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Upcoming Events & Meetings

Letter from the President

   Wouldn’t it be cool to be a secret agent? Kicking butts, carrying a gun, and driving a fast car sounds a lot more exciting than what I’m doing right now. But considering the dangerous missions, it’s probably less glamorous than I imagine. Rather than think about life-threatening missions, I think I’ll take a minute to review our AWC mission. It probably involves a lower body count. Won’t you join me?
   The Association for Women in Communications is a professional organization that champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era.
   That might sound easier than the kind of missions carried out by real secret agents, but it still takes effort and dedication. We work hard to ensure our chapter is working towards this mission and, this month, I think our efforts are more evident than ever.
   Number one: Championing the advancement of women across all communications disciplines. As a result of our wildly successful Byliner Awards dinner, we have several thousand dollars to award in scholarships to deserving female college students pursuing degrees in communications or related fields. If you know a worthy student who might qualify, please visit our website, download the application and pass it along. Young women are accomplishing great things in their college careers and we are always proud to recognize their accomplishments and potential for continued leadership in the field.
   Number two: Positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era. Since the organization’s inception, AWC has worked tirelessly to promote and defend First Amendment rights. If you’re like me, you might take your First Amendment rights for granted. Personally and professionally, I have never felt these rights to be threatened, so what is there to know? Well…a lot. And that is why our local organization dedicates its March meeting to discussions regarding First Amendment rights and the Freedom of Information issues. I hope you will join us for this timely and relevant meeting, Tuesday March 9th.
   It’s good to know we can accomplish great things without the use of physical force or high-tech surveillance gadgets. But, we couldn’t do it without you, our members. You’re kind of like our secret agents except the mission is certainly more “possible” than “impossible.” Now if only we could get Tom Cruise to join us….

Mandy Ellis, President

Board of Directors

Contact any of our board members below for more information about AWC or for volunteer opportunities.

President: Mandy Ellis, United Way of Central Oklahoma

President-Elect: Elizabeth Taylor, Griffin Communications

Past President: Amanda Lowery, Third Degree Advertising

Treasurer: Vonnie Anderson, Bank of Oklahoma

Secretary: Katelyn Turnbull, Oklahoma City University

Publicity Chair: Heidi Brands, Salvation Army

Newsletter/Web Editor: Kristin Van Nort, The Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation

Membership Recruitment Chair: Sunny Cearley, The Journal Record

Membership Retention Chair: Mandi Briggs, Heritage Trust

Membership Database Chair: Erin Brewer, Redpin Bowling Lounge

Sponsorship Chair: Amy Mitchell, Citizens Caring for Children

Program Chair: Erin Engelke, World Neighbors

Student Outreach Chair: Ashley Barcum, OETA

Byliner Awarders Chair: Margo Ward, Oklahoma Bankers Association

Progress of Women Chair: Kim Holding, Oklahoma City Community College

Freedom of Information Chair: Terri Watkins, Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspectors Office

Holiday Party Co-Chairs: Mickie Lara, Third Degree Advertising and Jennifer Seaton, Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce

Bosses Breakfast Chair: Tina Evans, World Neighbors

The Oklahoma City Chapter of The Association for Women in Communications is proud to be part of the prevailing communications organization for those working in the diverse, but related, communications professions.

Join us on March 9 to

Celebrate Freedom of Edit Image

Information

   Please join us on March 9 to hear keynote speaker, Dr. Joey Senat at our annual Freedom of Information meeting. Senat is a journalism professor at Oklahoma State University and served as the 2007 President of FOI Oklahoma, Inc., a nonprofit representing a statewide coalition of open government advocates. The author of "Mass Communication Law in Oklahoma," Senat has spoken on Oklahoma's FOI laws at professional conferences and is quoted frequently by the media on freedom of information and media law issues. His model letter for public records requests is widely used in the state.
   He received the 2007 Marian Opala First Amendment Award and the 2005 Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists' First Amendment Award. He was named Outstanding Professor in OSU's College of Arts and Sciences for the 1999-2000 school year and received the Mortar Board Honor Society's Golden Torch Award for the college in 2005.
   Prior to becoming a college professor, Senat reported for The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn. and for the Tulsa World.

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 12
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Will Rogers Theatre, Oklahoma City
4233 N. Western Avenue, Oklahoma City
Parking is free and near the rear of the building
Cost: Members $20; Guests $23; Students $15
RSVP: RSVP by Friday, March 5
Click here to RSVP online or email Katelyn Turbull

An invoice will be sent to anyone who cancels their reservation within 48 hours of the meeting

Scholarship Application Now

Available
This year, AWC recognized the accomplishments of women who have made significant contributions to the Oklahoma City community through their professional and volunteer achievements at the 52nd Annual Byliners Event. Proceeds from the event funds educational scholarships to students pursuing a degree in communications. Students from Oklahoma colleges and universities are eligible to apply. Click here for more information and to download the application. Hurry – application deadline is Monday, March 22.

AWC Welcomes Disney Institute to

Oklahoma City on March 11, 2010

   It doesn't take any training to recognize that the world's economy has taken a significant downturn. It does take effective and proven professional development training to guide impacted organizations back to the summit.
   A one-day local workshop, Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence program is a rare and affordable opportunity to learn best business practices from Disney insiders, and discover ways to easily and immediately adapt and apply those best practices to pick up the pace in these slow economic times.
   Organizations from across the nation and around the world have learned proven philosophies, adapted critical lessons, and implemented effective processes to reap the rewards of improvements in leadership, management, service, and brand loyalty.
   Professional development doesn't cost—it pays. It pays by creating a framework of focused energy in a vacuum of uncertainty. It pays by helping an organization gain share in a slow economy. It pays because it has been proven to strengthen employee morale and retention, which will be critical to emerge from tough times.

IMPORTANT: Please use the Association for Women in Communications-Oklahoma City Chapter promotional code AWCMNE to receive $50 OFF PER GUEST when registering. Additional group discounts are available.

TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER GO TO: www.KeysOklahomaCity.com

No prerequisite training required.

Employment Opportunities

Please check our Career(Jobs) section to view the latest job postings.

If you have a job you'd like to post, please e-mail Kristin Van Nort with your posting.