In this issue:

WWPR entrePReneur Series
Joining WWPR
WWPR Blog
Call for Volunteers
Upcoming Events
Member Spotlight
Articles of Interest
Membership News
Sponsor Spotlight

Introducing the WWPR entrePReneur Series

Hi all –

Hope you’re enjoying the spring weather and had a chance to catch the Cherry Blossoms before they disappeared! We have been busy working behind the scenes to bring our members unique networking and career development opportunities. Today, we are thrilled to announce entrePReneur – a series of specially formulated events, speakers, and gatherings to support women starting their own business, those with entrepreneurial-minded clients, or those with an interest in the entrepreneurial movement.

Join us on April 18, 2012 for a presentation workshop diving into the best practices for entrepreneurs. Also, keep an eye out for the opportunity to live pitch your business idea to author and expert, Rohit Bhargava, and appear as part of his new book, Likeonomics. Stay tuned for more information!

Cheers,
Tina
WWPR President

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Not Currently a WWPR Member? Join Us!

WWPR is a vital resource for metro DC communications professionals and if you’re not already a member we’d love to have you join! Members enjoy many benefits including:

  • Discounted rates or free registration for WWPR events
  • Member only professional development events
  • Opportunity for leadership positions on WWPR board and committees
  • Access to WWPR members directory online

For more information on WWPR membership, please visit: http://wwpr.org/membership/

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WWPR Blog

Here’s a preview of what you’ll find:

  • Social Media expert Shashi Bellamkonda broke down the business impacts of the hot new social platforms such as Google+ and Pinterest; he also reviewed a few we hadn’t even heard of before like Path, Cowbird, Chill, & Schemer to name a few. Download his WWPR presentation.
  • Networking is broader than just who you know, and crafting healthy relationships is more than simply increasing the number of friends you have on Facebook. While it’s important to build new relationships, it’s just as important to maintain your current relationships with friends, colleagues and clients. Read More

The WWPR Blog features recaps of our monthly professional development seminars, insights on communications trends and issues, and breaking WWPR news.

Interested in blogging for WWPR in 2012? To be a contributing author email web@wwpr.org.

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Call for Volunteers

Emerging Leaders Awards Committee

The Emerging Leaders Awards (ELA) Committee is looking for volunteers to help with this year’s ELAs! Committee members will support the ELA Co-Chairs with a variety of activities, including:

  • Site visits to potential venues
  • Venue and sponsor liaison
  • Event decoration
  • Onsite registration and day of coordination

This is a great opportunity to network with industry leaders and rising stars.

Email ELA@wwpr.org for more information and to help make the 2012 Emerging Leaders Awards another raging success!

Pro-Bono Committee- Thrive DC

The pro bono committee is gearing up for a busy spring supporting Thrive DC and would love to welcome a few new volunteers to our ranks! If you are interested in providing event support, working on media outreach, or adding your creative talents to Thrive DC’s communications materials, please contact probono@wwpr.org for information. It’s a fun way to help make a difference in the community! Also, stay tuned for details on WWPR Volunteer Day at Thrive DC, coming in late May!

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Upcoming Events

For the latest information about our exciting events and programs, please visit our Events page.

WWPR members receive member rates for PRSA-NCC and AWC events.

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Member Spotlight: Colleen Fogarty

by Beth Stewart

While studying communications at George Mason University, Colleen Fogarty’s zeal for public relations flourished through various internships and a mentorship with WWPR president at the time, Lindsey Nichols. Today, Fogarty partly credits her involvement with the organization for maturing her skills in her current role as Associate Manager at the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

By managing national media requests, writing and distributing collateral pieces, and building relationships with members of the press, Fogarty has made her mark with the ADA. She continues to leave her mark through her volunteer work for non-profit organizations, Comfort for America’s Uniformed Services (CAUSE) and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Since 2007, Fogarty has served these organizations in various capacities like serving on the gift pack team that provides personal care items to wounded soldiers for CAUSE, and assisting at fundraising events for WWP. She says her work with these organizations has grounded her and serves as a reminder that our soldiers still need our help.

Fogarty’s advice for those currently in the communications field is simple: remember kindness goes a long way. She says we all know the pressures of working with the media, but being kind and having patience has led to some of her most rewarding working relationships.

To connect with Colleen Fogarty, you can find her on LinkedIn.

Articles of Interest

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Membership News

New Members

March

– Rebecca Geraghty: SELEX Galileo
– Elizabeth Wright: Sanderson Strategies Gtoup
– Laura Berry: National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
– Victoria Shapiro: Susan Davis International
– Brielle Day: Susan Davis International
– Kara Taylor: Edelman Public Relations
– Jenn Sacks: The George Washington University
– Mara Vandlik: McGinn and Company
– Kate Conners: CLS & Associates
– Tess Alberts: Edelman Public Relations
– Alyssa Cocchi: Tigercomm
– Tracy Telago: RTM Communications, Inc.
– Carrie Milbrath: American University
– Nicole Raisch: Edelman Public Relations
– TraKisha McNeil: Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
– Ana Buling: The George Washington University
– Gracie Rios Morales: Georgetown University/The Federal Reserve
– Jennifer Day: Ethos Strategic Consulting
– Angela Alfano: Washington Redskins
– Aleis Stokes: Independent Community Bankers of America

Renewals

March
– Susan Ahearn-Pierce: Media Strategies
– D’Ann Long: GI Film Festival
– Patricia McLaughlin: American Legacy Foundation
– Anna Goth: American Legacy Foundation
– Kia Boriboon: GuideStar

Interested in joining or renewed your membership? Simply complete the online membership form.

To learn more, please contact Leslie Rutledge, Membership Chair, at membership@wwpr.org.

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Sponsor Spotlight

NAPS, or North American Precis Syndicate, distributes feature releases for more than 750 companies, including major brands such as Nokia, IBM, GM, and SINGER; nonprofit associations, such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Boys Town USA; and government agencies such as the Department of Transportation, and the Centers for Disease Control.

NAPS publication, Featurettes/News To Use, is filled with consumer news items that can be easily incorporated into special sections or features and lifestyles pages.The material is timely, ACCURATE, and double-and-triple-checked by NAPS editors to make sure that you have the best return on investment possible.

More than 7,000 dailies, weeklies, shoppers, monthlies, and dotcoms now use Featurettes as a convenient and easily accessible way to fill up holes in the copy, or to pick-and-choose solid background text and art.

For more information, visit www.napsnet.com.

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