FROM THE PRESIDENT

WHY AWC MATTERS

I became a journalist because I wanted to explore different cultures and different countries. Even though I had always dreamed of working for a daily newspaper, my quest to travel was even greater, which is why I chose a military career.

For 20 years, the Navy provided this sailor with countless opportunities to explore life through self adventures, largely conceived by an innate curiosity about life and driven by countess relocation adventures from country to country, state to state—Sicily to Tokyo, San Diego to Washington, D.C. Different cities, different cultures, different foods.

I was sad when my military career ended, but I knew new adventures awaited me in Kansas City. After settling in and getting comfortable, I finally called Kansas City “home” and began exploring career-related professional organizations.

Soon, I re-discovered an old college connection—The Association for Women in Communications, known for years as “WICI” by nearly every “old school” female journalism student. Originally conceived at the University of Washington in 1909 to provide career direction to the students, the organization's evolution into the Association for Women in Communications reflects the workinsg world’s changing culture and the continuing need for networking and career-enhancing possibilities.

Although there are numerous specialty-related professional organizations to join, few can match AWC’s membership diversity: graphic artists and freelance writers; journalists and photographers; marketing professionals and public relations specialists. It is this membership diversity that drives our chapter and creative endeavors, and most of all, what distinguishes AWC from other professional communication-oriented associations.

I am honored to be president of AWC’s oldest professional chapter:  The Greater Kansas City Chapter for the Association for Women in Communications, and I want to ensure that your membership experience is positive and enhancing, which is why I am thrilled to bring some new “adventures” into your life and mine:

  • In October, we will learn about the film and television industry by local women who are producing films and documentaries via a joint program with the Kansas City Chapter of Women in Film and Television that Antisha Anderson, our program vice president, has arranged.
  • Laughter rules our November program when Hallmark artists Tina Neidlein and Sarah Tobaben enlighten us about the development and the marketing campaign of Hallmark’s new “celebrity” card line parodying some of today’s most attention-garnering celebrities, including Paris Hilton who claims “That’s Hot” is a trademark phrase of hers.  Hallmark’s new card line is best summed up by the in-store signage that reads “new cards that make our boss nervous.”
  • A December holiday gala will close out 2007.
  • We will begin 2008 with a refresher course in copyrighting and plagiarism. Attorney Jean Maneke of The Maneke Law Group in Kansas City will educate us on copyright laws and plagiarism issues in the digital and electronic world, a topic of special interest to our members who are freelancers, publishers and entrepreneurs.
  • February is still under wraps, but we are working on a weekend entrepreneurism program with our favorite pooches as our guests.  
  • And in March, to celebrate Freedom of Information Day, the KC-AWC chapter is honored to have as our guest speaker, syndicated columnist and Kansas City Star editorial writer Rhonda Lokeman, who just returned from a month-long assignment in Kenya training professional journalists and discussing press freedoms in Africa.

These are just a few of our confirmed programs for the 2007-08 program year, and of course, we welcome your suggestions to further our superb program events.

If you are not an AWC member, or want to reconnect with your new AWC, I encourage you to do so during October because you will enjoy a $50 savings in membership fees.

I look forward to getting to know all of you and welcome anyone who wants to become part of our KC-AWC team. Make the time and get involved. Consider it your monthly retreat and an opportunity to re-energize and boost your self-worth.

As AWC’s oldest professional chapter, I feel we have an obligation to continue the legacy of our founders and create new opportunities to showcase our talents and win recognition for our professional endeavors. You owe it to yourself. After all, if we don’t advocate on each other’s behalf, who will?

Gloria Montgomery

KC-AWC Chapter President

Posted 9/23/07

National dues increase

Please read about the increase in national dues

 

Gloria Montgomery

Gloria Montgomery, President

"Although there are numerous specialty-related professional organizations to join, few can match AWC’s membership diversity.... It is this membership diversity that drives our chapter and creative endeavors, and most of all, what distinguishes AWC from other professional communication-oriented associations."