PUBLIC RELATIONS FORUM

The first item of discussion was agreement by all present that the number one problem confronting our PR program has been the difficulty in identifying the person at the local chapter level who actually is responsible for the public relations efforts for the chapter. The current membership drive and the resultant database should make great strides in solving this basic problem. Our thanks in advance to Dick Girvin.

The basic recommendation for PR committee action in 2002 was to continue to build alliance and networking with the sixteen district PR/Mktg vice-presidents and the district chapter coaches. (This thought was strongly reinforced by Reed Sampson in his remarks later at the PROBE annual meeting). Mutual benefit can certainly be expected when we work with these men of expertise and influence.

It was agreed that the P.R.O.T.Y. is still important and should be continued, particularly encouraged at the district level. Emphasis should still be recognition of merit and minimizing of the "contest" attitude. The Outstanding Achievement Awards instituted by President Grady Kerr are very beneficial and should also be continued.

In a brief brainstorming session the following ideas were presented:

• Find a person in each district who would arrange a meeting at the district convention for all the local PR/BEs to get acquainted and exchange ideas;
• most districts have an annual educational or training seminar, make one session for PR and/or BEs;
• secure and advertise a guest speaker for the annual PROBE meeting to build attendance (we can't get Acoustix to come back every year).