As part of its community support this year, WVSAE is hosting a 50/50 raffle at each meeting. Funds raised will be donated to our 2020 charity, the YWCA of Charleston, during the December gathering, in addition to items donated for the program of their choice. Pama Rutledge of Holiday Inn Express Civic Center, shown at left, is our first winner. WVSAE Secretary Lori Miller Smith presented Pama with her $27 winnings! Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5 [...]
When he came to the world of the media, Brad McElhinny said newspapers were strong. "I never dreamed I'd be on the radio, and now I work for MetroNews," he said. Technology has allowed new ways of communicating news and events." This is his fourth year covering the legislative session, but said the first three were "crisis years" filled with teacher strikes and budget issues. He's finding advice he received to be correct in that "election years are [...]
Tuesday, February 11: Last day to introduce bills in the House of Delegates. Monday, February 17: Last day to introduce bills in the Senate. Sunday, February 23: Bills must complete the committee process to ensure three full days of reading. Wednesday, February 26: "Cross Over Day" is the last day to consider bills on third reading in house of origin. This does not apply to the budget bill or supplemental appropriation bills. Saturday, March 7: Legislature adjourns at [...]
Do you or your board volunteers stammer when someone says, “Tell me about your organization?” Telltale signs are avoiding eye contact by staring at the floor and starting the reply with “Ummm.” Describing the association should be straight forward and succinct. It ought to be expressed with confidence. Three Words Some associations have identified just three words to describe their organizations. These words are the platform for communicating with impact a message that grabs the attention of the [...]
Local government is important because it's more accessible and less partisan than state or national elected offices, according to October's speaker Patti Hamilton, CAE, of Imagine, LLC. "Potholes aren't partisan." Leadership is an activity, not a position, she said. Hamilton urged you to let your elected officials know your problems, your ideas and you needs. Elected officials at the county level are county commissioners, county clerks, circuit clerks, sheriffs, assessors and prosecuting attorneys.
Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin shared information on the work her administration is doing in Charleston to build on the work of the past. "Previous mayors did some great things and we're trying to connect those achievements into something new," she said. "We're working on building relationships." Goodwin said the issues facing Charleston are also facing other cities across the country, regardless of size. She talked about the work being done to enhance the paving and quality of roads [...]
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) invited WVSAE members to spend a day learning what our employees actually do while they're serving our country as members of the military. Representatives from WVSAE included, from left: WVSAE Executive Director Diane Slaughter, CAE, APR, Fellow PRSA; WVSAE Secretary Lori Miller Smith, IOGA West Virginia; Kathleen Ward, Marriott Town Center Hotel; Patti Hamilton, CAE, Imagine LLC; and WVSAE President Jonathan Adler, WV Association of [...]
Your 2019 Board of Directors met on August 19 to discuss plans for the remainder of this year and moving forward into 2020. Full details will be forthcoming, but please know there are even more exciting plans on the horizon for WVSAE, including opportunities for leadership service and for contributing to our community. We thank Robin Hildebrand of Adventures on the Gorge for her hospitality and for providing great weather! Those attending included, from left: Treasurer Patty [...]
Bob Anderson, who served the South Charleston community for more than five decades, died Saturday afternoon. Anderson, who was widely known for his "Every day is Christmas" mantra, retired in 2018 after 50 years of public service. He had been a member of WVSAE for many years. For years Anderson, a graduate of South Charleston High School, worked tirelessly promoting South Charleston and helped organize event like the city's annual Summerfest, Christmas parade and Armed Forces Day parade. [...]
Congratulations to Pam Farris for being named one of West Virginia Executive’s (WVE) Class of 2019 “Sharp Shooters.” Sharp Shooters are West Virginians over the age of 43 who are all-stars in their respective fields and represent what is great about the past and exciting about the future of the Mountain State. Because WVE receives so many nominations each year, it has created a strict set of criteria to ensure the honorees are the cream of the crop. [...]
