For Immediate Release
September 14, 1999

Introduction

Today serves up a perfect example of how our chapter's professional development workshops expand our horizons. And who better to learn from than two of the National Capital Chapter's all-stars - Chris Whitten and Lauri Grunig.

We're going to talk about leadership. Leadership means a lot to PR pros - at least it should.

Good morning, and welcome to this month's professional development workshop sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America's National Capital Chapter. This is but one of the many professional development and networking opportunities our chapter offers.

If you are not yet a PRSA member, I urge you to talk with our President Mary Yerrick or Assistant Chapter Manager Sherri Mayerhofer, who many of you met when you arrived this morning, or me.

My name is Ed Barks. I am President of Barks Communications, a firm specializing in media training, presentation training, and legislative testimony training. I am also a member of the chapter's Program Committee which organized today's event.

Leadership - A Vital Role for PR Pros

As PR practitioners, we have a message to deliver. Public relations pros are key advisors. And we need to be at the table when key decisions are made. We owe it to our organizations to deliver strategic counsel on vital issues.

Sometimes this involves the simple matter of walking into a meeting uninvited and taking a seat. Other times it may mean kicking the door down. Now, a word to the wise - you may want to kick that door down only in a figurative sense unless you adhere to the management style of General George Patton - or, I suppose, to cite a more modern example, Redskins owner Dan Snyder.

But no matter how you get there, being a public relations professional means living a life of leadership. And let's face it, most of us have been part of organizations that provide absolutely no leadership or management training. How many times have you felt as though the person you report to expected you to be born with that knowledge? We all realize it takes training.

You may be the leader of an organization or a team seeking to refine your leaderships skills. Perhaps you are a new manager who needs some tools to lead an account team. Or you may be a senior executive looking to broaden your mentorship abilities.

You've come to the right place. For today, yet again, your PRSA-NCC membership is about to pay dividends.

Conclusion

Following Chris and Lauri's leadership tour, we will have plenty of time for questions. Some of you have submitted your questions in advance electronically. We'll also take questions from the floor.