PRSA-OKC Advocates Clean & Fair Campaign Communication
(Oct. 22, 2008) PRSA-OKC is taking part in a national effort to challenge local political campaigns to agree to uphold the highest standards of ethical practice in every facet of their campaign communications.

This dovetails with the PRSA national office’s challenge to the McCain and Obama campaigns, which launched last month. PRSA formally requested that campaign communications directors Robert Gibbs (Obama for America) and Jill Hazelbaker (John McCain 2008) sign a pledge obligating them to abide by the PRSA Code of Ethics in their campaign communications. Specific guidelines relevant to campaign communications policies under the PRSA Code include: being honest and accurate in all communications, acting promptly to correct erroneous communications, investigating the truthfulness and accuracy of information released on behalf of those represented, and avoiding deceptive practices.

On the local level, today our chapter is sending letters to campaigns for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, U.S. House and U.S. Senate, asking them to take a pledge to commit to the principles of the PRSA Code of Ethics in these last weeks before the elections. We are also distributing to the local media an OpEd article by chapter President Danielle Walker, APR, regarding our challenge to Oklahoma’s candidates to make a formal commitment to accurate, truthful and respectful discourse.

The OpEd article also communicates that PRSA-OKC is responsible for representing, educating, setting standards of excellence and upholding a stringent code of ethics for not only our members, but the public relations profession within our state. In that role, PRSA-OKC is committed to advancing ethical communications practices and the free flow of accurate and truthful information. These principles not only guide our members and the profession, but also support fundamental rights of free speech and the public good.

Oklahoma City National Memorial Wins Coveted Bronze Anvil Award
(June 16, 2008) The Oklahoma City National Memorial received a coveted 2008 Bronze Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for superior performance in the design and execution of an individual tactic within a broader public relations program. Winners of the award were recognized during the 2008 Silver Anvil Awards Evening, held June 5 at the Equitable Tower in New York City.

The Memorial received the Bronze Anvil Award for its Outdoor Walking Tour Podcast.

The Bronze Anvil Award was created by PRSA in 1969 to recognize outstanding public relations tactics — the individual items or components that contribute to the success of an overall program or campaign. Bronze Anvil Awards are possible in 63 categories and subcategories, including Media Relations, Newsletters, Web Sites, Feature Stories, Press/Media Kits, Podcasts, Word-of-Mouth and Blogs.

Entries are judged by teams of PRSA members — and others who have specific category expertise — across the country. Only one Bronze Anvil Award and up to two Bronze Anvil Awards of Commendation may be earned in each category or subcategory. No Bronze Anvil is awarded in those categories where the judges feel the entries do not rise to standards set forth for the award by PRSA.

Be a Part of History!
(Aug. 2, 2007) The State of Oklahoma will commemorate 100 years of statehood, Nov. 16 with a full day of celebratory activities in Guthrie.

Michael Dean, communications director for the Oklahoma Historical Society, expects both local and national media to cover this historic event.

To help make this event possible, PRSA-OKC will offer media relations expertise as part of the chapter’s commitment to public service.

We are in immediate need of volunteers to help create a press kit of “souvenir” quality. Press kits will be sent in September. If you would like to brainstorm ideas, please let co-chairs Holley Mangham and Karen Halvorson know.

Closer to the event, we will need volunteers to help stuff the press kits.

Nov. 16, volunteers are needed to man the credentialing tent and to assist in seating members of the media. More than 250 seats will be reserved for the media.

If you would like to help with any (or all) of these activities, please contact Holley Mangham, 405-419-8222 or Karen Halvorson, 405-553-3641.

Seven During 2007
(July 25, 2007) So far this year seven members of PRSA-OKC have achieved accreditation through national PRSA demonstrating that they have the knowledge, ethics and experience that sets them apart and that are dedicated to enhancing their own personal abilities. These practitioners have taken their careers to the next level.

• Karla Bradshaw, APR
• Bonnie Cain, APR
• Meta G. Carstarphen, APR
• Rob Crissinger, APR
• Becky Endicott, APR
• Marla Freeman, APR
• Lori Johnson, APR
• Alesha Leemaster, APR
• Jeanetta Sims, APR
• Amy Welch, APR

Begin the Accreditation process today

Local Members Take on National Roles
(July 24, 2007) Four members of the Oklahoma City Chapter of PRSA are participating at a national level on PRSA boards and or committees for 2007.

• Pamela Gutel, APR, PRSA-OKC Assembly Delegate, will serve on the new National Advocacy Advisory Board, which promotes the profession through issue-specific advocacy.
• Karen Halvorson, APR, PRSA-OKC Public Service Co-Chair and SW District Immediate Past Chair, has been asked to serve as the Chair of the Accreditation Marketing Committee and as a member of the National Nominating Committee.
• Brenda Jones, APR, PRSA-OKC Assembly Delegate, will serve on the PRSA National Capital Initiative, which focuses its efforts on advancing the public relations profession, the professional and Society in the Washington, DC area, and at the state level, with an emphasis on public relation’s role in the three branches of government.
• Sean Simpson, APR, PRSA-OKC Accreditation Chair has been selected to serve on the Universal Accreditation Board, which oversees the entire accreditation process.