January Newsletter – Communicators in Demand
Happy New Year and New Beginnings!
As this is my first time reaching out to you as the IABC DC chapter President, allow me to say Happy New Year and welcome to our current and future members. We hope to see you all soon.
‘Soon’ is the word we’ve been accustomed to hearing because everything will be better soon, correct? I believe it will be because perseverance is in our DNA. It’s been difficult to be remote and not have in-person events, whether a simple happy hour or with a great speaker from the communication profession.
Our chapter though, I would argue, is a model of perseverance. Our volunteer Board of Directors accomplished much in 2021 through a team effort and the leadership of our Immediate Past President Heather McElrath. Heather, thank you on behalf of the Board!
2021 Highlights:
- Continuing our pivot to quality virtual events
- Rebuilding our chapter website
- Financially stabilizing the chapter
- Increasing our social media outreach
- Creating Standard Operating Procedures to help the chapter run smoothly
- Updating our bylaws
- Rebuilding our Board
There are more than the above highlights. What allowed us to accomplish so much was a passionate Board and group of volunteers that truly care about their profession and its chapters’ membership. Looking back, we were righting the ship in 2021. In 2022 we will be steering the ship into a better chapter.
I want our Board not only to continue the great work from the past year, but I want us to focus on three key initiatives:
- Membership: The chapter exists because of our members. VP Membership Mark Wright has a plan to grow of the chapter into its next phase.
- Quality Events: The chapter is working on the 2022 calendar, but we would like input from our members since you drive the conversation.
- Strengthen our BOD: As I mentioned above, we are a volunteer group and I would like us to have open positions filled (Events, DEI, Sponsorship) and for more volunteers to provide a pipeline for future board roles.
Congratulations to our new Board
Thank you and congratulations to those that continue to serve as well as those who stepped up and put their names on the ballot: Mark Wright – VP Membership, Denise Hobik – VP Finance, Amy Richardson – Secretary. However, we still have openings to fill, and you can be a part of our success. We are in a transition year because of changes to our chapter’s Fiscal Year. The old bylaws had the chapter on a calendar year, but the new FY will run from July 1 through June 30, which puts us in line with more chapters and the IABC head office. What this means to you is that the new Board will have a short time before we begin the election process again in May. Click here to see our new Board and current list of volunteers.
I leave you with the Pantone color of the year, Very Peri. Color is a powerful way to communicate our feelings and aspirations. Whether you like the hue or not, the thought of transition and positivity cannot be ignored.
I look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events. Please reach out to any of the Board via the website if you have questions or ideas. Thank you for your continued membership and read Mark Wright’s blog post for a new member recruitment initiative.
Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for chapter updates, resources, and opportunities.
Have a successful, healthy, safe, and happy new year,
Giuseppe Laviano
IABC DC Chapter President
Gathering With Intention
What makes your team feel most connected to your company culture?
Today’s hybrid environment calls for intentionality and authenticity in bringing staff together. The right gatherings explore how our corporate values drive our relationships, fuel professional development, and propel the company forward. This Harvard Business Review article points to three pillars of a successful employee on-site event: design with your values in mind, take professional development personally, and rely on shared rituals (or create new ones).
Fab Five: Applying 2021's Lessons
Each month we share a top five list of ideas to help you advance your career, have fun, or learn something new. This month we’re looking at 2021 lessons. Communications had a big year, did it not? There are many takeaways, and newer research suggests that communicators’ seat in the boardroom is stronger. The continued pandemic and shifting workplace have given communications a vital role in defining who a company is and how it values its teams. Filipe Reisch, PR manager at Monarch Air Group, uses a communication lens to explore the 2021 themes of:
- Redefining Success: The pandemic seems to have marked a shift in how the world is doing business and how employees perceive their roles and commitment within their companies.
- Going Green With A Purpose: We should all join the environmental bandwagon, but back our commitment up with sustained actions while not negating the reality of our company’s situation.
- Prepare For The Worst And Hope For The Best: It’s more evident than ever that a coroporate crisis plan is a must. Crisis plans should address the operational side of things and how the communications team treats those efforts.
- Have A 30,000-Foot View: Use this time-honored cliché to assess trends. This can help companies to maintain an important balance in their operations and utilize a “never too high, never too low” approach.
- Co-Create Value Genuinely: The pandemic showed us all that being prepared for everything is just impossible and that transparency in those cases is paramount. Allowing clients to be part of the brand experience while also accepting constructive criticism and genuinely accepting their suggestions will bolster your company’s active listening capacity and build real value.
Get $25 When You Recruit a New Member
Want a $25 gift card? Simply recruit a new IABC DC Metro Chapter member.
This Member-Get-a-Member referral campaign is our way of starting 2022 off with a bang.
As an IABC member in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, you are our best ambassador. Let your colleagues know about the valuable benefits of IABC membership and chapter participation, including:
- Connections
- Content
- Credentials
- Tools
- Learning
- Networking opportunities
Some simple rules as you recruit people:
- You have to be an IABC member in good standing in the IABC DC Metro chapter.
- The new member you recruit must be an IABC first-timer (not a lapsed or renewing member), and be located in D.C., Maryland or Northern Virginia.
Questions? Email Mark Wright, IABC DC Metro Chapter’s VP of membership, at mark@wrightscontent.com (please also cc: admin@iabcdcmetro.org).