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Best Website: AWC Tulsa Chapter
The Tulsa Chapter is at the beginning of a long-term project that will significantly influence the way the chapter operates and the services the chapter can provide to the community.
The website includes an online database that is used to manage membership information and provide a digital media directory that is available to the community.
This directory is a new generation of a printed piece that the chapter has historically created and sold to the community.
The digital database is set up to be updated quarterly by the media outlets, allowing the chapter to offer the best information possible to their users.
The Tulsa chapter's website is adaptable and responsive to a changing culture.
They recently added a field where members and media can include their social media information.
Within one year of launch, the Tulsa website's media directory has paid for initial set up fees and brought in the same amount the chapter once made on the printed version.
From this year forward, other than minor maintenance fees, the system will be purely an income source for the chapter.
This flexible website allows the Tulsa chapter to be responsive to change so everyone has the best information possible.
This flexibility results in a more efficient organization that is responsive to members and prospective members.
Best Newsletter: AWC Tulsa Chapter
The layout of the newsletter is crisp, uncluttered and easy to read online.
Good use of photos with the vision and mission upfront, so readers are reminded of the chapter’s purpose.
There is an obvious commitment to AWC programs and the understanding that comes through how the chapter fits within the national organization.
The newsletter has a sense of credibility at both a local and national level.
Most Improved Chapter: AWC Bloomington/Normal Chapter
The Bloomington/Normal Chapter “bloomed” in the past year.
The chapter was challenged with the loss of “partner” organizations, but rallied to re-establish itself as a recognizable entity to honor community communicators.
The financials and the documentation support the chapter’s fiscal stability.
Student Chapter Programming: AWC San Antonio Chapter
San Antonio is helping students “hook-up” with communication professionals.
Their two hour Meet the Pros event was set up to run similar to “speed dating.”
For a $5 fee, 35 students rotated tables twice to network with 17 professionals in two subject areas of communications.
This type of program is relevant to students who want to attend events that may have a positive impact in their future.
It is relatively inexpensive to sponsor.
Donations and the $5 fee funded almost he entire event, including refreshments and door prizes.
It also provided a great opportunity to network with students and encourage future AWC membership.
Most Innovative Career Service Programming: AWC Austin Chapter
Building on a program that began in 2008, Get Smart, Austin provided an ongoing and ever-improving learning opportunity for AWC Austin members.
Related to the theme, “Right Brain/Left Brain,” they secured speakers to develop skills that fall directly into each of these spheres:
negotiating and communications style-flexing (left-brain skills), developing creativity and tapping intuition (right-brain capabilities), and how to bridge both capabilities together.
In addition, they created a website for more information on all presenters and the materials used.
The program was innovative and provided skills attendees could implement immediately.
The creation of the website elaborated on the programming and demonstrated the professionalism of the program and the chapter.
Most Creative Program or
Event that Advances the Status of Women and the Practice of Communications: AWC Topeka Chapter
Topeka started a new program titled, “Community Investment Project.”
Non-profits from around the city submitted applications to AWC Topeka Chapter for consideration for the project;
which lends communication professionals to a non-profit for a specific event or cause.
Members co-chaired the project and donated countless hours to Let’s Help, a local non-profit that was celebrating their 40th anniversary, which does not have a marketing department or professional.
The organization helps families break the cycle of poverty and helps them become self-sufficient.
Together they developed a top 40 countdown PSA, introduced social media efforts, created a media list, created an anniversary logo and assisted with print marketing efforts.
They secured donated advertising space, décor items, silent auction tables, submitted press releases, event promotions and more.
The Topeka chapter made tremendous impact on the entire community.
In a time when many nonprofits are struggling to meet their goals and cutting staff, the Topeka chapter provided a service that
elevated public awareness for the organization and helped them achieve their own goals for the year.
Overall Outstanding Chapter AWC Austin Chapter
The Austin Chapter proved exceptional community outreach beyond its membership with the first annual Light of Love 5k, a fun run supporting the Austin Ronald McDonald House.
This program put AWC in a public light.
With volunteer and community service events in the name of AWC; Austin is invaluable to the AWC “brand.”
The Austin Chapter is consistently solid.
They keep up with emerging technology, but still appear grounded in the basics of professional development and furthering the career paths of young and seasoned communicators alike.
Best Fund-Raising Program: AWC Austin Chapter
This past year, the Austin Chapter raised more than $7,500 in scholarships through a Silent Auction held during the Banner Brunch awards event, doubling the amount raised in previous years. Additionally, they raised nearly $1,000 toward their operating budget by holding a raffle at the same event. They also secured $8,200 in sponsor cash contributions, in addition to in-kind design, printing, video, photography, catering, attendee gift, and other services for two of their major events.
Using member communication skills, the Austin Chapter served as the PR sponsor for the inaugural Light of Love 5k—benefiting the Austin Ronald McDonald House that raised nearly $150,000 in its first year.
Sound fund raising programs have resulted in the Austin Chapter becoming financially sound with more than $26,000 in operating funds and scholarship funds.
They also maintain their own 501(c)3 designation, which allows the chapter to be exempt from sales tax saving money.
Best Awards & Recognition Event (large): AWC Tulsa Chapter
More than 200 people, representing various facets of the community, attended the Tulsa Chapter’s 2009 awards luncheon.
The theme of this year’s event was, “Shaping Our Legacy,” which recognized four women who have made newsworthy contributions to the Tulsa community.
The luncheon also honored an award-winning journalist with the Saidie Lifetime Achievement Award.
In spite of challenging economic times, the fund raising event was successful, earning more than $20,000 in sponsorships.
This money will benefit scholarships for local college students and the Resonance Center for Women’s Girls Unlimited program, which introduces local girls to potential careers.
The event received coverage in the Tulsa World newspaper and Tulsa People Magazine.
Best Awards & Recognition Event (small): AWC Bloomington/Normal Chapter
Tough economic times call for new strategies.
With the Crystal Awards Banquet, the Bloomington/Normal Chapter creatively strengthened ties to the community, attracted new members, and increased fund raising.
They motivated attendance by increasing the awards they presented from one to five, including:
Chapter Member of the Year, Outstanding Chapter Member, Distinguished New Member, Outstanding Communication Professional, and New Communication Professional (from outside the membership).
The nominees brought friends to celebrate with them and, as a result, attendance increased.
Several of the people who attends the awards banquet went on to become members within 90 days of the event, including the winner of the New Communication Professional award.
Chapter Excellence Award: (Two winners)
AWC Austin Chapter
The City of Austin is known for its excellence – it is the music capital of the world, the capital of the country’s largest state, the leader in environmental innovation, and home to one of the country’s most well-known universities.
With all this going for it, it should come as no surprise that its communicators excel too.
This year, the Austin Chapter, ranks near the top of the AWC organization’s charts in terms of size, innovation and commitment to organizational protocol and procedures.
Its board comprises a dynamic group of accomplished women, all bringing diversity of skills and experience to the chapter. Participating in their meetings is always invigorating
as they are well run, have positive outcomes and the programs they deliver keep members and non-members coming back for more.
AWC Tulsa Chapter
While it may be the organization’s second largest chapter, Tulsa ranks at the top of the charts for leadership, innovation, commitment and participation.
Years of strong leadership have provided the chapter with a clear direction for success.
Innovative programming and networking opportunities keep the members engaged and fulfilled.
Commitment to the goals of AWC keeps the chapter focused and provides a platform for community education and member development.
Participation at the national level has strengthened the chapter’s foundation and provided a continual outlet for member enrichment and advancement.
The Tulsa chapter has demonstrated that the strength of AWC lies in the commitment of its members, their willingness to step op to the plate, creatively address their challenges, and share in their successes.
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