Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Relay For Life Kick-Off Event!



We planned and executed the Baldwin Co. Relay For Life Kick-Off Event on November 17 at 6 p.m. at Northside Baptist Church. I believe the event went AMAZING! Everything from the decorations to the food went perfectly (minus a minor cupcake mishap!) The decorations from our theme "Celebrate a Memory" were beautiful and the food was very theme-ish and delicious! I think the best thing from the event was that we all become closer as a class. This will be our third class together and it is nice to know that we are finally bonding and becoming friends rather than just classmates. It is nice to know that I have another group of girls to come to and help me when I need them. My favorite part of the event was the cupcake lighting and the slide show. I think it all went beautifully and I know there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Relay For Life is an amazing organization and I am very thankful I was able to be apart in the planning. I learned that from good preparation and planning, your event will be successful. My dad always says Brooke remember the 5 P's...Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. This is true in any aspect of life especially event planning. I believe our PR Admin class did a fabulous job tonight. I wouldn't have changed anything about it. I hope the Relay team was as proud of us as I am. Great job tonight girls :)

Friday, November 6, 2009

An Unwithering Rose



Approximately one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Rose Hartley never thought she would be one of them.

The diagnosis came as quite a shock in March 2002. It was a small spot on her nose right where her glasses sat, refusing to go away. Out of curiosity she went to see dermatologist Dr. Vickie Brown, where the spot was cut off and further examined. Soon after her visit to the doctor, the phone rang and her heart dropped, “I’m sorry Rose, it is cancerous”.

“I was terrified because all I could think was having to continuously get my nose cut into,” said Hartley.

After a second visit to Dr. Brown, she had more tissue removed and the treatment lasted six months. Hartley sincerely hopes she never has to hear those dreadful words again. Although it was a mild case, it was still frightening. There are no small cancers and she was fortunate she caught hers at an early stage. She was able to get through this tough time with God, the wonderful Dr. Brown, the support of her family and friends and of course her loving husband, Phillip Hartley. Phillip is also a cancer survivor and won the battle with prostate cancer.

“I am very active in Relay For Life because I never want my children or grandchildren to have the diagnosis of cancer.”

She began volunteering for Relay For Life as a Team Captain of the Oak Hill Middle School where she worked as the secretary. She retired two years ago and became the registration chair for the Baldwin County Relay For Life.

“Rose is a very dedicated volunteer who is willing to help whenever asked. She and her husband are very involved in the Milledgeville community and enjoy helping people in any way possible,” said Relay For Life Event Chair, Jan Nutt.

Rose Hartley defeated skin cancer and is a true survivor.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Bobcat PRSSA Presents PR Day

The GCSU chapter of PRSSA hosted a "PR Day" on November 4 from 1-5. It was an amazing day and we had a great turn out. There were amazing speakers: Cristy Williams, VP of communications with GE Money, Jena Simonds, director of communications and branding for Streamline Consultants, LLC, Keynote Speaker: Bert DuMars, VP E-Business & Interactive Marketing at Newell Rubbermaid, Katherine Mason, Account Executive with Porter Novelli. Each speaker shared their knowledge of PR and talked on different topics to give us a wide range of information.
I equally enjoyed them all and learned very valuable information. One thing I learned was how to successfully dress for the job I "want" and not the one you are asking for. Always over dress if you are unsure. I learned that you must be determined and pro active in any job. Over achieve and do beyond what is asked of you. It is important to research the company before you apply and have a knowledge of what they are about because you need to know if you would be a good fit with them just as they are wondering that about you. I have always heard it is not what you know, it is who you know, but I was proven wrong. Do not go into a job wondering who you need to get in good with. If you preform to a high standard, you will get noticed and the right people will pay attention to you. It is what you do and not who you know that is important. I learned that is OK to try and negotiate your salary, ask what you think is acceptable for you to live off of but do not be unreasonable. Mr. Bert DuMars shared very useful information about social media because he is very familiar with it. He knows it is important for everyone in the PR field to understand different types of social media because that is the direction all public relations is heading. No one is 100% sure where social media is going-it is all test and learn so as it grows, so must your knowledge of it. Being a junior, I learned that I need to start networking and trying to land as many internships as possible. I should start working on my portfolio and resume and get a head start and start applying for internships this Christmas break and next summer. They shared great insight to the internships available in their firms as well as other places to apply. Each speaker offered their contact information and told us to contact them for further help if needed which is great!
I am very glad that our PRSSA chapter was able to put on such a great session. I believe it was very helpful for all who attended and I look forward to the one next year!