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August 2018 
President's Message
August is PRSA National’s Diversity and Inclusion month, but it is an important focus for our Dallas Chapter every month. For our chapter to be the strongest possible, we must have a culture and environment that is inclusive of racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation and gender differences. We also must welcome diverse skill sets, mindsets and cultures at all levels of the organization. If we have an inclusive culture that embraces diversity, then newcomers will feel welcome and join, members will be involved and remain members, and we will be a strong chapter with creative and diverse programs.
At our upcoming luncheon on Thursday, we will have a meaningful, timely and constructive panel discussion on confronting implicit bias. Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. These biases, which encompass both favorable and unfavorable assessments, are activated involuntarily and without an individual’s awareness or intentional control. We have seen implicit bias impact a number of brands recently, generating unfavorable exposure and perceptions. It is not only a cultural issue, but one that can impact a company’s bottom line. As communicators, it is important we identify and address our own biases and those of our workplaces before they are exposed to the public. Creating a culture without bias is one of the best ways to protect an organization’s brand reputation.
We held our annual PRSA Dallas Nonprofit Workshop late last month with attendees from 65 local nonprofits. The attendees learned about Creativity in Fundraising and Events, Building Your Brand in a Digital Age and Smart Strategies for Nonprofits from speakers with the North Texas Food Bank, GOLIN and the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. A big thanks to our speakers and the Volunteer Service Committee led by Zakiyah Johnson and including MacKenzie Brumley, Shayan Gaziani, Lane Robbins, Amanda Rider, Nelli Tokleh and Brooke Traister.
Thanks to all of our board members and committee members for their work in keeping our chapter viable. If you aren’t on a committee, then I encourage you to contact me and join one. It is one of the most effective ways to grow your local network within the Dallas strategic communications community. And as always, send me your thoughts and ideas on how to strengthen the chapter.
Donna Coletti, APR
Monthly Event
Save the Date -- Drinks & Diversity Mixer: Continuing the Conversation
When PR professionals find themselves at the center implicit bias, what can PR pros do to overcome obstacles and thrive? Join us on August 28 for a highly informative keynote and rich discussion by an expert in D&I, Bernard Coleman III, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Uber. Explore how you can navigate implicit bias at work, how to internalize resilience, helpful tips to succeed as well as pitfalls to avoid.
Presented by PRSA Dallas and ColorComm Dallas, and sponsored by Capital Factory, Hotels.com and Bell.
When:
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
6–8 p.m.
Location:
Capital Factory
3102 Oak Lawn Ave.
Dallas, TX 75219
Registration details coming soon!
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
PRSA Dallas September Breakfast -- Marrying Content Strategy with SEO
The line between content strategy and search engine optimization (SEO) is going away, as SEO is now an integral part of effective content strategy. If you don’t think about SEO when developing content, your audiences won’t see what you’ve created, and it will be difficult to differentiate from your competitor’s content.
And, content strategy today is much more than just developing content. To make your content work hard, it needs to include topic prioritization built on differentiation, searchability and optimal linking. The days of just posting content is no longer enough to maximize its performance.
Join us for a special, two-hour breakfast event on Friday, Sept. 7 featuring Taylor Cole, global head of marketing communications at Expedia Group. Taylor will share effective content and SEO strategies and examples to help inspire organizations to be smarter with content strategy. Taylor will be joined by Keith Nowak who has developed compelling content in the travel and consumer technology industries for more than two decades.
When:
Friday, Sept. 7, 2018
7:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
(Registration and networking begins at 7:30 a.m.; Program: 8-9:45 a.m.)
Location:
The Clubs of Prestonwood - Creek Clubhouse
15909 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75248
(Preston Road just north of Arapaho Rd)
Cost:
$38 Early Bird PRSA member price prepaid online by Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018
$48 After 5 p.m. Sept. 4
$53 Early Bird non-member price prepaid online by Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018
$63 after 5 p.m. Sept. 4
$25 Student fee prepaid online
Note: Cancellations are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018. If you need to cancel, contact Liz Kennedy. No refunds will be made after this date. No-shows will be billed.
Substitutions must be made in writing to Liz Kennedy by noon on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.
APR Spotlight
The Next Step for PR Professionals? APR
You’ve gotten this far. Here’s what’s next. The Accreditation in Public Relations is the next step for PR pros ready to assess and assert their professional proficiency. Knowing exactly where you stand in the big world of PR makes a difference. Gauge your professional know-how to accurately calibrate your craft, contacts, and next move toward your career future. Always in step with the PR industry and attuned to trends—with innovative industry insight and strong industry networks—the APR ensures your readiness for the present and the future of PR.
If you want to know how you can begin the APR accreditation process, join the monthly Saturday study groups, or serve as an APR mentor, please contact APR Co-Chairs, Malizy Scruggs or Rosanne Hart.
New Members
Please welcome our new PRSA Dallas members:
- Kirstin Liebhardt
- Alexa Collinson, Top Golf
- Matthew Olivolo
- Chloe Pope-Levison
- Josie E. Bonnette
- Caroline Jennings
One month left to use code SUMMER18 when renewing or joining the Dallas chapter and get your $35 reinstatement fee or $65 initiation fee waived between July 1-August 31. Additionally, you will receive a $25 Amazon gift card for joining. Join today!
DFW Communicators Job Bank
Looking for a job? Need to fill a position?
Check out the DFW Communicators Job Bank, a collaborative project providing a single source of news, jobs, events and freelance listings for all sponsoring organizations.
Recent postings:
American College of Emergency Physicians Irving, TX
Sunfinity Renewable Energy Dallas, TX
Daggerwing Group Dallas, TX
TruePoint Communications Dallas, TX
Dallas County Community College District Mesquite, TX
About PRSA Dallas
The Dallas Chapter of PRSA serves more than 400 practitioners of public relations in North Texas. The chapter was founded in 1950, just three years after the founding of the national society. The chapter provides members with a variety of professional networking opportunities and services, such as the Communicators Job Bank, a monthly newsletter, professional development programs, monthly luncheons, mentoring programs and college outreach programs.
Connect with us: www.prsadallas.org
Facebook: PRSA Dallas
LinkedIn: PRSA Dallas Chapter
Twitter: @prsadallas
