By Shannon Frederick, ABC, IABC/Tulsa President

Things have really been busy this month for IABC’s Small Chapter of the Year.

(That’s the Tulsa chapter, by the way – just in case you didn’t know.)

It was too hard to narrow down to just one topic for my June President’s column. So, instead, here’s a snippet of several recent chapter news items, plus one summer travel suggestion:

Nomination for IABC Tulsa’s Next President

If you attended the June meeting at OSU-Tulsa, then you heard Past-President Steve Higgins announce the exciting news that Angela Byers, Principle of Byers Creative, has been nominated as President-Elect for our chapter.

Angela has served on the Executive Board for the past year as vice president of awards. In addition to leading the chapter’s wildly-successful 2011 Bronze Quill Awards Program, she is always offering her skills as a talent designer and communicator to assist with any event or program for the chapter. Her contributions have been invaluable – and very much appreciated.

The chapter will vote on Angela’s nomination at the July meeting. Please make plans to attend and cast your vote.

IABC Accreditation Committee

Last week, IABC announced its 2012-2013 Accreditation Committee, and our chapter was once again at the forefront. Ginger Homan, ABC, who served as chapter president from 2008-2009, has been named the North American Director of this committee.

Those of you who know Ginger are well aware of her passion for IABC’s accreditation program. She spoke on a panel at our March meeting about two programs she’d like to drive for Tulsa members who are interested in pursuing accreditation. Ginger also has a pretty strong track record for mentoring several professionals through the process, including yours truly.

If you want to know more about Ginger, visit http://www.ziastrategy.com/index.php/story/ginger/.

Need a Break? Visit an IABC Chapter?

Thanks to two different speaking opportunities this month, I had the privilege of visiting with IABC members at the chapters in Oklahoma City and Denver. These interactions sparked a thought. As many of us are out traveling for summer vacation, why not take a break from being cooped up with our families and visit a local chapter’s luncheon (assuming the calendar stars align)?

There are IABC chapters in nearly every big city across the U.S., not to mention the chapters that exist outside of America. And I have yet to visit a chapter that hasn’t opened its arms with a warm welcome. For a list of all IABC chapters, visit international’s website at http://www.iabc.com/about/leaders/. From there, you can easily access the desired local chapter’s site. I’d recommend sending an email directly to the president or professional development chair before you register for an event.

Southern Regional IABC members, have you always wanted to be accredited?

Accreditation is IABC’s professional credential program recognizing communicators who have reached a globally accepted standard of knowledge and proficiency in their chosen field. This peer-reviewed program challenges candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of strategic communication planning, implementation, measurement and ethics. Candidates meeting the requirements of the program earn the designation Accredited Business Communicator (ABC).

Now is the time to take the accreditation leap and receive a scholarship from your regional board of directors.

The Southern Region of IABC wants to recruit new ABCs in its region and is now offering Accreditation Scholarships to its members!

Drive performance and satisfaction with communication strategies
Sept. 20-21, 2012
Calgary, AB
Marriott Courtyard, Calgary Airport

As organizations endeavor to meet the challenge of shaping a work culture and environment that supports the delivery of organizational goals and strategies, they must also attract, retain and engage employees. Organizations that achieve high levels of employee engagement, and the positive effects on business metrics and overall performance that come with it, have a distinct competitive edge.

This conference will help you shape the future of employee communication and engagement at your organization through learning, sharing, working together and networking. Some of the greatest minds in business and government will share concrete tools and strategies. Come hear what they say, share your insights, improve your skills, and start producing valued results for yourself and your organization.

http://www.iabc.com/education/ec/

The latest report from the IABC Research Foundation details the findings of interviews with 20 senior executives from large companies around the world. Learn about these leaders’ preferred methods of communication, the effect of globalization on their communications and how communication professionals can best support them.

The 2012/2013 Southern Regional Accreditation Scholarship will cover half of a member’s application fee once the member has earned accreditation.

For more information on accreditation, or to begin the application process, go to: http://www.iabc.com/abc/.

We are certain that our new IABC Accreditation Board Director for North America will be happy to talk to anyone interested in becoming accredited!

Each month, IABC Tulsa features one of its members in this section of the newsletter. This month, we learn more about Ward Mankin, who is an EMMY award winning video production manager for T.D. Williamson.

Why do you love your job?  I get to travel the world videotaping our global company, so the days are never the same. I get to learn many different ways of life and work. Not everyone works 8 to 5.

How long have you been a member? I once was a member in the late 90’s working for Williams, 3 years. I recently re-joined in May of this year – 2012.

What is the best IABC meeting/seminar/conference that you have ever attended? Why?  I have the old guy syndrome and only know that every meeting is the best.

How has IABC played a part in your professional development?  Besides it being the best networking tool! I enjoy IABC for how it shows me others communicate in the business, how local companies utilize different forms of communication to benefit their customers and employees and how those that don’t try to keep up.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work? Workout, Ride Bicycles, and eat.

What’s your favorite vacation spot? Destin Florida, Maui Hawaii and the couch at home.

Who is your favorite musical artist?  Dave Matthews Band

What’s your favorite movie?  August Rush, because music is the base for all things.

What’s your favorite restaurant?  Pei Wei

Complete the following: The future of the field of communications is: short, simple and visual.

What advice would you give to new communications professionals?  Listen, listen, listen then be proactive and less reactive.

I would like to note that I have a Bronze Quill Award, A Best of Show, and my most favorite is my two EMMY nominations I received while working at KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City during the Oklahoma City Bombing. I do hold an EMMY for editing a half-hour show called “The Photojournalists of KOCO-TV” It was a behind the scenes look at what video photographers endure during the course of any given day.

IABC has appointed Christopher Sorek as executive director. Sorek has more than 30 years of experience in communication, public affairs and community relations. He comes to IABC from The Drinkaware Trust based in the U.K., where he was CEO. Chris will officially take on his new role with IABC on July 2, 2012.

Learn more about Sorek.

Are you forgetting someone?
Considering the disability community in communications planning
by Russell Shaffer

We’ve had the importance of audience analysis drilled into us since we were fledgling communicators. And with good reason. Chances are if you misjudge your audience, your message is going to miss the mark.

So we pour over demographics, psychographics and scores of other data to make certain we truly understand our audiences. But are we missing something? What if the most important variable for reaching a particular segment of your audience has nothing to do with how they think and behave or what role they have in the organization and everything to do with how they access the message. Further complicating matters, what if you have no idea these access issues exist in your audience?

Once we feel we have a good handle on our audience, we spend hours strategizing on how to best package our message to create the most meaning. But what if the packaging prevents some audience members from ever getting at the meaning inside?

During the June IABC Tulsa meeting, we will explore the answers to these questions and more as we discuss simple yet meaningful methods for ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to your message. We will examine everything from videos to websites to meetings and find the answers to access for people with disabilities are easier and more straightforward than you might think. In fact, simply stopping to think is often the crux of the solution.

Register today!

All about Russell
Russell Shaffer is currently Manager of Global Associate Communications for Walmart and is the program manager for the company’s My Sustainability Plan (MSP) employee engagement program. His career as a professional communicator spans more than a decade and includes roles in advertising, corporate communications, print journalism and public relations. In addition to his current role at Walmart, Russell has held positions at May Department Stores, The Timken Company and The Ohio Optometric Association.

He serves as Vice Chair of Engagement for Walmart’s Advocates for Disability Awareness and Education (ADAE) resource group and is a member of the National Federation of the Blind. Russell is a member of the Tulsa chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and has won multiple IABC Bronze Quill awards. He has spoken at several events and conferences on the subject of employee engagement, including the 2011 IABC Southern Region Conference.
 
Russell is a graduate of Malone College (now Malone University) in Canton, Ohio, and holds a bachelor of arts degree in business administration and communication arts. He resides in Bentonville, Ark., with his wife, Jessica, and their daughter, Sophia. In his spare time, he enjoys following his beloved Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians, playing fantasy baseball and working on his landscaping.

Location:         Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
                             600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Ark.
Date:                  May 16, 2012
Time:                 2 – 6 p.m. CST
Theme:             Corporate Social Responsibility

IABC Tulsa is proud to offer this professional development event at no cost. That’s right. It’s free! The one catch is that this event is only open to IABC members. It’s our way of thanking those individuals who commit to the organization by upholding their membership – whether with Tulsa or another great chapter.

There are only 40 seats available to this event, so register soon to ensure a spot. There will also be a drawing for a $40 gasoline card courtesy of our IABC Tulsa Chapter President Shannon Frederick.

In addition to a tour of the museum and a networking reception, the event will feature two speakers: Andrea Thomas, Senior Vice President of Sustainability for Walmart, and Laura Jacobs, Director of Communications for Crystal Bridges. From these two sessions, participants can expect to gain an understanding of the importance of corporate social responsibility and the benefits gained by a community as a result of solid partnerships with its local businesses. Find out more about our speakers and see an agenda.

If you are not a member of IABC, but interested in joining and attending this one-of-a-kind development session, contact Summer Austin or Stephanie Cole, IABC Tulsa membership representatives. What better time to join?! To promote this special event, all throughout the month of May, if you join IABC, the $40 membership fee will be waived.

“Brick by Brick – Building the Inverted Pyramid”  by Libby Bender

Like writing a strong lead, developing a strong brand is not easy. The brand starts inside the company, and is based in truth. Your role as a professional, then, is to properly express it through communications. You must be aware of every choice you make. Who, What, When, Where, Why and How is critically important.

In this special IABC presentation, we’ll talk about how to build your inverted brand pyramid, brick by brick.

All about Libby
Libby Bender is an independent brand guide who has been leading the way for her companies and clients for 35 years. She has survived a run on her bank, a government take-over, and more than a dozen mergers and acquisitions. And that was all just with her first employer. Libby has been a VP of Marketing three times as well as a VP of Brand Planning and Creative Director at Littlefield. She is now President of Libby & Company, a Tulsa-based brand consultancy.
Libby’s work has been recognized by the American Association of Advertising Agencies, the Webby Awards, Tulsa Ad Federation and Art Directors Club of Tulsa. In 2007, Libby and partners, Scott Raffe and Carl Brune, published “Oklahoma: A Portrait of America.” That 354-page ode to America’s 46th state earned the trio an Oklahoma Book Award. In her spare time, Libby is an adjunct Professor of Branding at TU, an Art Directors Club of Tulsa Board Member and past President, a toy collector, a wannabe fine arts professor and a pack leader to two very lovable, but strong-willed, Chows.

April Menu: Catering by Q’doba – Naked burritos (chicken or steak) with rice, beans, salsa, queso, cookies and brownies.

Be sure to reserve your seat today – we look forward to seeing you there!

Were you on Facebook in November? If so, your news feed was probably muddled every day with your friends’ public displays of gratitude for all of the good things in their lives. 

You might have even participated in this social media phenomenon.

I did not. But, let me be clear, that my reluctance to dedicating the 25 days leading up to Thanksgiving to Facebook proclamations of thankfulness doesn’t mean I’m not grateful. In fact, my Facebook friends made me think. You see, I have a long list of blessings – and, as it turns out, many of them are tied to this wonderful chapter. Here are just a few of my favorite moments:

1. Receiving a note from now Past President Steve Higgins with the news that IABC/Tulsa had won the 2011 Small Chapter of the Year Award. And, after some back-and-forth email prodding, finally getting him to share he had also won the International Chapter Leader of the Year Award.
2. Convincing IABC President Julie Freeman to visit Green Country to talk about the future of the profession. Little did we know that Tulsa would be one of the last chapters Julie would visit during her tenure as the head of the international organization. The announcement of her retirement, effective Dec. 31, came just a few days after she returned home to San Francisco, following her visit to our monthly meeting.
3. Along with Amethyst Cavallaro, having the honor of representing IABC/Tulsa at the October Southern Region Conference board meeting. After we shared a long list of all of the great things happening with our chapter, hearing Elena Martinez, chair of the region, exclaim “That’s why Tulsa is the Small Chapter of the Year, folks!”
4. Watching Angela Byers, Lucia O’Connor and a slew of willing volunteers pull off one of the most successful Bronze Quill ceremonies in our chapter’s history. Angela later shared that 97 percent of those who entered their work into the competition received an award. Though we didn’t need any proof that there is an extremely high caliber of talent in Tulsa, we got it anyways!
5. Presenting the pin and certificate of IABC accreditation to Tracy Harlow, a dear colleague, mentor and friend to many of us, and who has always been an accredited business communicator in my book.

Of course, I would be remiss to exclude the bit about leading an amazing executive board that is dedicated to the development and growth of every single one of our members and potential members. This board includes: Dena Wind, Tom Droege, Amethyst Cavallaro, Stephanie Cole, Megan Lewis, Lucia O’Connor, Summer Austin, Rachel Payne, Phillip Harris, Jennifer Pigeon, Angela Byers – and also Ginger Homan and Nathan Harmon because we won’t let them not be part of the group.

Finally, in the spirit of the season, thanks to all of you who have supported our chapter in 2011 by attending a meeting, entering a Bronze Quill, coming to OkieSMart, raising a glass at Happy Hour, etc. We wouldn’t keep doing this if it weren’t for you.

Happy New Year. See you in 2012!