What you missed at the January 2007 meeting:

All that glitters IS gold: Karen Plunkett, APR, gave Image and Golden Image award tips

FPRA Volusa County Chapter President

Joe Radcliffe, APR, greets Karen Plunkett, APR, ABC, CFRE

Members learned how to gain recognition for outstanding public relations projects at the January meeting of the Florida Public Relations Volusia County Chapter. "All That Glitters IS Gold: Getting Image Recognition for Your Clients/Companies," was presented by Karen Plunkett, APR, ABC, CFRE. By attending, two members, Kent Donahue and Dai Durrance, won door prizes of free Image award entries, donated by the chapter.

The reasons to enter any awards program are simple, according to Plunkett, past president of the Florida Public Relations Association. Clients like awards and recognition.

"It means something to you, in your resumé, as well as your clients," she said.

Plunkett explained that members may be more ready than they think for an Image Award (hosted by the Orlando Chapter, open to Volusia County) or Golden Image (statewide) entry.

"You probably understand that you shouldn't start a newsletter without asking the audience what they want to hear," she said. "You shouldn't leave this information out of the entry either."

To plan to enter, keep records, including support material, four step files (research, planning,  implementation, evaluation) on each project, or "scrounge up" old records. Include specific objectives, follow entry directions to the letter (double space), and include specific, quantitative objectives.

"Remember, the judges are from outside your area, and may not know anything about your organization or area," said Plunkett.

Another easy way to get started, she added, is to look at past winners' entries, similar to what you've done in your office. Doing so also will help in preparation for the two-page summary, which is 70 percent of the score.

Entries for the Orlando Area Chapter's Image Award competition will be due in late March, with an awards program in April. The 2006 Golden Image Awards banquet will take place on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at 6:00 PM at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida. Members attending the meeting walked away with several award entry samples.

Plunkett, a member of the FPRA Orlando Area Chapter, has won more than 50 Golden Image Awards for her public relations work for clients and employers. She has chaired the Golden Image process for the Orlando area chapter and on the state level, has been a Golden Image judge for 14 years, and has served nationally for several other PR awards programs. Plunkett practices professional services marketing for the largest commercial law firm in Central Florida, Lowndes Drosdick, and is president of the Professional Services Marketing Network in Orlando.
 

Click here to view 2007 and past Golden Image Award winners

Golden Image (statewide) entry form