Interested in getting more involved with IABC Nashville, or do you know a current member who is? Call for nominations, including self-nominations, are now open for the 2021 IABC Nashville Executive Board of Directors between now and Thursday, November 5. Questions on the nomination process? Contact nominating chair/past president Birdie Loeffler at birdieloeffler@gmail.com. All applicants/nominees must be active IABC members in good standing to be eligible.

2021 IABC Nashville Available Board Positions

President-Elect: This role is responsible for supporting the President and to act in the absence of the President as needed at Board meetings and chapter events. The President-Elect serves on the Executive Board for three years, automatically assuming the Presidency in year two and the role of Past-President in year three.

Secretary: This role is to keep a record of all the proceedings of the Chapter; sign all certified copies of acts of the Chapter; maintain official Chapter record books, Bylaws, policies, procedures, and other documents; prepare Board meeting notices and orders of business; and perform other duties necessary to the office or as prescribed by the President, the Executive Board.

Vice President of Finance/Treasurer: This role is to serve as treasurer and chief financial officer of the Chapter; chair the Finance Committee; be responsible for deposit, safekeeping, and disbursement of the funds of the Chapter; maintain records concerning receipts, expenditures, and assets of the Chapter; prepare an annual budget and dues recommendations for the Chapter; prepare full and interim financial reports as directed by the Executive Board and the IABC Chapter/Region Finance Guide.

Vice President of Membership: This role is to promote membership benefits, establish objectives to oversee initiatives to increase and retain members and provide measurement of results. Build meaningful relationships with prospective and current members, and resolve membership-related issues.

Vice President of Professional Development: This role is responsible for all aspects of the professional development events, securing presenters, presenter relations, communications, pre-event/onsite logistics, measurement, other opportunities related to learning, and continuing education for members.

Vice President of Communications: This role works in tandem with the Vice President of Social Media to develop, execute, and monitor an all-encompassing communications plan for the Chapter. Responsible for regularly updating the Chapter website and handling all aspects of email communications to promote events, membership, sponsorship, and networking opportunities.

Vice President of Social Media: This role works in tandem with the Vice President of Communications to develop, execute, and monitor an all-encompassing communications plan for the Chapter. Responsible for regularly updating various Chapter social media accounts and handling all aspects of public relations to promote events, membership, sponsorship, and networking opportunities.

Vice President of Awards: The Vice President of Awards is responsible for managing/developing the annual Music City Gold Pen Awards program. This includes fostering reciprocal chapter judging relationships, call for entries communications and submissions, promotion, and measurement. They also coordinate and communicate with award submitters and manage the Chapter judging platform.

Vice Presidents at Large: Up to three (3) Vice Presidents at Large may be added to the Executive Board at the discretion and for a duration, as determined by the Executive Board in order to manage specific timely projects and issues of the Chapter. For 2021, possible projects to be assigned to Vice Presidents at Large include event planning, sponsorship management, and diversity and inclusion efforts.

Apply/Nominate Today!

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We are kicking off IABC Membership Month in style with a FREE virtual networking mixer for our members and professional colleagues on Thursday, October 1, at 5:30 PM CDT. Get to know fellow business communicators from across Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, and start building long-lasting connections. It’s the virtual event of the month you do not want to miss!

When: Thursday, October 1, 2020, from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 

Location: Zoom (link provided upon registration)

Cost: Free

Reserve Your Spot

Celebrate the half-year mark of 2020, and join us for our July Virtual Networking Mixer! We are bringing together Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky’s finest communications professionals for a FREE virtual happy hour to share ideas, support, and best practices regarding our profession during this “new normal” of social distancing. Log in and bring your own tasty libations, delicious bites, and engaging conversation. Get to know fellow business communicators and start building long-lasting connections. It’s the Zoom meeting of the month you will not want to miss!

When: Wednesday, July 15 from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 

Location: Zoom (link provided upon registration)

Cost: Free

Reserve Your Spot

By Kristin Appelman

On a continuous basis, IABC Nashville spotlights its diverse members through a Q & A feature. We are pleased to showcase IABC member Julie K. Davis, APR, Vice President of Communications at Brookdale Senior Living! 

When did you join IABC Nashville?

Way back in the mid-2000s, then- president of the chapter Sharon Harper invited me to give a presentation on a sensational case-study from my former job, a case-study that involved fraud, extortion, and a mouse necropsy to help determine the truth. The meeting was at World Christian Broadcasting headquarters so I met Paul Ladd right off the bat. I enjoyed meeting the people who came to the meeting and saw value in developing my professional network and skills through attending the monthly meetings.  I became active on the board, serving in a variety of positions, including President, over a ten year period, and found the work to be worthwhile.

What is your current position? How long have you been in this role?

VP Communications for Brookdale Senior Living. I just passed my seven-year anniversary with the company this past March.

How did you get started in this business?

College English major who was lucky enough to get into commercial radio and public television broadcasting. After some years of that, I decided to make the switch to corporate, so I got an M.S. in Corporate Communications since success in corporate communications requires more than just knowing how to make a TV show. 

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By Kristin Appelman

On a continuous basis, IABC Nashville spotlights its diverse members through a Q & A feature. We are pleased to showcase IABC member June D. Patterson, Content Director, hStream, at HealthStream! 

When did you join IABC Nashville?

August 2019

What is your current position? How long have you been in this role?

I am a Content Director for HealthStream and have been in this role since March 2019. I provide editorial vision and tactical direction for how digital learning content is created and distributed to healthcare workers.  

How did you get started in this business?

I graduated from Walter Cronkite School of Journalism school at Arizona State University and have been in the communications business in some capacity ever since. I started as a newspaper reporter at the Arizona Republic. I discovered medical writing early in my career and spent 12 years as the Editor-in-Chief of a medical news publisher. Although I have spent most of my career in healthcare communications, I have also enjoyed freelance writing for lifestyle and business publications along the way. 

What lesson(s) have you learned along the way that you believe has made you a better communications professional?

One of the things that I have learned as a communications professional is that people rarely have the time to read (or watch or listen) to everything you have to say. Because I know that, I try to a) answer a reader’s question before they ask and b) keep my communications concise. People also tend to forget what you say. I’m always prepared to repeat my message.

What makes an effective communications leader?

I think two of the greatest attributes of a communications leader is their ability to listen and their ability to empathize with the person or people to whom they are delivering a message. 

If you could describe yourself in three (3) words, what would they be?

Organized. Thoughtful. Creative.

Tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to learn.

Ever since I was a kid I’ve always loved cars, particularly sports cars, muscle cars, and big trucks. Ferrari and F-150 are two of my favorites. I attend car shows as often as I can, and I have a goal to attend a Formula 1 race in Europe within the next two years. 

What three (3) things are you most excited to gain from IABC Nashville (in ranking order)?

1. Making new friends 
2. Learn a new communication skill or technique
3. Sharing and learning best practices from other members

Bonus:  What’s your favorite productivity hack that’s kept you successful working remotely in COVID-19? (i.e. favorite app, time-shaving method, a part of your daily routine, etc.)

I found a new app called ‘COVID Coach.’ It’s a free app that was created by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but anyone can use it. It’s meant to support self-care and overall mental health for people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kristin Appelman is the marketing manager for Concept Technology, Inc., and serves on the IABC Nashville board of directors as Vice President of Membership.