The rules of the contest were simple. Go to the NWR region website <soroptimistnwr.com>; find an interesting Program Focus Report (PFR); print it and get it to the Communications/Image Committee. Each member who submitted a PFR had her name entered into a drawing for a gift basket. The winner of the basket was Kathy Burrer, one of our new members. Congratulations, Kathy!

                          

Here are a few comments from those who visited the NWR website: “It was easier than I thought it would be.” “I was surprised at how much information is available on the website.” “I finally did it!” This, of course, was my favorite comment.

Just because the contest is over doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still check out the NWR website <soroptimistnwr.com>. The site continues to be updated and new information is added regularly. Take some time to browse around. You may be surprised at what you will learn.

Media Maven Brenda Dunlap gave my heart a jump when she told me she had received a couple of Program Focus Reports for activities our club did just last month! This is the first year we have made a point of educating our members about Program Focus Reports. What excited me the most is that the committee/subcommittee heads are responding in such a positive way. What a great example of what education can do. Kudos to all who have submitted PFR’s. Keep up the good efforts!

1.)  If you’re in charge of a “news-worthy” event, then it’s your responsibility to write an article for the newspaper.  If you leave it up to the newspaper, it won’t get done.  If you just send the facts to the newspaper, you’re expecting them to interpret those facts to write the article.  Unfortunately, those facts are often interpreted incorrectly which is embarrassing when the article reaches print.
 
You, alone, know what is important about your activity.  You know all the facts, names, and details.  So take a few minutes and write the article.  The success of our club and its goals depends on accurate, timely articles being published in the paper.
 
2.)  Once the article is written, make a copy to keep for your files, and get the original copy to Kate Creasey.  She will add a short blurb about Soroptimists at the end and turn it into the paper.  We’re having one person be the newspaper contact for two reasons:  a.) She knows who to contact at the Gazette & PDN if there is a problem.  b.) She can make sure we don’t have too many going in at once.  She will make sure the “timeliest” ones go first.
 
3.)  Let Kate know which week you would like the article to appear in the paper.
 
4.)  If you just don’t feel like you can write an article, then please get the facts to Kate and she will write it.  Of course, you then take the chance that it won’t appear the way you want it done.

I want to thank the Communication/Image Committee and the entire club for participating in projects that make a difference. I am grateful to be a part of this wonderful organization. Thank you, friends!

Kathy Purcell
Communication/Image Committee Chair