Tom Lucia

My wife works at a Hallmark store.  While that distinction has certain drawbacks (“Seriously, that Hummel cost us how much?”), it does have its better points.  One of them is that I have become much more “occasionally aware.”  Yes, rarely does a St. Jean Baptiste Day (Quebec), Anzac Day (Australia) or a Day of the Race (Mexico) slip off my radar screen any more.

That said, the fact that April 16-20 was National Volunteer Recognition Week was not lost on me.  Not to brag, but I also have 14 different “Happy National Volunteer Recognition Week” cards at home. 

In pondering the occasion, though, it made me think once again about the invaluable contribution that volunteers make to our chapter each and every day.  Behind every blast e-mail, every program, every new sponsor, every membership party, every anything our chapter does, is a dedicated and capable PRSA volunteer.  Just about every aspect of the operation of our chapter is managed by colleagues (young and “seasoned” alike) who sacrifice their schedules to benefit not only our organization, but our profession.  It is a humbling thing.

It is also a rewarding thing.  Serving on one of the chapter’s many committees – to be a volunteer, a “do-er,” a leader – certainly has its benefits.  In addition to the increased networking opportunities and the ability to flex some of the creative muscles that maybe you don’t get the chance to in your current position, is the knowledge that you are making a difference.  Being involved gives you the ability to better the chapter, assist current and future colleagues, and even improve the way P.R. professionals are perceived by the community.  And, that is a just reward indeed.

Get involved today.  Make more of your membership.  Check out the Web site and join a committee, or become a mentor; you’ll be glad you did. 

And to those who are already involved, thank you for all that you do.  Our chapter has a bright present and a brighter future due to your contributions.  And, to show you my personal gratitude, I pledge to buy each and every one of you a cerveza (beer) on Benito Juarez’ Birthday (next March 21).  Arriba! 

Reminder: Silent Auction
A 50/50 drawing and silent auction to benefit the May C. Randazzo Memorial Scholarship Fund will be held during the upcoming Excalibur Awards dinner on Thursday, June 21, 2007. If you would like to contribute an item for the auction, please contact Eileen Herbert at herberte@canisius.edu or Diane Zwirecki at dianezwirecki@goodyear.com.  Please help build our scholarship fund!

Member News
In January, Jill Spira became director of Foundation with Niagara County Community College.  She was associate executive director of Foundation & Communications with Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara for the past 13 years. In May 2006 she earned a Master of Science degree in multi-disciplinary studies, with a concentration in public relations, from Buffalo State College.  Spira has been a member of PRSA for 20 years.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education District II has selected Paula Witherell, Hilbert College’s public relations director, to receive a 2007 bronze Accolade Award in the Excellence in News Writing – General News Writing category.

New Chapter Sponsor
The Buffalo-Niagara Chapter would like to welcome Canisius College’s Communications and Leadership Masters Studies Program as our newest chapter sponsor.  This graduate-level curriculum provides insight into the complex relationship between leadership and communication in areas such as building and bridging networks of relationships, communicating expectations and goals, and motivating and listening.

For more information on this graduate-level degree program, please visit http://www.canisius.edu/comlead/ or contact Dr. Rosanne Hartman at 716-888-2589 or at 318 Lyons Hall on the Canisius campus.

In addition, we’d like to thank PR Newswire, which has agreed to once again sponsor our chapter in 2007 for the third-consecutive year.  For more information on PR Newswire’s communication services, please visit www.prnewswire.com or contact fellow chapter member Kelly Fuller at (212) 782-2436.