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AEJMC Public Relations Division Membership Newsletter

Vol. 36, No. 3, Spring 2001

In this issue:

Convention Preview

• Edelman Luncheon Features Michael Deaver
• The Rules: Back to Basics
• Student Awards: Nominees and Sponsors
• Travelogue: Free and Cheap
• White House: Free in DC

Other News

• In Memoriam: Patrick Jackson
• Faculty Vacancies

Edelman Luncheon Features Michael Deaver

Deaver has been "making it happen" behind the scenes of American politics for more than 30 years. From his time with Barry Goldwater to being the mastermind behind President Ronald Reagan's election campaigns, Deaver knows what works when it comes to politics and the media, elections, the U.S. political system, and the elements of presidential leadership. As international vice chair for Edelman Worldwide, Deaver manages Edelman's global public affairs programs for such major clients as United Parcel Service, Bacardi and Fujifilm. He also oversees U.S.-based image programs for the governments of Portugal, India and Chile. As director of Corporate Affairs in Edelman's Washington office, Deaver provides strategic counsel to many of the agency's most prestigious corporate accounts, including Nike, CSX, Nissan and Microsoft.

Deaver has established lasting contacts with both the elite media and those in the highest levels of government. One of the most oft-quoted sources on media and the presidency for America's top newspapers, he is widely recognized as one of the nation's premier professional communicators. He provides strategic communications advice to elected officials and influencers across the international political spectrum. He has met with heads of state, members of legislatures and parliaments in Europe, Asia and Latin America, providing insight on how officials can deal with an ever-growing Americanized media in their home countries.

In addition to managing high-profile international and corporate accounts, Deaver serves clients in other key sectors. In health care, he acts as public relations advisor to the Healthcare Leadership Council, the managed care industry's Washington-based lobby and advocacy group, and Cardinal Health, Inc., one of the nation's largest distributors of drug and health products. In technology and telecommunications, he has represented the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, AT&T and the Competitive Long-Distance Coalition.

Deaver spent more than 20 years as one of Reagan's closest advisors in both Sacramento and Washington. In the White House, he served as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff from January 1981 until May 1985. Deaver, Chief of Staff James A. Baker III, and Edwin Meese, counsel to the president, were seen as the triumvirate directing the Reagan administration's successful first term. Deaver is widely credited with being the architect of the Reagan communications program, including the landslide presidential campaigns of 1980 and 1984.

He was formerly president of Deaver and Hannaford, Inc., a public relations firm he co-founded in 1975. After he left the White House in May 1985, he formed Michael K. Deaver, Inc, a Washington-based public affairs firm servicing domestic and international corporate clients.

Deaver continues to comment on politics, the media and public affairs on the airwaves, appearing regularly on network public affairs programs. Audiences around the nation rave about his insights into U.S. politics, done in a way that is entertaining, informative and, most importantly, without partisanship. Deaver takes today's issues, provides the facts along with some great perspectives, and lets listeners make their own decisions about the outcomes of American politics.

The Rules: Back to Basics

Organizations and divisions such as ours often rely on collective memory for day-to-day operations. One thing I've learned over the past few months is how much I rely on that memory – and that even with division experience over the past several years, I still turn to others for answers to questions that arise.

The most recent question is whether graduate student membership, at the significantly reduced dues rate, includes the Journal of Public Relations Research. Unfortunately, the answer is "no," so any graduate students wanting the Journal would need to apply for membership at the regular level.

Other questions have dealt with elections. After tracking down a copy of the bylaws, I have found that we are supposed to be holding elections by mail – although changes in AEJMC conference dates and school schedules no doubt make this difficult to run during the summer. Nevertheless, I am asking the Nominating Committee (Barbara DeSanto, chair, Linda Aldoory and Meta Carstarphen) to manage the nominations and elections by mail as per our bylaws.

The bylaws specify that nominations should be submitted by April 15. Nominations can be e-mailed to any of the committee members. The elected positions for which nominations will be taken will be for the following.

(1) Vice Head-Elect: a three-year term which begins with the officer observing and assisting in the program planning the first year, serving as vice head and program planner the second year and as division head the third.

(2) Secretary-Treasurer

(3) At-large Board Member: an elected member who serves on the Executive Committee and assists with division activities.

The other Executive Committee members, who are appointed by the head are one at-large member and three standing committee chairs for Research, Teaching and PF&R. The immediate past head also serves on the Executive Committee. All other committee chairs and anyone interested in helping are always welcome at the executive business meetings.

Members elected or appointed to positions should plan to attend the meetings conducted by AEJMC to assist officers of the divisions. These are typically held during the morning of the last day of the convention.

So please submit any nominations you may have for consideration by the Nominating Committee who will put together the slate for elections. The nominations must be in by April 15.

Elections will be held during May/ June. (If you're renewing your membership, you may want to consider using your home address if you won't be going into the office, but want to vote.) Election ballots, according to bylaws, will have a place for write-ins. The candidates will know the results prior to the convention, and any run-off elections will be held at our business meeting.

Student Awards: Nominees and Sponsors

By Katherine Kinnick

PRD is seeking nominees and sponsors for Inez Kaiser Awards for Graduate Students of Color and for the Susanne A. Roschwalb Grant for International Study and Research. The deadline for receipt of nominations is May 1.

KAISER AWARD–For a $60 sponsorship, PRD members can provide a one-year membership to both AEJMC and the Public Relations Division, including publications, to a graduate student of color. The number of awards given each year is dependent on the number of sponsorships received; 25 students received the awards in 2000.

Any domestic or international graduate student of color pursuing a graduate degree in public relations or conducting research in public relations is eligible for an award. To nominate a student, send address, phone and e-mail addresses for yourself and the student, along with two or three sentences describing the student's accomplishments, teaching or research interests to PRD Student Awards Committee, c/o Teresa Mastin, School of Journalism, Box 64, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132. You may nominate more than one student.

Inez Kaiser was the first African-American woman to become a member of PRSA and to head a public relations agency with national clients.

ROSCHWALB GRANT–The $250 Roschwalb Grant is awarded to a full-time public relations student to help offset the cost of travel for international study or research. Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. A description of the nominee's study program, a letter of support from a full-time PR faculty member, address, e-mail and phone number should be sent to PRD Student Awards Committee, c/o Lisa Lyon, Department of Communication, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Rd., Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Susanne Roschwalb was active in PRD until she died from complications of breast cancer in 1996. Contributions in any amount are welcome to ensure continuation of the grant. The 2000 winner was Doga Taslardan, an undergraduate student at Abilene Christian University, who used the grant to attend an international study program in Athens, Greece.

For more information about either award, contact Katherine Kinnick, PRD Student Awards Committee chair, 770/423-6471, kkinnick@kennesaw. edu.

D.C. Travelogue: FREE AND CHEAP

By Linda Aldoory

The AEJMC convention is in Washington, D.C., this August, and we all think we know what that will be like: hot, muggy and expensive. Some PRD members may feel that they've been to D.C. dozens of times and don't expect to find anything new.

I'd like to try to convince you otherwise. I moved to the D.C. area last year, and being from here originally, I was desperate to find new venues for entertainment. Plus, being a new assistant professor, I could not afford the expensive opportunities D.C. offers. Let me share with you, then, the free museums and memorials, affordable theaters, and cheap eats that I have found that can make your convention trip worth its airfare.

Free museums and memorials: The trick about the Smithsonian, which is completely free to patrons, is taking advantage of the special exhibits that come through town. You can find out about what will be on exhibit during August by either visiting the Smithsonian's webpage or by talking to the hotel's concierge in August. Also, don't forget the less popular Smithsonian museums that offer very interesting exhibits, such as the Center for African American History and Culture, the National Museum of African Art, and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. There's also the Sackler and the Freer Galleries. For some of you who have not been here in a while, there are a couple of new, moving memorials – the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the FDR Memorial, which I highly recommend.

Affordable theaters: I love going to plays and cabarets, but I can't afford the Kennedy Center and the National Theater every weekend. I have found entertaining and cheaper shows and music at Studio Theater, Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University (which has concerts and ballets), Lincoln Theatre (which sometimes has free concerts), and the D.C. Arts Center Theater (which is a small troupe interactive theater).

Cheap eats: I have found wonderful restaurants in great areas on my budget. In the Adams Morgan area, there is Carribean (Ricky's Cafe), Ethiopian (Meskeram or Red Sea) and Mexican (Lauriol Plaza). In Dupont Circle, there's Asian Fusion Tapas (Raku), Chinese (City Lights of China), and various Italian and American bistros. The ones listed above I've been to and highly recommend. There is also Teaism near Dupont Circle where Japanese food and varieties of teas are offered, and Xando, a coffee house that offers s'more making at your table, complete with the flame and the Hershey's chocolate bars. Plus, don't forget that D.C. has its own Chinatown relatively near the hotel site.

This article just starts the list of affordable and different opportunities for entertainment and eats in D.C. For more details, check out the webpages for the Smithsonian, for Zagati's restaurant guide, and for the Washington Post for theater and restaurants. I hope to see you out and about during the convention!

White House: Free in DC

By Susan Gonders

George Washington and city planner Pierre L'Enfant chose the 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. site for the President's House. Construction on the design by Irish emigrant James Hoban began in October 1792, and the John Adams family became the first residents in 1800. It was rebuilt after the British torched it in 1814, it was gutted and renovated during the Truman administration, and Pat Nixon completed Jackie Kennedy's project of historical renovation.

It officially became the White House in 1901 under Theodore Roosevelt, and it is the only private residence of a head of state open to the public free of charge – that is, 11 of its 132 rooms.

The Visitors Entrance on the southeast corner leads to the Vermeil Room, a sitting room for formal occasions that includes an 1815 Duncan Phyfe sofa. The room that became the Library in 1935 also has 1800-1820 Phyfe furniture, as well as an 1800 gilded wood chandelier that belonged to the family of James Fenimore Cooper.

Designated the China Room in 1917 under Wilson, service from most of the administrations is displayed chronologically. Unfortunately, 19th-century china was routinely sold to buy new.

Franklin Roosevelt delivered his "Fireside Chats" from the Diplomatic Reception Room on the south central side of the house. The "Views of North America" panoramic wallpaper was first printed in 1834.

Site of dances, concerts, weddings, funerals and roller skating when T. Roosevelt's children lived there, the large East Room on the northeast corner also housed Union troops during the Civil War. The grand piano was a 1938 gift to the White House.

Originally intended for dining, the Green Room has been a sitting room since Calvin Coolidge furnished it from the Federal period.

James Monroe selected French Empire style for the Blue and Red Rooms. The oval Blue Room, which did not actually become blue until 1837 under Martin Van Buren, retains eight pieces acquired by Monroe, including an 1817 round marble-top table. The Red Room is lighted by an 1805 carved and gilded wood chandelier.

Located on the northwest corner, the State Dining Room seats up to 140. Monroe's two Italian marble fireplaces were removed to the Red and Green Rooms in 1902, and replaced by a single larger fireplace. Also in the 1902 renovation, one stairway was removed from the Center and Cross Hall to enlarge the State Dining Room, and the other set of steps was enlarged to the grand stairway. Visitors exit from this Hall on the north central side of the White House.

Open Tuesday-Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday), the White House accommodates 6,000 visitors per day. Contact your representative or senator two or three months in advance for free reserved tickets for Congressional guided tours that start 8:15-8:45 a.m., last about a half-hour, and are appropriate for high school age and older. Or free tickets for public self-guided tours are distributed at the White House Visitor Center, located at the southeast corner of 15th and E St. They are issued first come, first serve only on the morning of the tour, beginning at 7:30 a.m. One person may obtain up to four tickets, which indicate when, between 10 a.m. and noon, that you join the line.

Free orientation at the Center, open 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. every day, significantly enhances the tour. Use the rest room in the Center – you cannot do so in the White House. www.whitehouse.gov/tours/

In Memoriam: Patrick Jackson

Faculty Vacancies

PUBLIC RELATIONS FACULTY POSITION full-time, tenure-track, beginning August 2001. Coordinate the academic PR emphasis; advise individual students and PRSSA chapter; participate in departmental and university service. Master's degree in PR or related field and extensive (min. five years) professional experience in PR. Undergrad teaching experience in PR and oral communication strongly preferred. Completion of a successful interview, which may include a teaching demonstration. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to teach, evaluate and advise students. Submit letter of intent, resume, copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and three recent letters of reference with phone numbers to: Position F-558, Human Resources Department, 111 Alumni Hall, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield, PA 16933. Review of applications began Feb. 16. The position will remain open until filled. MU job hotline: 570/662-4055. MU job website: www.mansfield.edu/ depts/resource/jobs.html. Contact Dr. Lee Wright, lwright@ wheat.mnsfld.edu.