At the conclusion of the Presidents’ Luncheon, 15 former FPRA State Presidents gathered on stage for the annual “passing of the gavel.” This is a fun time for each former state president to share highlights and funny stories from their year as state president.

Participants (pictured from right to left) were Joseph J. Curly, APR, CPRC (1982); Bob E. Gernert, Jr., APR, CPRC (1985); Marilyn Waters, APR, CPRC (1993); Jay Rayburn, II, Ph.D., APR, CPRC (1994); Lynn Schneider, APR, CPRC (1999); Rick Oppenheim, APR, CPRC (2000); Kathleen M. Giery, APR, CPRC (2001); Tricia Ridgway-Kaputska, APR, CPRC (2002); John McShaffrey, APR (2003); Leah Lauderdale, APR, CPRC (2005); Adrienne Moore, APR, CPRC (2006); Jessica Rye, APR, CPRC (2007); Suzanne Sparling, APR (2008); Lanette Hart, APR, CPRC (2009) and Sheridan Becht, APR, CPRC (2010).

During today’s Presidents’ Luncheon, the following tribute video was shown to honor former FPRA state president Karen Plunkett, APR.

A 22-year veteran of the industry, Karen was a leader who cared deeply about the profession. She was a tireless advocate for public relations education and previously chaired the Florida Public Relations Education Foundation.

Karen was a former Florida Public Relations Association State President (1991) and FPRA Orlando Area Chapter President (1987). She was named Central Florida PR Professional of the Year in 1989 and FPRA Member of the Year in 1994. In 2008, she received FPRA’s highest individual honor — the John W. Dillin Award.

In recent years, Karen taught public relations at Rollins College and served as faculty advisor to its FPRA student chapter, Communiqué. She loved her students and was available for them at any hour, for any reason.

Karen was an inspiring role model, mentor, teacher, friend and colleague to many.

We as an association mourn Karen’s passing and will forever remember her contributions to FPRA and the profession she loved.

This tribute video was lovingly produced by Bob E. Gernert, Jr., APR, CPRC of the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter.

One of the highlights of the Presidents’ Luncheon is the Dillin Dessert. Named in honor of the founder of FPRA, Lt. Col. John W. Dillin. The dessert is sponsored by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter.

This year’s dessert is a demisphere of rich, lush Belgian chocolate topped with floral-shaped crest of whipped cream and a chocolate-striped pirouline, surrounded by ruby-colored pools of caramelized pineapple and Chambord raspberry.

FPRA State President Sheridan Becht, APR, CPRC has handed out his annual President’s Awards:

President’s Award for Accreditation and Certification – Gainesville Chapter
President’s Award for Community Partnership – Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter, Central West Coast Chapter
President’s Award for Integrated Communications – Capital Chapter
President’s Award for Leadership Development – Southwest Florida Chapter
President’s Award for Management & Administration – Northwest Florida Coast Chapter
President’s Award for Member Services – Ocala Chapter
President’s Award for Membership Growth & Retention -Tampa Bay Chapter
President’s Award for Outstanding Public Relations – Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter
President’s Award for Professional Development – Capital Chapter
President’s Award for Professional Recognition -Treasure Coast Chapter
President’s Award for Vision – Pensacola Chapter

Congratulations to all the Chapters!

And now…. the Dillin Dessert!

Jeff Nall, APR, CPRC FPRA Vice President of Accreditation/Certification honored these individuals who received their accreditation or certification during the past year:

Accredited in Public Relations
Ameila Bell, APR
Lois Brauckmuller, APR
Laura Byrnes, APR
Maria Lynn Coppola, APR
Amanda Fliger, APR
Amanda Forbes, APR
Erin Glover, APR
Cynthia Lambert, APR
Ivette Marques, APR
Kathy Richardson, APR
Lindsey Robertson, APR
Caron Sjoberg, APR
Lisa Varner, APR
Julie Yeh, APR
William Wade, APR

Certified Public Relations Counselor
Sheridan Becht, APR, CPRC
Terri Behling, APR, CPRC
Michelle Coats, APR, CPRC
Andrea Farmer, APR, CPRC
Sandra C. Hice, APR, CPRC
Roger Pynn, APR, CPRC
Roy Reid, APR, CPRC
Jessica Rye, APR, CPRC
Caron Sjoberg, APR, CPRC
Colleen Thayer, APR, CPRC

Coming up next is the Presidents’ Luncheon. This is a very special event which honors the work of outstanding individuals and chapters in the past year, including the coveted Chapter of the Year and Chapter President of the Year awards.

Scholarship winners will be announced and PR professionals who recently earned their accreditation or certification in public relations will be honored.

The food highlight of the luncheon is the famous Dillin Dessert, sponsored by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter. More on that in just a bit.

How do you take non-profit board members and turn them into PR ambassadors so they help promote your mission, market your organization, recruit volunteers or raise funds?  Sound impossible?  Nope.

This interactive session by Cheryl Stock, president and CEO of C. Stock & Associates, Inc., explained the roles and responsibilities of board members, core principles of leadership and about the MAPS method of engaging and motivating your board to really get them “on board.”

Stock began full-time consulting, speaking, training and coaching after a successful 25-year career in marketing, sales and management.  She has a master’s degree in non-profit administration, is a certified trainer in goal setting and motivation, is licensed in “Crucial Conversations,” a communication improvement/conflict resolution program, and is one of 325 trainers with Skill-Path, a leading provider of training programs for organizations worldwide. She received the “Trainer of the Year” award from the Non-Profit Resource Center in 2003 and is currently writing a book about strategies for excellence.
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Debbie Mason, APR, Fellow PRSA has worked with many non-profit and corporate clients over the last 25 years and has earned numerous honors and awards  including a 2003 silver anvil from PRSA. She led a session discussing what qualities bosses look for in outstanding employees as well as some of the most common pitfalls employees face. In “The Big Picture,” positioning yourself as a valued employee is one of the most important things to consider.

 WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOUR BOSS WANTS?

1. Problem Solver – They really want you to be both aware and proactive. A PR professional’s role is to find options when there’s a problem. Be pragmatic yet creative, resourceful, responsible and reliable. Be realistic within your business’ limitations while thinking outside the box. What will fill our needs?
2. Results-Oriented – Bosses don’t want to know how busy you are, they want to hear what your results are. Most bosses became bosses because they are results-oriented. Don’t bog your boss down with the process before you tell them the intended results. Tell them the end of the story before the plot.  Be focused, disciplined, outcome-driven, a team leader, and most of all, give NO EXCUSES.  Your boss is looking for your ability to see the big picture and be able to help other people understand. A lot of our role in PR is being an interpreter – telling our story to the media and helping create that team environment through your boss’ goals.
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