Congratulations to Our 2008-9 Executive Board!

I'd like to congratulate our newly elected 2008-9 Executive Board! We thank everyone who ran, and wish we could have more e-board positions! All of the candidates were extremely impressive, and I think I speak for everyone when I say that it was very difficult in deciding who to elect. We hope anyone who was not elected will be able to show their PRSSAwesomeness through PRSSAgency, the Advanced Conference, and the other great opportunities we have for all you All-Stars to shine!

2008-9 Executive Board:
President: Alexandra Karadimas
Vice President: Chelsea Alexander
Treasurer: Emily O'Toole
Secretary: Christen Wong
Fall VP of PR: Becky Steinberg
Spring VP of PR: Laura Schroeder
PRSA Liaison: Darren DeLuca
Event Coordinator: Heather Papsun
Social Chair: Rachel Sprung

Again, congratulations! We look forward to a great year!

PRSSAgency News

We will be holding a PRSSAgency meeting Thursday, April 10th; 5 p.m.; GSU Terrace Lounge (2nd floor) to discuss changes and improvements for next year. If you have been involved with PRSSAgency or would like to get involved next year, please stop by and share your two cents.

Relay for Life is coming up this Friday, April 11th! If you can't make it to the event you can still help out by donating to our PRSSAwesome Relay team. Just follow this link to make a donation online: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/buprssa

MLK Jr. Peace Concert featuring Braddigan (formerly Dispatch), Amy Steinberg, Love in Stockholm, Delhill, and The Powers That Be will be happening April 26th; 8 p.m.; GSU Metcalf Ballroom. Have you bought your ticket yet? They're still on sale. Get your ticket and a FREE Peace shirt at the GSU.

PRSSAgency Success with NEEC account!

Exceeding our expectations, the T-shirt Design Contest produced 22 clever and playfull designs! Now, our team is feverishly planning the Launch Party to reveal the winners. Look out for more details regarding the Launch Party as it will truely be an event you won't want to miss, complete with fashion show, chic finger food and of course, designer sunglasses!

Also, if you're interetsed in modeling in the fashion show contact Laura (schroedl@bu.edu)

Special shout out to the dedicated members making this possible: Ross Peizer, Laura Schroeder, Lauren Brown, Erica Wolff, Mike DiSalvo, Vickie Han, Darren DeLuca, Colleen Canty, Rachel Levi and Eleanor Englund

E-board Meet and Greet!

While enjoying coffee, bagels and "schmear" at the e-board meet and greet, we played a surprisingly fun and informative ice-breaker. Thanks go out to Christen, Social Chair, for putting the breakfast together, Alex, Treasurer, for home-made muffins and Professor Quigley, Faculty Advisor, for joining us!

ROCK THE VOTE- VOTE ON NEW POSITIONS!

Hey,

Hope you all got my e-mail about voting to add a new position (Advanced Conference Event Coordinator) and to add new duties to the PRSA/PRSSA Liaison. Again, mea culpa!

Please see below for descriptions. Everything highlighted in red is what you need to vote on. You can post a comment (it will be anonymous) with a simple "Yes" or "No" (or "Yay" or "Nay" if you feel so inclined) to approving the below additions. Or, you can send an e-mail to buprssa@gmail.com (obviously not anonymous). Either way, ROCK THE VOTE!

Hope you are all thinking seriously about running for e-board! I know we've got some great talent and bright minds out there!


PRSA Liaison/Professional Outreach Coordinator:
-Be responsible for organizing the Bateman Case Competition-Communicate with other PRSSA chapters to organize regional PRSSA events
-Communicate PRSA events to the general membership and be aware of financial support available to participants
-Be able to attend PRSA Boston events regularly, and recruit members to attend
-Be responsible for networking with PRSA members and securing speakers for meetings
-Provide significant support to the Advanced Conference Event Planning Committee whenever necessary, specifically in:
-Non-BU PRSSA chapter recruitment and participation
-Professional/Speaker recruitment and participation

Advanced Conference Event Coordinator
-Should have previous Advanced Conference Planning Committee Experience
-Work with any fellow event coordinators from outside of BU
-Plan the Advanced Conference
-Manage and oversee all Advanced Conference Planning Committee activities
-Work closely with PRSA Liaison to recruit non-BU PRSSA participants and PRSA Professionals and Speakers

Thanks, guys! See you on Tuesday!

University of Rhode Island event "PRomote Yourself"- April 19, 2008

Hey Everyone!

URI really showed their support for our event this Sunday by sending more than 10 participants to Boston, so if you can, please show our support for their event! Please e-mail buprssa@gmail.com if you're interested in going, and we'll try to gather a carpool of some sort to get there.

It looks like they've planned a great and enlightening afternoon, as well as a great opportunity to support a very good cause- The Rhode Island Food Bank! Below please see complete details.


The University of Rhode Island’s Public Relations Society Presents: “PRomote Yourself”
Professional Networking and Valuable Life Skills Mini-Conference Event
Saturday April 19, 2008, 1:30-5:00 pm

Galanti Lounge, located on the 3rd floor of the URI Library

Come enjoy a unique pre-professional opportunity on the URI campus including informational speakers, networking, refreshments and prize giveaways!

Keynote Speakers
“Cultivating your Inner Rockstar – Building a Brand Called YOU!” Gail Lowney Alofsin, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Newport Harbor Corporation

“A Candid Conversation About Your Career”
Vincent P. Burks, Senior Assistant Vice President, Amica Insurance

“Comments from a URI Public Relations Graduate”
Nina Goselin, URI alumni and former PRS member

*Additionally, a variety of industry professionals will be in attendance and participating throughout the event *
Please $3 at the door or donation of 3 non-perishable food items to be donated to the Rhode Island Food Bank

RSVP required. Please email prssa06@gmail.com no later than Wednesday April 9th to secure a spot for yourself or a group!
- Limited Space Available -

This is not a dictatorship.

Voting on Positions and Descriptions- April 1

We will be voting on the addition(s) of certain duties for the PRSA Liaison, as well as a new position: Advanced Conference Event Coordinator. Below are the proposed descriptions. The red highlighted texts are on what we will be voting. Please come to the meeting prepared to cast your vote!

PRSA Liaison/Professional Outreach Coordinator:
-Be responsible for organizing the Bateman Case Competition
-Communicate with other PRSSA chapters to organize regional PRSSA events
-Communicate PRSA events to the general membership and be aware of financial support available to participants
-Be able to attend PRSA Boston events regularly, and recruit members to attend
-Be responsible for networking with PRSA members and securing speakers for meetings
-Provide signicant support to the Advanced Conference Event Planning Committee whenever necessary, specifically in:
-Non-BU PRSSA chapter recruitment and participation
-Professional/Speaker recruitment and participation

Advanced Conference Event Coordinator
-Work with any fellow event coordinators from outside of BU
-Plan the Advanced Conference
-Manage and oversee all Advanced Conference Planning Committee activities
-Work closely with PRSA Liaison to recruit non-BU PRSSA participants and PRSA Professionals and Speakers

Elections- April 8

If you plan on running for the 2008-9 Executive Board, please be sure to carefully read the information below. PLEASE PREPARE A BRIEF (1-2 MINUTE) SPEECH stating why you deserve to be elected. Any academic, professional, or extracurricular credentials are helpful. Also, please be sure to let everyone know if you have been involved with any PRSSA activities, and what you have done. PLEASE NOTE: The addition of the proposed PRSA Liaison duties and the additional Event Coordinator position will be decided on April 1.

The Duties and Obligations of
Boston University’s PRSSA Executive Board Members:

Dear Candidate,

Thank you very much for your interest in running for the 2008-9 Executive Board! The E-board works as a tight-knit team to give each and every PRSSA member the best experience possible. Although each e-board member has his or her respective duties to perform, everyone should provide support to the other members and help wherever and whenever necessary. Please e-mail buprssa@gmail.com if you have any questions.

You can certainly run for more than one position, but you must start with the highest position and drop down should you not get elected to your desired position. For example, if you desire to run for president and are not elected, you may drop down and then run for vice president. We will announce the winners after each of the position elections, and will vote in the order of the positions below.

Please note that you must notify us if you plan to study abroad or graduate early during the year you wish to serve. Please try to find someone to run with to take your position when you are gone. (For example, if you plan to study abroad in the fall, you should try to find someone who will serve the same position in the fall, and who maybe will be studying in the spring or graduating early.)

Elections will be held during one of our regular meetings on April 8. Please e-mail buprssa@gmail.com by Monday, April 7, by 5 p.m. and state your name, your full name, graduation date, the position for which you'd like to run, if you are running with someone else, and if so, which semester each of you will be in office. Please prepare a brief (1-2 minute) speech explaining why you deserve to be in office.

Good Luck!


President
Must be a former board member to apply
Serves as the principal administrative office and coordinator of the Executive Board
Must develop and implement a strategic plan for the chapter, building on the plans created by previous boards
Advise and instruct members on the policies and procedures of the society
Organize agenda and preside over meetings
Delegate responsibilities of officers and committees, and overall operations of chapter
Maintain communication with the chapter on a weekly basis
Be dedicated to serving the needs of the members and the preservation and success of the chapter as a whole

Executive Vice President:
Be responsible for coordinating, planning and implementing chapter programming, including: monthly professional themed programs for members, social events, awards ceremonies, end of year parties, networking events, etc.
Organize monthly agency tours within Boston (and New York, if possible)
Be informed of, disseminate information about, and encourage participation in National and Regional Events
Must assist the president in coordinating and directing committee activities and chapter operations and perform duties of chapter president if president is absent
Work with the VP of Public Relations to publicize chapter events
Identify and fulfill programming needs of general membership

Secretary:
Be responsible for recording of minutes at all executive board meetings, general membership meetings and handle the appropriate distribution of these minutes
Check the BUPRSSA email account daily and respond to general membership questions
Maintain a record of chapter members, including a permanent home address and school address of each member
Be responsible for writing and sending out Thank Y Oli notes to speakers
Be responsible for preparing and presenting framed Thank You certificates to speakers
Responsible for updating and maintaining chapter collateral materials

Vice President of Finances (Treasurer):
Collect chapter and national dues and forward national dues to PRSSA headquarters
Provide financial reports periodically to chapter membership .
Nark with the chapter president in preparing the annual budget and be responsible for approving allocation of resources
Be responsible for obtaining purchase orders through SAO
Be responsible for identifying fundraising needs, as well as developing and implementing fundraising programs

Vice President of Public Relations:
Be responsible for maintaining internal and external public relations
Organize and implement bi-annual membership recruitment, using slide presentations, brochures, fliers or other appropriate aids
Announce and publicize programs and special events and activities
Act as the coordinator of PRSSAgency, develop a mission for the student run firm and plan for its growth
Act as the contact person for clients and account managers
Be responsible for any media relations relating to the chapter

PRSA Liason/Professional Outreach Coordinator:
Be responsible for organizing the Bateman Case Competition
Communicate with other PRSSA chapters to organize regional PRSSA events
Communicate PRSA events to the general membership and be aware of financial support available to participants
Be able to attend PRSA Boston events regularly, and recruit members to attend
Be responsible for networking with PRSA members and securing speakers for meetings
Provide signicant support to the Advanced Conference Event Planning Committee whenever necessary, specifically in:
Non-BU PRSSA chapter recruitment and participation
Professional/Speaker recruitment and participation

Webmaster:
Maintain BU PRSSA’s website and regularly post minutes
Oversee and coordinate newsletter staff and act as the Senior Editor of Proper-Ganda
Create, assign and edit articles for Proper-Ganda

Social Chair:
Recruit a social committee where necessary
Lead the committee to plan the Holiday and End-of- Year parties, and any other appropriate social meetings or events.

Advanced Conference Event Coordinator
Work with any fellow event coordinators from outside of BU
Plan the Advanced Conference
Manage and oversee all Advanced Conference Planning Committee activities
Work closely with PRSA Liaison to recruit non-BU PRSSA participants and PRSA Professionals and Speakers

Social Committee

Hi All,

This Saturday, the Social Committee will be meeting to work on planning the big End of the Year event. This is a great opportunity for those interested in getting some hands on experience in event planning. Or, if you just want to get more involved, here's your chance!

So, come join us at 4PM on Saturday, March 22 in the GSU Backcourt. We'll use all the help we can get! Questions, comments or want to help out but can't make it to the meeting? Email Christen, your Social Chair, at cyw@bu.edu.

Hope to see you there!

Internship and Career Fairs

Boston University Annual Career and Internship Fair
Who : All Students
When: Wednesday, March 19 from 2:30-6:00 p.m.
Where: 2nd Floor of the GSU.
For more info, check out www.bu.edu/careers.

New England Publicity Club's Annual Public Relations and Communications Career Fair-
Who: All Communications and Public Relations Students
When: Friday, April 4 from 1-4 pm.
Where: SMG Atrium
For more info, see attached flier in e-mail and check out www.pubclub.org.

PRSA-NY Career Fair
Who: All Public Relations students
When: Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City.
Register by April 2.
For more info, see the attached fliers in e-mail and check out www.prsany.org.

Spectrum Arts Festival PR team

At our meeting this past week we had CFA Government President Jay Youmans come in to discuss the Spectrum Arts Festival. The two-week long event includes several live performances at the Prudential Center, a production of The Barber of Seville by Boston University’s Opera Institute and ends with a gala event benefitting VH1 Save the Music Foundation. The CFA student government needs help with the media relations aspect of the festival, including organizing a press conference and pitching the story. As Deborah Halliday from the BU Office of Career Services explained, there is no difference between volunteering your time for an event such as this and doing an internship. This is a great resume building opportunity. If you would like to learn more about the festival and get involved take a look at the website www.bu.edu/spectrumarts and contact Jay at cfagov@bu.edu or 914-456-9296.

New PRSSAgency Clients

PRSSAgency has just acquired two new clients. We will be working with the BU Peace Concert, a coalition of student groups organizing a concert to promote peace and commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The concert will take place in April at Metcalf Hall. We will also be working with the BU Spectrum Arts Festival being organized by the CFA student government. The event includes live public performances by several well-known CFA students and alumni, along with an opera performance, gallery showcase and gala fundraiser for VH1 Save the Music. Both clients would provide a great opportunity for anyone interested in entertainment and arts PR or event planning. If you are interested in working on these accounts or would like more information e-mail biana101@hotmail.com. Thanks!

PRSSAwesome Opportunities!

We got news of some great internship/scholarship/work opportunities- we encourage you to apply for anything and everything you can! As always, please e-mail buprssa@gmail.com with any questions. Hope to see you all tomorrow!

__________________________________________________________________

PRSA/BOSTON ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 8th ANNUAL
SCHOLARSHIP GRANT PROGRAM FOR COMMUNICATIONS STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS

BOSTON, Massachusetts–February 20, 2008–The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Boston chapter is accepting applications for its 2008-2009 Scholarship Grant Program, which provides financial support – on the basis of financial need and academic merit – to worthy college students or researchers in the communications field.

The amount of this year’s grant will be $2,000.

Undergraduate and graduate students attending a college or university in eastern Massachusetts are eligible, as are individuals conducting communications or public relations research. Additionally, the grant can be used by a student working in an unpaid internship at a nonprofit organization.

Grant applications are available now. Applicants can obtain a copy by contacting Boston chapter administrator Beth Bryant at 508/786-3013 or bbwrites@verizon.net.

The deadline for applications is April 15, 2008. The winner will be announced at a chapter meeting during the summer.

___________________________________________________________________

Gain Work Experience With Porter Novelli

Porter Novelli is looking for a few good internationally minded college men and women at Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, MIT, for a 2 month marketing/street team gig with Porter Novelli and Mobivox, a very low cost International VoIP calling service.

They are looking to build a team of 12 interns, 3 from each school, to spread the word and do guerilla marketing on their campuses to get fellow students to sign up and test and try Mobivox. This is great marketing/PR experience for your resume! Prefer Internationally-focused students, sophomores or juniors, marketing or PR majors preferred. And again, those with person connections to other countries best as you will really want to use, and demo, the Mobivox solution.

Requirements would be work, around class time, for the entire months of March and April, likely no more than 20-30 hours total. “Reward” is resume building experience, work with Porter Novelli, and a 1 in 12 chance to win an iPhone – most effective street team member will win.

If interested, or you know someone who is, please contact Melissa Smolensky at Porter Novelli, Melissa.smolensky@porternovelli.com, 512-241-2232

___________________________________________________________________

Gain Non-profit/Museum Work Experience

I have been contacted by the Shirley-Eustis House - a historic house museum in Roxbury, MA. They are having an event on June 5th. They are sponsoring a Colonial Heritage Day celebration for 3rd grade students. They would really like to get some press for this event! This would
entail drafting press releases and doing outreach to local publications and media. This is a great opportunity for someone interested in a Spring Internship. This is something that is very flexible and they are willing to provide a small stipend for your work.

Below is the contact information! Andrea happens to be my roommate's mom and is really nice! Email or call her at her office if you are interested and want more information. Let her know you are from PRSSA too!!

-Alex

Andrea Taaffe
Executive Director
Shirley Eustis House Association
33 Shirley Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-442-2275
617-442-2270 (fax)

360 Agency Tour: A Success!

Check out the fabulous 360 Agency Tour Group !!

It was great seeing former PRSSA president, Steph Shih, so happy at her job since graduating. She and her co-wrokers have a lot of exciting clients, including WowWee Robotics.

The fun product samples around the office and their team of young, enthused professionals creates a contagiously energetic vibe.

It was a great networking/learning experience and the perfect opportunity to pass on your resume!

Look out for details about the upcomming Weber Shandwick agency tour!

There is no meeting tonight, but we hope to see you wonderful people at the Meet and Greet!

IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENT ABOUT DUES- EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID!!!
If you have paid, or plan on paying next week, you must e-mail your name, permanent address, and phone number to Alex (ajk913@bu.edu) by Wednesday at 5 p.m. Please make the subject of the e-mail "Spring 2008 Dues." Thanks!
________________________________________________________________

Sunday, February 24- E-Board Meet and Greet- grab some (free!) brunch at Dexter Park and get to know the e-board and your fellow PRSSA-ers! We'll also have some sample resumes and cover letters for you to look at. It's going to be a great time! (If you'd like to contribute to the brunch cause, you're more than welcome to make a donation of any delicious and tasty item. :) )

Be sure to RSVP to the E-vite we sent out! If you didn't get it, e-mail buprssa@gmail.com

Please call Heather's cell (201.694.5301) when you arrive at Dexter Park so she can buzz you in.

February 26- Emma Caroll, junior publicist at Allied- Emma's path to Allied was definitely a lesson in knowing what you want and working hard to get it!

March 4- COM Career Services will give us a great overview on how to use their services to our greatest benefit, and will give us some awesome tips on resumes, cover letters, and the like. This will be great so you can work on your professional materials over spring break!

________________________________________________________________

It's time to register for the best conference ever: PR Advanced: PRSSA Goes 2.0

Ok, so we may be biased about the "best" part...

Many members of PRSSA have been extremely busy this year, helping to plan our second annual regional conference with Simmons College. The conference will be at the Photonics Center, and will focus on digital and social media in the field of PR. It will be on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature a keynote speaker, two breakout sessions, an activity session, a career fair, AND free breakfast, lunch, and all the coffee you would possibly want!

We've got an impressive list of communication and PR pros coming to this event, so don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to network and learn! For more information, and to download the registration form, visit www.prssaboston.blogspot.com.

If you have any questions, or would like to help out, let us know!

________________________________________________________________

Are you a senior looking for a job?

SHIFT Communications, one of the fastest growing independent public relations agencies in the nation, is hiring, and would love to get to know you! They mostly work in the technology and consumer fields, and have offices in San Francisco and Boston. If you are interested in applying at SHIFT, please respond to this e-mail so we can forward your resume and cover letter or get you in touch with the right people. If you have any questions, let us know!

All Around PRSSAmor.

General Annoucements:

February 12 (*LAST OPEN MEETING, SO PLEASE REMEMBER TO PAY YOUR DUES!*-): Ashley Cheng, account executive at Weber Shandwick, will speak to us about her experiences after college, and her work with OceanSpray, Liberty Mutual, and Verizon Wireless.

February 19: NO MEETING

February 26: Emma Caroll, Allied Marketing.

_________________________________________________________________

Save Room For Dessert!
Cold Stone Fundraiser- February 13, 7-10 p.m.

Come out and support PRSSA while satisfying your sweet tooth!
Bring your friends, and be sure to save room for dessert!
The e-board will be mixing up your favorite flavors- that's right, you get to watch us make and serve you ice cream!

Who: Anyone and everyone!

What: Fundraiser at Cold Stone

Where: Landmark Center Cold Stone

When: Wednesday, February 13, from 7-10 p.m.

Why: So can keep the fun times rollin' with some cash!

How: Just bring yourself and as many people as you can between 7 and 10 p.m. A certain percentage of all profits made in those three hours will go straight to BUPRSSA! (And don't be ashamed if you go twice.)

_________________________________________________________________

First Agency Tour: 360 Public Relations

When: Friday, February 15, 2008

Where: 140 Clarendon Street, Boston (Near Copley Plaza), 3-3:45 p.m.

Why: Get a closer look at one of the The Boston Business Journal's top 25 public relations agencies in Boston. Network with talented professionals, and make contacts for internship opportunities.

Dress: Dress casually, but not sloppy!

RSVP: Please email cbrennan@360publicrelations.com by Thursday, February 14th to secure a spot. Since this is a smaller agency, we will be limiting participation to 15.

*Becky Steinberg, our secretary, will be meeting those who RSVP'd in a certain location on Friday so everyone can go together. Keep an eye our for an e-mail!

_________________________________________________________________

Boston Career Expo: February 13, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

The Boston Globe and Boston.com/Monster are presenting the Boston Career Expo on Wednesday, February 13 from 11:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, Dalton Street, Boston.

This career fair looks to be New England’s premier recruitment event. Fields such as Healthcare, and Technology and Engineering will have an ample showing with a variety of professional positions also available. Employers exhibiting at the Boston Career Expo looking for these qualified candidates include, Boch Enterprises, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Vanguard Medical Assoc., Primus Telecommunications, Inc., Acergy, Booz Allen Hamilton and many more. If you have any questions, please e-mail Deborah Halliday at dlhallid@bu.edu.

_________________________________________________________________

Don't forget to vote for your favortie T-Shirt quote! Polls close February 13th!