FPRA Gainesville Chapter Committees

 
Following is a list of all FPRA Gainesville Committees with contact information for the committee's board liaison.  Click here to learn more about the responsibilities of a board liaison or committee chair.

Accreditation Committee

The Accreditation Committee is responsible for generating publicity and distributing information to members eligible to take the APR or CPRC accreditation exams. Prior to the exam date(s), the Accreditation Committee organizes study sessions for those eligible, as well as coordinating the exam itself.

Board Liaison: Rod Hemphill, APR, CPRC
Phone: 352.374.1516
E-mail: Rod.Hemphill@ffbf.org

Visit Accreditation Web page


Communications Committee

The Communications Committee is responsible for performing public relations functions for the chapter. The committee writes or approves all press releases and coordinates dissemination of releases to the media. The committee also organizes the authoring of in-depth articles and case studies for posting to the chapter Web site and for possible publication.

Board Liaison: Audrey Peek
Phone: 352.377.5821, ext. 4102
E-mail: apeek@jonesedmunds.com
 

Community Relations Committee

The Community Relations Committee is the chapter's service entity. This committee provides programs and other communication services to the Gainesville community to help promote FPRA. Each year the committee selects projects from local non-profit organizations. In the past, the committee has also coordinated seminars and events aimed at non-public relations professionals that are both affordable and educational.

Board Liaison: Kristin Jimenez
Phone: 352.494.8782
E-mail: jimekr@lifequest.ufl.edu

Visit Community Relations Web page


Educational Services Committee

The Educational Services Committee serves as a liaison between the Gainesville Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association and the Public Relations students of the Gainesville Chapter's community. The Committee plans networking events for students and professionals, and student field trips. It also supports career preparation programs and promotes internships to help students acquire expertise in “real-time” public relations situations, and to help public relations professionals meet the demands of “real-time” situations using qualified, skilled pre-professional student assistants. The Committee works with graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications, particularly those who are members of the Alpha Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSSA). All students attending Santa Fe Community College and Lake City Community College, in addition to UF Public Relations students, are welcomed in participate.

Board Liaison: Amelia Bell
Phone: 352.392.9019
E-mail: abell@ufl.edu


Electronic Media Committee

The Electronic Media Committee is responsible for collecting information and designing, updating and coordinating the chapter Web site. As the site is updated, this committee sends a monthly e-mail to the membership alerting them to the latest news. This committee is constantly seeking new ways to make the chapter Web site a more effective and useful tool.

Board Liaison: Donna Foster
Phone: 352.393.6000
E-mail: donna@gtecflorida.com


Image Awards Committee

The Image Awards Committee is responsible for developing and instituting an annual local Image Awards program. This committee first creates and distributes a "call for entries" for the awards. They also organize, implement and coordinate a fun, exciting event to recognize Image winners and publicize winners through local media and chapter events. The committee may be called upon to coordinate the judging process for another chapter.

Board Liaison: Erin Morton
Phone: 386.418.8888, ext. 4218
E-mail: emorton@rtix.com

Visit Image Awards Web page


Member Services Committee

The Member Services Committee is responsible for the recruitment of new members and the retention and general service to the chapter membership. This committee's responsibilities include keeping a current member database with contact information and continuously updating it throughout the year, developing nametags and coordinating chapter luncheons. The committee is also responsible for developing and maintaining the electronic chapter member directory.

Board Liaison: Emily Speichert
Phone: 386.418.8888 ext. 4135
E-mail: espeichert@rtix.com


Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development Committee is responsible for planning and organizing an educational seminar for the membership each year. The event is typically a full-day program and includes a series of speakers on public relations topics and a sponsor trade show area.

Board Liaison: Katie Weitekamp
Phone: 352.393.1486
E-mail: weitekampkj@gru.com
Visit Professional Development Seminar Web page


Programs Committee

The Programs Committee organizes the speakers for the chapter's monthly luncheons. The programs should keep members interested, educated and updated in public relations issues and trends. Also, the monthly programs should keep members informed of timely local, state and national issues and in touch with community leaders.

Board Liaison: Morgan Dunn
Phone: 352.376.7783
E-mail: morganldunn@aol.com