This chapter PR plan really works

Before I disclose which chapter has devised this plan, let me first tell you about it. It's a plan every chapter can benefit from and is textbook perfect.

It began with plenty of long-range planning - nothing better than knowledge beforehand - and is regularly updated to maintain maximum efficiency and accuracy.

The plan laid out the whole year's known special events, target audiences for publicity, budget, and assigned people to be responsible for the PR covering each event. In a year when many chapters saw a decrease in Singing Valentines, this chapter actually realized growth over last year (and, consequently, increased revenue). The PR chairman attributes that success to the chapter's marketing and publicity plan.

Next came the first of the chapter's two annual concerts - sold out two weeks before show time. Quickly on the heels of the show was a send-off party prior to district convention and contest. The list of invitees included the chapter's show patrons as a gesture of appreciation. Local media coverage of the event was excellent. As an aside, let me point out that following each major event the PR Committee meets to evaluate its success and develop new ideas for the following year.

The chorus didn't win the district contest, but did take home the small chorus championship and the most improved title. So, you see, it's not a mega-chorus/chapter we're talking about.

In early June the chapter learned it had been awarded a $1,500 grant from the local fine arts organization. A portion of the grant has been earmarked for use by the PR Committee.

By now you're probably chomping at the bit to know what chapter this is and to learn more about such a dynamic PR plan. The truth of the matter is so am I.

I've purposely put you on a bit to make a point. Among the more than 800 chapters in the Society, there are many that have achieved some, if not all, of the things mentioned above. The sad fact is that no one knows a thing about it.

One of the points that is made in the PR class at COTS (Chapter Operations Training Seminar) is that PR includes taking credit for a job well done and sharing that success in a how-to article. That article could appear in the PROBEmoter, district bulletin or The Harmonizer. These are stories that need to be told.

What has your chapter done that could help another chapter succeed? If we're to Keep the Whole World Singing, we need to keep the lines of communication humming. Your chapter's plan can be adapted to meet the needs of several other chapters, and everybody wins. That's real harmony.