction” chapter recognition program application, scholarship and recognition nomination forms, and other chapter resource items. If you have questions or need additional information or assistance, contact Associate Director Karen Kleinz, APR, at [email protected]. We have put all of this information on the NSPRA website for your easy access and use.

San Diego Seminar Updates

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Be sure you “Catch the Wave” in San Diego this summer and check out what our host chapter, CalSPRA, has planned! On Tuesday night, July 9, CalSPRA, and sponsor SchoolMessenger will host “Catch the Wave!” a special evening of live music, fun and refreshments at one of San Diego’s hottest nightclubs, FLUXX, from 7:30 p.m. until midnight. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of SchoolMessenger, there is no cost to attend! Complimentary ticket and event information is available on the California Chapter website at www.calspra.org. CalSPRA also will be hosting Sign-Up Dinners on Sunday evening, July 7, following the Opening Reception. You won’t want to miss out on any of the fun events and activities our CalSPRA members have planned, so check out the chapter website at www.calspra.org for information and updates. Regional Colleague Connections Meetings Please plan to attend (and encourage your chapter members to attend) the Regional Colleague Connections meetings from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 7. This is another opportunity for you to meet with your NSPRA Region VP and network with members from chapters in your region to talk about issues and concerns. The Northeast, Mideast and Southwest Regions will also have a chance to hear from their candidates for the NSPRA Executive Board. 4

Please encourage your members to also attend the Annual Meeting & Celebration of Achievement and Leaders’ Meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. This year’s Mark of Distinction Award-winning chapters will be honored and members will hear from candidates for NSPRA President-elect. Check out the Tentative Seminar At a Glance for the complete program schedule of sessions.

2013 Gold Medallions to be Presented at the Closing Banquet The 2013 Gold Medallion Awards will be presented at the Closing Banquet this year. In recent years, this prestigious award has been presented at the Annual Meeting on Sunday afternoon, but in response to feedback in the Seminar evaluations, we are moving the presentation of this award back to the Closing Banquet on Wednesday evening. This year’s winners will be announced in

IMPORTANT: Chapter Information and Deadlines to Note Approaching Deadlines May 1, 2013

Chapter officer election results (for 2013-14) due to NSPRA

May 15, 2013

Chapter “Mark of Distinction” entries due in to NSPRA

Please Keep Chapter Info Current! In order for you to receive important reminders and information from NSPRA regarding chapter activities and leadership development programs, please be sure you provide us with updated contact information (e-mail address, phone numbers, etc.) whenever you have a change or when chapter officers change. Just e-mail Karen Kleinz at [email protected] with updates. To keep you connected to your fellow chapter leaders, go to www.nspra.org/officers for a current contact list.

Register Now to Attend the 2013 National Seminar in San Diego July 7-10 and Take Advantage of Early-Bird Registration The 2013 NSPRA National Seminar in San Diego is one you won’t want to miss, so register now and save! You’ll save $50 if you register and pay by May 24, 2013. The San Diego Seminar will be held from July 7-10 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt on the downtown waterfront. Southwest and Northwest Region registrants save an additional $100! Members and nonmembers from NSPRA’s Southwest Region (Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) and Northwest Region (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and Yukon) receive an additional $100 discount when they register. Bring your superintendent for even bigger savings! Take advantage of our special Superintendent & Communication Pro combination discount when and your superintendent register together, you each receive a $200 discount on the rate at the time of registration, for

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a total discount of $400! (No other discounts apply). Discounts on multiple registrations from the same employer are also available. The NSPRA Seminar is known as the best professional development experience in all facets of school communication in the United States and Canada. Check out our Keynote Speakers and the tentative Seminar at a Glance program line-up of more than 70 dynamic sessions. And, be sure to take advantage of our timely and highly-relevant Pre-Seminar Workshops on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7. Learn more about these major discounts or print the Early Bird Flyer. You can also go www.nspra.org and click on the Seminar tab to learn more details about all the offerings to date. Act now to save more!

Thank a Chapter Leader with Recognition as a Learning & Liberty Legacy Leader Every one of us has a special place in our hearts for NSPRA colleagues and leaders who have helped us to grow and advance professionally and personally in our careers. Most often, these unsung heroes generously share their knowledge, skills, expertise, advice and time unselfishly, for the simple reward of seeing a colleague succeed. Now your chapter can recognize the many contributions of those NSPRA members who have had a positive impact on their colleagues’ careers and who work tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of education and improved communication. By honoring a mentor or colleague as an NSPRA Learning & Liberty Legacy Leader, you will also be supporting the NSPRA Foundation for the Advancement of Education in its Communication Accountability Program research and in providing scholarships to the NSPRA Seminar each year. For a minimum tax deductible gift of $75 to the Foundation for the Advancement of Education, you can nominate your mentor or colleague for recognition as a Learning & Liberty Legacy Leader. Those honored as Learning and Liberty Legacy Leaders will receive a special certificate, have their name permanently listed on our website, and be recognized at the NSPRA National Seminar. Nominate a colleague today!

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