Greetings, fellow PR practitioners!

At the Jan. 20 professional development luncheon, I challenged members and guests of the PRSA-California Inland Empire Chapter to greet the year 2010 with the #1 resolution to "dream more while awake."

A week later, while attending a faculty art event for my employer, California Baptist University, I encountered a retired university professor who is doing just that.

Bill Timmons, whose oil paintings were exhibited along with other professors' artwork at a gallery in the Riverside Plaza that evening, told me his story about 27 years' living, working, and traveling in more than 40 countries in the world. Click here to read the rest of the story (there's a message in here, I promise).

February Luncheon: How Web 2.0 Can Help Your ROI

On Wednesday, February 17, from 11:30 to 1 p.m. at the Canyon Crest Country Club in Riverside, join us for our monthly professional development luncheon. This month, learn about how Web 2.0 can help your ROI.

It's the buzz term that's dominated our trade papers, infiltrated webinars and it's what your boss is talking about. Not understanding web 2.0 technologies and how to effectively implement them could ultimately affect your bottom-line. Come learn how to measure your success, implement strategies to reach your audience best, and increase ROI. 

Speaker: Aaron Norris, VP of Marketing, The Norris Group, will walk you through one of the most relevant marketing and public relations business books of the decade: Groundswell: Winning In A World Transformed By Social Technologies. Don't miss it! Register today!

PRSSA CSUSB Chapter needs guest speakers.

PRSA- California Inland Empire Chapter supports Public Relations Students Society of America (PRSSA) CSUSB Chapter serving as a resource for various needs and projects. 

PRSSA CSUSB Chapter invites professionals in various Public Relations fields to guest speak at one or more of the Chapter's bi-weekly meetings. Linked below are meeting dates and times, along with the topic of the week.

Giving back is a privilege.  Your experience can be used to educate and inspire PRSA's future generation of professionals.  PRSSA students are likely to be your best source for future entry-level employees. So please contact PRSSA CSUSB and schedule your small speaking-engagement. For topics and available dates, click here.

PRSSA CSUSB Contacts:

Alexandria Lopez, PRSSA VP & Guest speaker coordinator

E-mail: alexandriamlopez@gmail.com

Phone: (951) 533-8261

An "Oasis of Opportunities"
Awaits You!

Riviera Resort and Spa, Palm Springs, April 28-30

Envision:  Business that reshapes your ROI. 

The 2010 PRSA Western District Conference promises an "Oasis of Opportunities" to learn from, and network with, top-notch thinkers, speakers and practitioners, on how to deliver measurable results and boost your media relations strategy. 

Keynote speaker Mark Weiner, CEO of PRIME Research and author of "Unleashing the Power of PR," helps navigate your organization through today's real-time media landscape.  Meet West Coast media contacts from major networks, magazines and blogs and industry experts. Register today at prsaie.org.

Deadline for APR Application March 1st

All interested candidates must complete the national application and have it submitted by March 1, to be included in the first collaboration between PRSA-Inland Empire and PRSA-San Diego.

Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice, and who are selected based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective, and sound professional judgment. It doesn't hurt that APRs earn, on average, 25% more than non- APR professionals.

For more information about the program, costs, deadlines, and resources, visit the members' area resources or contact Aaron Norris directly, at aaron@thenorrisgroup.com

Be sure to check out the great February membership promotion opportunity offered by PRSA-National. When you join, your National Society membership allows you to affiliate with our local group. We'd love to have you join us at the California Inland Empire Chapter. Join and you will recoup your investment within a matter of months, with savings gained through discounted member rates at luncheons, recognition events, and mixers. See the promotional flier or contact Shanna Palau for more information.

Welcome New Member: Vanessa A. Barrientos Public Relations Manager TCM Group, Ontario Vanessa Barrientos has worked for TCM Group for three years as the Public Relations Manager. TCM Group is a construction management firm with in-house public relations services for sensitive construction projects.  She is responsible for all public relations activities including client/project management and community outreach.  Vanessa says her hands-on approach for developing and implementing tailored campaigns helps mitigate issues for projects or goals. In 2009, Vanessa received the "30 Under 30 Latino/Native American Recognition Award" from Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto).