Fredericksburg Public Relations Society Meeting Minutes

The Fredericksburg Public Relations Society met on January 23, 2003 in the community room of The Free Lance-Star building on Amelia Street in Fredericksburg.

Twenty professionals attended the meeting on The Latest Trends in Covering Local News. FPRS President Susan Carol thanked Ron Singleton and Margaret Mock of Mary Washington College for their assistance in developing the panel, which included:

• Frank Hammon, news director, WFLS/WYSK FM
• Laura Hutchison, Life editor, The Free Lance-Star
• Chris Muldrow, editor, Fredericksburg.com.

Ron Singleton moderated the panel which discussed the best methods of submitting information, how to tailor content to the audience, changes in the way local media cover the region and interact, and the evolving role of the Web in delivering local news and opinions.

During the business portion of the meeting, the following persons were elected to office in FPRS:

• Matt Faulconer, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, president;
• Cara Graham Parker, Capital One, president-elect;
• Teresa J. Mannix, Mary Washington College, membership secretary;
• Veronica Deschambault, Susan Carol Associates, recording secretary;
• Natalie Davis, Stafford County, director;
• Antoinette Parker, Mary Washington College, director;
• Kelly Smith Plantan, Germanna Community College, director;
• Catherine Riddle, Stafford County, director;
• Susan Carol, Susan Carol Associates, immediate past president.

Matt Faulconer, president, said he will send a survey to members to see what their needs and interests are and the board can use the survey results to choose program topics and offerings in the coming year. Members were invited to suggest questions for the survey. The board of directors will meet in the near future to plan upcoming meetings.