As our intern Joanna Kamvouris wrote in June, State and Federal Communications adopted a planter on the sidewalk outside the office at the corner of Mill Street and South Union in downtown Akron. The project is part of a larger beautification effort throughout the city by two organizations – Keep Akron Beautiful and the Downtown Akron Partnership.

We send a big thank you to IT Assistant Ken Kelewae and his wife, who selected and arranged the plants. The amazing transformation is also thanks to IT Assistant David Jones, who helped in watering and attending to the plants all summer. We are rather proud of the results! Here are the “before and after” pictures:

We would like to take this opportunity offer our best wishes to the graduates of the inaugural class of SGAC’s State Government Affairs Professional Certificate Program.

State and Federal Communications had two people in the program. President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz and Client Specialist Myra Cottrill received their certificates at the SGAC Annual Business Meeting and Lunch on August 8.

According to SGAC, “The SGAC Professional Certificate Program requires the participants, of which there are more than 100 including the recent 25 honorees, to complete a minimum of 12 courses focusing on:  Ethics/Ethical Leadership; Complying with State Lobbying Laws; Building and Managing Coalitions; Legislative Trends; Lobbying and the Legislative Process; Media and Communications Training; Understanding National State Government Organizations and others.”

Myra Cottrill said, “It is an honor to join 24 colleagues from across the country that completed the program’s rigorous requirements during the past three years.”

If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, be sure to listen to WAMU 88.5 American University Radio for your direct line to the National Conventions. Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, said,”We are very excited to be a part of this crucial service!”

In 2010, shortly after I told my daughters—ages 11 and 9 at the time—that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer, we were watching television when an advertisement for the new Seidman Cancer Center at University Hospital in Cleveland came on.  I looked at my 9-year-old’s face as she watched the commercial.  I knew the word “cancer” would now take on an entirely different meaning when she heard it.

Now, it was personal.  She turned to me and asked, “Mommy, why is breast cancer more important than other cancer?  Why does it get more attention?”  To which I responded, “Maggie, I can tell you the answer in two words:  Susan Komen.”  “Huh?” she replied.  My daughter then got a crash course in patient advocacy, medical research, awareness, education, sisterly love, and yes, even grassroots lobbying.  Her eyes got a little wider when I told her that in 2009, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation [now known as Susan G. Komen for the Cure] illuminated the Great Pyramids at Giza in pink.  “Wow!” she replied. “Every cancer needs a Susan Komen.”

So when the Northeast Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced in 2011 that it would host its inaugural Akron Race for the Cure on Sunday, July 29, 2012, at Firestone Country Club, I knew I would be there.

Little did I know that by then, State and Federal Communications, Inc. would have started its own “Walking Challenge” as part of a fitness initiative and wellness program for its employees.  Little did I know that by then, a team consisting of numerous co-workers and their family members would be participating in the Akron Race for the Cure, including Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications and a 6½ year breast cancer survivor herself. Little did I know that my breast surgeon, Dr. Jessica Partin from Akron General Hospital’s Reflections Breast Health Center, would speak at the Survivor Ceremony and get to meet my daughters (“Mommy, tell Dr. Partin that she has a really great smile!).

But here is what I did know:  that when I crossed that finish line, I would be hand-in-hand, arms raised above our heads, with my two daughters and my “rock”—my sister, Christine Tvaroch.  We crossed the finish line in honor of the family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers that have fought the good fight, some winning and unfortunately, some losing their battle with breast cancer.  But thanks to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a breast cancer diagnosis today is no longer a death sentence.  And when the second annual Akron Race for the Cure is held in 2013, who knows what might happen? I sure intend on being there to find out!

Here is the Akron Beacon Journal coverage of the event: “Cancer survivors race toward a cure” by Dave Scott.

Above photo courtesy of Karen Schiely. Nola Werren is a Client Specialst at State and Federal Communications.

Available free of charge online at www.stateandfed.com,  the state profiles include Governor, Attorney General, state Legislative, and Key Ballot Questions. Most recent public polling for Governor and Attorney General races are also featured and will be updated throughout the primary and general election seasons.

The 2012 Elections information also includes charts and maps featuring incumbents, challengers and partisan controls. The state legislative maps illustrate which chambers are within a five vote margin of partisan control.

State and Federal Communications is your premiere compliance information source keeping companies and organizations in the bounds of state and federal compliance law. We assist clients with political contributions, state lobbying, and procurement activities by providing instant and up-to-date information on client compliance.

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WKSU reporter M.L. Schultze will be covering the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida starting on August 27. Reporter Mark Urycki will be covering the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina starting on September 3.

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, has been a long supporter of the station, which is an NPR affiliate and a treasure of Northeast Ohio.

Bartz had this to say: “We are super-psyched to be the sponsor! It is important that our local NPR station has the ability to attend the national conventions.”

Photo of the Democratic National Convention in 2008 by Qqqqqq on Wikipedia.

August 6-9, 2012   NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures) Booth 923, Chicago, Illinois

August 14, 2012   Watergate II: Cancer on the Presidency, Akron, OH

September 6-7, 2012   Practising Law Institute, Washington, D.C

September 19-21, 2012   PAC State and Local Government Seminar, Washington, D.C.

Delicately wrapped treats in a wicker basket laced by a gold ribbon arrived in a package outside the offices of State and Federal Communications yesterday. Along with the treat basket came a small card that read: A Special Gift…Just for You!

The Public Affairs Council congratulated State and Federal Communications on winning the Ready, Set, Walk challenge by sending a basket of treats from Wine Country Gift Baskets on August 2^nd.

President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz announced the arrival of the gift basket during the company staff meeting.

A special thank you to the Public Affairs Council for providing us with this wonderful surprise!

In a few days, we are leaving for Chicago to attend our 13th National Conference of State Legislatures. This is no small feat for State and Federal Communications anymore—we are taking seven (7) staff people and our exhibit booth, which I refer to as my “retirement condo.”

Our schedule for the week is color coded for exhibit times, NCSL meetings we attend, State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) events, Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG) events, Women’s Legislative network events, and other social events held throughout the week.

In addition, State and Federal Communications is a sponsor to both Ohio Night and Virginia Night—but we are definitely more involved with Ohio Night. Our friends from Whirlpool are providing the Penthouse level from the World of Whirlpool for our function. We are definitely excited that so many folks from the state legislature are attending this year’s NCSL Legislative Summit.

The best thing about NCSL is you will find us if you have any questions or concerns about taking legislators out to dinner or a baseball game (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday – White Sox vs. the Royals Thursday through Sunday – Cubs vs. the Reds ). You can find us in Booth 923 in the Exhibit Hall on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Stop on by to say hello.

The sad part of this year’s program is Bill Pound’s wife, Margie, passed away on July 25th after a long illness. Our hearts and prayers are with Bill and his children at this time. May Margie’s Memory Be Eternal.

Thank you.

 

After a one-week walking challenge between the Public Affairs Council and State and Federal Communications, the results have arrived at last!

Coming in first place with 1,771,196 steps, 23 employees at State and Federal Communications took the win, out-walking the Public Affairs Council by 129,967 steps.

The top 23 walkers at the Public Affairs Council reached 1,641,229, coming very close to victory. Both teams utilized their time and effort to improve their health and spark friendly competition.

Intern Maria Varonis of State and Federal Communications, who participated in the walking challenge, spoke of how this competition influenced her and all of the participants.

“The first day we didn’t have to wear our pedometers, something felt amiss at my hip….It was sort of sad since I realized I wasn’t contributing to anything anymore,” Varonis said. “Working as a team to obtain a common goal both of health and of victory is an amazing feeling. We should all be proud of ourselves. I know I am.”

President Barack Obama is coming to speak on August 1, 2012 at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron. Here is a picture of our excited interns, who were waiting in line to get tickets at the center.

Too much fun. We are proud to be a supporter United Way of Summit County, and thankful for all of the wonderful work they do!

With only three days left of the “Ready, Set, Walk” competition against the Public Affairs Council, employees at State and Federal Communications are eagerly setting aside time to increase their number of steps.

Walking with pedometers strapped to their sides, the employees of State and Federal Communications are focused on prevailing in the competition against their friendly rivals in Washington, DC.

We created a quick video as inspiration for the final three days of our challenge. Take a look!

 

Video produced by Joanna Kamvouris.

Social media is constantly changing the way people communicate and receive information in today’s society. Through an organization of public relations professionals, the managing editor of Fox 8 spoke at a local event about news coverage in the Akron area.

The Public Relations Society of America hosted a luncheon at the Martin University Center to discuss the launching of a new Fox 8 bureau on the Akron University campus. Managing editor Toni Garbo addressed the audience about local news coverage involving social media and new technology.

Social Media Coordinator Joe May of State and Federal Communications, along with the company interns, attended the event to better understand the importance of accurate news coverage and communication. Garbo addressed topics including the significance of informative press release headlines and the value of objectivity in the field of journalism, especially now that Fox 8 is inaugurating a bureau on the university campus.

Garbo allowed the audience to ask questions during her presentation, and the interns had a chance to hear different perspectives and learn how Fox 8 will provide new opportunities for communications students at the University of Akron.

By attending local events, the interns at State and Federal Communications are learning the importance of social networking and becoming involved with issues in the Akron community.