In this issue:
- Read about our next meeting, "Inspired Greatness," with Heather Woody
- Review the January meeting presentation recap
- Reminders to use the new, online meeting registration process and to bring a guest for a chance to win a prize!

 
"Inspired Greatness" with Heather Woody

Clark Alumni House - Coe College Campus (Map)
Thursday, February 12, 2009  
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $15.00

Reservations are required and due by Noon on Friday, February 6.


About the Meeting & Guest Speaker:

Reservations are required and are due by Noon on Friday, February 6.  

Please use the new online form to make
reservations for the next CRPRA meeting.

The information you submit online populates a database that will
reduce the manual work involved for meeting preparation.

If you plan to bring a guest...please note that in the 'comments' section
of your registration. Additionally, please be sure to return to the form to
register your guest or ensure that your guest registers using this tool.

* * * Submit your reservation online * * *

If you do not have Internet access or have technical issues using
the Web form, you may call Carol Myers at 393-1781 ext. 249 to register.

View the 2008-2009 Meeting Schedule

 
        by Sher Jasperse

January 2008: "What You Need to Know About Social Networking"

We all engage in a variety of social networking activities. For the Internet generation, social networking websites have become the equivalent of the town hall meeting, water cooler, or cafeteria - places where people socialize, collaborate and harness collective intelligence. With hundreds of networking sites available to build personal or professional relationships or simply eat up our valuable time, how do we know when, where and how to jump in? Maureen Osako, Informatics founder and vice president, made her annual speaking appearance at CRPRA to help us survey the trends and learn about a few of the most popular sites, including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

She offered the following tips for savvy social networkers:
- Express yourself in a professional manner, remembering that you may have unintended audiences.
- Set concrete business goals for using the sites you join.
- Don't expect this technology to replace traditional methods of communication, but rather use it as a complementary tool.
- Use social networking to bring clients/customers into your inner circle.
- Join an online group and become an "expert" in something in order to build your reputation and potential clientele - but don't use social networking sites to do hard selling.
 

Two Programs to Benefit the Associates of CRPRA

Networking/Information Table
At each meeting a table will be provided outside the meeting room where you can provide any printed materials about events or products you wish to share. Be sure to arrive a little early to place your items on the table. We ask that printed items now be placed on this table, rather than on the dining tables. At the end of the meeting, please pick up and take with you any items that may be left. Our hope is that this will reduce the amount of paper we need to clean up and recycle at the end of our meetings.

Bring a Guest and Win a Prize!
From now through the April 2009 meeting, bring a friend or colleague who has never attended a CRPRA meeting, or someone who has not attended a CRPRA meeting for two or more years, and we'll put your name in a drawing for a $50 Community Gift Certificate to be awarded at our May meeting. There is no limit to the number of guests you may bring along in any month, but please be sure your guests have a reservation for the meeting.