First Amendment – a right we should all fight for, Charlie Kirk did
Open, free communication is essential for all of us. That doesn’t mean we all must agree, it means we all have access to honest, accurate information to make informed decisions. That’s where credible journalism comes in. It’s also where the horrific death of Charlie Kirk comes in. This week’s events with ABC have me still trying to wrap my head around how a national media outlet is being bullied into acquiescence yet again. Charlie Kirk believed in civil discourse and the freedom of speech. A right as Americans, as this country’s first leaders created our Constitution. That right comes with...
Paving a legacy, why mentoring matters
Recently, I had the honor of having a mentoring award named for me, the Jane Dvorak Mentor of the Year Award, how crazy is that? Crazy, because I feel it comes quite naturally and frankly, that I have benefitted greatly from the experience of those relationships built. I had amazing mentors of my own that role modeled what it means to invest in the next generation. I’m forever grateful to those sage advisors who helped lift me to where I am today. They paved a path to career success, national PRSA leadership and extraordinary community engagement. Those mentors made a...
Giving back changes lives. It’s just WOW!
Each and every day we all have a chance to change a life. Sounds monumental, doesn’t it!? Actually, it takes so little. I don’t know about you, but I’m not famous, nor am I wealthy beyond worries. I face the very same challenges as most. One thing I do, though, is give back. I’m not sure when this was instilled in me, but I know that my mother was an amazing role model in this regard. And, my dad, he was always helping others either through his network of connections, and boy was that web spread far and wide, or...
Crisis Situations: Why PR pros should be a trusted advisor
The recent plant/helicopter crash is an exercise in why PR should be at the table in a crisis. I try to watch the news with a critical PR eye for what might have, or is, happening in the background to get to these very public, highly scrutinized media interviews. Are they prepared? Are their messages clear? Are they tone deaf? Are they spot-on? In this most recent plane crash in D.C. there are many emotions, so much loss and so many unanswered questions. There is plenty of finger pointing happening too, unnecessarily at this point, given where the current investigation...
We can’t afford to see the press as the enemy
A free press is anything but an enemy of the public. In fact, to say so is an affront to our Constitution. As a PR pro, this is especially concerning to me, as the First Amendment is at the core of all that we do. The free flow of information is essential to democracy and that is why I believe we must stand up when such outrageous statements are made. The fact the Associated Press was removed from the White House press corps and 60 Minutes is being pressured to succumb to political retaliation should be horrifying at a minimum....
Time to “Giggle a Bit”
It’s National Belly Laugh Day. WOOHOOO! Personally, I feel like this is a celebration made just for me, but in reality, it’s something we should all take seriously. Belly laughing, that is. (yep, I’m snickering a bit on that last sentence.) Can you remember the last time you really full out belly laughed? Really let the full bodied giggle build to a full on boisterous cackle interspersed with snorts? No? Oh…. I’m sorry. I’m sorry because you’re missing a chance to benefit from that (or any laughter for that matter) moment of uncontrolled, uninhibited positive energy. Yeah, this blog just...
