COMM344 – The Baby Shower was a success!

The beat reported can proudly announce that the baby shower was wonderfully successful!

(We don’t use the words big or huge during the daughter’s pregnancy – if you know what I mean).

Over 40 women, plus 2 plesant husbands who carried supplies and countless gifts, met at the Moon Dancer Vineyard and Winery in Wrightsville PA on Saturday to lavish the lucky mom-to-be with gifts, dine on scrumptious food and drink the vineyards wine.

Although the rain forced us to move the event indoors the cozy room flanked by 2 fireplaces, local paintings and small round tables decorated with pastel floral centerpieces created a setting that welcomed all who attended.

The oldest daughter was our photographer for the event and took many wonderful pictures of the event – several you will see in this blog. My friend from Deb owner of DTK Designs did an absolutely wonderful job on the floral centerpieces, my mother created the beautiful watermelon baby carriage, my sister wrapped presents until the wee hours of the morning, the mom-to-be cut out the small paper dresses that we used for “advice messages” and wrapped silver wear and I was able to cook, pacify an entire family as well as create the event in the image that my daughter had dreamed.

Did I mention that we had a cake?

The games were simple and wonderful –we played the new version of dirty diaper, ribbons and ruffles and hot bottle (this winner got the centerpiece). The day was log yet wonderful and this beat reporter was thrilled that everything went so smoothly.

If I could be reflective for a moment I would have to say that events are like having children. They require more than one person, it takes planning and preparation, you think you are going to be on America’s Most Wanted for the thoughts you are having about your family, and yet when everything comes together you smile and realize that it was all worth it.

COMM314 – Research Report

For my crisis Crisis Communication Project on the flooding in North Dakota I have selected to cover the town of Jamestown. My decision was not based on any knowledge of the ND town / area only that I had previously visited a city in Virginia called Jamestown and had a very pleasant trip.

My research for the project began with visiting the local newspaper’s web site, The Jamestown Sun. The local coverage is quite extensive and the archive of articles will provide me with more than enough data for my report.

Another valuable source for my report will be the U.S. Geological Survey. They have accurate information about the geography of the area and statistical data on flood stages of the Jamestown River.

Another area for research is the town’s web site, jamestownnd.com. On this site I was able to find a listing of all the local officials, information on city meetings and crisis planning. Stutsman County web site also has information on road conditions, water levels, septic tanks assistance and images of the flood.

A very good source of information regarding disasters comes from a national non profit agency, The Red Cross. The agency is a leader in releasing information to the community and media and believes in complete transparency. I will be able to collect data that they have posted on their web site from all the steps that the organization has taken in assisting the flood ridden town and victims.

Other research will include information from news stations, national newspaper outlets, radio stations, and some historical data on the area regarding previous flooding. Other information comes fro Valley City State University where I have been receiving constant updates on the situation in ND and the Salvation Army who has been instrumental in organizing volunteers for the flood areas.

COMM344 - A Baby Shower Part 2

A lot has happened since the last time this beat reporter wrote about the upcoming “Diva Baby Shower.”

The mother-to-be has blossomed and everyday looks more like she is toting a bowling ball instead of a baby (she said it not me) and her hormones have gone from wind gust to full blown hurricanes that can appear in less than 60 seconds.

I have used all my training / skills at reporting in my conversations with my daughter the “almost” mom to be so that I can determine what exactly is wrong, how did this happen and who did it to her.

To all the men out there please note: comparing your very pregnant wife to a beach ball can be misconstrued and lead to a severe case of tears. You also may want to visit Being Dad USA. Anyway I digress…

This week the shower planning was set aside for a more urgent matter. Earlier this week I received a call from my daughter complaining of severe cramping that had her doubled over in pain. Living 1200 miles away this is not the phone call you want to receive at 9:00am in the morning. Using those reporter skills once again and ruling out anything that she had eaten, etc. it was determined that she should immediately go to the doctors.

One hour later, the doctor transfers her to the hospital for testing. All communication now ceases. In this world of being able to instantly reach a person and have access to unlimited data at the touch of your fingers I now was helpless and uniformed. I must say, this was disturbing.

BTW, should you need to contact the hospital to learn more information and they tell you your child isn’t registered or there do not panic - ask to speak to a supervisor.

Several hours later after locating the correct cell phone number and nurse I found out the gallstones mimic labor. She is okay and the baby is doing well too. She was sent home with a new diet, new exercises to do and full knowledge of what labor is going to fell like.

Next week I’ll provide an update on the food preparation day that I will have had with my “let me worry about everything” mother, my “damn I am glad to get out of the house” sister and my lovely yet persistent daughter. Hmmm I think a Mimosa may be needed.

COMM314 - Communication Crisis

This week our professor asked us to write about a communication crisis and how it pertained to our lives. I wondered what have I experienced that could constitute a communication crisis. I have lived in Florida and been through several hurricanes, I lived in Pennsylvania for over 18 years and went through several floods and blizzards yet these incidents did not leave me with an impression of communication crisis.

What story can I relate that would describe a communication crisis or preparation for a crisis? It would have to be something that dealt with my children or family. Several years back my husband and I were the caregivers of his mother Marcy. She had been living with us for many years and we could tell that her health was failing.

To prepare for a possible communication crisis in dealing with health care and family members we took several steps.

First we developed an emergency heath care plan:
We processed the paperwork for Marcy regarding for a DNR
Compiled a list of medications she could carry with her at all times
Contacted all medical professionals and provided them with an emergency contact list
Discussed medical treatment options with Marcy and how she would like them handled
We obtained a power of attorney to handle Marcy’s medical and financial affairs

Next we developed a communications plan:
How we would contact family members if her health would fail
Who would be the primary contact to relay information?
Who the hospital could contact to approve treatment, ect.

Lastly we organized a funeral:
We spoke with Marcy about how she envisioned the funeral
Who she would want to attend
Where she wanted her final resting place to be
What did she expect from us in handling the funeral?

Little did we know that we would need this sooner than later – Marcy developed cancer that spread from her lungs to her brain and within a 3 week period of being diagnosed she left us to be with her husband Earl.

Because we had taken the time to prepare, we were able to effective communicate with family and friends, dealt with the medical professionals quickly and efficiently and provided the type of funeral for Marcy that she had envisioned.

COMM314 - Concern

This week I though I would abandon the traditional PR format for my blog for one more appropriate.

Concern…

Even though I live in Boca Raton Florida where the weather is nice and the sun shines 300 days a year I am concerned about the residents of North Dakota.

For the last year I have attend Valley City State University in North Dakota. My classes are online and yet I still have a lot of interaction with students who live in Valley City and the surrounding areas.

Through my course work I have had a lot of interaction with students, professors and staff. These last weeks the emails, calls for help and personal note from professors regarding the flooding in the area have given me cause for alarm.

I was thankful when I heard the National Guard was being sent in to help with the community disaster and I must say I am quite impressed with the students who were lining up to volunteer to get on a bus and head out to help with sandbagging.

It was heartwarming to hear about the community pulling together!

I have been tracking the progress from the local paper (thank goodness for the internet) the Valley City Times Record. It has been distressing and informative and helps me to understand more about what my fellow students are going through.

I view the email traffic of the class, dance, and lecture cancellations. I see students organizing there own sandbagging sessions and I have seen a student body, faculty and staff pull together to do what is right during this natural disaster and I am impressed.

I wish a safe and happy holiday for everyone who resides in Valley City, ND and the surrounding areas this Easter (or Passover) and hope that soon this trying time will be behind you.

Happy Easter!

COMM344 - The Beat Report Books a Baby Shower

Chapter 1:

Wow, do I feel old! This week I am concentrating my efforts of creating and catering the perfect baby shower for our daughter.

My original thoughts were: I was in catering for 15 years and I’ve planned events for 25,000 people – what could be the harm in catering a small event.

Enter into the picture, Daughter number 2 with raging hormones and a family that requires careful handling and I now believe that I should never have given up wine for lent!

Thankfully I am not into self torture so I have decided to call in a few favors and am now outsourcing specific parts of the shower to people I trust and who know how particular I can be about the events / entertaining.

My friend Deb is making the centerpieces; since it’s at a Vineyard (thankfully this event takes place after Easter) we are going with a cottage baby theme and using all types of baby boxes, canning jars, etc that we will fill with baby items and fresh country flowers.

I am not sure if you call this crazy or courageous but I am bringing in my mother from Ohio to help me with the catering. She is a catering queen who makes the best food yet at times my sister and I think we should provide her with a Margareta IV.

I have sent the invitations, made all the lists, bought the items for the games, wrote the menu, ordered the cake and now await responses to see how many woman are going to attend and eventually have to do the “Waddle Relay.”

Feeling my age comes from the latest technology that the babies have these days. The bassinet our daughter has requested is from the Zen Collection from Fisher Price. This thing makes sounds, rocks the baby, has a canopy and is portable. WOW what a difference 26 years makes!

Well enough baby talk for now…

Next week in Chapter Two we’ll talk cakes, crazy relatives, less than polite coworkers and an attempt to ban alcohol.

Interestingly enough I live in Boca Raton Florida, not Ft. Lauderdale, not Palm Beach but Boca Raton and in my opinion a great place for a PR company to start a business.

Many think of Boca as a great place to vacation but the locals know it’s a PR Mecca of South Florida. With so many designated as wonderful, philanthropic and beautiful people you can’t tell me that the PR gurus aren’t doing a great job of promoting people /events in South Florida.

Now that we are in season the photos are flowing and the press releases are tearing up the fax lines of all the good things that are happening in the Boca Raton area. There are film festivals, art shows, black-tie fundraisers and countless balls.

The promotional season starts in September when the flock of snow birds descends on the area. The local PR professionals gear up for an incredible busy time – right now with everyone trying to add the last minute events before these snow birds leave I know that these seasoned professional are so busy that they are pulling 20 hour days – just hoping that they can make it till May when they can actually take a couple of days off.

I am sure that with the economic crisis PR Professionals are being asked to do more with less. Winslow Rubin Communications is based in Boca. They talk of ways that they can help a company maximize their visibility which usually leads to additional sales.

An interesting fact is the Top 5 PR Firms in Boca Raton are national / international companies. Nicolazzo & Associates is based in Boston Mass., fama PR based in Boston Mass., HiTechPR based in Rye NY, Fleishman-Hillard Inc. based in Saint Louis Missouri, and Hill & Knowlton Inc. based in New York. This is just another example of how Boca Raton is a PR Mecca.