2014 APR Study Sessions Set to Begin with Informational Meeting January 9th

What better way to start the New Year than with plans to earn Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)? Please join us at 6 p.m. on January 9th, 2014 for an informational meeting to learn more. We will talk about the confidential accreditation process and discuss the next round of study session, which are set to begin in February. We'll poll those in attendance for the best days/times for the study sessions and plot a course for you to pass the exam and earn those coveted initials - APR!

Mark your calendars now:

6 p.m., Thursday, January 9th. Thanks to our friends at the Lee County Port Authority Public Affairs Office, we will meet at the Page Field Base Ops building. The address is 5200 Captain Channing Page Drive, and it's just off Fowler Extension behind Page Field Commons. For questions, email Credentialing Chair Dara Winton, APR, CPRC, at pkwinton@earthlink.net.

Save the Date - January 2014 Luncheon

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7th, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza in Bell Tower

Emerging Trends and Myth Busting for Fundraising Auctions

What PR professional has not attended a fundraising auction, particularly during the winter season? Benefit auctions are booming and raised more than $110 billion worldwide for charitable causes last year. Fundraising auctioneer Scott Robertson, who raises $20 million annually and some 70 events, will examine the trends and also the myths associated with fundraising events that use auctions. He’ll offer PR professionals tips from timing and logistics and to winning techniques an strategies.

The speaker:

Scott Robertson, CAI, BAS, is a 20-year veteran auctioneer and principal of Lee County-based Scott Robertson Event Fundraising Consultants/Auctioneers. Serving Florida and the Eastern United States, Robertson is considered one of today’s premier professional benefit auctioneers. A full-time professional Benefit Auctioneer, Robertson annually conducts 60-70 fundraising auctions, raising more than $20 million dollars this past year. He is among an estimated 30 auctioneers nationwide that make fundraising auctions their full time profession. Scott has earned the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) designation from the National Auctioneers Association – a designation earned by fewer than 1 percent of the nation’s auctioneers. For more information visit www.thevoe.com or call (239) 246-2139. 

2013 Merry Mixer Event Recap

With the holidays in full swing and our event calendars filling up with festive events, it was wonderful to get together with friends and meeting and mingling with new. Thanks to all those who were able to attend!

 

Wednesday evening, The Big Cypress Club at Germain Arena was filled with holiday cheer, good food, silent auction items and friends from near and far. Smiles were all around as well as warm wishes and hugs. 

Our silent auction ranged from a professional voice over to toy stuffed otters! We raised approximately $1,200 in profit at this years event.This money will help support student engagement, scholarship opportunities and professional development for the members of the Southwest Chapter!

 

Thank you Samantha Scott, APR and the leadership team for assisting with this event and a very special thank you to Kylee Pitts for organizing the event.