FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Peggy Grillot
847/706-3504

IWPA, PRSA, and CWIP HOST GIRL SCOUTS IN CHICAGO

July 13, 2000 -- On July 12, nearly 100 high school-aged Girl Scouts from across the United States, France, Germany and India attended the "Press Pass 2000" lunch at Columbia College, co-sponsored by the Greater O’Hare Chapter of the Public Relations Society of American and the Illinois Woman's Press Assn., in cooperation with Chicago Women in Publishing.

Several mentors representing the three organizations met with the Scouts, answering questions and offering career advice.

"The girls were attentive and interested, and their enthusiasm was contagious. I thoroughly enjoyed the forum for fielding their questions and sharing my passion for PR," Natalie Scholberg, senior manager of corporate communications at PNC Mortgage in Vernon Hills said. "I explained that the qualities emphasized in Girl Scouts--like honesty and integrity--are fundamental to public relations. Our profession needs to encourage young people willing to embrace our code of ethics."

IWPA President Peggy Grillot, Web manager at the Society of Actuaries in Schaumburg, emphasized to the young women that networking with other professionals through organizations is a key to success in the communications field.

More than than just a "press day," these young women were gathered for a two-week event focused on learning about careers in communications. Housed at Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, the girls' experience included lectures, special speakers, group projects (some were filming a video, others were staging a fashion show, some did a broadcast project) and the field trip to Columbia College.

IWPA is the state affiliate of NFPW, an organization for professional communicators in many fields, offering networking and professional development. More information about IWPA can be obtained by calling the Illinois Woman’s Press Association Hotline, 312.458-9151, or visiting the Web site, www.iwpa.org.

Greater O’Hare Chapter is the PRSA chapter serving Chicago suburban professionals. More information can be obtained by calling 630.415.1833 or visiting the Web site, www.prsaohare.com.

Chicago Women in Publishing is an organization for professionals in the publishing industry. More information can be obtained by calling 312.641.6311. or visiting the Web site, www.cwip.org.