Become a Mentor
What does it take to be a mentor? A mentor is an active partner who helps a mentee reach his/her professional goals. A mentor is someone who provides guidance, advice and has a vested interest in the success of a promising young professional. To qualify as a mentor, you must be a member of PRSA Chicago and have five or more years of experience. Mentor relationships are structured for a term of six months and require at least 2-3hours of cultivation per month.

Why become a mentor? Mentoring provides an opportunity to affect the future; you transmit a part of yourself to each person you mentor – your ideals, ethics, and professionalism. The mentoring experience provides intellectual stimulation and the satisfaction of contributing to the success of another person. The success ofthe junior person ultimately reflects on the senior person, further adding to your prestige. Connecting with young professionals gives you insight into new trends and technologies and the opportunity to network with tomorrow’s leaders today.

Apply to become a mentor today by filling out the mentorship application form and submit it to Mentorship Program Lead, Jena Johnson.

Become a Mentee
What does it take to be a mentee? A mentee has an eagerness to learn and respect for professional who are more senior than themselves. A mentee is someone who prepares for meetings and conversations, welcomes constructive advice and feedback, and follows up appropriately. A mentee is appreciative of their mentor’s time and interest. To qualify as a mentee, you must be a member of PRSA Chicago, currently hold a full-time position in your field and have less than five years of experience. Mentee relationships are structured for a term of six months and require at least 2-3 hours of cultivation per month.

Why become a mentee? Becoming a mentee creates the opportunity for a formal relationship with the primary goal being to nurture your professional development. A mentor relationship provides you with the opportunity to develop and maximize your potential and career goals with the support and knowledge of a well-established professional in your field. Connecting with experts in your field enables you to build a professional network that will propel your career into success.

Apply to become a mentee today by filling out the mentorship application form and submit it to Mentorship Program Lead, Jena Johnson.

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Jason Mollica is the president of JRMComm, Inc., a public relations and social media marketing consultancy that assists clients in maximizing their online presence. Jason is also the Director of Media Relations for Tweet Drive, a nationwide holiday toy drive that forms communities in the real world through the tools and culture of social media in order to help under privileged children around the globe. In his spare time, Jason writes for the PR Breakfast Club and his own blog, One Guy’s Journey.

Where: Twitter – #YPNChat is the hashtag
When: February 23, 2012, 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. CST

In the “conversation economy,” agency networks, like Publicis Groupe, are migrating to a “boundless,” integrated marketing communications (IMC) approach, with more diversified capabilities and stronger cross-agency partnerships. Learn more about this cutting-edge PR model, up-and-coming job opportunities and how you can prepare for this industry shift as a young professional at “The Evolution of the ‘Boundless’ PR Agency: Mastering IMC and Cross-Agency Relationships at Publicis Groupe.”

Register here!

When: Tuesday, February 28, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Publicis Groupe Offices, Spark Communications Lounge Merchandise Mart, Suite 550, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Cost: Member, Complimentary/Non-member, $15.00/Student, $5.00

It is, of course, the most sensational night that storytelling is celebrated. From screenplay to director, and from characters and music, the story is disassembled into key parts to each be recognized and celebrated, noting the important roles they play in creating the whole package. PR is storytelling at its finest. Not in a fabled way, no. Not the way in which our profession has unfortunately too often been branded “spin.” We tell authentic stories on behalf of our brands, our organizations, our employees and our communities. We often write and produce the stories that reach and affect important stakeholders and we direct these message to be heard, influence, and acted upon.

Looking at PRSA National’s “short list” of new definitions for public relations through the #PRDefined initiative, one would be hard pressed to find an option that didn’t speak to the idea of following a process meant to create, engage and motivate:

1. Public relations is the management function of researching, engaging, communicating, and collaborating with stakeholders in an ethical manner to build mutually beneficial relationships and achieve results.

2. Public relations is a strategic communication process that develops and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their key publics.

3. Public relations is the engagement between organizations and individuals to achieve mutual understanding and realize strategic goals.

You can read more about the new definition options here.

So what part of marketing’s storytelling should PR own? All of it – everywhere conversations are being had, and everywhere we want stories to begin. Today the lines of responsibility among marketing disciplines continue to blur, and public relations needs to continue to play a key role in developing and driving the art and science of communications forward. And, as the curtain goes up, we PR pros must be the masterful orchestrators of the whole grand show.

Lights, camera, action.

This event is open to members and non-members, as well as students. You do not have to be 21 to attend, as the venue is 18+ friendly.

Please email Alison Hamer (ahamer@lcwa.com) with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Click here to register!
When: Thursday, February 9, 6:00-8:00 pm
Where: Blue Agave, 1 W Maple Street, Chicago
Cost: Free

Register for this event!

Rob will share essential communications lessons for how to best present yourself in various career situations, including networking events, job interviews and interactions with clients. Attendees will learn to compose an elevator pitch, and pair up with others to practice delivering and listening to pitches. Come prepared with your resume in mind to learn how to write your elevator pitch! Space is limited for this event – early registration is recommended.

January Featured Young Pro:
Want to be our January featured young pro? Email ahamer@lcwa.com for details.

When: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Edelman, 200 East Randolph Street, Floor 66, Chicago, IL 60601
Cost: Member, Complimentary/Non-member, 15.00/Student,$5.00
**You must pre-register for this event. Please bring a photo ID.

About Rob Biesenbach
PRSA Chicago member Rob Biesenbach is a corporate communications consultant, actor, author and speaker. He is a former VP at Ogilvy PR Worldwide and press secretary to the Ohio Attorney General, among other positions. He is also a Second City trained actor and improviser who has appeared in more than 150 stage, commercial and film productions in the past decade. His book, Act Like You Mean Business: Essential Communication Lessons from Stage and Screen, was published in 2011 by Brigantine Media.

At the end of 2011, PRSA National launched a collaborative, industry-wide advocacy campaign aiming to modernize the definition of public relations. After careful consideration and significant feedback from many of you, as well as the National Board and partner organizations, PRSA National is taking a refreshed perspective and implementing a slightly modified direction for #PRDefined — one that will allow for greater input from local Chapters and the profession in a manner befitting the project’s stature.

Following a three-week public-input phase, the feedback collected will be used to finalize the candidate definitions as they go up for public vote.

The candidate draft definitions that were developed in conjunction with the partner organizations may be found here.

Chapter members can add their opinions of each candidate definition here. We encourage you to tweet your thoughts using the hashtag  #PRDefined. Our Chapter’s input will prove invaluable in ensuring the candidate definitions meet the profession’s need for a modern definition for the new era of public relations.

Thank you for your participation!

PRSA Chicago’s Skyline Awards program is an annual competition that recognizes projects and programs demonstrating excellence in the public relations profession. The awards competition is open to all public relations practitioners who reside in Chicagoland. A significant portion of the work in all entries must have been implemented between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2011.

The Skyline Awards program is a PRSA Silver and Bronze Anvil Program. Simply put, practitioners entering programs and projects for Silver or Bronze Anvil consideration may submit copies of the same materials to PRSA Chicago’s Skyline Awards.

This year, there are more than 50 categories for award entries, providing ample opportunity to submit your best work.

CLICK HERE to download the entry form

Entry Deadlines

· Payment,entries and all supplemental materials must be received by 5 p.m. on the day of the deadline.
· Earlybird deadline is 5:00 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. Early deadline fees: $95 formembers and $120 for non-members.
· The final (late) deadline is 5:00 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, 2012. Late deadline fees: $115 for members and $140 for non-members.
· No entries will be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012.

Pre-paying your luncheons ensures that you do not have to register again all year, and guarantees that your printed badge will be waiting for you each month. If you are interested in this pre-payment option, please contact Ann Scheible at mail@prsachicago.com. Refunds are not available with this pre-pay opportunity.