CalSPRA e-newsletter
Volume3:: March 2004


Calling All Candidates!

CalSPRA is only as strong as the leadership provided by its members. We know you’re busier than ever, but we need your help. Have you ever thought about being an officer in CalSPRA? CalSPRA needs your leadership now more than ever to help our profession grow and survive in tough times. We could say that being on the CalSPRA board is glamorous, financially rewarding, and a stepping stone to the State Assembly, but that would be wrong. However, it is professionally satisfying.
The CalSPRA Nominating Committee is asking members to consider running for the open positions of President-Elect or Treasurer. Our continuing officers include Joan Sieczkowski from Contra Costa COE who will become President, Cindy Sabato from Palomar College who will be Past President, and Terry Koehne from San Ramon who will continue as Secretary.

The deadline for applications or expressions of interest is March 31. The only qualifications you need are to have one year in the field of school PR, be an active member of CalSPRA, and show some evidence that you know what you’re doing. The Nominating Committee, chaired by Past President Tom DeLapp, includes Joan Boiko from Palm Springs and Christy Rinauro from Tracy. Their job is to review the applications and recommend a slate of officers for next year. The ballots will be mailed to members in early April, and the results will be reported out at the May Communications Contest meeting in San Diego on May 14. Even if you don’t want the honor, then please give us a call with nominations of others who you think might be interested in serving. You can reach Tom DeLapp at (916) 315-1409 or tomdelapp@aol.com.

CalSPRA doesn’t just happen, you make it happen!


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Y'all head on down to Nashville...

NSPRA Annual Seminar offers invaluable learning experience and one deserving CalSPRA member can get a free ride.
Each year, CalSPRA offers a scholarship to an active CalSPRA member who:

  • Is a member of NSPRA and has never attended an NSPRA seminar
  • Is willing to report to CalSPRA chapter members on the seminar experience

The scholarship is the equivalent to the NSPRA seminar registration fee. All other seminar costs, including transportation, lodging and meals are the responsibility of the scholarship recipient or their employer. For conference information log onto www.nspra.org

The winner of the Mary Lester Scholarship Award will be announced at the May 14 CalSPRA meeting in San Diego. Applications must be received no later than April 30. For information, call Cindy Sabato at (760) 744-1150

This scholarship is awarded annually in honor of Mary Lester who would have attended her first NSPRA seminar in 1989. Mary, relatively new to school public relations, had demonstrated considerable professional growth in her job for the Santa Clara County Office of Education and in her role on CalSPRA committees. CalSPRA offers this scholarship as a memorial to Mary who passed away in 1988 at the age of 29.

This year, the NSPRA Annual Seminar will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, July 11-14.

Download the Mary Lester Scholarship Application Now! (PDF)

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CalSPRA Communications Contest Update
By Carolyn Taylor
Placer County Office of Education

CalSPRA members wear a variety of hats to fulfill their duties as school communication professionals; photographer, web master, event planner, writer, editor, graphic designer, artist, crisis responder, spokesperson, conflict manager, legislative resource, community liaison, trainer, producer and team player. The CalSPRA Communications Contest is the opportunity to receive recognition, support, and a round of applause for your contributions. Awards increase appreciation for your skills within your local education agency and reinforce the value of the communication profession.

Contest co-chair Heidi Van Zant arranged with a colleague in North Clackamas Schools to have Oregon (OSPRA) judge our contest entries this year. They will have the results and feedback to us by mid-March.

The Communications Contest Committee is planning another great workshop and awards celebration in San Diego on May 14. This contest is not only a terrific way to be honored by your peers, it also provides other members with extremely creative techniques and resources.

Please call (530) 886-5812 or email ctaylor@placercoe.k12.ca.us if you have any questions.

More information on the contest...

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CalSPRA's e-connection is published quarterly. Do you have a story idea? If so, contact Kelly Avants, Clovis USD at 559.327.9092 or kellyavants@cusd.com

 

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