Ten years ago, today, we remember. We never forget. Today, we pause and reflect as a world changed.

Here’s an update on a previous post with thoughts on how the September 11 attacks immediately reshaped community, public relations and communications.

September 11 Memorial Information

9/11 Memorial Site

Google News about September 11

Reflecting on How 9/11 Immediately Impacted Community PR and Communications

On September 9, 2001, we celebrated a child’s birthday party. Walking down Michigan Avenue beside my ecstatic children, I remember thinking how carefree, jubilant and fun life can be.

On September 11, 2001, I got up and went through the usual motions of a working mother with three children – ages 12, 9 and 7 – to get off to school. My husband was away on business in Rotterdam and I was excited to be dressed in a snappy navy pant suit for a meeting with our local school district about photographing the annual report. I marveled at how beautifully the day was starting out.

On our way out the door to walk my boys to school, the phone rang. A friend was calling with the first news about the attacks. I didn’t say anything to the boys, but I told I’d call her back after I dropped them off.

Walking down our quiet, sunny street the news was surreal. How could a day seem so idyllic when the world was falling apart? I could only think about when and where the next attack would be. Arriving at the school district headquarters, the staff was stunned and silent, gathered around a radio, listening for updates and quietly considering crisis communication responses.

Every year on this day, I think back to those first few turbulent hours after the tragic event and remember how fragile the world seemed and how strong and calm we needed to be as education communicators.

We needed to find ways to communicate quickly, accurately and effectively.

At that time, most community organizations – including schools – had no email database, only phone numbers and addresses. While the press could and would cover news, it would be on their deadline and in their voice. Producing a letter took time to write, print or copy and mail. Backpack communications was the most reliable and quick route to homes.

After 9/11, community organizations became more receptive and willing to gather email addresses, connect leaders online and form councils to relay information in case there was another crisis – or good news – that needed to be delivered quickly.

As an early email adapter, I became an advocate and a teacher on how to transfer communications to a digital platform to reach the media, leadership and the community at large.

The school district approved my proposal to develop an e-newsletter, only for teachers and the press at first. Eventually, subscriptions were open to the public. Thanks to Mary Kay O’Grady for asking me to manage these projects for her team.

I did get to photograph the cover of the school district’s 2001 annual report. The concept started out as an image of teachers gathered around a flagpole in silence. I had another idea, which was approved in its place. I asked if I could photograph my son’s first grade class releasing butterflies. After the butterflies flew off, I took pictures of the fifth graders replanting a barren prairie patch. Images from each made the annual report with a community theme of new life and recovery.

Because a crisis can strike anytime, here’s a post I wrote about how to plan ahead for crisis PR.

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2011 Update

For the first time ever, I’m sharing one of our family’s annual messages. Each year, I write a brief reflection on the year’s main events. In 2001, the theme was “No Place Like Home.”

One hot day in August, the boys and I decided to go to summer movie camp. When we got there and saw “The Wizard of Oz” featured, the boys wanted to go home. What? No first run feature?

Lured by the promise of free popcorn and soda, we went in. During the long time it took the movie to start, the boys giggled a lot as they met other kids around them.

Soon enough, the lights went down and the film came on. As the theater quieted down, I wondered how many times I’d seen this movie – at least a dozen, but never on a big screen. Geez, I was even the Good Witch in a play production in ninth grade. (I’ll be forever indebted to Aunt Aggie for stitching up such a wondrous confection of a costume.)

The familiar scenes flashed on the screen, but they were – of course – bigger, brighter and more detailed. Why, I never knew the Tinman wore blue eye shadow. Or that the flowers and poppies were so pretty.

They even had pretty good special effects back then. In the end, Dorothy made it home, as she always does. And I cried like I always do. Something about that faded wallpaper and Auntie Em and Uncle Henry resembling my long gone grammas and grandpas so much.

Before they could rush down the aisle, I stopped the boys long enough to hug them. “What’s the message in this movie?”, I asked. “There’s no place like home. Now let’s go home.” they answered. For many of us this year, being home together never looked so good, so comforting, so ordinary.

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How did 9/11 affect your company or community’s communications?

Image from the 2010 Butterfly Collection by Barbara Rozgonyi for thesociallens.com copyright 2010

Tomorrow is Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn. It’s a day where music makes over Main Street into an outdoor festival. This is our second year sponsoring the festival’s social communications. Two of our clients also participate. Here’s how the event looks this year in 3D.

3D is Digital Direct and Dynamic

If you’ve heard me speak, you know all about my 3D structural approach. If not, let’s keep it simple today and use Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn as an example.

Event – Direct

Five years into the event, the founding leaders have a success plan in place. Even so, an event like this takes lots of coordination.

Key players include the village, the musicians, the food vendors, the volunteer and of course, the fans. Working directly, one on one, is important. Communications here stay within the event project management circle and go out to others, like the marketing management team, with details we need to promote the event, but not set it up [thank goodness!].

For example, we needed to know details like the event schedule, musician bios and sites, committee and sponsors.

Communications – Digital

Sure, there are posters all around town and ads may be running, but audiences at most any event will appreciate digital updates. That’s where a blog, twitter and Facebook come in. LinkedIn works better for b2b communications, but you can set up an event and invite people to attend there.

Timed around weekly themes, the communications included blog posts, Facebook and twitter updates. Community partners and sponsors were invited to share the updates throughout their networks as well.

Community – Dynamic

Here’s where the good stuff comes in. When people throughout the community comment and contribute on social networks, then the event comes alive. Ideally, it’s great to have a few ambassadors who will watch and comment on what’s going on.

At the event, our client Drury Design is hosting a reception for sponsors. Adding an exclusive receptions for higher level sponsors adds value and encourages attendance.

One element that most festivals don’t have is a one-day elaborate garden. Another client, Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors, is celebrating their fifth year of building a garden on the street in under six hours. It’s amazing, impressive and now an expected tradition. This year’s theme is “Live Outside the Box.”

Let me know if you’ll be at Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn.

Photo credit: Barbara Rozgonyi images copyright 2010

“You’ve got to go create a ripple.”

Those words came to me as our youngest son and I tromped around the woods. Early in the evening or late in the afternoon, depending on how you measured it, we were doing what we do best: an adventurous young man now, once a boy, coaxing a mom to overcome her trepidation to explore nature and life without boundaries. Where would he lead me if I said . . .

“I need a ripple for this picture,” I commented as I peered out over an impossibly calm and steady lake.

“Well, then we will need a really big rock,” he said and scampered off in search of a small boulder.

“Wait!” I yelled.

But once he’s on a mission, there’s no getting him to come back or change course. Into the woods he disappeared while I waited, but only for a moment.

Seeing the the sun would set soon I needed to hike somewhere more familiar. The park wasn’t that big, but I wanted to know where our car was.

Climbing up a ridge, I was thankful that the trees hadn’t filled in so much that my view was completely blocked, but it was screened enough so that I couldn’t spot him. Maybe he was back at the car.

And then triumph sounded, “I can make a ripple! I’ll wait for you.”

Where was he?

I’d forgotten about the waterfall that runs over the dam. Of course that would be a good place to step out over the stream. And that’s where I found him.

“Ready Mom? This one’s for you!”

Luckily I had my camera ready to capture this moment.

Thanks to Tim Sanders, author of “Today We Are Rich,” and Timberland for the inspiration.

How about you? What kind of rock will you use to create your ripple?

Veterans Day is always a powerful day for me. Four of my mother’s brothers fought in World War II. The youngest brother never came back.

Surrounded by uncles who fought in the war on my father’s side as well, the American Legion served as our family’s community center.

But, my father didn’t belong there.

Due to a disability, he wasn’t eligible to join the service. And, he never got over being excluded from going to war.

Today, I remember all of them, all gone, including my father-in-law who served in the Air Force with gratitude. Every family has a military story.

Today, I’m inviting you to honor the 21.9 million US military veterans.

Businesses throughout the US are offering special deals for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. To show my gratitude, I’m offering a $50 discount on the Sixty Minute Second Opinion consultation throughout the month of November to up to 10 veterans, more if my schedule allows. To schedule a time, click on the link and I’ll contact you to schedule a time to talk about a marketing idea, a blog publishing calendar, a PR campaign, social media strategies or anything you want. Here’s an example of the type of project my company produces. . .

Veteran’s Day Book Recommendation: The Tender Warrior by General Hal Moore

In 2009, my company had the honor of distributing an announcement about General Hal Moore’s book and accompanying movie, The Tender Warrior. Here’s an excerpt from the release . . .

Published by Simple Truths, the book is for serious leaders and speaks to corporate managers and all people, no matter where they are in their walk in life. A Tender Warrior: 5 Leadership Lessons to America captures Gen. Hal Moore’s approach to leadership, motivation and inspiration. A long time warrior for ethical leadership, Gen. Moore is the founder of The National Endowment for The Public Trust, based in Atlanta, Georgia, with Ambassador Andrew Young as Honorary Chair. General Moore is donating 100% of his royalties from this book to The National Endowment for The Public Trust. Watch “A Tender Warrior,” Simple Truths’ movie about Gen. Moore’s new book.

Gen. Moore co-authored the New York Times #1 bestseller, We Were Soldiers and We Were Young Once, which sold 3 million copies and became a movie starring Mel Gibson.

“To say that I’m honored to be a part of General Moore’s latest book project is an understatement. It is one of the highlights of my life. This is one book that I’m certain will live on long after I’m gone. These leadership principles from General Moore are timeless treasures that will be inspiring to future generations,” said Mac Anderson, the founder of Simple Truths.

Disclosure: Simple Truths engaged CoryWest Media to manage public relations projects like this one. You should know the links in this post pay affiliate commissions. That means I get compensated for making a recommendation and routing traffic that results in sale. If you purchase a product or service from this site, please let me know so I can send you a thank you gift.

Image: Monument Circle Taxi c2010 by Barbara Rozgonyi from the Indy Collection

What’s your/your family’s military service story?

To commemorate the ninth anniversary of 9/11, I’m sharing links to coverage along with my views on how the attacks immediately reshaped community public relations and communications.

To me, today is a day to remember, reflect and consider how communications, and life, is always changing.

September 11 Memorial Information

9/11 Memorial Site

Google News about September 11 in 2010

Twin Towers twitter RSS feed, a trending topic on Twitter this morning

Reflecting on How 9/11 Immediately Impacted Community PR and Communications

On September 11, 2001, I got up and went through the usual motions of a mother with three children to get off to school. My husband was away on business in Rotterdam and I was excited to be dressed in a snappy navy pant suite for a meeting with our local school district about photographing the annual report. I marveled at how beautifully the day was starting out.

On our way out the door to walk my boys to school, the phone rang. A friend was calling with the first news about the attacks. I didn’t say anything to the boys, but I told I’d call her back after I dropped them off.

Walking down our quiet, sunny street the news was surreal. How could a day seem so idyllic when the world was falling apart? I could only think about when and where the next attack would be. Arriving at the school district headquarters, the staff was stunned and silent, gathered around a radio, listening for updates and quietly considering crisis communication responses.

Every year on this day, I think back to those first few turbulent hours after the tragic event and remember how fragile the world seemed and how strong and calm we needed to be as education communicators.

We also needed to find ways to communicate quickly, accurately and effectively. At that time, most community organizations – including schools – had no email database, only phone numbers and addresses. While the press could and would cover news, it would be on their deadline and in their voice. Producing a letter took time to write, print or copy and mail. Backpack communications was the most reliable and quick route to homes.

After 9/11, community organizations became more receptive and willing to gather email addresses, connect leaders online and form councils to relay information in case there was another crisis – or good news – that needed to be delivered quickly.

As an early email adapter, I became an advocate and a teacher on how to transfer communications to a digital platform to reach the media, leadership and the community at large.

The school district approved my proposal to develop an e-newsletter, only for teachers and the press at first. Eventually, subscriptions were open to the public. Thanks to Mary Kay O’Grady for asking me to manage these projects for her team.

I did get to photograph the cover of the 2001 annual report. The concept started out as an image of teachers gathered around a flagpole in silence. I had another idea, which was approved in its place. I asked if I could photograph my son’s first grade class releasing butterflies. After the butterflies flew off, I took pictures of the fifth graders replanting a barren prairie patch. Images from each made the annual report with a community theme of new life and recovery.

Because a crisis can strike anytime, here’s a post I wrote about how to plan ahead for crisis PR.

How did 9/11 affect your company or community’s communications?

Image from the 2010 Butterfly Collection by Barbara Rozgonyi for thesociallens.com copyright 2010