PR - Shall we?

By John Sugg, VP public relations

We have been unable to quantify any substantial change in PR activities over the last couple of years, but have continued to try activities that will help us to our main goal, giving aid and inspiration to men working for their home chapter at the local level.

We know that there is a lot of good PR being practiced, but feel that so far we have been unable to give due credit to the men who are doing the job. Our PROTY contest each year has recognized very worthy winners, but with far less entrants than in the BETY contest. Our concern is not with the contest itself, but we need input from PR men - not only of projects and/or accomplishments (or lack of success), but the motivational and philosophical approaches that drive a project.

Because of the difficulty in identifying chapter PR men, I am convinced that the best approach to promoting PROBE PR is through COTS. Robb Ollett, who heads up the training sessions for "Marketing/PR," has done an outstanding job in preparation for the upcoming COTS seminars. He has been most cooperative and has offered several valuable suggestions.

On Aug. 29, 1999, he e-mails, "I'd like PROBE to put its collective wisdoms together and create a full-blown five-class session outline, enumerating what would be taught at each session." We must take advantage of such thinking, and listen closely to the excellent staff PR men in Kenosha, Brian Lynch and Reed Sampson.

The Marketing/PR COTS presentation uses the same outline in all districts.

All the instructors are top drawer, but they will have different opinions and approaches for any given subject.

It would be a great assist to us if each of you who read this and attend the Marketing/PR classes would speak up during the sessions, emphasizing PROBE membership and informing others in the class about the PROTY contest.

And it would really be an assist if you would take a few minutes and send me a note with the reactions and possible comments from the other students and from the instructor.

Lord, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff, and nudge me when I've said enough.

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICERS...

Do you have a great idea that you've used in your chapter? Please share it with others. Write about the idea: Its concept, how it was operated and the results. Send your article to John Sugg, Vice President Public Relations Officers for publication in PROBEmoter. Contact information is on the index page.

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