Thursday, May 12
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Vintage 1740
1740 South Boston Avenue
It’s time to grab some business cards and join IABC/Tulsa for a Happy Hour Thursday, May 12 at the Vintage 1740 wine bar. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. Register now, spread the word and bring your friends.
Please RVSP through IABC/Tulsa’s registration system. Attendees may purchase their drinks at the bar. Come and enjoy!
Each month, IABC/Tulsa features one of its members in the “Meet A Member” section of the newsletter. In this issue, we learn more about IABC President Julie Freeman, who will visit Tulsa for the first time in May. (Be sure to RSVP for the meeting!)
IABC/Tulsa: Your job has to be so interesting – getting to connect with communications professionals from around the world. Why do you love it?
Julie: The best part about my job is the people. I work with a great staff and the IEB keeps me on my toes. But what I really enjoy is meeting members. I have learned that communication professionals throughout the world face similar issues, but with a slightly different twist. My contacts with members have broadened my view of how communication can and should be practiced, not to mention what is going on in the world.
And on the personal level, I have found that IABC members are just plain nice people!
IABC/Tulsa: How long have you been with IABC?
Julie: I’ve been the president of IABC for 10 years.
IABC/Tulsa: What is the best meeting/seminar/conference you have ever attended?
Julie: It’s hard to choose just one. I like the World Conference because the general session speakers are so inspiring and thought-provoking. However, I am never able to go to the break-out sessions at World Conference. Therefore, I also really like the small conferences because I CAN hear the speakers and get to talk to the attendees.
IABC/Tulsa: When you’re not working or traveling for official IABC business, what do you like to do?
Julie: I love to cook, get together with friends, go to the theatre or movies, and see my family who live in Chicago and Indianapolis. I am addicted to crossword puzzles and trying to learn Spanish.
IABC/Tulsa: Sounds like you’re a busy woman. Where’s your favorite spot for some R&R?
Julie: That’s another question that makes it hard to choose just one answer. I loved Oaxacca, Mexico, when I was there. I have enjoyed Italy and Ireland. I would love to go back to Spain and France, and South Africa is fascinating and beautiful.
IABC/Tulsa: IABC’s headquarters are in San Francisco. When people visit you there, what do you take them to do?
Julie: There is a restaurant in San Francisco called Foreign Cinema, with an outside eating area (rare in San Francisco which has cold nights) where they show Foreign movies. I don’t usually watch the movies, but I like the concept, the food and the atmosphere. I always take out of town visitors there.
IABC/Tulsa: The future of the field of communications…
Julie: …is about engaging audiences in conversations. A speaker I heard recently described it as “from storytelling to story building.”
IABC/Tulsa: What advice would you give to communications professionals who are just entering the workforce?
Julie: Learn everything you can – about business basics, about your audiences, about other cultures. You never know where your career will take you, and it is important to be ready for the next challenge.
A Leader’s Role in a Strategic Communication Plan
Wednesday, April 20
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tulsa Press Club
415 S Boston Ave #23
Tulsa, OK 74103-5016
(918) 583-7737
There are thousands of naturally effective leaders in corporate America who excel and thrive on motivating their organizations. And then there’s the other half.
For years we lobbied, cajoled and begged that latter group to embrace the value of two-way communications to dial up employee engagement. After all, hamstrung by one-dimensional e-newsletters and other limited tactics, we knew the business leader’s active participation was imperative to move any measurement dial from “inform” to “engage.”
With the explosion of effective social media and other web-based tactics in the last five-plus years, we now have more engagement tools in our arsenal. Given that, what role do leaders play in communications plans today?
What you will learn:
Guest speaker, Angie McCoy, president of Mayben/McCoy Communications, works with leaders and leadership teams to shape and deliver communications that connect people in a way that improves business performance. After four years with a boutique PR firm in Houston, Texas, Angie joined Kimberly-Clark in 1995. For 14 years, she supported and then led Internal Communications there, ensuring message alignment and employee engagement from the C-suite to the factory floor.
Be sure to reserve your seat today, and we look forward to seeing you there.�
Note: During the April meeting, IABC/Tulsa President Steve Higgins will also present the certificate of accreditation to Shannon Frederick, director of Global Associate Communications for Walmart and IABC/Tulsa board member. Shannon became the Tulsa chapter’s second Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) when she earned this distinction from IABC in January. (Ginger Homan is the chapter’s other ABC.) To learn more about accreditation, visit www.iabc.com/abc.
Tuesday, April 19
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Brady Tavern
201 N. Main Street
www.bradytavern.com
Just in case you haven’t heard, IABC/Tulsa was awarded the prestigious Small Chapter of the Year Award from IABC International at the February Leadership Institute meeting. Additionally, President Steve Higgins received International’s Chapter Leader of the Year Award.
To recognize these wonderful accomplishments, IABC/Tulsa is hosting a members-only celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at Brady Taven in Tulsa’s Brady district. The chapter will cover the cost of one drink per member at this special happy hour to show our gratitude for all of your support over the past year.
Please RVSP through IABC/Tulsa’s registration system and we’ll see you there!
by Steve Higgins, IABC/Tulsa President
During a fun, long weekend in Chicago recently, I spent some quality time with an old friend who happens to be one of the most respected and accomplished communication scholars in the country, Dr. Steve Jones of the University of Illinois-Chicago.
A pioneer in the study of the Internet and online communities, Steve nonetheless declared himself a skeptic when it comes to the influence of social media.
After all, he pointed out, only 6 percent of the U.S. adult population is on Twitter, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center. How influential can a medium be when it only reaches a small fraction of the general public?
Maybe he’s got a point. In our headlong rush to embrace – and make others embrace – this exciting new communication channel, we may well be overestimating its reach and impact.
It’s an intriguing, provocative point of view. For the past few years, we’ve been talking about almost nothing but social media. Because many of us have been so immersed in it, it’s quite possible we’ve just assumed everyone else is, too.
Make no mistake, the evidence of social media’s power is everywhere. Recent events in the Middle East are just one example.
Fortunately, my friend and I spent much more time talking about March Madness, da Bears, music, travel, etc., than the reach of social media. But his comments stuck with me.
Perhaps as we devise effective communication strategies for our organizations, we should make social media like Twitter a key component – just as long as we don’t overlook that other 94 percent.
The Tulsa chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is seeking entries for it 2011 Silver Link Awards. Visit PRSA Tulsa’s website to learn more. Entry deadline has been extented to Friday, April 15.
Mark your calendars now! IABC President Julie Freeman will visit Tulsa from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 for our monthly IABC/Tulsa meeting. This is an incredible opportunity for members and guests to hear from our organization’s international leader. Formal invitations will be sent in the next few weeks. Stay tuned.
Each month, IABC/Tulsa features one of its members in the “Meet A Member” section of the newsletter. In this issue, we learn more about Charlotte Guest, manager of Marketing and PR for OSU Medical Center.
IABC/Tulsa: It must be interesting working at a hospital. Tell us why you do what you do.
Charlotte: I love helping people. We, at OSUMC, help people get well and stay well. My job enables me to see that happen each day. I enjoy managing the communication that lets others know the wonderful things our medical center does for our patients, their families and our community.
IABC/Tulsa: How long have you been a member of IABC?
Charlotte: I was a member for about 10 years, many years ago – and I just re-joined. It’s great to be back as a new member.
IABC/Tulsa: What is the best meeting/seminar/conference you have ever attended?
Charlotte: I remember attending a national conference years ago in Houston. The speakers were from all over the country and were so inspiring.
IABC/Tulsa: How has IABC played a part in your professional development?
Charlotte: The Tulsa chapter has the most wonderful members – respected communicators I enjoy seeing each month. I like to learn from others. Being able to bounce ideas off members is rewarding and helpful. Also, this past year, the speakers were outstanding. I learned something helpful at each meeting.
IABC/Tulsa: When you’re not working at the hospital, what do you like to do?
Charlotte: Mostly, I love time at home with my family. My awesome husband of 21 years and I enjoy attending our three children’s many sports events. My family is my greatest joy. I’m also part of a non-profit women’s ministry, Captivating Oklahoma (check out our facebook page) and love sharing with other women about that. I also enjoy oil painting and playing tennis.
IABC/Tulsa: Sounds like you’re a busy woman. Where’s your favorite spot for some R&R?
Charlotte: Definitely the beach. I’m pretty partial to Mexico. Our family also loves Big Cedar Lodge.
IABC/Tulsa: The future of the field of communications…
Charlotte: …is only as good as its communicators. Although technology will constantly change and evolve, it still takes a person to initiate a message.
IABC/Tulsa: What advice would you give to communications professionals who are just entering the workforce?
Charlotte: Love what you do. Don’t settle for “just a job.” Learn from others and find a mentor. Network often. Keep up with technology yet remember that a hand-written thank you note still goes a long way. Also…separate work from family and down time. Start each day knowing that, (whether at home or at work) how you communicate makes a big difference.
Wednesday, March 16
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tei Kei’s
1616 South Utica Avenue
(918) 382-7777
The business community is notoriously inept at expressing appreciation, from recognizing employees to thanking clients and colleagues. Yet, there are a myriad of ways to express your appreciation both as an individual and as an organization.
At our IABC/Tulsa March meeting, Bobby Lehew will talk about the atypical ways most people (and businesses) express their appreciation and teach us the subtle (and not-so-subtle) art of saying ‘thank you’ with style! We’ll discuss best practices as it relates to the art of appreciation and learn a few new tips on how to express thanks both professionally and personally.
Lehew, known in many circles as “the king of swag,” is a 20-year veteran in the $16 billion dollar promotional products industry. He’s been recognized three years in a row as one of the Inc. 5000’s fastest growing private companies in the United States. He’s also a “40 under 40” honoree and heralded on the hot list in the ASI industry as someone who is shaking up the market with new and innovative approaches.
Be sure to reserve your seat today – and be prepared for some great ideas and some serious swag!
We look forward to seeing you there.
by Steve Higgins, IABC/Tulsa President
What’s this about IABC/Tulsa winning some CMAs in Nashville?
Well, all I can say is you should have seen the look on Carrie Underwood’s face when Brad Paisley opened the envelope and read our names.
OK, couldn’t resist a corny joke there. But we really did win some CMAs in Nashville. IABC Chapter Management Awards, that is (not Country Music Association).
Tom Droege, our chapter treasurer, and I were surprised and elated to accept the Small Chapter of the Year award on behalf of IABC/Tulsa, in addition to awards of merit in the categories of Professional Development, Membership Marketing and Communication.
And I was truly shocked to hear my name called when they gave out the IABC Chapter Leader of the Year.
“Chapter Leader of the Year?” I don’t know about that. I do know that good things are happening at IABC/Tulsa, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our executive board, and the involvement and loyalty of our members.
Shannon Frederick deserves a lot of credit for compiling and submitting our Chapter Management Award entries, with strong contributions from Ginger Homan and Dena Wind.
Ultimately, though, these awards belong to you, our members, who have helped our chapter swim against the tide by growing and prospering during the recent economic downturn.
Rest assured, the executive board has every intention of keeping the momentum going, with some excellent programs and events in the works for this year.
As always, thanks for your support of our chapter. And congratulations on your CMAs. Y’all.