The team will present the $5,000 check to Food Bank for the Heartland Friday, Aug. 6 at 1:30 p.m. at its warehouse located at 6824 J St. Susan Ogborn, Food Bank president and CEO and Brian Barks, director of public relations and development, will be on hand for the presentation.

Motivated by the staggering statistic that 1 in 4 children in the U.S. are at risk of hunger, Maverick Solutions, the UNO student-run PR firm, took on the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign as a pro-bono client. The team began planning for the UNO Run N’ Munch, a 5K walk/run and relied on local sponsors to assist in funding the event.

TD Ameritrade served as the major sponsor of the event. Other sponsors included Blue Cross Blue Shield, Omaha Public Power District and Weber & Thorson P.C.

ConAgra Foods and Feeding America joined forces to create a nationwide initiative for groups to host neighborhood rallies from bake sales to block parties using ConAgra Foods brand products to raise money and collect food items for their local food bank.

The UNO Run N’ Munch walk/run was held Sunday, June 27, 2010 at UNO. The event featured games and face painting for the families who participated. All proceeds and food donated went to Food Bank for the Heartland.

“We have seen firsthand the serious nature of child hunger in our communities through our BackPack Program,” said Brian Barks, director of development and public relations with Food Bank for the Heartland.  “The Food Bank works with schools to identify children at risk for hunger.  During the school year, bags containing food items are discretely distributed on Fridays so the kids have something to eat over the weekend.  In the 2010 school year, we will have 3,000 students participating in BackPack compared to 300 in 2006.”

The Food Bank is grateful for money donated because for every $1 donated, it can distribute $9 worth of food to children and hungry families.

For more information, contact Kristin Webb, UNO PRSSA president and event coordinator at kewebb@unomaha.edu or call, 308-380-6404.

ConAgra Foods:

Corporate responsibility remains a top priority for ConAgra Foods, a leading food company in North America. In its efforts to make a lasting impact on the community, ConAgra Foods wants to help eliminate childhood hunger in America and educate families about the importance of good nutrition. Since 1993, ConAgra Foods has provided more than 234 million pounds of food to families in need, through food banks across the nation and has donated more than $27 million in grant dollars to support programs and initiatives that feed children and families in need.

Feeding America:

Feeding America is the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Feeding America’s mission is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage the country in the fight to end hunger.

About Food Bank for the Heartland (a member of Feeding America):

Food Bank for the Heartland is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that acts as a central clearinghouse through which the food industry and community may donate surplus food to feed hungry individuals, families and children. Food is distributed to more than 350 member agencies in 77 counties in Nebraska and 16 counties in Western Iowa.  Annually, Food Bank for the Heartland distributes seven million pounds of product helping to feed more than 300,000 people in need in the Heartland.

MaverickPR UNO PRSSA

The UNO PRSSA chapter, sponsored by the School of Communication in the College of Communication, Fine Arts & Media, prides itself on being a leader among student organizations on campus. Members demonstrate these leadership qualities through their commitment to academic excellence, professional development and service learning. Among the chapter’s awards for 2009-2010 academic year were winning the 2009 National PRSSA Teahan Chapter Award for Outstanding Chapter among 309 chapters in the U.S. and Argentina; first place in the 2009 Ethics Advocacy Competition and third place in the National Organ Donor Awareness Competition (NODAC).

To help release more facts on organ donation among college students  Maverick PR, UNO’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has planned a series of events with the theme “Go Green-Donate Life” in partnership with UNO’s Environmental Club.

The event starts on April 20^th with a panel lead by the Nebraska Organ Recovery System (NORS) which will include a brunch.

“Students are one of the more open minded groups we target,” said Stephanie Lochmiller, the public relations coordinator of Nebraska organ recovery system.

The second part of the event will be one Thursday, April 22^nd outside on the UNO’s Central Plaza Teams for Teams from five different UNO student organizations will compete in a “Build a Life” contest from 11 to 11:30 a.m. The band, Skypiper, be play from noon to 1 p.m. as well.

During this time, PRSSA volunteers will distribute tote bags made of recycled materials full of swag, heart candy, Sun Chips, water and powdered drink packets to all students who sign up to become organ donors or who show their driver’s license as proof they are registered donors.

Along with PRSSA and Maverick PR, the event is also sponsored by NORS System and Chris Klug Foundation. According to their website, NORS is the federally designated organ procurement organization for Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa. Chris Klug Foundation is a national advocacy group that promotes organ donation on college campuses.

“Our research shows that college students are among the most receptive audiences to organ donation but their predisposition to organ donation does not translate into advocacy or action,” said Chris Klug.

This event is part of the chapter’s annual participation in the National Organ Donor Awareness Competition (NODAC). NODAC urges PRSSA chapters around the nation to hold informative events on their campuses to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. The Rowan University chapter of PRSSA from Glassboro, New Jersey sponsors the competition.

Maverick PR, the University of Nebraska at Omaha chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) offers students a wide range of opportunities for professional development and community service. Founded in 1968, PRSSA is the largest, most respected and recognized organization for pre-professional students interested in public relations. Founded in 1968, PRSSA boasts more than 9,600 members with 284 chapters across the nation. In 2009, PRSSA awarded the UNO PRSSA chapter with its highest honor: the F.H. Teahan National Chapter Award for Outstanding Chapter.

For more information about this event, contact Ben McCall, media relations at (712) 309-2361 or bmcal6@gmail.com

Check out the April events:

R (4-1) April Fool’s Day Bake Sale | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | ASH First Floor
R (4-15) Mock Interviews Portfolio Reviews | 4-6 p.m. | MBSC Chancellor’s Room
T (4-20) and R (4-22) Go Green: Donate Life | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | MBSC Plaza
W (4-21) Lunch & Learn Speaker | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | ASH 107-I
SU (4-25) Mexican Night Fundraiser | 6-9 p.m. | Guaca Maya
T (4-27) PRSSA COMM Week Presentations | 4-6 p.m. | MBSC Chancellors
R (4-29) COMM Awards Banquet | 6-9 p.m. | Alumni Center
F (4-30) Induction & Graduates Dinner | 7-9 p.m. | Urban Wine Company Old Market

I was reading an interesting article on Mashable a few months ago that talked how location is the big thing.  This was around the time I had a HUGE interview with a local advertising firm in town.  I wanted to impress for my interview, so I started reading LOTS of articles, studies, and theories on the impact of Social media.  Aside from learning the pillars of Social media (which are 1. Engagement, 2. Community, and 3. Respect) these are mine, I don’t know the real ones, I also became aware of a cute little website that was changing the world.

I signed up for foursquare, which I will admit, confused me for the first 48 hrs.  I didn’t see the value of it (probably because I was HOME all weekend studying for the interview) because I wasn’t using it.  So I didn’t understand the concept of “checking-in or mayorships” because I wasn’t doing them and because ummm, I didn’t have any friends (story of my life! ha-ha).  When I first checked-in somewhere, I received a reward, 14 pts. and a badge.  It was sweet! I saw that someone was the mayor of my workplace, school, bar and more places that I associated with who I am.  My gym?  It wasn’t on the radar, so I added it (but stupid me messed up and there now 2 venues for the gym I frequent, this is why I need to become a Super-User, so I can integrate venues!).  It soon became apparent that I had the power to create and share venues for the community (see social media pillars above) and inform others about what’s cool, boring and what they should try to do. 

Now I may annoy some people with how addicted I am to foursquare (I am using it for a Maverick Solutions client as part of a tactic to curb binge drinking!), but I feel it’s a service that has potential to engage and create a community explore their city.  Think about it: we all frequent places and have a connection to places.  It’s human psychology and emotional ties that build when you find a venue that pleases, respects and knows you.  Central Perk wouldn’t mean anything in Friends without the Friends cast being there all-the-time to a point where it was THEIR place where Ross and Rachel had their fruity little romance and they reminisced about their crazy shenanigans.  The coffee shop/restaurant in Sex and the City is equally as iconic of those four ladies as their cosmos; they went there to talk, eat and make us laugh.  In a sense, places define us.  Remember a few years ago when Starbucks was closing down some of their stores due to low-sales?  Well there was news that locals were doing everything to help those stores fight closure.  From letters written to Starbucks HQ, to fundraisers, to even visiting the stores more frequently to drive sales, people didn’t want their stores to close.  Why?  Basic human attachment and emotions to places.  People have memories, experiences, favorite drinks/foods, workers that know their name (how Cheers!) and have routinely frequented the venue where it became ingrained for them to visit it and consider it their place. 

The importance of location-based services comes thanks to smart-phone usage and AGPS in many of these.  Google Maps, Yahoo Maps and other maps services work within these phones to show users where they are.  The cell phone already has replaced the watch as the main time teller, so why not replace the compass (lol) and the Tom Tom?  Services like Yelp, Loopt, Whrrl enables users to review, write tips and find places based on what others are saying about them.  Think about this:  let’s say you’re in Seattle this weekend.  You’re in Capitol Hill and know NADA about the neighborhood or what’s there to do.  Ummmm…you have an Android phone though, or better yet, a Nexus One (if you get coverage!) and heard about these cool apps called foursquare or gowalla, easily set up an account (or I assume you already have one, it takes like 2 minutes) and tada…you see listings near you.  Now I know some will say, “so what?” this is something I can do with Google Maps or the Around Me app.  That’s true…but do those offer tips (yea they may), customer suggestions (ya maybe) or rewards?!  No they don’t!  And if you don’t have a smart phone, you can use these services via text (well 4sq and gowalla).  Don’t worry; you’ll get a Smartphone…soon.

gowalla v foursquare

    And…the winner is YOU

I won’t answer what all these do search google, but make it a habit to keep yourself updated to what’s going on in the tech world with emerging media and apps that can make communication and relationships with the consumer, albeit better. Social media is nerdmedia. Social media means being a techie and trendsetter. It’s not hard.

First off, don’t fear or loathe Social media. If you’re a traditional PR buff I pity you then that’s fine, but know that we are in a huge transition in how companies interact with their consumers. I can guarantee you’re along with your grandma are on Facebook. I’m on it at least every 20 minutes and regularly chat and post with my friends and teammates of NSAC.

Facebook only has a ravid group of members that check in like every 10 minutes to the site and actually visited it more times this Xmas than any other page on the internet. So ya, Facebook has no potential.

Hate to break it to you, but if Social media isn’t part of your professional development, you might as well be the PC in those “I’m a Mac vs. PC” ads. Current graduates are expected to know a lot about Social media because we are Gen. Yers. What is the biggest trust builder for our generation? Social media. What do they value? Individuality and respect that many don’t get.

I was talking to one of my team members in Maverick Solutions earlier this week about what he thought Social media was. He said it was Facebook, Twitter and blogs. He was correct to an extent, but IMO I think the core of Social media is power to the people (cliched right?). This means making people be heard and giving them a right to opine on your products. Think of it as a relationship, followed by communication, then engagement.

Yes it’s very much like dating someone.

This blog post stemmed from a cool idea that I’ve had since I’ve become involved in Social media: teaching and helping others, it’s only prosocial behavior. As a PRSSA member, especially as a member of UNO’s PRSSA, you have to ready and apply yourself to these changes. Social media positions are now credible and payable. Don’t devalue Social media or think just because you’re into event planning or crisis communication that you won’t need it. My advice to you is to read popular blogs, watch what others are watching and imitating, and become involved in an organization.

Also, add me on foursquare (only if I know you, lol), follow me on twitter @cariador and friend me on Facebook. Let’s all be social!

Stay tuned for more of my random posts on social media.

Karen Weber, the faculty adviser (read: head honcho) of PRSSA will be teaching Public Relations Firm or just The Firm, this summer. We need 10-12 students so the class can be OKed by Dr. Lipschultz of CFAM.

This class is not like any other class you have taken. Be forewarned: this is like working in a REAL (Bozell, BL, Swanson.Russell) firm. We have ongoing clients and new clients.

The summer firm is unlike the regular Spring/Fall firm due to it’s small size, but it still requires lots of dedication and time. I started the firm last summer being forewarned by lots of people that it’s heavy work. But you know what? That heavy work taught me how real work will be.

Anyways, contact Karen as soon as you can. The due date is March 12th. Remember to write an essay on your strenghts, weaknesses and hopes for your career in advertising/pr.

The NODAC team will be meeting Wednesday March 3rd at 11 AM-noon in ASH 140-F, or the Student Org. Room.

NODAC is a perfect way to participate in a national campaign. UNO PRSSA has placed 1st nationwide and 3rd last year. PR, media, print, events, even social media can be used on a NODAC campaign. This would look amazing on a resume, not to mention the experience!

Here are the stats:

Organization Room, ASH 140-F from 11 a.m. to noon National Organ Donor Awareness Competition (NODAC) team

Contact: Jennifer Lane, jllane@unomaha.edu

Here is Karen’s Info:

Office: ASH 140E
Phone: 402.554.2246
Fax: 402.554.3836
kweber@mail.unomaha.edu

Good Luck!