Welcome to 2023: Another Year of Opportunity

Welcome to 2023: Another Year of Opportunity

by | Jan 31, 2023 | Featured

Written by Meghan Carver, President of the PRSA Kansas Chapter 

Hello, friend! I hope 2023 has brought you joy and fruitful reflection so far. This year, alongside our president-elect Ti’Juana Hardwell, I hope to lead the PRSA Kansas chapter with intention, humility and a heart for service. I’m a big fan of remaining grounded in your “why”, so I’d like to start the year by sharing mine with you. 

Eight years ago, I was eager to start as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed freshman at Wichita State. I had one goal for college: focus on my career so I could land a job before graduation.

PRSSA was the first student organization that met my much-too-high expectations. I would learn from upperclassmen, network with Wichita-area professionals, travel to professional development conferences across the nation and experience leading as PRSSA president with the help of my incredible advisor, Eric Wilson. 

I invested in relationships that eventually became colleagues, friends (shoutout to fellow board members Ashtyn and Madison), supervisors (looking at you, Cynthia) and mentors (Wendy and I still grab lunch, which we need to do again soon). I graduated with wonderful memories, a strong foundation for my career and an invitation to join PRSA. 

I continue my work in this organization not only because it gave so much to me, but because communicators play a critical role in our communities. Communicators have near final say in the messages organizations put out into the world – down to the syllable.

They shape how, when and if we think about vital issues like politics, health, education, the products we consume and services we employ. It is critical that professionals like us are equipped with the tools, resources and connections we need to best inform our stakeholders. That means mentoring the next generation of communicators diverse in thought and background, testing our knowledge through accreditation, bringing critical thought to conversations about ethics and asking questions to develop an impactful strategy. I believe that means joining PRSA. 

Whether marketing, communications, social media or PR is in your title or not, take this as your formal invitation: engage with PRSA Kansas! Our board is dedicated to advancing you and your organization through networking, programming and education. 

Soon, I’ll share our key goals for 2023 with the hope that you hold us accountable, and, if you feel so moved, help us reach them. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out via email at meghancarver@hotmail.com. I’d love to hear from you and connect you with our outstanding board members!

Taking the APR Journey

Taking the APR Journey

by | Jan 10, 2023 | Featured, Uncategorized

Congratulations to PRSA Kansas’ most recent APRs!

It’s a “must do” for PR pros.

Written by Akeam Ashford, APR and Rachel Bell, APR

That’s the sentiment of PRSA Kansas’ two most recent APRs. 

Akeam Ashford and Rachel Bell have worked in communications for 15+ years, and they both agree that earning the APR accreditation is a great way to reinforce the value of communications, leaving you inspired and motivated.

We caught up with these two PR superstars and asked them about their APR journey.

Why did you decide to pursue APR accreditation?

Akeam: The APR designation is more than an acronym for me. Personally, it’s a symbol of achievement and commitment.

Rachel: I am on the leadership team of a public organization and one of our stated values is to always be improving. Getting my APR accreditation is one of the ways I could honor and live those values.  

What is something you learned during the process?

Akeam: What was really eye-opening for me was the idea that PR professionals have strategic skillset that can help businesses grow revenue. 

Rachel: The role of Public Relations has evolved over the years at my organization. During the APR process, I was reminded of how fortunate I am to work with people who see the value in what my team brings to the table. We have a voice in the planning and strategy phases and aren’t brought in later, as is the case with others who were going through the process with me.

What advice do you have for PR pros who are thinking about pursuing accreditation?

Akeam:  In the words of Nike, “Just do it!” You will find the most difficult part of attaining your APR is filling out the paperwork to apply for the designation. The process can be difficult to navigate, but PRSA national is there to help, as well as other chapter APR’s. The material is interesting and you’ve done it in some form or another; studying for your APR is really about understanding a systematic way (RPIE) of working through communication campaigns. You will feel motivated and empowered going through the process. 

Rachel: It’s never too late to become accredited, but I wish I’d done it earlier. We all get busy “doing” and sometimes we can lose sight of the “why”. Going through the process made me re-focus on the bigger goals of our public relations efforts.

According to the PRSA website, APR preparation ensures you have the tools to navigate challenging responsibilities, the vision to execute a larger strategy, and the expertise to be a thought leader. Once you indicate your interest in accreditation and have been accepted as an appropriate candidate, PR pros have one year to complete a written test and conduct a panel presentation.

Receiving this recognition demonstrates your proficiency and alignment with the cutting-edge PR practices and knowledge that will take you to the next level in your career.

If you are interested in pursuing your public relations APR accreditation contact Cynthia Wentworth, APR, PRSA Kansas’ accreditation chair at cynthia@greaterwichitapartnership.org. 

PRSA Ethics Month

PRSA Ethics Month

by | Sep 1, 2022 | Featured

September is PRSA Ethics Month

Examine a local example to sharpen your ethical skills

Written by Jamie Reed, APR, PRSA Ethics Chair

During this, PRSA Ethics Month, let us consider a local example of how a possible exclusion of information resulted in questions about local government transparency – and how that relates to PRSA’s code provisions of ethical conduct.

On August 21, Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Angela Caudillo announced that a hand recount of the Value Them Both amendment votes had verified the original results. The amendment – which sought to remove abortion rights from the Kansas Constitution – was defeated in the August 2 primary, and a recount was requested and funded by Mark Gietzen, chairman of Kansas Coalition for Life.

Observers were on hand during several days of the recount at the Historic Courthouse in downtown Wichita. However, confusion ensued when the work continued on August 20 at a new location, the Sedgwick County Extension Office.

According to an August 22 article in The Wichita Eagle, “two public statements issued after election workers finished counting (on Friday, August 20) failed to mention work was continuing at the Sedgwick County Extension Office on Saturday. Instead, they mentioned Board of Canvass meetings at the Historic Courthouse in downtown Wichita.”

Gietzen has now questioned whether the Sedgwick County Election Office violated state open meetings law “when it delayed its recount canvass and continued working Saturday without notifying the public of the time, place and date of the recount activities. Sedgwick County Election Commission Angela Caudillo said no observers were barred from watching the recount… Gietzen said observers were unable to watch the recount on Saturday because they didn’t know ballots were still being counted or where the process was playing out.” (The Wichita Eagle)

As PRSA members, we are expected to advance the free flow of accurate and truthful information because it is “essential to serving the public interest and contributing to informed decision making in a democratic society.” Two code provisions of ethical conduct apply in this particular case: Free Flow of Information and Disclosure of Information.

The intent of PRSA’s Free Flow of Information provision is to maintain the integrity of relationships with media, government officials and the public, and to aid informed decision making. Within this provision, we are to preserve integrity in communication and be honest and accurate. A spokesperson should include ALL pertinent information in public statements, especially the time, date and location of an activity intended to be open to the public.

The other code provision, Disclosure of Information, states that we as practitioners “build trust with the public by revealing all information needed for responsible decision making” and that we avoid all deceptive practices.

Knowing what we do about the situation described above, a “sin of omission” – intentional or not – has resulted in producing more questions than answers about a democratic process when it simply didn’t need to be this complicated.

Black History Month: Akeam Ashford

Black History Month: Akeam Ashford

by | Feb 24, 2022 | Featured

Meet Akeam Ashford

Professional Kansas Communicator

 1. How many years have you given to the communication field? 

14 years

2. What motivated you to become a professional communicator/journalist? What are you most proud of?

I was bullied as a kid. Family and close friends introduced me to Julius Hunter, he’s a former journalist with KSDK in Saint Louis, Missouri. I finally saw someone on TV in a prominent role who looked and sounded like me. That’s when I decided I wasn’t different, and could make a living with my talents. I’m most proud of my work in PR because it allowed me to tell the stories of people, and help find solutions for others.

3. How has your work in the communication field been inspiring and/or informative for you?

As a journalist/PR professional, I get to question those in power and ask them questions to get at the reason why things happen and why they make the decisions they do. Journalism is the one true profession where you can learn about so many different industries and meet as many people as you’d like.

4. What advice or insight would you like to share with other aspiring communicators?

I encourage journalist today to continue to ask the tough questions, push the envelope, and use your voice for good. Journalism is hard and can take over your life. Allow it to become part of the fabric of who you are, and tell the stories nobody wants to tell anymore.

5. Please also share about your current role. Feel free to share any ways the general public could support or become involved with your business, organization or causes.

I currently serve as the director of strategic communication for Sedgwick County. It’s a “big boy” job, that I never thought I would be able to reach as a Black Man. There are people who used to sit in my role who talked down on me, made every intention to make sure I didn’t succeed. I first give all the glory to God, then my family, and the friends I’ve made in Wichita. This community is truly magical, and uplifting. There are so many wonderful people who contribute to our community – I’m just lucky to be one of many who get to call this place home and shape the future of our region. I’m so happy to be in this role, and to serve as the first black president of PRSA Kansas! 

Black History Month: Felicia Rolfe

Black History Month: Felicia Rolfe

by | Feb 24, 2022 | Featured

Meet Felicia Rolfe

Professional Kansas Communicator

1. How many years have you given to the communication field?

I have over 20 years‘ experience as an anchor and reporter.

2. What motivated you to become a professional communicator/journalist? What are you most proud of?

I love to tell impactful stories that make a difference in the community.

I’m most proud that the work I do helps save lives.

3. How has your work in the communication field been inspiring and/or informative for you?

I’m inspired by the stories about people going the extra mile to help others in their time of need.

4. What advice or insight would you like to share with other aspiring communicators?

Be confident, objective and dedicated.

5. Please also share about your current role. Feel free to share any ways the general public could support or become involved with your business, organization or causes.

I’m currently a morning and noon anchor for KWCH and KSCW. I also work on special reports, and would like to encourage the community to forward stories ideas that we could share with our viewers.

 

Black History Month: Greg “Hitman” Williams

Black History Month: Greg “Hitman” Williams

by | Feb 24, 2022 | Featured

Meet Greg “Hitman” Williams

Professional Kansas Communicator

1. How many years have you given to the communication field?

I started out at the age of 14 when I was a sophomore at Wichita East High School. I have been in broadcasting for 46 years.

2. What motivated you to become a professional communicator/journalist? What are you most proud of?

I was always a radio nerd. I used to do impersonations in talent shows at the age of 8. I had a gift of impersonating the voices of many celebrities at that time. I would emulate the voices of local radio personalities at that time. CJ the DJ, and Tevis “Mike” were two of the hottest radio DJs in Wichita at that time. As a kid, I wanted to be like those guys. They were so connected to the community and so involved with everything. If it was happening, then those two guys were a part of it. I knew if I was going to have a long sustainable and successful career that everything started by being connected to your community. I have never ever forgotten that.

3. How has your work in the communication field been inspiring and/or informative for you?

I am blessed. I am doing the one thing I ever wanted to do in life. The fact that I am even in radio in and of itself is a miracle. As a child, I had a speech impediment that required speech therapy from the age of 8 through my years in college. Early in my career, I had to really concentrate on speaking clearly and correctly. My mother was a school teacher, and she did not want me to be bullied by other kids in my neighborhood. So speaking for a living, life, and career is all a bit surreal. Early on in my career, I believed that whatever you put your mind to, you can and you will have success if you are willing to be your very best. My career in broadcasting has been a mirror of all the technological advancements that are still happening now and will continue to happen long after my life is over. I have played music on records with turntables, cart machines, digital audio wave files, and beyond. A technological career in broadcasting is always a forever evolving, growing, and advancing profession that requires the ability to adapt, change, grow, and advance.

4. What advice or insight would you like to share with other aspiring communicators?

Today’s communication is not limited to radio and television broadcast professionals. Today, anyone can podcast, Tik Tok, and post not only audio and video but also present content of any kind in any multitude of opinions, thoughts, and engagement. As long as there are people there is an opportunity for anyone to become a “social media influencer”. In many ways, radio and television professionals were the pioneers of “influencers”. There is so much information and content available to us at the click of a mouse. As a result, we are more informed and more aware than at any other time in the history of mankind. Today’s communications landscape provides a forum for anyone to talk about whatever they feel passionate about. It doesn’t matter what the subject matter may be, because whatever it is, there will always be someone willing to know, learn, and hear more about it or better yet state their own thoughts and comments.

5. Please also share about your current role. Feel free to share anyways the general public could support or become involved with your business, organization, or causes.

Currently, I am the brand manager for KDGS-FM (Power 93.5). This means I have been entrusted by my employers to be responsible for the brand that is Power 93.5. We have a target audience we seek to communicate not only to but also with. So my responsibilities are beyond what comes out of the speakers on your radio or if you are listening online. I am responsible for every podium of representation of this brand. On social media, on the internet, and on your radio. Radio is still the number one mass communication tool in the nation. Over 92% of Americans listen and interact with broadcast radio every single day. Compared to other mass media tools…newspapers, television, streaming, magazines, etc…radio is still the dominant mass communication tool in the nation and around the world. The great advantage that radio has and will always have is the fact that of all the mass communication platforms, radio is the only one that is mobile. Today’s broadcast radio can be heard online, on your mobile devices, and your choice of transportation. That is why radio will always exist and always have a presence in the daily engagement for millions in our country and around the world.