Happy New Year! Finally, its goodbye 2009 and all the tough challenges you brought us and hello to a new year full of possibilities. Though I wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to Scott Farrell of GolinHarris, our outgoing president for your dynamic leadership you gave the board of directors. Also, special thank you to former board members Gini Dietrich of Arment Dietrch, Melanie Strah of Weber Shandwick (both former board presidents) and David Kurt of LexisNexis for your years of service to PRSA Chicago.

So now... in with the new, and I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to our newly elected board members:
Amy Littleton (President Elect), KemperLesnik Communications
Rob Merritt APR (Treasurer), Cramer-Krasselt
Bryan Blaise (Skyline/Socials), Fleishman-Hillard, Inc.
Todd Blecher (YPN, PRSSA), The Boeing Company
Katie Feltz, APR (Membership), Cushman Amberg
Debbie Harvey, APR (Sponsorship), GolinHarris
Sarah Karl (Membership), Weber Shandwick
Joyce Lofstrom APR (Accreditation), Healthcare Information and Managment Systems Society (HIMMS)
Virginia Mann (Communications), Virgina V. Mann, Etc.
Mike McGrath (Communications/Website), FD
Dawn McKenzie, APR (Communications/Social Media), Manning Selvage and Lee (MS&L)
Laura Micheli (YPN, PRSSA), Exelon Corporation
Howard Riefs (Advocacy), Manning Selvage and Lee (MS&L)
Julie Schaefer APR (Programming), Winning Presence-Executive Communications
Gary Weitman (Senior Leaders), The Tribune Company

We have an exciting year ahead at PRSA. Our top resolution this year is to serve our members meaning we want to hear from you! We have structured our programs and communications to best fit your needs. This year will also have a heavy emphasis following the national movement of public relations professionals becoming accredited with an APR. Your local PRSA chapter is here to help. We also updated our social media channels to keep you posted on all the latest developments with the organization. Our chapter is also joining forces with the newly formed PRSA Midwest Regional District and Herb Ritchell of Loyola University will be our delegate. This District organization is going to bridge the gap between local chapters and national PRSA.

If one of your new year's resolutions included volunteering, well please think of us! PRSA Chicago is a wonderful opportunity to get involved with the Chicago public relations community as well as give back to the profession. We have even found a new volunteer coordinator to help align our volunteer talent with the organization's current needs. If you would like to get involved with PRSA Chicago, please contact our volunteer coordinator Kelly Drinkwine (kelly_drinkwine@aon.com).

Cheers to a wonderful 2010,

Stephanie Krol
2010 PRSA Chicago, President
Stephanie Krol Public Relations
Stephanie@SKPRMedia.com