Summer Workshop Set For June 29: Master, Manage and Measure Your Social Media

Do you find yourself wondering how to integrate social media into your public relations programs but don't know where to start? According to CNW's Social Media Reality Check 2.0 survey, the practitioner/audience gap is closing. While Facebook and YouTube are still the top two go-to sites for users, others that have surged in usage (besides Twitter) since the 2009 study include Wikipedia, Skype and LinkedIn.

Clearly, the use of social media is increasing in public relations and we need to be strategic when implementing it. Rebecca Markarian of the Social Method will help us plan, create policy and a process for our social media endeavors. Join us for this hands-on workshop and don't forget to bring your laptop. You can attend all three sessions or session one only.

For more information and registration, go to: PRSA CIEC Summer Workshop or contact president@prsaie.org.

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About Rebecca Markarian, the Social Method Founder/CEO

the Social Method focuses on helping businesses of all sizes learn the social media ropes and start engaging with their customers and developing deeper relationships. Unlike other agencies, we are focused on helping your team develop and maintain top notch social media skills so that they can focus where it's most needed - on the customer.

Overachievers Wanted! 2011 Rising Star Scholarship Deadline is June 30

The Rising Star Scholarship was established in 2009 by PRSA CIEC to assist members of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) living in or attending an Inland Empire university in their pursuit of a career in the public relations field. This year $1,000 scholarships will be awarded for up to two (2) outstanding students.

To be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet all of the following criteria: 

• Full-time student at an accredited four-year college or university based in the Inland Empire or an Inland Empire resident commuting to and enrolled at an adjacent campus with a junior or senior status in the upcoming academic year
• Be a member in good standing of PRSSA
• Major in public relations, communications, journalism or a related field
• Hold a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale)

For more information contact scholarships@prsaie.org or 909-979-7294. The application form and guidelines can be found here: Rising Star Application.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 2011 PRSA CIEC Polaris Awards will be held on October 12

PRSA-CIEC is pleased to announce that the 2011 Polaris Awards will be held on Wednesday, October 12 at the beautiful Center Stage Theater in Fontana. The Polaris Awards is our annual award program which recognizes the very best in strategic public relations programs and tactical execution in the Inland Empire.

Keep an eye out for the 2011 Call for Entries, with complete details including instructions on how to enter, judging categories and entry forms. The Call for Entries will be available soon on prsaie.org and mailed to all members! The awards are open to all public relations practitioners who work in San Bernardino and Riverside counties or who have completed work for Inland Empire-based clients.

For additional information about the Polaris Awards, or if you would like to volunteer to serve on planning committee or become a sponsor, please contact Committee Chair Gwen Kleist at awards@prsaie.org.

Thinking about your APR?

Are you a life-long learner looking to enhance your career? Then the APR (Accredited in Public Relations) credential is right for you. Established in 1964, the Accreditation Program is the profession's only national post-graduate certification program. The APR designation proves you have successfully demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations effectively in today's business arena.

You're just in time to start preparing for the Fall Readiness Review. PRSA CIEC is teaming up with our sister San Diego chapter to prepare our members for the APR credential. For more information on the APR timeline, cost, books, and testing, check out our APR PRSA CIEC handout on our website. If you have any questions, contact our APR chair, Aaron Norris at APR@prsaie.org.

APR Important Dates

Speaking of APR...Presenting Christopher Perez, APR

Christopher Perez, owner of Chris Perez Consulting in Corona and past PRSA CIEC president, has successfully completed the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations, entitling him to use the APR professional designation. The announcement was made by the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), a consortium of nine professional communication organizations that directs this competency certification program.

During his 25 years in the profession, Chris has developed and managed communication campaigns for over 80 clients in diverse industries. He has owned and operated his own PR consultancy for over 10 years, as well as worked for several of the largest PR agencies in the world. Chris is also an educator, currently serving as a part-time faculty member for Chapman University in Orange.

Congratulations Chris from all your friends at PRSA CIEC!

Speakers Announced for PRSA 2011 International Conference

The PRSA 2011 International Conference is slated for Oct. 15-18 in Orlando, Florida. With this magical city as the backdrop, learn the latest strategies in communications from the visionaries who imagine and create the most innovative techniques in the business. This year's conference will gather more than 150 experts that will lead informative discussions on key issues facing the Public Relations Industry.

The PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) is delighted to announce this year's keynote presenters:

• Soledad O'Brien, special investigations correspondent, CNN; host, "In America," CNN.

• Chris Brogan, president, Human Business Works; co-founder, PodCamp; blogger,ChrisBrogan.com; The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal best-selling author; Monthly Columnist, Entrepreneur.

• Peter Diamandis, chairman and CEO, X PRIZE Foundation

For more information, visit http://www.prsa.org/Conferences/InternationalConference. Save $200 when you register by August 26, 2011.