The Volunteer chapter typically meets the third Thursday of each month at lunch, with three months off during the year. Occasionally, meeting times and/or dates will differ from the regular schedule. Meetings are held in various locations including downtown Knoxville, West Knoxville, and Oak Ridge. Check here regularly to get information on future meetings including location, topic, speaker, cost, date, and time.

Upcoming meetings & events for the Volunteer Chapter

Chapter Meetings--Third Thursday of the Month

Board Meeting--Tuesday, February 16, 2010; Tennessee Theater; 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

February

Chapter Meeting: Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA, PRSA 2010 Chair and CEO Presents: The Future of Public Relations

National Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chair and Chief Executive Officer Gary McCormick, APR and Fellow PRSA member will share his perspective on the present and future of public relations. McCormick has professionally cultivated deep roots i...n the Knoxville community and he currently works as Director of Partnership Development for HGTV.

Over his career, Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA, has pioneered significant changes in the way the federal government approaches public relations, public affairs and public participation. Integrating the principles of risk communication, research and strategic planning, communities nationwide have benefited from the involvement fostered by the counsel McCormick has provided for federal clients during a 17-year career handling highly technical and emotional issues, including radioactive waste disposal, environmental cleanup of defense sites and disposing of our nation’s chemical weapons.

He currently works in the corporate public relations arena as the Director of Partnership Development for HGTV. In this role, Gary McCormick is responsible for identifying opportunities for off channel exposure for leading home and lifestyle cable network and its on-air talent – investigating, defining and implementing the partnerships that will increase ratings and awareness with viewers. Before moving to HGTV, McCormick served as the Director of Public Relations for DIY Network and Fine Living TV Network, where he directed the networks’ media relations and special events, including DIY’s national partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

With strong ties to community and philanthropy, McCormick also gives back through his current and previous board service and associations with Habitat for Humanity, America on the Move, Knoxville Center for the Deaf and Knoxville Dogwood Arts Festival.

He is a strong proponent of public relations education and serves as a mentor to multiple students, as well as serves as a professional-in-residence and speaks at numerous colleges and universities throughout the southeast region. He has worked diligently to pass his passion and his knowledge onto students through active Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) involvement. He was recognized as the 2002 Outstanding Professional Advisor of the Year, the 2006 the 2006 Honoree of the Educators Academy David Ferguson Award for his contributions to public relations education.  He now co-chairs the Champions of PRSSA and serves on the board of directors for Plank Center for Public Relations Leadership at the University of Alabama and the University of Florida’s Department of Public Relations Advisory Council. Serving as an immediate past president of the PRSA Foundation, he helped to further its mission to advance public relations education and research.

When:Thursday, February 18, 2010; Networking starts 11:30 a.m.; Lunch & Program at 12:00 p.m.

Where:  Rothchild's Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike

Cost:  $20 for members and students; $25 for guests

RSVP:  Monday, February 15, 2010, with Jan Welborn-Nichols at jan@marketartscreative.com. Please note whether you are a chapter member as well as any dietary restrictions. No-shows will be billed. Cancellations must be received by Monday, February 15, 2010.