By Angela Byers, IABC Tulsa President

Hello and happy spring!

You’ll be happy to know some of our IABC Tulsa Chapter members are representing us regionally and globally. We truly have some of the best communications leaders in our chapter, and a few of them have been chosen for VIP roles within IABC.

Ginger Homan, ABC, has accepted the role of Director on the 2014-2015 International Executive Board of IABC. Ginger is the founder and owner of Zia Communications and a founding partner in MODA, a branding and architecture firm. Both firms focus on building communities and creating a thriving culture. Homan specializes in getting a client’s message heard, understood and acted upon. She is a recipient of the 2011 Tulsa Chapter IABC John Hartman Professional Communicator of the Year, former president of the Tulsa chapter and the former Director of North America for the IABC Accreditation Committee. Her work has been recognized with IABC Gold, Silver and Bronze Quills, as well as local and regional ADDY’s, SMPS Marketing Achievement Awards and by PRSA. We are lucky to have Ginger represent IABC Internationally. She will play a vital role in shaping the future of IABC.

Shannon Frederick, ABC, will be on the slate to possibly be voted in as the new Secretary for the IABC Southern Region this summer. Shannon is also the past-president of the IABC-Tulsa Chapter. She has been honored with multiple awards from IABC and PRSA for her strategic communications management, writing, media and internal communications work experience. She joined Walmart in 2006 as a senior manager for Media Relations. Shannon is currently the Senior Director for Global Associate Communications, and her group is responsible for communicating to the company’s over 2 million associates worldwide. I know she will do an incredible job in this new role at the Southern Region. IABC-Tulsa applauds her!

Next month is IABC’s World Conference in Toronto. Joe Williams and John Clemons, ABC, APR, from IABC Tulsa will be two of the 20 IABC Fellows that will be at the Fellows’ Circle of Wisdom at World Conference. The Fellows’ Circle of Wisdom will be the largest group of present IABC Fellows in the history of World Conference. The Fellows’ Circle of Wisdom will be a unique and very personal learning experience for not only the 500 that attend, but also the 20 Fellows involved as well. Each will share knowledge on “What they’ve found to be true” from their careers in communication. Joe Williams will be giving relationship advice to help us make impactful presentations. John Clemons’ main topic will be that great work alone will not get you “there”.

Joe Williams, IABC Fellow and founder of Joe Williams Communications, has been an IABC Fellow since 2009 and has been given 12 Gold Quill awards. To be named as a Fellow is the highest honor in IABC. The association takes into account the applicants’ career achievements, leadership, authorship and overall contribution to the field of communications. Unlike other IABC annual awards, being named an IABC Fellow is a lifetime title. Joe’s achievements are endless, and he’s all-around a great guy.

John Clemons, ABC, APR, and IABC Fellow has served as the Chair of the International Executive Board. At Walmart, John is responsible for development, implementation and measurement/evaluation of internal communication programs, and strategic communication initiatives for the Walmart Leverage organization. Prior to joining Walmart in 2012, John served as the IABC Interim Executive Director. In 2001, he was the Chairman and Chief Volunteer Officer for IABC’s International Executive Board and in 2012, he was named an IABC Fellow. Besides the Fellows’ Circle of Wisdom, John Clemons will also be on another panel at World Conference with two other Fellows. The topic will be Internal Communications Unplugged; there they will be revisiting some internal communication firm rules. We are lucky to have such an incredible communicator in our chapter.

These members have put their hearts and souls into IABC. Be sure to tell Shannon and Ginger congratulations on their new roles, and be sure to sign up to hear Joe and John at the upcoming World Conference.

By Angela Byers, IABC Tulsa President

Warning: Greg’s energy and enthusiasm is highly contagious.

We are honored to have Greg speak at our upcoming event on March 26th at the Summit Club – Governors Suite. Greg knows culture in an organization is essential for success. Every business has a culture, but unfortunately it is often not created intentionally. Greg will show us how to create a culture that will lead to growth. He makes his presentations fun so that his message will stick.

I first met Greg Hawks last year when he approached me about making a new website for his business. Greg is creative and hardworking, so it is no surprise that he instantly clicked with our team. It is an honor to do work for someone who has traveled all over the world to help businesses and professionals. Just a few of his clients are Walmart, Cherokee Nation and Baker Hughes.

If you want to learn more about Greg Hawks and how he helps individuals and organizations go to hawksagency.com or connect with him at http://www.linkedin.com/in/ghawks

IABC Tulsa  –  June Meeting

How Generational Diversity Is Transforming the Workplace

Today’s workforce ranges from Baby Boomers to Millennials, and the distinctions between generations – their cultures, expectations, communications styles and their “toys” – have never been so sharp and diverse. Join us as Bill Fournet presents the latest information and practical techniques to help your organization harness the strengths of its generationally diverse employees and understand their various drivers and preferences.

All About Bill

Bill Fournet is the founder, president and CEO of The Persimmon Group. He provides business strategy, project management, educational development and information technology consulting to clients in various industry verticals, including energy, financial services, aerospace, telecommunications, government and human resources, among others.

Over the past two decades, Bill has provided leadership for clients in delivery methodology, business process improvement, resource development, project management, business analysis and training for a variety of national, international and multinational organizations.

When:  Wednesday, June 18, 2014, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: The Summit Club
15 W. Sixth Street, 30th floor, Governor’s Suite
Bank of America Center
Parking garage entrance is located on Boulder Avenue; additional parking is available at             the ONEOK Plaza parking garage

Fee:     Event Registration
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Member Fee) $25
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Non-Member/Guest Fee) $35

RSVP:  Monday, June 16, 2014

Crafting a Culture of Ownership

Business culture can be described simply as “The way things get done.” Every business has a culture; it’s essential for organizational success. It’s perhaps more tangible, prevalent and impacting on the bottom line than any person or documented policy. Unfortunately, though, few businesses set out to create their cultures intentionally. So how do you transform your work environment in a way that catapults productivity and efficiency?

Join us March 26 as Greg Hawks will help you discover how to deliberately design a culture that produces growth. In this session, he will help you understand the five elements that communicate caring to every employee; discover the four foundational pillars that foster engagement and productivity; and, realize the three benefits from having an intentionally crafted business culture.

REGISTER TODAY!

All about Greg

Greg Hawks is the lead agent for Hawks Agency in Oklahoma City. With a leadership portfolio spanning both nonprofit and for-profit worlds, he has spent his life investing in people. Through Hawks Agency, he challenges and empowers leaders, teams and organizations to reach for greatness. His history is broadly dynamic. Speaking on platforms around the nation, creating mentoring networks, leading small and large teams, real estate investing, running summer camps, hosting leadership events and producing city-wide projects have equipped Greg to be uniquely qualified to serve you, your people and your business.

When
Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:30 AM  – 1:00 PM

Where
The Summit Club – Bank of America Building
Governor’s Suite – 30th Floor, 15 W 6th Street, Parking ticket validated, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Fees
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Member Fee) $25.00
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Non-Member/Guest Fee) $35.00

RSVP
Monday, March 24, 2014

REGISTER TODAY

Wed., Feb. 19, 2014 11:30 AM  – 1 PM
The Summit Club – Bank of America Building
Governor’s Suite – 30th Floor, 15 W 6th Street, Parking ticket validated
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Member Fee) $25.00
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Non-Member/Guest Fee) $35.00

RSVP    Monday, February 17, 2014

Do you work for a publicly traded company? Are you responsible for communicating financial information to investors or employees? Do you have investments in stocks and bonds or just want to learn more about the financial markets?

If so, then this meeting is for you!

Andrew Ziola, vice president of investor relations and public affairs at ONE Gas, Inc., (NYSE: OGS) will provide a unique perspective on the roles of investor relations and business communications and how the two functions can work together to add value to your business.

Andrew is a “numbers guy” by degree, but has transitioned into a senior-level communications role at ONE Gas, which recently spun-off from ONEOK, Inc. Andrew has mastered the art of effectively communicating complicated financial subjects.

What you’ll learn:

• An insider’s perspective on how communications and investor relations teams can work together to market a business and reach key audiences.
• Messaging strategies for financially-focused information and how to make it accessible and understandable to the average reader or investor.
• “Must-know” financial terms – for communicators AND every-day investors.
• Basics about the stock market what contributes to a stock’s price.

Andrew will also share insight into the process of spinning off a new, publicly traded company and how his team juggled all aspects of communications prior to, during and after the spin.

About Andrew:

Andrew is vice president of investor relations and public affairs of ONE Gas. He is responsible for the company’s investor relations, communications and community investments functions. Prior to ONE Gas becoming a standalone publicly traded company separated from ONEOK, Inc., he served in a similar role as vice president of investor relations and communications of ONEOK and ONEOK Partners.

He joined ONEOK in 2004 as the manager of financial planning and analysis and also served as the manager of investor relations. He began his career in the energy industry in 2003 as a financial planning specialist of Northern Border Partners, L.P. headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. He is a member of the National Investor Relations Institute and on the board of directors of the institute’s virtual chapter. He also is a member of IABC/Tulsa and the Tulsa Press Club. A native of California, Andrew earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance in 1991 from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and a Masters of Business Administration degree in 2007 from Creighton University in Omaha.

REGISTER TODAY!

When our jobs challenge us to be creative on demand, we must develop novel, useful ideas that will keep our organizations competitive. For anyone who struggles with creativity, or who makes excuses for delaying the work of innovation, David Burkus will help you overcome your obstacles to finding new ideas with his presentation, The Myths of Creativity.

Based on the latest research into how creative individuals and firms succeed, David will highlight the mistaken ideas that hold us back and show how anyone can embrace a practical, grounded approach to finding the best new ideas. He’ll answer questions such as, “What causes us to be creative in one moment and void in the next?” and he’ll debunk several common myths about creativity.

All about David

David Burkus is assistant professor of management at the College of Business at Oral Roberts University, where he teaches courses on creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and organizational behavior. He is the founder and host of LDRLB(pronounced “leader lab”), a podcast that shares insights from research on leadership, innovation and strategy.

His work on leadership, creativity and innovation has been published in numerous scholarly journals and practitioner publications. He also is a contributing writer for 99U, Creativity Post and the Harvard Business Review blog. As a presenter, he has spoken on leadership and innovation to a diverse set of audiences, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies to the U.S. Naval Academy.

David is a graduate of Oral Roberts University and holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Oklahoma. He also holds a Doctorate of Strategic Leadership from Regent University.

When:       Wed., Jan. 15, 2014, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where:     The Summit Club
15 W. Sixth Street, 31st floor, Renaissance Room
Bank of America Building (parking garage entrance located on Boulder Avenue)

Fee:           Event Registration
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Member Fee) $25
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Non-Member/Guest Fee) $35

RSVP:        Monday, Jan. 13, 2014

The 2013 IABC International Chapter of the Year is thrilled to offer a full-day workshop with Ann Wylie of Wylie Communications Inc.

If writing is an important part of your job and you’ve never had the opportunity to participate in an Ann Wylie workshop or seminar; you’re in for a treat! And if you’re already familiar with Ann, you’re probably checking your calendar and looking for the registration link.

Ann has worked with clients around the globe and is consistently recognized as a top-rated speaker at IABC and PRSA conferences and meetings from coast to coast. Join us as she brings her “Catch Your Reader” full-day workshop to Tulsa.

Expect to leave this event inspired and motivated – ready to return to the office with fresh ideas and new tools that help you:

• Think like a reader and move your audience to act
• Go beyond the inverted pyramid and master the feature-style story structure
• Cut through the clutter and make every piece you write easier to read and understand
• Rev up your readership and lift your ideas off the page or screen with display copy

This may be the most valuable professional development opportunity you’ve had this year – or may even have next year. And IABC Tulsa is offering this workshop to members and non-members alike.

Members: $59 | Non-Members: $99 | Student Discount: $55

The registration fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and parking in the Bank of America building’s parking garage (enter from Boulder Ave.).

RSVP by: Monday, November 18, 2013