* Members Only

Copyright 2005 WWPR
All rights reserved

Website design by Metro Graphics
Web hosting by Metro Net Host

Photos by WWPR Members

Newsletter Archive

Welcome,

April 2006

In this Issue:

• Doorways for Women and Families Benefit Auction

• FEATURED MEMBER OF THE MONTH

• WWPR POST It!

• PRO BONO COMMITTEE NEWS: Doorways for Women and Families

• Join a Committee!

• CAREER CORNER

• April Professional Development Brown Bag Lunch

Dear WWPR Supporter:

On March 29, WWPR members took part in the “Profiles in Leadership” series and met the reigning Woman of the Year, Carolyn Tieger, partner and director of the Public Affairs Division of Porter Novelli.

Tieger’s presentation was titled “A Tale of Two Cities,” and focused on her rise to the top of her profession through her work on Capitol Hill and in the Department of Commerce, the White House and several other leading public relations agencies.

Tieger began her presentation by discussing her upbringing in Homer, Ga. (population: 500), and her eventual move to the “big” city of Washington, DC. Tieger, the eldest of five girls, credits her upbringing for her resourcefulness, discipline, willpower and “ just being a good person.”

After earning a degree in PR at the University of Georgia – the first in her family to receive a college degree – Tieger married and moved to DC where she accepted a secretarial job. Tieger soon moved to Capitol Hill where she faced the disappointing realization that there was little upward mobility for women in the “old boys network.” With perseverance, Tieger soon joined the U.S. Maritime Administration. She also served on the Committee Taskforce on the Private Sector under the Reagan administration. After, Tieger decided to take a stab at the private sector and accepted a position at Burson-Marsteller where she was the only female account supervisor. Tieger then joined Goddard Claussen, which was acquired by Porter Novelli in 1999, where she added a staff of 20 and brought in over $5.5 million dollars worth of business. Today, Tieger continues to manage their three offices.

Tieger revealed the three most important lessons she has learned from her PR career:

• Strategic thinking — having the ability to think big picture
• Communication — the ability to communicate with people at all levels
• Versatility as a writer — having the ability to write a script, speech, testimony or release at any given moment

Tieger also emphasized the need to:

• Praise your colleagues, especially your boss
• Never underestimate the value of a mentor
• Support other women
• Choose the men in your life wisely
• Never take a job unless it scares you
• Have a five-year plan
• Make sure your goals and objectives are met
• Know what your priorities are
• Learn wisely from your mentor along the way

WWPR is grateful to Carolyn Tieger for taking the time to speak with – and inspire – our members. We are proud to have her as this year’s WWPR Woman of the Year.

Doorways for Women and Families Benefit Auction

On Sunday, March 12, Washington Women in PR's pro-bono client, Doorways for Women and Families, formerly The Arlington Community Temporary Shelter (TACTS) and Arlington's only shelter for abused, homeless and at-risk women and their families, hosted their 16th Annual Benefit Auction at The Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City, Va., from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

This year's benefit themed "Building Hope, Rebuilding Lives," focused on raising awareness about domestic violence and homelessness affecting women and families in the Arlington community, and celebrated the planned rebuilding of Doorways' Emergency Family Shelter, scheduled for completion in spring 2007.

According to Linda Dunphy, Executive Director of Doorways, "The event helped raise critical funds for the care and support of abused and homeless women and their families in Northern Virginia including those 18,000 homeless within the Arlington area."

ABC-7 news broadcaster Maureen Bunyan served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the event, which drew a diverse crowd of more than 270 community residents, vendors, business leaders, and volunteers. During the event, Doorways presented their annual corporate Unsung Hero Award. Award winners included NVHomes, builders of single family homes, townhomes and villas throughout the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia areas, who have pledged $400,000 in materials and labor to Doorways for the Emergency Family Shelter rebuilding effort. The volunteer Unsung Hero Award was presented to Molly Harkin, a community partner from Clarendon United Methodist Church.

Those in attendance included County board: Paul Ferguson, Barbara Favola, and Walter Tejada as well as Delegate Al Eisenberg and Senator Mary Margaret Whipple.

The benefit also included the sale of over 100 live and silent auction items from retailers and organizations such as Coach, L'Occitane, Sony Style, Benetton, and Coach.

Doorways for Women and Families is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers women and families who are abused, homeless or at-risk to live safe, secure and self-sufficient lives. For over 25 years, Doorways has provided shelter and services and educated the larger community about violence and homelessness. Doorways for Women and Families can be found on the Web at www.doorwaysva.org.

For more information about WWPR's pro-bono committee, please contact pro-bono chairs, Lauren Lawson at LawsonLaurenL@yahoo.comor Sarah Wayne at se_wayne@yahoo.com.

URL: http://MSigal.photosite.com/Doorways/DSCN3 236.html

^ top

Featured Member of the Month

Lauren Piels, assistant account executive with PR agency Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L) , is WWPR’s first member of the month. Piels, a 2005 graduate of American University, has taken no time at all to dive into the PR profession. She joined WWPR in October 2005, and within months volunteered her services to the Board. She now acts as an assistant to Shana Miller, WWPR’s membership chair, while Shana is out of town on business for several weeks, and also volunteers her expertise and skills to others on the Board as needed. Additionally, Piels provides top-notch assistance to MS&L’s public relations campaigns including consumer product launches, clinical data releases, media relations, regulatory submissions, issues/crisis management and event planning. Piels was recently named co-director of MS&L’s internship program, along with WWPR treasurer Kiernan Doherty.

WWPR applauds you, Lauren, and thanks you for your support, help and enthusiasm.

~WWPR is implementing a new section of the e- newsletter, highlighting the achievements of our extraordinary members. If you would like to nominate yourself or another WWPR member who has gone above the call of duty – either within the profession or WWPR itself, please send an e-mail to info@wwpr.orgwith the candidate’s name, a paragraph explaining the member’s accomplishments, and your name and contact information. We will notify you before the next e- newsletter if your candidate is selected.~

^ top

WWPR POST It!

THIS MONTH:

Save the Date!!

Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) will hold their annual Washington PR Woman of the Year awards luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006 from 12-2 p.m. at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C located at 1127 Connecticut Ave., NW.

Please contact the Woman of the Year Co-Chairs, Erin Wendel erin.wendel@longandfoster.com or Gwen Haynes Gwen_Haynes2@yahoo.com for more information.

^ top

PRO BONO COMMITTEE NEWS: Doorways for Women and Families

WWPR’s pro-bono committee has many upcoming events and volunteer opportunities this spring. Please see below for ways that you could lend your services. Please contact WWPR’s pro-bono co-chairs, Lauren Lawson at lawsonlaurenl@yahoo.comor Sarah Wayne at se_wayne@yahoo.com to offer your support!

Doorways is looking for a volunteer income tax preparation specialist to assist their clients during this upcoming tax season. Please contact us if you or someone you know can provide these services to Doorways’ clients for two sessions, four hours each.

Honor the special women in your life by sending them a personalized Mother’s Day card while supporting Doorways at the same time! For only $15, Doorways will illustrate a personalized card to the important women in your life. Deadline is April 28 to submit your order (please go to - https://payments.auctionpay.com/ver3/?id=W028286 for further details). Volunteers are also needed to help spread the word about the Mother’s Day cards including promotion in local stores as well as your company.

Doorways will be hosting a Dinner with Friends on Thursday, June 8 at the Clarendon United Methodist Church. Dinner with Friends is a monthly dinner where families from Doorways’ shelters and Transitional Housing Program come together for a meal and educational program. Volunteers are needed for meal preparation and clean-up.

Doorways’ support group is up and running. Volunteers are needed to help with the scripting of a radio PSA as well as secure placements in local papers.

Domestic Violence Month is October 2006. If your company is interested in having representatives from Doorways present a lunch and learn session about the seriousness and facts of domestic violence, please let us know.

^ top

Career Corner

GYMR Public Relations, a nationally ranked independent public relations agency specializing in healthcare and social issues, has two exciting opportunities:

Senior Account Executive, Washington, DC
GYMR seeks to hire a strong Senior Account Executive with at least five years working in the communications industry (healthcare account experience preferred). Candidates must possess media relations skills, strong writing ability, and an understanding of the health policy environment. PR agency experience is preferred, organization and project management skills are required.

Account Supervisor, Washington, DC
GYMR seeks to hire a strong Account Supervisor with six to eight years of healthcare PR experience (PR agency experience required ). Must have had experience as the main client account contact and demonstrate the ability to manage all of the day-to- day activities of a mid-size account. The ideal candidate will bring strong writing, media relations, staff management, advocacy relations and strategic planning experience to the table. An Account Supervisor would also participate in new business presentations and proposal writing.

Comprised of professionals who have excelled in the healthcare practices of the world's largest PR firms, GYMR combines all of the expertise and clients of a national firm, with the heart and soul of a boutique business. Competitive salaries and great benefits are offered. Visit www.gymr.com for more information on the firm. Qualified candidates should email resume and cover letter to careers@gymr.com

Metropolitan Group opportunity:

Office Assistant, Washington, D.C.
Metropolitan Group is a full service strategic and creative services firm that empowers social purpose organizations to build a just and sustainable world. Our D.C. office is seeking a part-time office assistant. The office assistant will provide administrative and organizational support. Tasks would include but not be limited to: filing, word processing, mail merges, formatting documents, preparing marketing materials, making travel arrangements, sending and receiving daily mail and special delivery materials, and assisting with other office needs as needed. Should have an upbeat, creative and professional demeanor, be a team player and be willing to provide top-notch service to clients and co-workers. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Internet search engines required. Familiarity with Macintosh computers a plus.

This a part-time position, 10-15 hours a week. A set schedule is required. Qualified candidates should email their resume to yeason@metgroup.com. Please respond no later than April 14, 2006. Metropolitan Group is an equal opportunity employer. To learn more about Metropolitan Group please visit our website at www.metgroup.com.

^ top

April Professional Development Brown Bag Lunch

WHO: Betty Hudson, Senior Vice President of Communications, National Geographic Society

WHAT: “A View from the Inside”

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at one of the most recognizable education and entertainment brands in the world— the long- standing American (and international) icon -- National Geographic Society? Well, imagine being responsible for all communications and public affairs initiatives undertaken by the Society and its subsidiaries including media and public relations, brand development, employee communications, and related marketing-communications activities!

Imagine no longer. Come “explore” the world that challenges and inspires our speaker, Betty Hudson, on a daily basis --as she juggles her many responsibilities at the Society, which now reaches more than 330 million people each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and its four other magazines; the National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; films; radio programs; books; videos; maps; and interactive media.

Having worked at senior levels in corporate communications for iVillage Inc., Reader’s Digest Association and Spencer Stuart, Hudson brings to her work a wealth of experience in multimedia and global communications, including 25 years in television (most of which was at NBC). Winner of numerous awards, she has made significant contributions to the profession --and through her volunteer work in community affairs.

How does she do it? Come listen –and discover.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 26 from 12:00-2:00

WHERE: National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036

NOTE: Use either of the two entrances --1145 17th Street, NW (on the corner of 17th and M Streets) or 1600 M Street, NW (in the middle of the block, between 16th and 17th Streets )

METRO: Farragut North (red line), Farragut West (orange line)

COST: FREE to members; $15 for non-members

RSVP: Please respond no later than April 24 to Jennifer Bolick at Jennifer@RichfieldProductions.com.

^ top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
:: info@wwpr.org
:: http://www.wwpr.org