There are a couple of events coming up for the Central Michigan PRSA chapter that I think would benefit professional writers.
The first is “Candidates and Campaigns 08: Media and Messages”, which will be held October 16. As Lindsey pointed out recently, the visual rhetoric used by candidates should be carefully selected with attention paid to the message being sent in each image. For this event, Ed Sarpolus, Government Affairs Director for the Michigan Education Association, will be sharing his insights and observations about how this year’s candidates and campaigns are using both traditional and new media to reach and influence voters.
You can register for the event online, and it will be held at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. If you haven’t been to a PRSA event before, this would be a good one to try out, both for the interesting topic and for the low cost: $25 for members, $35 for non-members, and only $20 for students.
“Using Social Media: Pitching, Promoting and Protecting Your Organization’s Online Reputation” will be held on November 14 at the Kellogg Center. It’s a bit pricier to attend ($100 for members, $175 for non-members, $100 for students), but it will likely be a good opportunity for professional development for those who are interested in social media and how it can be used in the most advantageous way. The details of the event haven’t been posted yet, but check back to the PRSA website later on for more information.
Also, if you are a student and you are interested in attending PRSA events but have concerns about the cost, the Central Michigan chapter offers sponsorships. You can find out more information in the Student Services section, which also talks about award opportunities.
Tags: professional development, public relations, social media