From Our President
 
PRAM Central 2019: Connect, Communicate, Continue
Densmore
Friends,
It's hard to believe that we have already reached the end of the first quarter of this year! As your PRAM Central President, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the 2019 goals of your PRAM Central Board.
If you have not yet had the chance, I invite you to take a look at the full list of goals and objectives our dedicated leadership team has set for 2019 to ensure we're maximizing the benefits of your membership in our PRAM Central chapter this year.
The way I see it, these high-reaching goals exemplify what I am calling the "PRAM Central 3 C's":
  • CONNECT : we aim to increase connection with current PRAM Central members, students and potential PRAM Central members in as many ways possible in order to grow our Chapter;
  • COMMUNICATE : we want to expand communication with our members by enhancing specific aspects of our current PRAM Central communications toolbox, such as our website.
  • CONTINUE : we are working hard to build on the path set forth by our 2018 PRAM Central leaders to continue to grow our membership, and networking and development opportunities for our members.
As we make our way into the second quarter of 2019, we encourage each of you to  COMMUNICATE to your PRAM Central leaders your thoughts, ideas and input on our goals and objectives. We also ask for your help in obtaining these goals by reaching out to PR colleagues who you know are not currently members of PRAM Central.  CONNECT with them, tell them about the numerous benefits of PRAM Central, and bring them to a meeting. With your help, we will  CONTINUE to grow our Chapter, the biggest Chapter in the State - currently with 198 members.
I look forward to  CONNECTING, COMMUNICATING and  CONTINUING to learn and grow alongside of each of you this year!
Best,



Liz Hogue Densmore, APR
Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications
LEC, Inc.
President
PRAM Central
Not too late to register for the State PRAM Conference!
To be held at the Vicksburg Convention Center April 10-12


We're less than two weeks out from the PRAM State Conference! For those that haven't registered yet, late registration has begun! 

Registration Rate:
Professionals - $195
Non-Member - $225

Students:
Full Conference - $65
Friday Only - $30

Awards Banquet Only:
 $55
*NEW TICKET* Thursday Day Pass - No access to the Awards Banquet:
 $75

Special Registration Notes
You can choose to pay online, by check, or by invoice. If you have a specific payment request (W9s, documentation, etc.), please submit that request to  statePRAMboard@gmail.com.
Red Cross Calls needs YOU to  Install Free Smoke Alarms-Saturday, April 27!
As part of PRAM Central's goals, we want to participate and support our community. We have selected Sound The Alarm as one of our projects for the year! If you want to save lives, sign up to install free smoke alarms in a neighborhood chosen by Jackson Fire Department because of frequent fires. The Red Cross will train you on exactly what to do. 
 
People can register now HERE.  You will be asked to create an account and then you will be in  our PRAM Central Team to volunteer at the home fire safety and smoke alarm installation event on April 27 at the West End Height Subdivision in Jackson.

These crises are the nation's most frequent disaster and kill seven people each day-often in homes without working smoke alarms. We have saved seven lives in the past year in the Jackson area because of  smoke alarm installations.

Let's show our support and sign up now. Thank you!

If you have any questions, please call Selena Standifer-Smith, 601-317-8647.

Congratulations to our newest APRs
Two PRAM Central members recently earned their Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). 

Forde
Daniel Forde, APR, is Director of Public Affairs for Public Service Commissioner Sam Britton. He serves on the PRAM Central Board of Directors as Vice President of Programs.

A Starkville native, Forde graduated from Mississippi State in 2014 with a degree in business and received a master's degree in 2016 in Integrated Communication and Public Relations from Mississippi College in Clinton.

Prior to his position at the MPSC, Forde has worked for Sanderson Farms, Inc. of Laurel as well as the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

He and his wife, Laura, who is also an MSU graduate, live in Ridgeland.

Haynes
Jasmine Haynes, APR, is the communications specialist for the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church and has worked there for almost seven years. 
 
A graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans, Haynes has a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication with a focus in print and broadcast journalism. She also graduated from Louisiana State University's Manship School of Mass Communication with a Master of Mass Communication having concentrations in media law and broadcast journalism. Haynes is the chairperson of the Followers of The Way, the young adult ministry at Middlebrook United Methodist Church in Jackson, and is a member of the Beta Delta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

If you are interested in pursuing your APR, please contact PRAM Central Career Development Coordinator LTC Christian Patterson, APR+M, at christian.patterson.mil@mail.mil.

Meet our new members
We're off to a great start in 2019 with seven new members so far. Be sure to say hi and introduce yourself at the next meeting!
  1. Kym Williams - Canopy Children's Solutions
  2. Kate Royals - UMMC
  3. Richard "Kirk" Daniel - The Salvation Army
  4. Mandy Bufkin - Methodist Children's Homes
  5. Gavin Snyder - Trustmark
  6. Chris Turner - Mississippi Department of Transportation
  7. Leanna Cameron - Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance
Member Spotlight
Jeopardy host Alex Trebek and Karen Bascom
PRAM Central member Karen Bascom recently lived a lifelong dream when she was selected to be a contestant on the popular TV game show Jeopardy!

Bascom is a health science research editor-writer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She appeared on the Feb. 11 episode of the show, finishing third.

After beloved host Alex Trebek announced his diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March, UMMC's PR department released the article 
  "Jeopardy! competitor, UMMC experts lend perspective to host's diagnosis,"  written by Bascom's colleague and fellow PRAM Central member, Ruth Cummins.

Upcoming Events
Due to April being PRAM State Conference month, PRAM Central will not host its monthly meeting luncheon in April. Our next luncheon is:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
@ The Capital Club
Speaker: TBA

Watch your email inbox for more details soon, and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for the latest news. We've got some exciting things in the works!

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