When you hear of someone who needs public relations help, you likely picture a celebrity who’s in trouble with the law or a corporation mired in scandal. But the heroes of our society need publicists, too, especially nonprofits that rely on donations and volunteer support.
The communication studies majors of Linda Laine’s Public Relations course have for years served as PR experts for local organizations who need help showing off their good work. This year’s class took on event planning as a means to raise awareness.
The Everybody Wins! Gala
In January, the five students assigned to Everybody Wins! Iowa (EW!) met with Amanda Hansen Fletcher ’00, executive director, and the board of directors to plan a celebration for the group’s 10th anniversary.
“We had weekly meetings so that we got a good feel of their values,” says junior Jenna Brohamer. “I like that the organization brings together a lot of people, and that anyone can be involved.”
Everybody Wins! Iowa was founded by Senator Tom Harkin, who brought back the idea from the EW! group he volunteered with in Washington, D.C. The literacy organization partners volunteer mentors with elementary school students struggling with reading. For one hour a week, often during their lunch hour, the mentors read to and with their partners.
The celebration gala was held at the Salisbury House and Gardens in Des Moines. Harkin gave the keynote address, and local authors read from their works in each room of the Tudor-style mansion. The Flying Pans Steel Drum Band from Central played outside in the gardens. A highlight of the event was the showcase of the Salisbury House’s antique library holding 3,000 rare and first-edition books, which is not usually open to the public.
The Central students planned every aspect of the event, from the program to the entertainment and catering. “It was stressful having an organization’s reputation in our hands just by representing them,” says Broghamer. But the event went off without a hitch; even the hail hammering the house disappeared 10 minutes before the kick-off.
EW! didn’t have a budget for the event, so the students had to figure out where to get donated funds and services and how to plan a quality, low-cost celebration. “We learned how to work alongside a client, work on someone else’s schedule and keep everybody happy, including ourselves,” says Broghamer.
The Marion County Pet Adoption
Due to the efforts of five PR students from Central, 18 dogs and three cats found good homes . The team planned a “pet fest” in Caldwell Park for the Marion County Humane Society, featuring a bake sale, a silent auction, face-painting, children’s crafts and a pet show. Winners took home awards in the categories of Biggest Pet, Smallest Pet, Best Pet Trick, Pet-Owner Look-Alike and Best Vocalist.
“Everyone on the team was an animal lover, so we all enjoyed planning the event,” says junior Alicia Rieck. “We had a really good turn-out, and we felt we met our goal to raise awareness.”
The pet fest was the students’ idea from proposal to clean-up, though the humane society provided suggestions along the way. The students also relied on the support and donations of local businesses and residents.
During the two-month process, the students created an open atmosphere for discussion between themselves and with the client. Rieck says they also learned to take responsibility for the tasks that needed completing.
At the fest, 10 animals were adopted by local residents and 11 more were given homes the next week. “We really appreciated what the Human Society was doing for these animals,” she says. “They have put so much time and effort into finding these animals good homes.”