FPRA Ocala Chapter

IDEA CHAIR Update, July was Disability Pride Month, did you know? In case you missed it, read, 'Disability Pride Month: Moving Beyond Tokenism to Authentic Representation'. https://lnkd.in/e8pKd7hz

Our Chapter is so thrilled to see community leadership by its members, Allison B. Campbell, DSC, APR, CPRC and Beth McCall, CFRE! https://lnkd.in/eGjBZwEc

With great sadness we note the passing of Beverly Brown ....Beverly Ann Brown, aged 61, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2024, in Ocala, FL. Born on July 31, 1962, Beverly dedicated her life to service, both in her professional endeavors and personal commitments. Beverly's career was marked by her compassionate leadership in various roles, including the Director of Career & Student Services at Taylor College, Director of Operations at Opus Peace, Director of Community Outreach at StoneMor Partners, L.P., Community Outreach Program Manager at Foundation Partners Group, and Community Care Director/Marketing Administrator at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services & Highland Memorial Park. Her professional life was a reflection of her dedication to the community and her desire to make a meaningful impact. A devout member of Memorial Baptist Church in Ocala, Beverly's faith was a cornerstone of her existence. She was known for her deep commitment to God, often sharing the love of Jesus Christ with everyone she met. Her spiritual journey was enriched by her love for Scripture memorization, notably Psalm 119, which provided her comfort and guidance throughout her life and especially in her final days. Beverly had a rich personal life filled with hobbies that brought joy to herself and others. She enjoyed dancing, singing, eating out with friends, playing board games with her great-nephews, collecting seashells, watching "The Food Network," making soups, baking treats, and observing nature from her back porch alongside her beloved cat, George. Beverly leaves behind a legacy of love and faith, survived by her brother Kenny Blizzard; sister Brenda (Steve) Hill; nephews and niece Jason Blizzard, Nicholas (Tammy) Blizzard, Stephanie (Glen) Dorow; great-nephews and niece Breck, Bret, Hannah, Jacob, Jax, Tristen; aunt Sandy (Charles) Sardella; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Vera Blizzard, and her most beloved daughter, Tara Nicole Brown- her inspiration in writing "God Speaks...a True Story" (www.godspeaksthebook.com). A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 12:00 pm at Memorial Baptist Church, Ocala, with a public viewing beginning at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the "Beverly Brown, APR, Scholarship Fund" established by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Ocala Chapter. This scholarship supports aspiring public relations professionals in earning their accreditation, a testament to Beverly's passion and contribution to the field. To donate, please contact Heather Danenhower, APR, CPRC, MBA at [email protected] or 352-497-4534. Legacy.com

📣 Celebrate excellence in communications with the Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). The chapter announced a call for entries for the Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year Awards on Monday, July 1. This prestigious award will be presented at the Annual Pass the Gavel Gala on August 30 at the Appleton Museum of Art. [...] The deadline for entries is Friday, July 26. For more information and to submit a nomination, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/e2-AumV7 . Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/e3PddxU3

Celebrate FPRA Ocala Chapter's Birthday at Silver Springs! Join us for a special social mixer and celebration where it all began. Celebrate our chapter's birthday at Silver Springs State Park, the birthplace of FPRA on Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. What to Expect: > Glass Bottom Boat Tour > Plaque Unveiling > Family-Friendly Fun Tickets are just $15 for both members and non-members. Bring your loved ones along for a day of celebration and memories at the beautiful Silver Springs. Let's celebrate our history and look forward to many more successful years together: //https://lnkd.in/eQNNw6kQ

Join us Friday, July 12, for our July Professional Development meeting: PR in Government Affairs. 📅 Date: Friday, July 12 🕒 Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 📍 Location: Taylor College We are thrilled to have Dr. Matthew Cretul, Legislative Manager for the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, share his expertise on: ✨ The role of public relations in government affairs ✨ Effective communication strategies to achieve legislative goals ✨ Best practices in communicating with your representatives Additionally, chapter members will be voting on the proposed slate of officers for the 2024 - 2025 year. Congratulations to all who were selected by the nominating committee! Don't miss out on this insightful session and the chance to have your voice heard in the chapter's future leadership. Grab your ticket: https://lnkd.in/eiCwscNy #Communications #FPRA #FocusForward Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA)

📣 Celebrate excellence in communications with the Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). The chapter announced a call for entries for the Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year Awards on Monday, July 1. This prestigious award will be presented at the Annual Pass the Gavel Gala on August 30 at the Appleton Museum of Art. [...] The deadline for entries is Friday, July 26. For more information and to submit a nomination, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/e2-AumV7 . Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/e3PddxU3

ICYMI: Last Friday, June 14, our Professional Development meeting with Jon Levy, WCJB TV20 News Director, informed our chapter about cultivating better media relations. When stories have news value, they have a better chance of being picked up, providing that earned media. News worthiness includes attributes like timeliness, proximity, impact, prominence, and rarity or scarcity. Thank you Jon for sharing your insights and experiences with us! #ICYMI #fpraocala #MediaRelations

Join us for our June Professional Development Meeting! 📅 Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 🕒 Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 📍 Location: Taylor College, 2531 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470 We're excited to welcome Jonathan Levy, News Director at WCJB TV20 News, for an insightful session on how to "Develop Your Media Relations". Jon's team brings truly local news to Marion County, and he'll share valuable tips on building relationships with local media, what information is crucial for news stories, and the impact of local media advertising. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your media relations skills! Enjoy a hot buffet lunch starting at 11:30 a.m., followed by chapter updates at 11:45 a.m. The one-hour program begins promptly at noon. #MediaRelations #ProfessionalDevelopment #Networking #FPRAOcala