University of Maryland University College (UMUC)
Barbara Puffer MA, ABC, Associate Professor, University of Maryland University College (UMUC) Communications Studies, has been selected to receive the 2011 UMUC Teaching Recognition Award for the School of Undergraduate Studies. This honor comes on the heels of her fourth nomination for the prestigious annual Stanley J. Drazek Teaching Excellence and UMUC Teaching Recognition Awards.
Two Drazek and six UMUC Teaching Recognition Awards are presented annually to exceptional faculty by the School of Undergraduate Studies (SUS) and the Graduate School of Management and Technology (GSMT).
Nominees demonstrate an ability to: "help students meet and exceed course objectives; encourage students to see new professional possibilities for themselves; and inspire students to apply course skills, concepts, or models to their work or community."
Barbara Puffer, MA, ABC Joins Training Network
Eric Bergman, ABC, APR, creator of AtEaseWithTheMedia.com, is pleased to announce that a well-known consultant has joined the network to provide online and in-person media training services. For more nearly 40 years, Barbara Puffer, ABC, has been helping organizations tell their story effectively. She has worked with the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, and earned more than 100 awards and accolades for her work. She has direct experience as an elected official, continues to consult under her name Puffer Public Relations and has taught undergrad and graduate college communications courses for nearly a decade. "Joining Eric and AtEaseWithTheMedia.com is an excellent opportunity to use my experience to widen and deepen the services I already provide to my clients," she says.
Barbara will work with clients to design media training that best blends in-person exercises with the online program available at AtEaseWithTheMedia.com. In theory, Barbara can design a different package for each client.
"Because the program uses online training as its base, the lesson plan is adaptable," Barbara explains. "Not only can I fit it to the client's needs, it enables me to apply decades of insight. The result is a complete package that provides sound advice to clients." AtEaseWithTheMedia.com is an online training program that consists of 10 core A-V modules, varying in length from four to 13 minutes. Once they create a username and password, spokespeople view the modules and answer a five-question quiz at the end of each. Those who score 45/50 earn a Certificate of Completion for the program.
In-person training supplements and enhances the online learning experience.
For info on training services, contact:
Barbara Puffer, MA, ABC
http://www.ateasewiththemedia.com/biography.php
203-494-2765 (U.S.)
For info on AtEaseWithTheMedia.com, contact:
Eric Bergman, ABC, APR 416-410-3273 (Canada)
Nawlins
Enjoying the jumbalaya at Mother's during the umteenth Senior Communicators Summit in December.
Heritage Region 2010 Silver Quill Awards
The Heritage Region's Silver Quill Competition recognizes excellence in business communications in multiple and varied disciplines. Silver Quill Awards are presented to those outstanding professionals in our Region who have proven that their communication programs effectively furthered the goals of their organizations – boosting revenues, reducing cost, and motivating audiences to a desired action. All business communicators in the Heritage Region are eligible to enter. You do not need to be an IABC member to enter.
ESPN SPORTSCenter DESK
There she is taking a seat at the SportsCenter desk during a recent visit to ESPN. Her visit was to talk on camera for Connecticut IABC ...And well, you might say her topic was sports...it takes attention, technique, practice, and mental strength -- entering the International Association of Business Communicators' Heritage Region Silver Quill awards program takes all that. She actually was filmed sans the desk trappings but the goals were no less impressive.
Motown is hot!
2011 Heritage Region Conference, Detroit, October 9, 10, and 11.
Bristol PLUs awards
Barbara was recognized as the founder and spoke at the 20th annual PLUS Awards event, sponsored by the Family Center and Bristol Boys and Girls Club in Bristol, CT. The PLUS Awards (Positive Leadership, Unselfish Service) recognize women, families and organizations who exhibit their commitment to effective leadership along with unselfish dedication to community service. Honorees are chosen for their ability to serve as role models for women, their ability to inspire others, their commitment to a sound work ethic and their ability to achieve results that benefit people within a variety of settings. The event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, helping countless children and families. Barbara is not only the founder; she is a past keynoter and award recipient.
IABC Region Leader of the Year Award
Barbara W. Puffer, ABC, was named Region Leader of the Year at the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Leadership Institute in Orlando, Florida, in February. According to an IABC press release, the awards presented “recognize the leadership abilities, management skills, creativity and teamwork of outstanding volunteer leaders worldwide."
IABC President Julie Freeman, ABC, APR, told the group, “IABC’s role in supporting its members and providing resources to help them navigate the current economic environment, is more important than ever before. It is thanks to the dedication, commitment and creativity of our volunteer leaders that IABC can stay strong and serve our member needs.”
Barbara is past volunteer director of the Heritage Region, IABC’s largest in membership and covering members from Maine to Virginia, west to Kentucky and north to Detroit. Her term as an officer of the board concludes in San Francisco in June, 2009.