The world has changed this spring, and IABC/Tulsa is supporting communicators in our region by extending the deadline for membership scholarship applications through June 1.  We will be selecting two winners who will each receive a year of IABC/Tulsa membership at no cost. Chapter membership includes all of the perks that come from being a member of the International Association of Business Communicators: savings on professional development events, conferences and certifications; access to webinars and other online learning offered through IABC; opportunities for mentorship and networking; job postings; and much more!     Read on for details and how to apply. Scholarship Details: – Good for one year from membership start date – Includes all resources available to members – Includes free access to one IABC professional development event per quarter – Mentoring from IABC membership Eligibility:  – Any business or communications professional or student in the region – Preference given to students or members who have been displaced/currently seeking employment Requirements for scholarship: – Attend at least one IABC event each quarter – Participate in newsletter development – Volunteer to help at one IABC event – Judge at least one Bronze Quill entry from a different chapter – Demonstrate a commitment to communications and supporting its value Application process: To apply, submit a written application to our VP of Membership that outlines how the scholarship will help you to support IABC’s three pillars: (1) advance the profession; (2) create connection; and (3) develop strategic communicators.  Please make sure to include your contact information and a short bio that outlines any relevant professional details including place of residence and current student/professional status. Applications should be emailed to membership@iabctulsa.com with ‘Membership Scholarship’ in the subject line no later than 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 1. The VP of Membership will share all applications with the IABC/Tulsa Board of Directors, who will vote on scholarship recipients. In the event of a tie, the past president will be the deciding vote. Winners will be notified by the end of June. Please note that there is a maximum of one scholarship per individual. This year’s scholarship winners will not be eligible to apply for future membership scholarships offered through IABC/Tulsa.

March is Member Month at IABC and there’s no better time to join, renew your membership or recruit others to get plugged into our international network of communication professionals.

You’ll receive 10% off international dues when you join or renew using the code MARCH10 during March. Plus, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a standard registration to the 2020 IABC World Conference in Chicago where we’ll continue celebrating IABC’s golden anniversary in style! As a bonus, you’ll be entered into the drawing again for every new or reinstated member you refer.

Learn more about IABC/Tulsa membership on our website, or reach out to Vice President of Membership Lainie Harber at membership@iabctulsa.com.  

IABC/Tulsa is celebrating the 50th anniversary of March Membership Month with an exciting milestone – the launch of our new Membership Scholarship Program! Now through the end of the month we will be accepting applications to be consideredfor a free year of membership in IABC/Tulsa.

We will be selecting two winners who will each receive a year of IABC/Tulsa membership at no cost. Chapter membership includes all of the perks that come from being a member of the International Association of Business Communicators: savings on professional development events, conferences and certifications; access to webinars and other online learning offered through IABC; opportunities for mentorship and networking; job postings; and much more!    

Read on for details and how to apply.

Scholarship Details:

• Good for one year from membership start date
• Includes all resources available to members 
• Includes free access to one IABC professional development event per quarter
• Mentoring from IABC membership

Eligibility: 

• Any business or communications professional or student in the region
• Preference given to students or members who have been displaced/currently seeking employment

Requirements for scholarship:

• Attend at least one IABC event each quarter
• Participate in newsletter development 
• Volunteer to help at one IABC event 
• Judge at least one Bronze Quill entry from a different chapter
• Demonstrate a commitment to communications and supporting its value

Application process:

• To apply, submit a written application to our VP of Membership that outlines how the scholarship will help you to support IABC’s three pillars: (1) advance the profession; (2) create connection; and (3) develop strategic communicators. 
• Please make sure to include your contact information and a short bio that outlines any relevant professional details including place of residence and current student/professional status.
• Applications should be emailed to membership@iabctulsa.com with ‘Membership Scholarship’ in the subject line no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 31.

The VP of Membership will share all applications with the IABC/Tulsa Board of Directors, who will vote on scholarship recipients. In the event of a tie, the past president will be the deciding vote. Winners will be notified by the end of April 2020. Please note that there is a maximum of one scholarship per individual. This year’s scholarship winners will not be eligible to apply for future membership scholarships offered through IABC/Tulsa. 

What a great year; it’s only August and there is so much to be thankful for! Let’s begin with a virtual round of applause to Leslie Agee for her phenomenal reign as Madame President! Leslie jumped in as president in a time of need and went above and beyond to accomplish amazing things. I am so thankful for all she has done and will continue to do for IABC.

Prior to joining the board a year and a half ago, I started coming to IABC events as a non-member to gain professional insight. It changed my life. I have been blessed with relationships with people who add value to my life both personally and professionally. I enter this term hoping to continue to learn, and with the help of the board and our members, I plan to shake things up for another spectacular year!

Part of my vision for the chapter is continued partnerships with AMA, PRSA, TAHRA and AWC. Together, we have created a culture of innovation and professional growth. We are so excited to have our annual Spelling Bee(r) event at Fassler Hall along with PRSA, AMA and AWC coming right up in September! Last year’s event was a blast and not a single person left without a smile.

One item of business: my writing usually includes a lot of exclamation points because I am so excited! Just wait until you meet me; it’s much worse in person.

I look forward to getting to know you all more!

“People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Rob Siltanen

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Join Us For The Spelling BEE(R)!

When: September 19 at 6 p.m.

Where: Fassler Hall, 304 S. Elgin Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120

What: We all love a good copy editing session, but how are your spelling skills without a red pen in hand? How about with a drink in hand? Have fun competing for prizes while you find out at the fourth annual Adult Spelling Bee(r). All are welcome. There is no cost to attend or participate, and prizes will be awarded to the top three spellers!

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Certification Exams at Southern Region Conference on October 16

Missed the CMP and SCMP certification exams when they came to Tulsa and OKC this past spring? Here’s your next chance to prove your communications knowledge while also attending an incredible professional development conference.

Find out more about the IABC connect2comms Conference on October 16-18.

Learn more about certification.

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Save The Date: Gift of Communication is December 12

As a way to give back to the community, IABC/Tulsa is hosting its annual Gift of Communication. This event allows IABC members to provide their expertise to help nonprofit organizations achieve excellence in communications, public relations, employee communication, marketing communication, public affairs and other forms of business communication.

You can volunteer your time to help local nonprofits reach their communications goals, while learning from other communication professionals in the area.

When: Thursday, December 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (light breakfast provided)

Where: Tulsa City-County Library, 400 Civic Center, Tulsa, OK 74103

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Meet A Member: Amanda Black

Title: Communications Coordinator

Company: Helmerich & Payne

Why do you love your job? It allows me to work with many people/organizations across the company to make a difference for the future.

How long have you been a member of IABC? Just approached a year

What is the best IABC meeting/conference you have attended? Why? Communication Across Global Audiences with Kim Morgan – KFC. She provided great insight on several topics and wasn’t afraid to discuss the “not so good” times and how to recover from them.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Being active (working out/running/hiking) and spending time with family

What’s your favorite vacation spot? Anywhere on a beach!

What is your favorite restaurant? Keo

What advice would you give to new communications professionals? Build your network, continue to learn and never be afraid to ask questions.

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Happy membership anniversary to the communications pros who joined us during the month of August!

August 1 – Emily Perkins
August 12 – Kimberly Kuehler
August 15 – Kiley Roberson
August 17– Micah Laney
August 17 – Amanda Black

It’s hard to believe this is my last President’s Letter. IABC/Tulsa’s 2017-2019 board term has come to a close and I am so proud of what the team accomplished – new partnerships and programming, hosting a certification exam, updated website, new newsletter and the list goes on and on. Thank you is not enough, but I am extremely grateful for the time and commitment the board members gave to IABC.

Your new fearless leader, Noël Freeman, is full of ideas and energy. I am very excited to see what Noël and the new board will bring to our chapter. We are lucky to have several members staying on, as well as, a number of brand new board members. I think the next board term will be the best one yet, with a winning combination of experience and fresh ideas.

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve you and hope I was able to give even half of what I will take away from this experience. For anyone considering getting involved, the answer is “yes”. What you will gain professionally and personally is worth it.

Wishing everyone the very best.

“The days are long, but the years are short.” -Gretchen Rubin

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Communicating Across Global Audiences

Co-presented with the American Marketing Association (AMA). AMA members should register here. IABC members please use the green ‘register online’ button.

Communicating across borders doesn’t get much tougher than what Kim Morgan does every day for the world’s most popular chicken restaurant brand, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

As Director of Global Communications and Public Affairs at KFC, Kim ensures the nearly 80-year-old brand remains relevant, distinctive and easy to do business with in the more than 135 countries where it operates. But it must also respect local customs and cultures while staying relevant to customers young and old.

KFC must coordinate closely with and simultaneously avoid impacting its sister brands, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, as well as its parent company, Yum! Brands. And if all that isn’t enough, Kim must drive communications strategies that fuel KFC’s goal of franchising 99 percent of its restaurants – which now number more than 22,000.

What You’ll Learn:

• Challenges and opportunities of communicating across cultures and continents.
• What’s worked well for KFC in a multicultural, decentralized and matrixed environment
• Where KFC has made some missteps along the way and what the brand has learned through the process

When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. August 21, 2019

Where: Tulsa Country Club 701 N Union Ave, Tulsa, OK 74127

Fee:

• IABC Member fee: $25
• IABC Non-member fee: $35
• Student fee: $15

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Certification Exams at Southern Region Conference on October 16

Missed the CMP and SCMP certification exams when they came to Tulsa and OKC this past spring? Here’s your next chance to prove your communications knowledge while also attending an incredible professional development conference.

Find out more about the IABC connect2comms Conference on October 16-18.

Learn more about certification. 

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Title: Manager, Investor Relations

Company: ONEOK

Why do you love your job?  I never know what each day will bring. Working with the investment community there are always new questions to answer, rumors to dispel and strategic messaging to craft – it keeps us on our toes. Not to mention I get to work with some of the best communicators in Tulsa.

How long have you been a member of IABC? ~10 years.

Why are you a member of IABC? IABC provided me with valuable leadership experience before I was in a leadership role in my day-to-day job. That experience and the numerous connections I’ve made through this organization, both locally and internationally, have greatly benefited me personally and professionally.

What is the best IABC meeting/conference you have attended? Why?  I think our local Communicators Summit is always fantastic with high caliber speakers, great topics, and bonus… it’s local!

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Anything outdoors (hiking, camping, the lake, etc.) with my husband and our 8-year-old Goldendoodle, Cooper.

What’s your favorite vacation spot? I’ve only been once, but my favorite trip was by far our honeymoon three years ago in South Africa. The people, landscape and wildlife made a lasting impression.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I’m horrible with artists and hardly ever know who sings what. But I will listen to about any artist, style, time-period, you name it… there isn’t much I don’t like.

Which website or app do you visit daily? For work it’s either NYSE or NASDAQ sites for stock trading information. For personal use it’s probably Instagram, although I wish I could tell it was a news site/app.

What is your favorite restaurant? Locally: Stonehorse Café. Not local: KOSAKA in New York… I dream about that meal.

Complete the following: The future of the field of communications is….. more important than ever. With the speed of information, shrinking attention spans and the clutter of information vying for attention, professional communicators are more important than ever. The ability to craft concise, strategic messages and choose the right mediums for communication are rare and much-needed skills in any business. 

What advice would you give to new communications professionals? Professional communication takes technical skill – don’t ever think otherwise. And your skills as a professional communicator are absolutely transferable to other career paths. Always say yes to opportunities, even if they are outside of the “traditional” communications career scope. You never know where an opportunity could take you, and I guarantee wherever it is, you’ll be using communications.

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Save the Date: Spelling Beer

• When: September 19
• Where: Fassler Hall
• What: We all love a good copy editing session, but how are your spelling skills without a red pen in hand? How about with a drink in hand? Have fun competing for prizes while you find out at IABC/Tulsa’s fourth annual Adult Spelling Bee(r).

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Send a shout out to these members celebrating anniversaries in July.

July 10 – Joe Epperley 
July 21 – Robert Hatley
July 24 – Casey Smith

Research and Communication: The Investigative Process

Thanks to an anonymous donor, all attendees will be entered into a drawing to win $100! Objectivity is the goal of most communication, but it’s often difficult to separate drama from facts. A helpful tool in maintaining the objectivity standard is the investigative process, which is where speaker Leah Wietholter excels. The investigative process isn’t reserved for just investigators and accountants, though. It can be used in any profession where you need to understand facts; decide what’s true and what’s not; and translate the story for an audience.  What You’ll Learn: The investigative process and where information intersects.The best evidence to rely on for analysis.When to use the investigate process through case studies on actual events. When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 19 Where: Tulsa Country Club, 701 N. Union Ave., Tulsa, OK 74127 Fee: IABC Member fee: $25 IABC Non-member fee: $35 Student fee: $15 About Leah Wietholter Leah Wietholter is the Managing Director of Workman Forensics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A private investigator and Certified Fraud Examiner, she is an expert in following patterns. While working for the FBI, Wietholter discovered an interest and talent for forensic accounting. She then worked as a Senior Certified Fraud Examiner at a public accounting firm before opening Workman Forensics where she helps each client become a modern-day Sherlock Holmes. Using her 15 years of experience, Wietholter has created a new interactive continuing education experience – The Investigation Game (investigationgame.com). The game-based trainings allow attendees to not only hone their investigative and data sleuthing skills but also work a real-life case study in a collaborative team environment. Wietholter serves is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Advisory Board and volunteers as Treasurer for the Tulsa Crime Stoppers. She holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from Oral Roberts University and an MBA from Oklahoma State University.

Congratulations to the 2019 Bronze Quill Winners

IABC/Tulsa celebrated outstanding communications and recognized top local communications professionals on April 25, at the annual Bronze Quill Awards Ceremony. The event, attended by 100 local professionals, was held at the Central Library in downtown Tulsa for the second year in a row.

The event honored dozens of professionals in the communications field. Four special awards, 31 Awards of Excellence and 12 Awards of Merit were handed out throughout the evening. 

• Teryl Rose, ONE Gas Vice President of Environment, Safety and Health, was named the 2019 Communicator of the Year for his passion and outstanding contributions toward creating a strong safety culture at ONE Gas.
• Becky Carver, Supervisor of Communications at ONEOK, received the John Hartman Professional of the Year award. Carver was recognized by her peers for her exceptional leadership, professionalism and all-around dedication to everything she does.
• For just the second year, IABC/Tulsa presented the Rising Star award to recognize a dynamic, young communications professional. This year, Kayla Swan, Communications Specialist at Helmerich & Payne, received the honor.
• The “Best of Show” Award, presented to the entry with the highest total score, was awarded to Beth Harris of Walmart for “The Scoop Internal Newsletter.”

There were entries in 15 of the 24 categories and in total, 43 Bronze Quill awards were awarded to local communications professionals for their exceptional work. This year, the awards were evaluated by judges from chapters in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Phoenix, South Carolina, Nashville and Central Oklahoma.

Congratulations to all the winners (see the full list)! To view more photos from the evening, please visit our Facebook page.

Save the Date for July 17: How to Stay Positive and Turn Negativity into Possibility 

Co-presented with the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association (TAHRA). 

The ability to stay positive and productive in the face of change, challenges and uncertain times is essential for career success. In this interactive presentation, you will learn how to stay motivated, respond to workplace challenges and rekindle passion for your career.
Registered attendees will receive a copy of Sarita Maybin’s book “If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What DO You Say?”

What You’ll Learn:

• Find out if your glass is half empty or half full.
• How to cope with workplace situations that are beyond your control.
• Twelve motivators that can keep you motivated at work.
• Five ways to rekindle passion for your career.
• How to communicate concerns in a way that will get the results you desire.
• How to effectively protect yourself from the negativity of others.
• How to use your “resiliency resources” to bounce back from adversity.

When: 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 17
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton – Warren Place, 6110 S Yale Ave., Tulsa, OK 74136

Congratulations to the these IABC/Tulsa members on their recent certification! For more information on how to obtain certification, go to https://gcccouncil.org.

Meet a Member: Michele Chiappetta

How long have you been a member of IABC?Less than a year.

Why are you a member of IABC? I joined to meet other communications specialists that I might not otherwise meet in my normal day-to-day experiences. Working as a solopreneur can get lonely. IABC is a way to counter that solitude and be part of a community.

What is the best IABC meeting/conference you have attended? Why? I loved the meeting with Tulsa City-County Library’s CEO, Kimberly Johnson. She is so inspiring, has a great story, and really exemplifies the way that women can help women succeed in the work place. I’d listen to her speak again in a heartbeat.

How has IABC played a part in your professional development? It has helped me make connections with other professionals, giving me ways to expand what I do. It also allowed me to give back through the Gift of Communication event, which is where I first connected with the Assistance League. I’m now doing some volunteer work with them, all because of IABC.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I enjoy gardening, spending time with friends and family, and traveling.

What’s your favorite vacation spot? All of them! I like exploring new places, preferably warm ones.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I like a good mix, anything from classic rock to R&B and jazz.

Which website or app do you visit daily? Facebook, Instagram, the Weather Channel. Lol

What is your favorite restaurant? I’m a fan of Molly’s Landing in Catoosa – so fun, kitschy, and great steak. I also really like Bluestone Steakhouse, Smoke, and The Tropical. All of these places have great food and great service.
 
Complete the following: The future of the field of communications is…. Finding new ways to be heard and capture people’s hearts and minds, balancing the fact that the marketplace is noisier than ever and yet makes so much more available to us than ever before.

What advice would you give to new communications professionals? Meet as many people as you can. Network. Communications is about people as much as anything else. Also, continually look for new things to learn and ways to grow your skillset. There’s always something you don’t yet know, but that is worth knowing.

Send a shout out to these members celebrating anniversaries in May.

May 8 – Jill McCune Burt
May 26 – Cody Bromley
May 13 – Joe Williams
May 15 – Brad Borror
May 25 – Angela Byers