Meet a New Member: Tara Bishop

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Name:

Tara Bishop

Originally From:

Manchester, NH

Currently Live In:

Manchester, NH – I couldn’t leave my close-knit family and hometown 😊

Current PR Title/Organization:

Communications Director, Diocese of Manchester (the Roman Catholic Church in New Hampshire)

LinkedIn Profile:

www.linkedin.com/in/tara-dolphin-bishop

Work History:

I interned at several PR and marketing firms during college and finally at the Archdiocese of Boston. I worked there after graduation, moved on to a PR firm and then transitioned to marketing roles at nonprofit organizations. Eventually I became a freelance writer and publicist for a roster of marketing firms, nonprofits, and corporate clients while my children were small. After 14 years of freelancing, my career came full circle when I returned to working for the Church in my current role.

History of Yankee Chapter/PRSA involvement:

I recently joined the Chapter and PRSA and am assisting with social media management for the Chapter.

Most Challenging PR Situation:

Navigating the changing media landscape with the influence of social media content and the ever-dwindling attention span of target audiences.

Bucket List Trip/Activity:

Taking my four children to Ireland where I studied abroad and honeymooned to see where my great-grandparents lived.

Hobbies and Interests:

Spending time at the lake with my family and chauffeuring my kids to all their activities (I look forward to having some different hobbies when they’re older!).

Get in on the Fun

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Michele Talwani and Grace Lessner

Attend a Yankee Social

The first Yankee Chapter networking social was held at the Common Man in Concord, NH, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26. Special thanks to Clark Dumont, APR, Fellow PRSA, for organizing, and to Laura Simoes and Mackenzie Kreitler for serving as our ambassadors and helping to introduce our new members. Lastly, a shout-out to Erica Murphy and her staff at The Common Man for providing the room and a nonprofit discount on the appetizers.

Laura and Jayme Simoes

We hope to see many of you at our next networking social, which will be held on the Phillips Exeter Academy campus at the Lamont Art Gallery, 11 Tan Street in Exeter, on Thursday,
April 11.

Those who want a walking tour of campus will meet at the Lamont Art Gallery at 4:15 p.m.; the networking social will be held right at the Art Gallery from 5-7 p.m. There is no charge for this

event, thanks to our sponsor Robin Giampa, APR, Director of Communications at PEA, but please register so we can have an accurate headcount for food and beverages.

Tara Payne and Jane Law, APR

Robin Schell, APR, Fellow PRSA and Mackenzie Kreitler

Stacey Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA and Cindy Wright

Andy Morse, Jen Ranz and Keri Pappalardo

 

 

Meet a New Member!

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Member Spotlight: Jeff Weld, Casella Waste Systems, Rutland VT

Originally from Rutland, VT

Job Title and Organization: Director of Communications, Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CWST)

Work History/Background: I started my career melding two passions—communications and sports—as the first Sports Information Director at my alma mater, Castleton University. For 15 years, I held various roles at the University, culminating as VP of Advancement, overseeing all marketing, communications, fundraising, and development efforts. I joined Casella in 2019 and have worked to help shape community outreach and engagement, government affairs, and communications efforts.

Why I joined Yankee Chapter: I joined to help grow my network, stay connected to others with similar experiences, and eventually help to develop and mentor the next generation of public relations professionals.

PRSA positions I have held or am interested in: I have just begun to engage with the organization and am always open to new opportunities.

Most challenging PR situation: Today’s media complexities pose immense challenges, especially in a highly polarized society and when dealing with the vast complexities of environmental compliance.

Bucket List: I have applied for tickets to the Masters in Augusta every year since 2000. Someday.

Hobbies/Interests: Golf, Gardening, Gourmet Cooking. And, Alliteration.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jweld802/

Meet a New Member!

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Name: Laurie Storey-Manseau

Originally From: Born in Portland, Maine, grew up in Syracuse, NY, have lived in NH for the past 40 years.

Currently Live In: Hopkinton, NH

Current PR Title/Organization: Owner/Manager, StoreyManseau, LLC

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriestoreymanseau/

Work History: 

  • 2000 to present: StoreyManseau, LLC, founder/owner/manager
  • 1997 to 2000: Dartmouth-Hitchcock (now Dartmouth Health), director of public affairs and marketing
  • 1990 to 1996: Elliot Hospital and Optima Health, media relations manager, and managing director of marketing
  • 1986 to 1990: Boston Globe, general assignment reporter

 

History of Yankee Chapter/PRSA involvement:

I have served on a panel discussion and have been tangentially involved for many years. Most recently, I asked a few members to critique my public relations class’ group presentations.

 

Most Challenging PR Situation:

Merger of Elliot Hospital and Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, and City of Lebanon’s attempt to tax the property where Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is built.

 

Bucket List Trip/Activity: Hard to say. My life is so busy I rarely take time to think about it.
Hobbies and Interests: Cooking

What Are Core PR Skills? Take the Online Survey

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The Universal Accreditation Board is conducting an online survey to determine the core knowledge, skills and abilities that are necessary to succeed in public relations today. The “Practice Analysis” is conducted every five years, and the results will be used to update the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) exam and Certificate in Principles of Public Relations exam as necessary.  No personal identifying information will be collected. However, you will have the option to enter a drawing for one of four $25 gift cards.

It should take about 15 minutes to complete the survey. Please click on the link below to access the survey.

Survey for Practitioners (https://link.edgepilot.com/s/e49d49c8/BRJW5NstakCixAQyRRC-kw?u=https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024PRPractitioner)

Survey for Educators (https://link.edgepilot.com/s/8bb25808/1cBqvAia_USe1R5s5t0qDA?u=https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024PREducator)

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the research chair: Marlene Neill, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, Baylor University; Marlene_Neill@baylor.edu or Kathy Mulvihill, Sr. Manager, Accreditation, kathy.mulvihill@prsa.org.

Internal Communications Manager

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The Internal Communications Manager helps create and facilitate communications plans for Southern New Hampshire University. Focusing on internal communications efforts, you will report to the Director of Internal Communications and work with the External Affairs team and other departments throughout the university, to inform and engage SNHU employees. You will have the option to work remotely.

Internal Communications Manager, | SNHU Careers

Marketing & Community Relations Specialist

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New Hampshire Electric Cooperative is looking for a dynamic and experienced Marketing and Community Relations Specialist who will report to the Director of Communications at NHEC, and work with its broadband partner, Conexon.

 

The primary responsibility for this role will be to oversee a community-focused marketing, education, and outreach program for New Hampshire Broadband LLC (the for-profit subsidiary of NHEC).  The goal of this role is to increase awareness, preference, and willingness to adopt NH Broadband by both prospective residential and commercial members/customers.

 

Individuals with strong communications and marketing experience, particularly in driving adoption of a new service, as well as a deep understanding of rural communities (especially in northern New England) will thrive in this role.

READ MORE AND APPLY HERE

Meet A New Member

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Kelly Untiet

Originally from: Grew up in Franklin, NH. Currently live in Alexandria, NH

Current PR Role: Director of Public Relations, Reaching Higher NH

Work History

Throughout my career, which has spanned government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations, I have remained committed to the idea that innovation, communication, and collaboration are the keys to success. Prior to RHNH, I Served as Director of Development at CATCH Neighborhood Housing, as Community Engagement Manager with the Unite Us in NH coordinated care network, and as the Administrator of the Office of Social and Emotional Wellness within the NH Department of Education assisting in the statewide expansion of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavioral Health and Wellness (MTSS-B), Trauma Responsive School initiatives, and prevention efforts focused on bullying, substance use, and suicide.

I joined PRSA because…

I joined PRSA because I love to learn and grow. As an embedded PR or communications professional, it is easy to remain up-to-date and connected with the latest advancements within our organizations and the sectors they represent. My participation in PRSA is meant to couple that “content-based” exposure with support for and connections to my chosen craft.

Yankee Chapter Involvement

I don’t believe I am “officially” a member of any committees yet, but I am open to it!

Most challenging PR situation I have ever faced

When I served at the NH Department of Education, I was responsible for our strategy in response to the all too frequent school shootings that take place here and around the country. Each incident was terrifying for educators, families, and students alike. Through those experiences, I learned the importance of executing a strategy based not just on what “we” want to say but one that is inclusive of what our audience wants/needs to hear. I learned the importance of listening as a key public relations strategy. And I learned that often, especially in the governmental and non-profit space, humility and relatability are a superpower.

Hobbies/Interests

I love to cook and garden! I will be starting both my vegetable and flower seeds in a few months!

Bucket List/Dream Trip

My dream trip is to hop in an RV with my husband, my two kids, and our dog and travel across the country, stopping at as many national parks as possible.

President’s January Message

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The Yankee Chapter of PRSA is off to a fabulous start in 2024, thanks to all of you who responded to our membership survey in December. The feedback will help us plan “on point” professional development programs and provide the services our members truly value.

The top vote-getter for desired topics was Artificial Intelligence, and thanks to the Maine Public Relations Council, we are offering a workshop on AI as our first program of the year. I’ve already signed up.

We also learned that 65% of respondents prefer the convenience of a one-hour webinar at lunch. The Yankee Chapter PD committee is hard at work planning sessions in various formats and will consider the topics you requested:

  • Crisis management
  • Marketing communications
  • Internal communications
  • Change management
  • Research
  • Social media
  • Media relationship-building

There is also a desire for purely social events in convenient locations (e.g., area restaurants), so we will pilot-test some of those in the coming year.

The upside of having an older Yankee Chapter membership, of course, is experience. Over half of our survey respondents have held Board positions, and 37% of us have served as President! However, another 35% have not held any positions for PRSA –an untapped resource that we need to tap! What’s more, over half of our survey respondents (52%) are accredited! Another 9% say “not yet, but I want to be.” We have Board Member Mark Elliott, APR, who will be working with Joe Gallagher, APR, to offer support and resources for those of you who have accreditation on your New Year’s resolutions list.

It was reassuring to learn that survey respondents prefer PRSA Yankee Chapter, PRSA National publications, and the Yankee Chapter newsletter are their top information sources on the PR field. We asked for suggestions to improve our website and received many. The Communications Committee of Seth Wheeler, APR, Jayme Simoes, and Kim MacLeod, APR, are working on that as we speak.

Last but not least, we have some amazing partnerships, starting with our Yankee Chapter member Laura Simoes, Executive Director of the Nackey Loeb Center. In addition, I’ve had wonderful conversations with the leaders of MPRC, PRSA Boston, and the newly minted PRSA Worcester chapters – we plan to expand our opportunities for professional development and networking by collaborating. At the end of the day, our members say “networking” is still the primary motivator for their PRSA/Yankee Chapter membership.

Let’s have a great 2024,

Robin Schell, APR, Fellow PRSA

Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications logo

Nackey Loeb School Launches 2024 Pro Series

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The Nackey Scripps Loeb School of Communications announces the launch of a new Pro Series—affordable online trainings designed to elevate communication skills, featuring expert instructors and accessible content.

Each course in the Pro Series runs for four weeks and is curated by seasoned communicators who have extensive experience in their respective fields. Drawing from their real-world experience in strategic communication, public relations, marking, and more, instructors provide invaluable insights and practical skills to help students gain skills for professional development. Pro Series trainings require advance registration at loebschool.org/register. Course fees support the nonprofit School’s mission. All classes and events, including seven free Winter 2024 classes, can be found at the School’s website: https://loebschool.org/register