“Working with this group has given me new energy to approach my profession. Each program is an opportunity to learn and share, not only from the speakers but also from other AWC members. These members have become my ‘go-to’ group when I need answers to communication questions.”
Linda Dawson
director of editorial services,
Illinois Association of School Boards
AWC chapter past president
Exciting things are happening with our Association for Women in Communications Chapter!
• Download December 2011 Newsletter (pdf)
• We learn great things from our speakers and each other during our monthly meetings.
Check out our meeting highlights and, for members only, meeting handouts and slideshows.
AWC Springfield Wins Three AWC National Awards
During the AWC National Conference, October 13 - 15th in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the AWC Springfield Chapter was well represented by winning 3 prestigious Chapter Awards. These included the Overall Outstanding Chapter Award, the Best Website Award and the Most Improved Chapter Award. Springfield beat out numerous entries from chapters across the country.
Each award was presented for events and materials which were created or used during the fiscal year of July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.
The Overall Outstanding Award recognizes overall programming, progress, membership recruitment and anything else which has proven to be successful for that chapter. The Springfield Chapter received this award because membership has increased over 30% during the last 12 months, in large part due to the efforts of the Co-VP of Membership, Nancy Zimmers and Merle Shiffman. The monthly chapter programming offered diverse, relevant topics to members and this was due to the planning efforts of Co-VP Programs, Sarah Mackey and Amy Kay. The communications process for current and potential members was streamlined with an increased emphasis on social media tools due to the efforts of the Co-VP Communications, Jenny Rich and Kara Kienzler. Finally, Springfield introduced its annual Chapter Awards through the efforts of President Elect, Jennifer Anderson. The combination of all these actions, and their positive results, allowed Springfield to beat out numerous other chapter entries across the country.
The Best Website Award recognizes a chapter for an outstanding website. Through a careful planning and design process, led by Web Master Christy Broccardo-Davis and her website team, the AWC Springfield website was completely overhauled. The end result became an easy to navigate website, full of information presented in a logical and coherent manner.
Finally, the third award was for the Most Improved Chapter which is recognition for a chapter that has been successful in revitalizing or reinventing themselves. Based on all the efforts listed for the previous awards, this description epitomizes the Springfield Chapter.
A big thank you goes out to all of the board members for 2010 - 2011. These board members were: Lisa Rigoni, President; Jennifer Anderson, President Elect; Linda Dawson, Immediate Past President and Secretary; Nancy Zimmers and Merle Shiffman, Co-VP Membership; Sarah Mackey and Amy Kay, Co-VP Programs; Kristin Fyans, VP Finance; Melinda McDonald, Scholarship Chair; and Christy Broccardo-Davis, Web Master and Jobs Chair. Without their leadership, commitment and enthusiasm, this would not have been possible.
CONGRATULATIONS TO TWO AWC MEMBERS ON YOUR RETIREMENTS!
Nancy Zimmers
I came to Springfield in 1977 after six years of PR experience, including three in media relations at Northwestern University. I was hired at coordinator of public information at SIU School of Medicine after hearing about the opening in public affairs at an AWC board meeting. My previous jobs had all been in university PR, so this was a good match for me. The school was only eight years old and much was still being developed and organized - I remember the media list I inherited had 14 reporters on it! After three years, I was named director of the office and was there a total of 33 years.
I had joined AWC while a senior at the University of Iowa and continued my membership after graduation, including in the North Shore chapter in the Chicago area where I also was adviser to the NU student chapter. I helped start the Springfield chapter when I moved here. My chapter duties have included being Springfield chapter president (1979-80) and meeting chair when we hosted the Midwest regional meeting (1982). I plan on staying involved with this chapter, serving in a new position as archivist. I obviously believe the group has been important in my career primarily because of the networking it provides (and friendships too).
In retirement, I'm also continuing on the board of Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery and on a personal note, getting to the Y regularly, spending more time in my quilting room and actually getting the book read each moth for my book club.
Merle Shiffman
I began at SIU as Communications Coordinator in October 2000. I became aware of the position opening through my association with AWC. I knew that belonging to AWC would help when looking for a new communication-related job. I enjoyed my time at SIU as my job evolved and grew throughout the time I was there.
Retirement will find me spending more time with family in Chicago, especially my two grandchildren. I'm still active on several boards and do yoga two times a week.
AWC member achieves certification
The AWC Matrix Foundation is happy to welcome AWC member Amy Rodek to the rolls of Certified Communications Professionals (CCP). Established in 2005, the CCP program is fully approved by the AWC National Board of Directors and endorsed by the University of Washington Department of Communications, where AWC was founded in 1909.
Amy Rodek is director of Marketing and Communications for the Orthopedic Center of Illinois (OCI) and independent sales director with Thirty-One Gifts. At OCI, Rodek manages all marketing/public relations/communication functions for the Orthopedic Center of Illinois, Midwest Rehab, Midwest Imaging, Spine Center of Illinois, Occupational Medicine Group and Orthopedic Center of Illinois Foundation. Her responsibilities include referring physician relations, creating marketing/print materials; representing the company with local media; and planning, coordinating, and evaluating major events—including the annual charity golf tournament.
Read the full story >>
Chapter Scholarship and Award Recipients Announced
Congratulations to our 2011 award winners, who were honored at the annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet at the Sangamo Club on May 11. President Lisa Rigoni and President-Elect Jennifer Anderson were on hand to present awards to (from left):
• Jessie Decker, Manager, Network Communication for The Hope Institute for Children and Families, The Autism Program of Illinois, AWC Scholarship;
• Jan Grimes, Director, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency - State of Illinois, Professional Communicator Award;
• Christy Broccardo-Davis, Marketing Specialist, Springfield Clinic, Chapter Star Award.
Learn more about the Chapter Awards. A special thanks to Bunn-O-Matic for sponsoring the event.