eChaser: February 2014/ p3

PEOPLE & PLACES

Effective June 1, TCU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Communication will be divided into the School of Journalism and the School of Strategic Communication. Both will remain part of the newly renamed Bob Schieffer College of Communication, which also includes the Communication Studies and the Film-Television-Digital Media departments. The new chairs for the School of Journalism and the School of Strategic Communication (formerly advertising and public relations) will be announced June 1. University leadership believes the division will allow the areas to develop distinctive identities, resulting in more specialized programs and a stronger student experience. Few curriculum changes are anticipated immediately. ...

Julie Wilson will lead the Blue Zones Project, brought to Fort Worth by Texas Health Resources, the city and the Chamber of Commerce. Sponsored by Healthways in Nashville, Tenn., the Blue Zones Project encourages healthier communities by engaging local governments in policy change and working with school districts, employers, neighborhoods, restaurants, grocery stores and health-care providers. More here. A team of 40-plus staff members is envisioned with 100 or more community volunteers.

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NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS

PRSA ... Skyla Claxton, Camp Fire First Texas ... Alex Branch, UNT Health Science Center ... Jeff Carlton, UNT Health Science Center ... Kevin Cokely ... Kerry Gunnels, UNT Health Science Center ... Jan Jarvis, UNT Health Science Center

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Richie Escovedo, Greater Fort Worth PRSA

I first considered writing another column about the solid program we have for members and guests at the next luncheon. But that seemed like fluff when put up against a local, sensitive topic, the discussion of which substantially advances the PR profession and professional.

Sometimes working in PR and strategic communications sucks. That's where I believe the leadership and communications teams at JPS Health Network found themselves over the last few months. The situation of a patient and family leading up to a judge's ruling and follow-through on the order is unbelievably sad. To be clear, I have no interest mulling in print the thorny sociopolitical issues of this episode because it is so emotionally charged. Instead I would point to the well-presented and effective updates JPS released to the media.

JPS was stuck between a shock and a tarred place. No outcome was pleasant. Whether you're an in-house PR pro or hired consultant, in health care or nonprofit, a corporate communicator in education or in any part of the vast PR realm, at times things will go wrong. And the pain, the hurt, the confusion can last months.

Communication professionals provide strategic value to an organization in situations like these by being the voice of reason, conscience or even dissent to help leadership through the thicket. At such moments I appreciate the colleagues I know through PRSA who can help me strengthen an idea, clarify some wording, or just be a friendly ear. It’s great to know I’m not alone.

I tip my hat to the JPS Health Network communications and community affairs team. You do good work.

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IABC: STAYING CONNECTED

Betsy Deck, IABC Fort Worth

IABC Fort Worth has had one roller coaster year. We’ve had great speakers, a great venue (most months at Joe T.’s) and great networking at our luncheons — just not enough turnout. Let’s fix that last part.

A little background. IABC is how I found my current job, and I’m coming up on 10 years with the city of Euless. Through IABC I have formed lifelong friendships. IABC pals have assisted with big projects at work and served as creative inspiration when needed. They helped plan my wedding several years ago, threw baby showers for Stuart and me and have even been trusted to watch our children. To me, IABC is more than a business networking group. It’s a relationship building group.

I’ve found many mentors along the way, including the one and only John Dycus, and every year without fail I see some PRSA/SPJ/IABC character at the State Fair of Texas. Why is that? The point is, I love the organization and I worry about the Fort Worth chapter’s future. My primary concern is our luncheon attendance.

The idea generation I get from a luncheon and asking questions of my peers is invaluable. I know you will agree. We can all use a jolt of motivation and inspiration from time to time. Consider attending our upcoming luncheon just to say hi to old friends and meet some new friends. We’d love to see you!

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OVER & OUT

John Dycus, Fort Worth SPJ

Any college journalism students of your acquaintance, send them here for the best scholarship competition in Texas. The deadline has been extended to Feb. 28. And those same students and their local peers surely would benefit from the Mass Media SPJ Career Conference at TCCC downtown Saturday, Feb. 15. And for a spirited evening with your convivial colleagues in Hispanic Communicators – DFW, mosey over here. Talk about your jumping month at Fort Worth SPJ! And circle March 20 at Joe T. Garcia’s for the next networking dinner, featuring a panel on how to break into management. So many capitalized conjunctions, so little time. ...

Before the federal shield bill arrives on the Senate floor, it should have more than 60 votes in order to overcome any potential filibuster. SPJ national is asking all members to urge their senators to vote yes on the Free Flow of Information Act (S. 987). Go here for phone numbers and tips and talking points. ...

Since 1990 the James Aronson Awards for Social Justice Journalism have honored original, written reporting that exposes widespread injustice, underlying causes and possible reforms, including discrimination based on race, class, gender, religion or sexual orientation; economic exploitation; violations of human rights, civil liberties or free expression; environmental degradation; and brutality to civilians in war. Entry deadline is Feb. 10. The award recognizes work published in English in newspapers, magazines, newsletters and text-based online publications based in the U.S. A separate prize, the Grambs Aronson Award for Cartooning with a Conscience, recognizes political cartoonists plumbing social issues. Info here.

Caught my eye. UT Arlington technology uses micro-windmills to recharge cellphones. ... A little good news: Texas education board revises textbook adoption rules. ... Wind power saved the Texas power grid from the polar vortex. ... One degree of warming may cut Kansas wheat production 20 percent. ... Life-saving boot can detect landmines from 6.5 feet away. ... One more breathtakingly bike-friendly city to learn from. ... Scientific consensus on anthropogenic global warming: a pie chart. ... Climate change tipping point shockingly close for cities around the world. ... Power-harvesting device converts microwave signals into electricity. ... Peecycling will fertilize the green roofs of Amsterdam. ... Breakthrough fuel cell is cheaper and doesn’t use rare earth metals. ... Direct drive wind turbine design could transform offshore wind.

Closing words: “Never use a long word where a short one will do.” — George Orwell ... “Most men are a little better than their circumstances give them a chance to be.” — William Faulkner ... “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” — Rudyard Kipling

Closing words II, Texas consistently ranks near the bottom nationally in average teacher pay division: “At the end of the day, we're paying our school teachers — when you count in cost of living — a very fair salary.” — Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst