AWC Des Moines

Original Design Soft Sculptures by Peggy Fleming

At the holiday party, Peggy Fleming shared some of her needle felted Santas. If you missed the party, you can see some of her award-winning designs at http://www.pleasantridgecollection.com/

Peggy also offers classes in needle felting and teddy bear making.

Brooke Brokaw Ruddy Wins 2008 Clarion Award

Brooke Brokaw Ruddy, Marketing and Communications Director for First Federal Savings Bank of Iowa, won AWC's 2008 Clarion Award for Online Publication–Internal Publication.

She was recognized for a series of articles for the First Federal Savings Bank of Iowa intranet called “Meet So and So…”  These articles spotlighted employees'  backgrounds and their outlook on their positions, life and the bank.

Ruddy is a member of the Association of Women in Communication Des Moines Chapter.  She graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in Journalism and English; and Boston University with a MS in Communications. She resides in Johnston with her husband Stuart and their two children.

For 36 years, the Clarion Awards have recognized small business, large corporate, nonprofit, agency and government communication specialists internationally who demonstrate excellence in clear and concise communications. Ruddy was  among other prestigious winners including the Associated Press, the Des Moines Register, BusinessWeek, SELF, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and HBO.

The prestigious awards will be presented at the 2008 AWC National Conference,
Sept. 25-27, in Washington, D.C., at the Doubletree Crystal City Hotel. Winners will be
honored with their award(s) during the International Matrix & Clarion Awards
Celebration, the evening of Sat., Sept. 27. All of the winning entries will be on display
during the conference. For a complete list of Clarion Award winners this year, please
visit http://www.womcom.org/awards/Clarion2008.asp.

Local AWC Member Involved in Bone Marrow Drive

Local AWC member Mary Core, has been very involved in a special effort to help those with cancer by sharing bone marrow.  At the March 26 Alliance meeting she shared a special volunteer opportunity where you can help too. For those unable to attend (and for those who would like additional information) please find attached detailed information regarding this life-saving opportunity.
Download BoneMarrowDonorDrive.pdf

If you’re interested in participating, Mary also shares:

“Please note that if you plan to sign up that evening, you will need to bring a list of current medicines and the contact information for two emergency contacts (this is back up in case you are matched with a patient and the Marrow Network is unable to locate you, i.e., moved, phone number change etc.). If anyone would like to contact me directly please feel free to do so. Note: This event is made possible by personal donations.”
 
For additional information please contact Mary Mendenhall-Core at 246-6639 (work) or 210-7148 (Cell)

Civic Rewards

Are you looking to increase your range of skills, to expand your professional network, and to enjoy the satisfaction of improving your community? Consider serving on a local board or committee. Many women are familiar with donating time and services to help a non-profit but our local school boards and other governmental entities also need your help.

This became apparent as I was covering meetings of the Des Moines Public Schools School Board for AroundDesMoines.com. When the school board adopted a new set of rules for itself last year it added a linkage committee. The word linkage refers to the board's self-proclaimed role of serving as the link between the community and the school district's administration. It was an attempt by the board to address concerns from the public that there was a lack of communication from and to the board.

Currently the linkage committee consists of three board members. They meet once a month in addition to spending time going to assorted meetings of outside groups to talk about the issue of the day. There are openings for public members but the rules adopted by the board did not specify how many appointments can be made or what criteria must be met. When those qualifications are determined, I would like to see a member of the Association of Women in Communications serve on the committee.

The board needs professional help and this is a great way for an AWC member to showcase her talent and to promote the organization. Members of the committee are wearing themselves out trying to work through disparate groups in the city and members of the public who are not part of those groups continue to feel shunned. Because I report on the board, I cannot serve on one of its committees.

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs also is working on ways to increase awareness of the numerous festivals and other cultural activities that take place in the state each year. Large events such as the Des Moines Art Festival receive considerable publicity but how many people know that this is the 50th year of the State Center Rose Festival?

-- By Rose Field

Rose Field, owner of MRF Communications, LLC, emphasizes issue-based communications for businesses, candidates, organizations, and individuals.