eChaser: November 2013 / p3

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas update: After years of simmering tension, a slate of long-awaited hearings may lead to resolution of a feud between the University of Texas System, its flagship institution and the Legislature. The House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations has heard, for the first time, testimony from witnesses regarding its investigation of regent Wallace Hall, which may conclude with articles of impeachment being filed against him. Hall would be the first nonelected official in the state to be impeached. More here. ... State ethics regulators are weighing complaints against conservative gadfly Michael Quinn Sullivan, Empower Texans and related groups. Two lawmakers accused Sullivan and his organizations of breaking election laws while inveighing against moderate Republicans in the 2012 state primaries, and of violating lobby reporting laws in conversations with lawmakers. More here.

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Going on the Internet? Put Your Best Face Forward

by Tim Tune, IABC Fort Worth

A good communications culture and a well-written social media policy are among the best ways to keep employees from damaging their reputation — as well as their employer’s — Jacqueline Lambiase with the TCU Schieffer School of Journalism told the IABC Fort Worth meeting Oct. 22.

Social media has blurred the line between personal and professional life, Lambiase said, making it important for organizations to nurture “a communication culture that permeates many public spaces.” It’s vital to “help employees see themselves as brand or organizational representatives.” The public’s first impression of a company may be set by an employee’s behavior online. Therefore, “focus on an employee’s personal brand first.”

Lambiase, an associate professor, offered several common-sense tips for establishing a credible personal reputation online:

• Never use a false identity.

• Disclose affiliations.

• Include a disclaimer saying that opinions are yours and yours alone.

• Follow copyright rules.

• Have separate personal and business accounts if possible.

• Never share insider trading information and trade secrets.

• Obtain permission to use logos or other trademarked images.

• Feature positive cover and profile photos on personal and employer sites. Ask yourself, would Mom or your boss be comfortable with your picture?

To keep track of what’s online about yourself, Lambiase suggested performing frequent “vanity” Google searches. Anyone with the same or similar name, see what she’s up to in case someone mistakes you for her. If you discover actual or potential defamation, request that the site remove the material. Check site owner information at whois.net.

Regarding unflattering or questionable photos, Lambiase recommended removing tags or deleting images or asking the person who posted them to do so. Sites, pages and content must be the best representations of you on your very best day; this helps mitigate issues because “good news drives out bad eventually.”

For organizations, Lambiase offered provisions for a social media policy:

• Be courteous and respectful of others’ ideas.

• Respect privacy before tagging or posting photos.

• Withdraw from a conversation if it turns contentious.

• Think before sharing content created by others.

• Consider setting role-based guidelines.

• Make provisions for holding people accountable.

• Be aware of free-speech rights and unlawful restrictions that might limit discussion of wages and working conditions.

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GET A JOB

The Community News in Aledo, 15 minutes west of Fort Worth, seeks a multitasking reporter with a passion for community journalism and strong writing and photography skills. Send résumé and samples of your writing and photography to editor@community-news.com. ...

The UNT Health Science Center’s Office of Professional and Continuing Education has an opening for a CME coordinator in Fort Worth to serve as a UNTHSC representative with internal and external vendors, including illustrators, printers, AV, caterers, travel agents, health care professionals and HSC faculty and staff. More here.

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NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS

SPJ ... Jenny Moore, Texas A&M University–San Antonio

PRSA ... Julia Bishop, Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center ... Laurie Esposito,

Community Hospice of Texas ... Michelle Gutt, city of Fort Worth ... Brittany Maxwell, Catholic Charities Fort Worth ... Shawna Russell ... Jay Warren,

city of Arlington ... Philip Gonzalez, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History ... Shametria Hall-Branch, Texas Health Resources ... Kenneth Ross, APR, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Chris Smith, Greater Fort Worth PRSA

Being Greater Fort Worth PRSA president certainly has its strategic and operational challenges, but on the upside the best part has been giving credit where credit is due. Ralph Waldo Emerson said success is “to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.” Mr. Emerson really nailed it.

Some of our members just set the bar higher for us all. Gigi Westerman, APR, Fellow PRSA, is one such person. In her fellows nomination letter, past president Allyson Cross wrote that Gigi “spent many hours meeting with potential APR candidates, encouraging their efforts and reviewing their Readiness Reviews. ... As a result of her efforts, several candidates within GFW PRSA are close to achieving APR status.” Gigi was inducted last month as a fellow at the PRSA International Conference in Philadelphia and joins five other chapter members having this respected designation.

Another member, Sandra Brodnicki, APR, demonstrated the value of well-thought-out public relations through contribution of an article, “Identifying Roadblocks Key to Defining Objectives, Success,” in the latest PR Measurement Guidebook (Vol. 7) from PR News Press. The article stresses the importance of evaluation and relates how Sandra handled the pitfalls we often face when dealing with clients who may have a fuzzy understanding of how communications complements the overall business strategy. More importantly, she lays out processes for identifying and overcoming roadblocks and proving the merits of proactive, strategic communications.

We were also excited to learn that our own Julie Wilson, APR, recently received the Lloyd B. Dennis Distinguished Leadership Award. The award recognizes exemplary public relations practitioners who use their skills to promote truth while demonstrating high standards of integrity and honesty, and who have helped effect positive change within an organization. Julie’s commitment to PRSA’s principles sets a solid example. We’re honored to have her as a longtime member and role model for our chapter.

Many thanks to PR professionals who give back, helping pave the way for those who follow.

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OVER & OUT

John Dycus, Fort Worth SPJ

Should be a dynamic evening Wednesday, Nov. 6, in Joe T. Garcia’s evocative converted church/meeting hall as six men who were in and around downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, recall the day John Kennedy died. Show up early, as the place will be packed. RSVP by Monday, Nov. 4. ...

SPJ is considering revising its Code of Ethics, and your feedback is requested. Read the code here and offer input here. Any proposed changes will be presented during Excellence in Journalism 2014 in Nashville, Tenn. ...

While you’re in a survey mood, a new study on media credentialing asks journalists and laborers of a similar bent to relate their experiences in applying for media credentials from federal, state and private entities in the United States. The survey is conducted by the National Press Photographers Association and the Digital Media Law Project at Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society, together with the Investigative News Network, Free Press, Journalist’s Resource and the Nieman Journalism Lab.

Caught my eye. An unprecedented Antarctic disaster, unfolding in darkness. ... Enbridge tar sands pipeline threatens Great Lakes. ... Study finds fracking wastewater irradiated, polluted Pennsylvania river. ... Study: Low fast food wages cost taxpayers $7 billion a year. ... In photos: River otters making a comeback in California’s Bay Area. ... Renewable energy America’s cheapest option, study finds. ... Exxon’s Pegasus pipeline crosses 18 Arkansas watersheds. ... GoSun: Portable solar oven cooks food in 10 minutes.

Closing words: “Shoot a few scenes out of focus. I want to win the foreign film award.” — screenwriter/director/producer Billy Wilder, who also said, “An actor entering through the door, you’ve got nothing. But if he enters through the window, you’ve got a situation.”