4th day at the WA Deaf Society

Hi all!

Today was my 4th day doing my internship at the WA Deaf Society. I am enjoying my days with them so far and really put what I've learnt at lectures to good use.

Yesterday, I spent some time calling up our media list to ensure that the contact persons and details were up to date. Made about 40-50 calls and when I was finally done updating the database, it was getting down to business and helped my manager, Marisa, with the copy of the newsletter regarding the request for help as the Society is running low on its funds. So I had hands on experience writing up a media release and seeing it faxed out today to all the media organisations felt that I've actually accomplished something and felt the sense of satisfaction!

I'm in the midst of drafting four letters particularly, thank you letters. The first letter is to thank those who have purchased the Society's 'First Signs' DVD and inviting them to register for their eligible free introduction class to 'First Signs'. The second letter is to thank those who have donated and acknowledge their help. The third letter was to thank those who has signed up for the 'Introduction to Auslan Language Course' and that we have received their payment and bookings. Lastly, the forth letter is for perth metropolitan schools to tell them about our fundraiser, HelpingHands, and to seek their help in raising funds through the campaign. These letters are still in the draft copy and hopefully I get to see my work sent out as well.

In the later part of today, I sat by the fax machine and sent out the 40+ media releases and its individual fax cover (which was manually done by me yesterday). I was told by Marisa that faxing the media releases will be more effective and it would go directly to the company rather then emailing which may have a high possibility of being in the trash unread or that the mail would not reach. So today it was all faxed out and when I head in next week, I probably would be doing follow up calls and maybe a follow up media release as planned.

Last week at the Curtin Careers Fair, we had a raffle draw and I was picking out the lucky winner. So I followed up with the students that participated in it and made calls to them asking them for some details such as email address so that the Society could keep them updated with our quarterly newsletters. Today the prize winner, Annie, made her way to collect her hamper containing a bottle of champagne, 'First Signs' DVD and much more goodies in there. Marisa then came up with a good idea just before work ended today, that we could possible feature Annie and her views about the prize that she has won and what she felt about the DVD. I was then given the job in contacting Annie again and will be following up with her next week to write up a media release that is planned to be sent out to the community newspaper (and further introduce the Society in the media). Soon, I will also be writing an article detailing my experiences for our next newsletter.

I am really glad how PR393 gives me the opportunity to experience how working in the PR field is like. I hope to see more post here soon too!