Communiqué

The Association for Women in Communications

What’s inside:

www.womcom.org

Special Chapter Awards issue

One organization embracing ALL communications disciplines

Outstanding chapter, cont’d. on Page 2

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AWC South Florida Chapter Named Outstanding Chapter – Small

Chapter Excellence Award Goes to Seattle Chapter

TSU Garners Outstanding Student Chapter

Overall Outstanding ChapterRecognizes overall programming, progress and excellence

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Overall Outstanding Chapter – Large AWC Tulsa Chapter

“We invest in ourselves for the future and strength of the organization through professional development and social bonds.” This sums up the recipe for success for the AWC Tulsa Chapter. From its membership diversity and numbers, to its proven leadership and service opportunities, the Tulsa Chapter is the Outstanding Chapter for 2009-2010. With 25 new mem-bers joining the chapter this past year, the total membership has risen to more than 140 members. Tulsa emphasizes rela-tionships and relevance as its hallmarks. Programming includes monthly meetings, as well as less formal events for members to get together and enjoy each other’s company.Interesting educational presentations provide relevant informa-tion on various communications topics. Successful fundraising efforts have resulted in a strong financial base allowing the chapter to support students and communications-based proj-ects, as well as send 10 chapter members to the AWC National Conference in Seattle in October 2009. Now, the Tulsa Chapter is looking forward to hosting the 2011 AWC National Confer-ence and sharing its members’ talents and creativity with fellow AWC members.

The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) recognizes excellence among its professional and student chapters through its annual Chapter Awards competition. Awards are offered in 11 areas related to chapter performance. While chapters are encouraged to enter in multiple categories, the size of the chapter is taken into account while evaluating the entries. The AWC National Board of Directors serves as the judges for the competition. Winning chapters must be in good standing and compliant with AWC bylaws and policies.

SPECIAL AWC Chapter Awards Issue

February 2011

3 Most Improved Chapters: Lubbock and South Florida

1213 Members Recognized

as Chapter Stars

Waters and Ormsby honored

2010The Association forWomen in CommunicationsOUTSTANDING CHAPTER AWARD

SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER

The Association forWomen in CommunicationsOUTSTANDING CHAPTER AWARD

TULSA CHAPTER

2010

1. AWC champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines. 2. More members make for better connections. 3. We are a diverse group of competent and interesting women. 4. We form lasting friendships and professional associations. 5. There is an atmosphere of support, rather than competition. 6. The strength of a chapter lies in its members. 7. New members are welcomed heartily and blend effortlessly on committees and at meetings. 8. The networking and business opportunities are an outgrowth of our cordial and caring relationships, not the other way around. 9. AWC provides a safe and supportive platform for developing leadership skills. 10. We never run out of wine.

Outstanding chapter, cont’d. from Page 1

Overall Outstanding Chapter – Small AWC South Florida Chapter

At the beginning of the 2009-2010 year, Shirley Elliott, the chapter president at the time, asked the chapter to compile a list of 10 True Things about AWC Tulsa. Here is their list:

A doubling of attendance at its programs and special recognition by the South Florida communications industry were among the achievements of the AWC South Florida Chapter last year. These achievements are the result of hard work by the entire chapter to create a vibrant and more diverse atmosphere for

members by developing programs that helped them stay competitive in their field, while reaching out to new constituencies, including creative and commercial artists. The chapter incorporated the latest social media and communications techniques, including being active on social networks to reach as many members as possible. Creative partnerships with other area associations also enriched chapter activities.

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Perhaps the chapter’s most touching accomplishment was reaching out to unemployed professionals who, more than ever, need to stay up-to-date on their industries and net-works. Recognizing this, the chapter generously made its programs available for free to people who lost their jobs.

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With an emphasis on improving membership, programs, publicity and its annual Matrix event, the Lubbock Chapter is awarded Most Improved Chapter (Large) for 2010. With added emphasis on recruiting, as well as retaining members, improve-ments included two new member get-togethers, holding the annual fall recruitment mixer at a chic winery and individual follow-up with guests who attend programs. The result was 17 new members!

A new fund was created to pay for speakers, allowing the chapter to attract high-caliber speak-ers. New publicity efforts included using Facebook, scheduling more radio spots, ramping up the press releases and making better use of the chapter’s website through a redesign and frequent updates. The annual Matrix event, the Celebrity Luncheon, was revamped by moving to a larger venue, increasing table sales and sponsorship lev-els, and building better community connections via the award nominees — resulting in a 117 percent increase in profits, plus a more high-profile image for AWC.

Most Improved ChapterRecognizes a chapter that has been successful in revitalizing or reinventing themselves

Most Improved Chapter – Large AWC Lubbock Chapter

Donna Campbell, secretary for the AWC Lubbock Chapter, accepts the award for Most Improved Chapter.

Most Improved Chapter – Small AWC South Florida Chapter

Some dramatic changes have occurred within the AWC South Florida Chapter, starting with new leadership and membership growth. With a new board of directors under the leader-ship of Tonya Scholz, the focus shifted to providing chapter members with rel-evant information on industry changes and advances, as well as networking opportunities that focus on diversifying and broadening professional and per-sonal networks.

Developing strategic partnerships with other local organizations has allowed the chapter to offer even more programming and connections to its members. What had been a very small membership has now become close to 50 members, with actual meeting attendance even greater.

2010 AWC South Florida Chapter officers (L to R): Julia Wakefield, 2010 president; Tonya Scholz, sponsorship chair; Darling Jarquin, secretary; and Dana Lawrence, president-elect.

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The Seattle Chapter’s Cathy Stevens, long-time dedicated board member and volunteer, receives the Chapter Star Award from National Board member Whitney Mason. Cathy was the chair of the 2009 AWC National Conference and Centennial Celebration held in Seattle, working with national and local volunteers and staff in a multi-year effort. Whitney served as chapter president last year and accepted the Chapter Excellence Award on behalf of the Seattle Chapter.

Chapter ExcellenceAWC Seattle Chapter

In its lifetime, the AWC Seattle Chapter has had the honor and pleasure — along with the time-consuming, patience required and sometimes struggles — of hosting the AWC National Conference more than once. In hosting a large event that is in the planning stages for several years, sometimes a chapter falters in other areas. Not the Seattle Chapter, which hosted the AWC Centennial Conference in 2009! The chapter hasn’t skipped a beat!

Working together with the AWC National Board and staff, the women of Seattle pulled together an out-standing national conference that celebrated AWC’s past, present and future. After the conference, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief for a job well done.

Instead of resting on its laurels, the Seattle Chapter continued on throughout the year with an outstanding array of programs and speakers designed to provide professional development for chapter mem-bers, as well as attract new members. The chapter hosted its annual holiday dinner/auction and honored the chapter Communicator of the Year, as well as held a Leadership Lunch Series and its annual professional development workshop in the spring.

Continuing to look to the future of AWC, the Seattle Chapter funded five student scholarships to attend the national conference and awarded $3,000 in student scholarships. The chapter closed out its year with its annual awards dinner by honoring top women communicators of the past, present and future.

Congratulations to the Seattle Chapter for continu-ing to hold high the values set by the seven founding women 100 years ago, the mission of AWC today and for being an AWC chapter of excellence.

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“Support” is the key word that claimed this prize for the AWC Tulsa Chapter. It wasn’t only Bobbi Kay Lewis’ honor as AWC’s 2009 Student Chapter Outstanding Advisor. It wasn’t just the miles and time Tulsa Chapter members spent traveling to Stillwater to attend and present at student chapter meetings. Tulsa members helped, aided and sup-ported the OSU Student Chapter through promotion and marketing of the student chapter events and consistently provided news and infor-mation about job and internship opportunities.

The Tulsa Chapter “took off the training wheels” and let the student chapter grow and celebrate success on its own merits. Without “doing” for the chapter, and instead supporting the chapter, the students can take pride in their progress and performance. Congratulations to the Tulsa Chapter for being a consistent support and mentor to the OSU Student Chapter.

Student Chapter ProgrammingRecognizes a chapter for student mentoring, student scholarship program, and any other programming or outreach to students

AWC Tulsa Chapter

In 2009, the AWC Tulsa Chapter unveiled both a new look and a new personality for Outlook, its newsletter, with stun-ning results. The chapter wanted a newsletter that reflected the personality of its members: strong professional women who are supportive of each other, who are welcoming of new members and guests, and who value relationships. The editor did this through a deft blend of content and design.

The newsletter uses member profiles, member news and lots of photos, as well as a message from the president, to provide “a channel to help build relationships among mem-bers by getting them better acquainted.” The newsletter balances this soft news with summaries of upcoming events, beneficial takeaway information from the national confer-ence, and professional advice written by a seasoned mem-ber in its “Saidie Says” column.

Best NewsletterRecognizes a chapter for an outstanding newsletter

AWC Tulsa Chapter

Tulsa Chapter board member Michelle Fourous accepts Best Student Chapter Programming Award from National Chair Judy Arent-Morency.

AWC Outlook April 2010 6

Dear Saidie: I am between jobs and am considering freelancing. How do I get started?

Wanna WorkDear Wanna:

Freelancing can be a slow and difficult business; you can’t expect overnight success — but it also has great benefits: a flexible schedule and visibility with potential employers.

First consider your work strengths and skills — writing, design, some specialty area such as energy, business or health care? Making a list will help you identify possible customers.

Acknowledge your work weaknesses. Just because you can write a press release doesn’t mean you can produce one to suited to the oil industry. Just because you can design doesn’t mean you are an illustrator. Same for photography. What’s your style?

Be business-like — create a portfolio of past work; use business cards.

Make a list of everyone you know who may need services — local media, businesses you have worked with before; family friends who may have contacts. You can start with an e-mail or phone call, but try to get a one-to-one appointment.

Learn something about the business before you meet. Have a few ideas that you believe fit their needs, whether you are pitching to a publication or a bank whose Web site you think needs improvement.

Don’t be a diva. Be willing to take a small assignment and to rework whatever you produce.

Meet their deadlines — no excuses.

Happy Hunting,

!"#$#%

!"#$#%

AWC Lubbock Chapter

After members of the AWC Lubbock Chapter expressed interest in updating their website, a committee formed to review options. They determined chapter funds were better spent on scholarships than a webmaster. A committee member came to their rescue by volunteering to redesign the website. This benefited the chapter with gratis services, and in the process, the member learned new skills. She continues to maintain the website to date.

The website’s clean, professional look captured the attention of award reviewers. Its simplicity allows easy navigation, particu-larly as a recruiting tool for new members. Prospective members can view photos of events, read basic information about meeting places and membership dues, and scan the FAQ page to find answers. Contact informa-tion also is readily available for those with additional questions or who want to join.

Current members can find informa-tion about meetings and special events. The chapter’s Celebrity Luncheon included

descriptions about the various awards, a list of win-ners and a sampling of photos. Additional photos can be accessed through a link to their Flickr web-site. Past programs and speaker information are also included, giving viewers an idea of the depth of the organization.

Professional headshots of smiling members and positive quotes about their membership give the site a warm, personal feeling. Its easy navigation provides a quick resource for current and prospec-tive members, yet contains enough details for dis-criminating viewers.

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Lubbock Chapter’s Victoria Lovelady accepts the Best Web-site Award from Chapter President Danette Baker. Lovelady, who now serves as chapter VP for publicity, led the commit-tee last year in redesigning the chapter’s website.

Best WebsiteRecognizes a chapter for an outstanding website

Left: Renee Underwood accepts the Chapter Star Award from Shelly Gonzales, past president. Underwood currently serves as VP for development.

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By focusing each of its eight monthly programs on a pre-determined theme, the AWC Tulsa Chapter presented a year of programs that showed great breadth and depth, while the programs really zeroed in on topics of great value to chapter mem-bers. Lectures and a discussion examined topics ranging from social media to personal branding to diversity in communications.

The programs tapped the wisdom and experience

of experts, such as the former Tulsa mayor and rep-resentatives of the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. The chapter even coupled a clothing drive for a local charity, Dress for Success, with a presen-tation on “The Impact of Image and Appearance.”

The chapter’s stated goal is to offer relevant, interesting and informational programming, and the chapter delivered admirably.

Most Innovative Membership ProgrammingRecognizes a chapter for outstanding membership recruitment and retention

For the past several years, the AWC Austin Chap-ter has provided outstanding career services for its members through various avenues. The chapter provides members (including students) access to view and post to the Austin Chapter’s online job and internship banks. The chapter also keeps contact with various college and university career services and professional marketing, PR and graphic design agencies to inform them that the Austin Chapter is a valuable location where they can post jobs and internships, and attend events to recruit new talent.

“Careers Over Coffee” has been a monthly event available to members for the past few years. This year the chapter launched a new program, “Careers Over Cocktails,” for its members. Both of these events are informal gatherings where members

meet once a month to discuss career changes, specific work challenges and new opportunities. Approximately 10 to 20 members attend each mem-ber-led “Careers” event. Engaging members in this fashion has helped them assume ownership over these programs to ensure they continue and allow members to aid in recruiting and retaining other members to attend or be active in the chapter.

The Austin Chapter has developed a career ser-vices program that clearly benefits its members while strengthening the chapter. Congratulations to the Austin Chapter for this innovative and cre-ative program that provides support and resources for its members, particularly in these challenging economic times.

Most Innovative Career Services ProgrammingRecognizes a chapter for outstanding career services

AWC Tulsa Chapter

AWC Austin Chapter

The 2011 Clarion Awards competition is open for entries.

Early savings deadline is March 12 and final deadline is April 23, 2011.

CLARIONAWARDS

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From the colorful graphics and eye-catching appeal of the event announcement, to the Web pages promoting the event program and the agenda itself, the Austin Chap-ter’s “Get Smart 2010” consistently displayed excitement and allure. The leadership program theme focused on five generations in the work-place and carried on and reinforced national AWC programming in recent years of cross-generational commu-nications and working together.

The keynote speakers, break-out session presenters, and panels lured 150 attendees who invested in their professional development and pumped more than $1,400 of profit into the chapter. Event organizers deserve recognition for their suc-cess in securing sponsors and raising funds. Solid leadership in the Austin Chapter resulted in concrete leadership programming in “Get Smart.”

Best Chapter Leadership Development ProgramIncludes leadership retreats, strategic plans, launching an advisory committee, or other method of building a strong chapter leadership

Austin Chapter members accept the awards for Best Chapter Leadership Development Program and Most Innovative Career Services Programming. From left to right: Jane Baxter Lynn, for-mer AWC National Board member; Rachel Jordan-Shuss, Austin Chapter past president; Julie Wickert, Austin Chapter co-VP of development; and Erin Huddleston, Austin Chapter president.

AWC Austin Chapter

Get Smart Co-chairs Christy Wylie and Michele Schwartz with keynote speakers Matthew Dowd and Stephanie Klein, as well as AWC Austin President Erin Huddleston.

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The AWC Tulsa Chapter showcased a professional workshop in April 2010, providing 80 participants with a variety of communi-cations topics presented by top names in social media. Attend-ees received information on retaining personal contacts using social media, better business strategies, building relationships and increasing Web marketing presence.

Attendees came from a broad base of non-profit and educational organizations, businesses and churches. Since the chapter was able to obtain meals, snacks and beverages through donations or deep discounts, the cost was only $65 for non-members, $50 for mem-bers, and $55 for non-profit staffers.

The workshop was led by Janet Fouts from San Jose, Calif., who in 1996 co-founded Tatu Digital Media, a successful, award-winning Web design and strategy firm. Her coaching approach accommo-dates individuals, groups and corporations to help them create effective, efficient social media campaigns.

The workshop included a breakout called the “Next Level — Quit Creating Static and Start Creating Value.” The speaker encour-aged attendees to stop recreating the wheel and begin sharing information, collaborating on ideas, thus adding validity to the Internet and value to their websites.

A panel on generational differences within the workplace and technology considered advancements of women, gender equity and outreach to promote diversity and generational understanding. It included Millennial, Generation X, Boomer and Traditionalist view-points, as well as those of men and women in diverse professions from executives to entry-level employees.

A breakout entitled “Netiquette” illustrated how advanced and reli-ant our culture is on instant gratification of communication. It also expressed why social media is impor-tant for employee productivity and connectivity. “The Digital Handshake” breakout panel included local professionals from a variety of Tulsa markets who shared their social media best practices for making and keeping professional relationships.

Attendees reported they learned more than other similar workshops. The chapter netted more than $1,000, gained two new members and numerous inquiries about a 2011 workshop.

Most Creative Program/Event that Advances the Status of Women and/or the Practice of CommunicationsIncludes: First Amendment rights, Freedom of Information, leadership, ethics, advancement of women, gender equality, community service, outreach to employers, programming to executive members, and efforts to promote diversity

AWC Tulsa Chapter

Tulsa’s Shanna Gray accepts the Most Creative Program/Event that Advances the Status of Women and/or Communications Award from National Chair Judy Arent-Morency.

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Events championing women leaders and communications excellence are a long-held tradition within AWC. In keeping with that practice, the Oklahoma City (OKC) Chapter has been hosting its Byliner Awards Dinner for the past 52 years. It is the longest running event honoring women in Oklahoma. The OKC Chapter uses this event to honor out-standing women not only in communications, but across a variety of professional and philanthropic fields.

In connection with the Byliner Awards Dinner, on Sunday before the dinner, the chapter hosts a Byliner Tea for new and former honorees. This year the tea was hosted in the home of former Miss America Jane Jayroe, who is a former Byliner.

Approximately 200 people, including community leaders, former Byliner honorees and AWC members attended the Byliner Awards that hon-ored eight outstanding women. The event generated $25,000, of which $15,650 was raised solely through sponsorships. Event proceeds provide funds for the chapter’s scholarship program for college women majoring in communications, as well as support for regular chapter programming. Two TV news stations and two newspapers covered the event.

There are two other items that made this Byliner Award Dinner extra special. One of the honorees, Pattye Moore, was a speaker at the 2009 AWC National Conference in Seattle and members of the OKC Chapter were able to surprise her with the announcement at the conference. Another honoree, Caryn C. Vaughn, is the daughter of one of the first honorees from 1958. The mother was present at the awards ceremony to introduce Caryn and present her with her award.

Best Awards/Recognition EventRecognizes a chapter for outstanding career services

After making several changes to its annual Celebrity Luncheon, the Lubbock Chapter netted a profit of $11,297 — a 90 percent increase over the previous year!

Planning started immediately after the previ-ous year’s event and the decision was made to “grow” the event to a larger venue. This meant more event options and more expenses. Upgrades included a slide show on two large screens to sup-port the announcer script, newly designed acrylic desk awards, online nomination forms, a new

caterer, and redesigned promotional materials to include event logo, website, printed materials and decor.

To cover the added expenses, sponsorship cat-egories were added and prices were increased (with the exception of member tickets), achieving record sales close to $22,000. The new and improved Celebrity Luncheon has resulted in greater com-munity visibility, new members joining the chapter, and more money being contributed to the AWC Bea Zeeck Scholarship Endowment at Texas Tech.

Best Fundraising ProgramIncludes either a specific campaign, an integrated sponsorship program, or fundraising as it relates to student scholarships or chapter programming

AWC Oklahoma City Chapter

AWC Lubbock Chapter

Pattye Mooore was a speaker at 2009 AWC National Conference, as well as an OKC Byliner hon-oree.

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Outstanding Student Chapter

Texas State has every qualification of an out-standing student chapter! In its first semester, the chapter has expe rienced tremendous growth and found time to reach out to professionals and other student chapters in its region. It has become the largest chapter in the region, growing its member-ship to 61 members.

The chapter created an innovative PR campaign around the slogan, “AWC Stepping Out.” Chapter

members went class-to-class to present the AWC message, as well as used a variety of media, includ-ing tradi tional print, a website, Facebook and Twitter.

The AWC Texas State University Student Chapter has established an e-mentor program with the AWC Austin Professional Chapter. Members are partnered with a professional, based on similar interests, relationship building and establishing networking opportunities.

Above: The Texas State University Student Chapter was very excited to receive its Outstanding Student Chapter of the Year award! Pictured from left to right are Eleanor Almaraz, Lauren Beaubien, B. Barnett, Mary Zambrano, Noelle White, Kendra Garcia and, their advisor, Dara Quackenbush.

AWC Texas State University Student Chapter

To start planning and getting organized to enter this year’s Chapter Awards competition, and planning to attend the 2011 AWC National Conference, Oct. 13-15, to celebrate the awards.

For details, go to the Chapter Leaders website to find the following forms:

• Chapter Awards Nomination Form • Chapter Excellence Award Nomination Form • Student Chapter Awards Nomination Form, including: - Rising Star - Outstanding Faculty Advisor • Chapter Star Award Nomination From

It’s never too early

In accepting the award, Dr. Waters said: “I’m honored to receive the Outstanding Advisor Award. My involvement with Drury’s student chapter is one of the most rewarding aspects of my faculty work. It is extremely gratifying to work with a group of motivated and talented students who are making AWC an important part of their preparation for professional careers in communication.

“Our success as a student chapter would not be possible without the “can do” attitude of our student leaders and the support of the AWC professional chapter in Springfield, Mo. I can only smile when I think about the personal rewards I receive when serving as an AWC student chapter advisor. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity and terrific award.”

Dr. Waters has given the chapter end less opportunities to learn, network and pre pare for the professional world. She consistently goes out of her way to search for avail-able internships for chapter members and is happy to recommend valuable professional connections to any stu-dent. Amidst her busy schedule, she reviews hundreds of resumes, offering great insight and ideas, and cares about each mem ber as an individual young professional.

Thank you, Regina!

Outstanding Faculty Advisor

Lauren Ormsby, Drury University

Lauren was nominated by her peers because she thinks out side the box and has a very impres-sive resume full of practical aspects of communi-cation, as well as her strategic achieve ments. She is pursuing double majors in advertising and pub-lic relations, along with a minor in global studies.

Lauren maintains a full-time job in the commu-nications office of a local hospital in the evening, providing her valuable hands on experience while maintaining a high GPA. She has contributed to the social needs of her community, and the aca-demic and professional endeavors of her school with distinction.

Great work, Lauren!

Rising Star

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Dr. Regina Waters, Drury University

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Chapter Star AwardsChapter Star Awards recognize professional chapter members who have excelled in leadership. Candidates are nominated by their AWC professional chapter, and the AWC National Board of Directors reviews and provides final approval.

Ginger Hall Carnes has volunteered her commu-nications skills and talents selflessly to community organizations for more than 30 years, as well as being an active leader in the AWC San Antonio Chapter. As a chapter board member and scholarship chair, Ginger streamlined the scholarship application and judging process, and created new award certifi-cates for scholarship recipients.

It was her willingness to volunteer for a last min-ute job, however, that makes her a star. The member who had been designing the Annual Awards Banquet and Silent Auction program for years, at the last minute was unable to do it. Ginger didn’t think twice about offering her graphic design skills for the proj-ect. The result was beautiful!

Three years ago, the South Florida Chapter con-sisted of one leader — Tonya Scholz — and a few members who drifted in and out of events. Today, the chapter is comprised of about 50 members, with meeting attendance 50% to 100% greater than that number. The chapter’s membership is vibrant, active, involved, and diverse. At networking events one can barely squeeze through the flurry of business cards being exchanged, partnerships being forged, and work being referred.

Tonya rebuilt the organization, board of directors, and the chapter’s presence in South Florida — single-handedly. She organized events, scouted leaders, and made connections — all on her own, and all with a business and family to manage.

“I’ve never met anyone as dedicated to AWC as Tonya Scholz; nor have I ever met someone so dedi-cated to lifting up those around her,” says Julia Wakefield, chapter president.

Ginger Hall Carnes –AWC San Antonio Chapter

Tonya Scholz – AWC South Florida Chapter

For her extraordinary work in making the 2009 AWC National Conference, which celebrated AWC’s centennial anniversary, a huge success, Cathy Stevens was selected as Seattle’s Chapter Star hon-oree. Cathy built a team of Seattle Chapter mem-bers to serve in various capacities to develop, plan, coordinate and orchestrate the conference, and she coordinated with the AWC National Board and staff. Every detail was included in her masterful oversight,

yet she delegated appropriately to allow for others to demonstrate their talents as well — the mark of a true leader.

Cathy is a past chapter president and holder of many other offices, and for years has been the “go-to person” for guidance for many new board and com-mittee members. She also has served as a mentor for the University of Washington Department of Communications.

Cathy Stevens – AWC Seattle Chapter

As vice president of fundraising, Renee Underwood transformed her chapter’s annual Matrix event, the Celebrity Luncheon, into a much more profitable and high-profile community event. Under her leadership, the event moved to a larger, more accessible location, added sponsorship levels and drew in more commu-nity leaders as award recipients, as well as sponsors, table buyers and attendees.

She updated the awards from wooden plaques to acrylic, added visuals and kept chapter members organized and motivated throughout it all. The Lubbock Chapter raised more than twice the amount of money than the previous year, resulting in more generous scholarships to communications students and improved quality of speakers for chapter profes-sional development events.

Renee Underwood – AWC Lubbock Chapter

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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.

AWC Mission Statement

Editor: Pam Valenzuela – e-mail: info@womcom.org Writer: Betsy Schroeder Designer: Wendy Morlan – e-mail: wmorlan@isp.com Photography credit: Maggie J. Szymanek, Uncommon Photography, www.uncommonphotography.com, 703-618-6362

Communiqué is published by the Association for Women in Communications. Send ideas, photos, and Hats Off information to members@womcom.org. All past issues of Communiqué are archived on www.womcom.org in the Members Only section.

AWC contacts at National Headquarters AWC Executive Director – Pam Valenzuela, CAE: info@womcom.org Communications and Programs Manager – Denise Rocha: members@womcom.org Membership Assistant – Monique Pereira: mpereira@womcom.org

3337 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314Ph: 703-370-7436 Fax: 703-342-4311

Website: www.womcom.org

Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion of the Association for Women in Communications.

The AWC National Headquarters is managed by ASCENT Management, LLC, an association management company.

The Association for Women in Communications

THE ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN COMMUNICATIONS2011 National Conference | October 13–15, 2011 | Tulsa, Oklahoma