Past Monthly Programs

PRSA Kansas

2012 Past Programs

Crisis communication expert set for Jan. 24 program

The January's PRSA program with Gordan Bassham of the Wichita Crime Commission was held Jan. 24. This local leader is a requested speaker across the nation and offers workshops on crisis management. Bassham explained Q=A+1 how it helps ensure your organization is ready for whatever comes. Participants learned about managing crisis and delivering messages at critical times.

Gordon Bassham joined the Wichita Crime Commission as its fourth executive director on June 21st, 2010 following a long and distinguished career in both journalism and law enforcement. Gordon has worked for ABC Radio News network, National Public Radio, the Voice of America, the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He covered NASA flights, national presidential campaigns, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the sentencing phase of the BTK serial killer investigation. Gordon served with the United States Navy in the Office of Naval Intelligence and the Naval Security Group and has an extensive background in crisis management.

February Program

You have likely participated in a strategic planning meeting for your company or client, but when was the last time you looked at your own strategic plan for your PR career? Where do you want to be in five years or ten years? How will you get there?

Don't miss this fast-paced and interactive program where we will have a panel of experts address the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities you need to have to be successful in the world of PR.Take a moment to think about your future goals and what questions you would have of accredited professionals in our field.

Held Feb. 28 at Abode Venue, 1330 E. Douglas

March Program: Social Media at a New Level

Social media is still a hot topic but PRSA Kansas wants to take the conversation to the next level. What is the future of social media, where are the trends and how do we as PR professionals capitalize on what social media has to offer? We are honored to bring a true professional on the topic to Wichita. Join Ben Smith, principal of Social: IRL, for a discussion on key trends impacting the future of content creation and learn the latest on sharing across social networks.

Ben Smith is principal of Social: IRL, a boutique social and new media agency based in Lawrence, Kansas. Social: IRL works with brands from across the United States to integrate social media in all aspects of their daily operations through strategic business goals. He is also host of the nationwide Social: IRL conference series, has spent more than 10 years working in traditional media with a leading regional news organization and transitioned from print to online where he was ultimately responsible for launching and managing the company's first dedicated social media division. Ben can be found on Twitter @benasmith and visitSocial: IRL online at www.socialirl.com.

Held March 27 at Abode Venue, 1330 E. Douglas

April Program: Position Yourself in Today's Market

Do you want to be more competitive in today's job market? Are you looking for a job change? Many of us spend a lifetime placing the right messages and going above and beyond for an employer or client; however, is your resume sending the right message? Are you spending enough time positioning yourself correctly in this competitive work environment?

Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Brenda Koehring with Flint Hills, a wholly subsidiary of Koch Industries will be speaking on these issues. Brenda leads the company's human resources strategy and systems including, talent management, employee and labor relations, compliance and training, and performance. She will bring insight into what high-level recruiters are looking for and what we need to know to position ourselves well in our professional field. In her 32 years with Koch companies, she has held a variety of positions, including director of corporate credit, director of development group, and human resource leader for the capital service group.

Held April 24 at Abode Venue, 1330 E. Douglas.

2011 Past Programs

January Program

Guest Speaker Tom Aniello, Vice President of Marketing for Cessna Aircraft Company

Tuesday, January 25,

Abode, 1336 E. Douglas

Tom Aniello, Vice President of Marketing for Cessna Aircraft Company, spoke about an initiative Cessna launched in early 2009 to address public misinformation on the business use of general aviation aircraft and to provide a more accurate picture of the value of business aircraft as a resource that makes companies more competitive. Commonly referred to as the “Rise Campaign,” Cessna gained national media attention in this effort to champion business aviation. Aniello provided the inside story on the development of this advertising and public relations campaign, and also explained the powerful impact it had on customers and employees.

http://www.cessna.com/

February Program

Guest Speaker Lisa McLendon from the Wichita Eagle

Tuesday, February 22, 2011, Abode, 1336 E. Douglas

Quick ways to improve your writing

Often your first impression is made in writing – through your website, an e-mail, a news release, or your profile on social media. You want that impression to be as polished and professional as you are, and that means clear, smooth writing, free of errors and clutter. This presentation covered common grammar, usage and punctuation errors – and how to fix them – as well as ways to streamline and clarify one's writing.

About the Speaker

Lisa McLendon is Deputy Copy Desk Chief at the Wichita Eagle, where she also writes book reviews and coordinates the Grammar Monkeys blog and Twitter account. She launched her journalism career on the copy desk at the Denton (Texas) Record-Chronicle after earning a doctorate in Slavic Linguistics from the University of Texas. She has taught Russian, writing, and editing at the college level. Lisa is also the conference vice president for the American Copy Editors Society. She lives in Wichita with her husband and three cats, and enjoys gardening and cooking.

http://www.kansas.com/

Guest Speaker Myrne Roe spoke on the Second Wave Feminists Making Change in a Pre-Twitter World

March 22, 2011 at Abode, 1336 E. Douglas

The month of March is Women’s History Month, designated by joint resolutions of the House and Senate and proclamations by six American Presidents. This year’s theme is “Our History is Our Strength.”

Myrne Roe will speak about how women in Wichita made a difference for women’s rights — and how they used traditional and grassroots communications to earn public support for a wide range of issues.

Myrne is a former teacher, Congressional staff director for Congressman Dan Glickman (who was once a student in her high school speech class). She has been a public relations administrator, Wichita Eagle editorial writer and Knight Ridder syndicated columnist. While at Wichita State, she won the first PRSA Clarus Award for Public Relations Professional of the Year.

She officially “retired” in 1997, but we wonder about that. Myrne has compiled and edited a book on homelessness in Wichita for InterFaith Ministries, self-published a book of poetry, and has been published in regional poetry books and magazines.

Most recently, she has compiled and edited a book on the Wichita women's movement in the 1970s. Her anthology features the stories of 75 women who experienced that era's fight for women's rights.

PRSA August Program
Truth or Dare – round table challenges to advance the
profession and professional
Tuesday, Aug. 23

Networking at 11:30 a.m., program at noon

Caffe Moderne, 300 N. Mead

At 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 23 at Caffe Moderne, join your peers for a workshop of best practices and challenges. In small groups, you’ll be asked to share the memories and lessons you hope everyone else can learn from. You’ll also be challenged to dares like sharing your organization’s elevator speech and A.P. style knowhow. Truth or dare, you decide.

At the end of the meeting, you’ll walk away with greater understanding of the tools that make good PR professionals and career lessons from your accomplished peers.

Board Member Login