May 1, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 10:08 p.m.

I received my test results this weekend and I passed! I am now Accredited in Public Relations (APR) and therefore, this will be my final post on the APR Factor blog.

I still maintain that the journey would have been worth it even if I failed the exam. I've have said many times on this blog that the Accreditation process has made me a better professional. I learned a great deal while studying and I enjoyed the study groups, my Readiness Review and the interaction with my peers and mentors.

When I decided to pursue Accreditation in a public way, my goal was to raise awareness of the process and encourage others to consider pursuing Accreditation themselves. I hope you will give it some thought. Aside from validating your experience and expertise, Accreditation helps you continue your professional and career development. APR identifies you as a professional who understands the guiding principles of effective and ethical public relations practice. But more important than any reason, Accreditation is a personal accomplishment of which to be proud.

If you have questions about the process or if you just need a little nudge, please call me at (407) 481-5672 x323 or e-mail at bomalley@metroplanorlando.com. I hope you, too, will take the journey (but you don't have to record it in a blog!)

Regards,
Bob O'Malley, APR

April 25, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 4:06 p.m.

I just got today's mail and still no test results. The person responsible for administering the APR exam is a guy named Pierre Essay. You'd think with computer-based testing, instant electronic grading and the ability to e-mail results, he could be a little quicker.

April 25, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 9:35 a.m.

I know of two colleagues who took the exam the same week I did. One passed, the other did not. Since the APR exam has a 65% pass rate, I figure that puts the odds in my favor.

April 18, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 1:55 p.m.

I should hear in the next 1-2 weeks whether or not I passed the written portion of the APR exam. Either way, I am very grateful for the help and support I received from the following PR professionals: Sheridan Becht, APR; Terri Behling, APR; Dr. Bob Davis, APR, CPRC; Susan Ennis, APR; Andrea Finger, APR; Jamie Floer, APR; Chris Gent; Allen Moore, APR; Roy Reid, APR; Carolyn Reis, APR; Lorri Shaban, APR; Suzanne Sparling, APR; Dr. Frank Stansberry, APR; Colleen Thayer, APR; Dawn Vaughn, APR; Jennifer Wakefield; and Dan Ward, APR.

I am especially thankful for the encouragement given to me by Sheridan Becht, APR. Sheridan is currently serving as the Vice President of Accreditation for the Orlando Area Chapter of FPRA.
 

April 15, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 4:43 p.m.

Well, I just finished my APR exam. I must say, it wasn't the easiest test I've ever taken. Many of the questions seemed to have more than one "right" answer. I wanted to debate a few of them. And the test was long; there were 147 questions. I felt like taking a nap in the middle of the exam. I should hear in the next few weeks whether or not I passed. As soon as I know, I'll post the results on this blog.

April 14, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 3:47 p.m.

I had a conversation today with some fellow FPRA-OAC Board members, and the topic of tomorrow’s APR exam came up. Some of the members felt that if I fail the exam, no one else will ever want to go through the process. I hope that does not happen. I’ve said many times that regardless of whether or not I pass the exam, the experience has been worth it. I am a much better professional than I was before I began the process. The purpose of this blog is to demonstrate that accreditation is so much more than three letters after your name. APR is about ongoing professional growth and a constant quest for excellence. I might not pass the test; and if I don’t, I will have no regrets. I hope my experience, pass or fail, will encourage you to pursue accreditation as well.

April 14, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 10:04 a.m.

I take the exam tomorrow!!! I'm starting to get a little nervous. 

Today, I am reading through Public Relations – Strategies and Tactics http://www.ablongman.com/catalog/academic/product/0,1144,0205449441-CS,00.html

April 11, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 10:03 a.m.

As I study for this Friday's APR exam, a useful tool has been the Web site for Effective Public Relations by Cutlip, Center & Broom: http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/cutlip/. It has an online practice test with grading.

April 8, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 12:57 p.m.

I’ve been studying for next Friday’s exam. I started re-reading the Cutlip & Center book and I’ve taken an online practice test. In addition, I really think putting together my Image Awards entries has helped my APR preparation (and vice versa!) The Image Awards entry process forces you to think about research, planning (statement of objectives), implementation and evaluation and from what I understand, RPIE is a major component of the APR written exam. Of course I can’t mention Image Awards without giving a plug for the Image Awards Ceremony on April 21 at the Orlando Museum of Art. I hope you will attend.

March 31, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 11:35 am

I just scheduled my APR exam. I plan to take the exam on Friday, April
15 at 2:00 p.m. at the Thomson Prometric Test Center in Maitland.

March 22, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 9:45 pm

I just received my Authorization to Test letter from the Universal Accreditation Board. In English that means I have been advanced from the Readiness Review process and I am now eligible to take the APR exam. I was given a confirmation code which I will need when I call the testing center (Prometric) to schedule my exam. I plan to take the exam sometime in April and I will probably call later this week to schedule a date.

March 4, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 1:44 pm

You should attend the next APR Orientation. A new series of study sessions will begin soon, and an orientation will be held for anyone interested in learning more about the process. The orientation will be held on Wednesday, March 16 at 8:30 a.m. at the office of Consensus Communication, located at 605 E. Robinson Street, Suite 750 in downtown Orlando. If you are interested in attending, contact Sheridan Becht, APR at jsbecht@ouc.com.
 

March 4, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 10:47 am

My Readiness Review presentation was this morning. The presentation was held at the office of Consensus Communications (thank you, Dawn Vaughn, APR) with three senior-level, accredited panelists. At first, I felt like I was in the board room on The Apprentice. But it was more a conversation among professionals than a formal presentation. The Readiness Review provided an opportunity for me to discuss my experience with three mentors. The panelists gave me a lot a good insight into my experience. Their feedback will be valuable not only for the written exam, but also for my professional development beyond accreditation. 

I will be notified in about two weeks whether panelists determined I am ready to advance to the written portion of the exam. If they do, I plan to take the exam in mid-April. I'll keep you posted. 

February 28, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 2:00 pm
 
I mentioned earlier that my Readiness Review presentation is this Friday. I will present a portfolio to the panel to demonstrate my experience in several areas of PR; in my case, specifically: media relations, legislative lobbying, strategic planning and my most recent annual report. The panelists are familiar with my background, partly because I know all three and partly because of a written submission I had to complete as part of the accreditation process. Click here to view my written submission. This will give you an idea of what you will need to prepare when you pursue accreditation.

February 23, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 4:30 pm

I just learned that my postponed Readiness Review presentation has been rescheduled for Friday, March 4 at 9:00 a.m. Since I was expecting it to be last week, I'm already prepared (or as prepared as I'm going to be!)

February 23, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 10:11 am

My grandfather passed away last week, and I traveled to Boston this past weekend for the funeral. While that is definitely sad news, the good news is that I was able to finish reading Effective Public Relations by Cutlip, Center and Broom on the flights there and back.

February 17, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 4:33 pm

My Readiness Review presentation tomorrow was postponed until Feb. 25 or March 4. Apparently, one of the panelists had to reschedule. When I know more, I'll let you know. Have a good weekend!

February 15, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 9:36 am

My presentation to the Readiness Review panel will be this Friday at 9:00 a.m. Last night I started to put together a portfolio for the presentation which includes a few projects I've worked on in the past. I tried to pick projects that demonstrate a broad range of experience, specifically: strategic planning, media relations, legislative lobbying and my last annual report. I'll post again on Friday, after my presentation, to let you know how it went.

January 31, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 11:30 am

I mentioned RPIE in my previous posting. Research, Planning, Implementation & Evaluation are the core components of public relations practice. One of FPRA signature events, the Image Awards, recognizes outstanding PR programs based on the fundamentals of RPIE. But aside from being an awards program, the Image Awards are also one of FPRA's premier education tools. I did not win an award the first year I submitted an Image Award entry, but I learned a great deal through the process. I encourage every member of FPRA to submit at least one Image Award entry. The entry requirements force you to think about RPIE and how you apply the fundamentals to your practice. You can find more information about the 2005 Image Awards at http://www.fpra-orlando.org/events/image_awards.asp.

January 29, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 4:46 pm

I attended the statewide APR study session held today at UCF. The facilitators were Suzanne Sparling, APR, Terri Behling, APR, Colleen Thayer, APR and Dr. Bob Davis, ABC, APR, CPRC. 20 PR professionals from across the state participated in the session. The primary content of the session was a review of RPIE and discussions of various case studies. We also discussed several sample questions, an exercise that will help me as I prepare to take the written examination.

January 25, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 4:10 pm

The APR Exam includes three components: a written submission, a presentation to a Readiness Review panel and the written exam. The written submission is a series of questions I must answer and provide to the Readiness Review panel two weeks prior to my presentation. This allows the panelists to familiarize themselves with my PR experience, strengths and weaknesses to determine if I am ready to take the written exam. My presentation will be on February 17th or 18th, and my written submission is due February 1 (which is my birthday, in case you wanted to know.)

The first draft of my written submission is eleven pages and includes answers to a total of seventeen questions divided into the following three sections: (1) my organization and my role, (2) my experience and (3) my assessment of my readiness for the written portion of the examination.  The written submission also demonstrates my experience in the following KSAs (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities): 
 
History of and current issues in public relations Business literacy Ethics & Law Communication models & theories Research, planning, implementing, & evaluating communication programs Management skills & issues Crisis communication management Using information technology Media relations Advanced communication skills 

January 21, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 3:20 pm

In addition to the APR study sessions provided by the Orlando Area Chapter, FPRA is hosting a statewide study session at UCF. The session is provided free of charge to all those planning/interested in sitting for the exam. Click here to view the agenda.

Statewide APR Study Session
Saturday, January 29, 2005
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Lunch on your own) University of Central Florida Communications Building, Room 228 (Second Floor)

Those planning to attend should RSVP to (321) 631-2740 or ssparling@uwbrevard.org.

January 19, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 4:57 pm

Last night's study session was conducted by Roy Reid, APR. The topic was crisis communication and media relations. If you attended the November FPRA luncheon, you know that Roy is an expert in these areas. Media relations is probably my weak point as a professional, so the study session was very helpful for me. Our last study session will be next week; the topic will be Business Literacy.

January 12, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 8:34 am

Are you an ethical PR practitioner? 

The topic of last night's APR study session was ethics and law. Dr. Frank Stansberry, APR taught the session and facilitated some insightful discussion about ethics. If you haven’t read our Code of Ethics recently, I encourage you to do so. They are posted on the FPRA Orlando Web site at http://www.fpra-orlando.org/info/ethics.asp.

January 10, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 5:01 pm

Since APR Factor is a take-off on reality TV, I thought I'd share this recent news story with you:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Watching contestants eat dead rats on NBC's gross-out stunt show "Fear Factor" so disgusted a Cleveland man that he has sued NBC for $2.5 million, saying he could not stomach what he saw. 

$2.5 million!!! It's not like he was watching the Super Bowl and was involuntarily exposed (pardon the pun) to Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction. He chose to watch a show that everyone knows is based on disgusting stunts. I wish the spokesperson for the show would have commented (the lawyers are likely calling the shots.) I would have said, "Yeah, the contestants ate a rat. But if you think that's gross, wait till you see next week’s show."

I hope no one sues FPRA for the photo below of me and the pig's feet (because the pig's feet are disgusting, not me.)

January 6, 2005
Bob O'Malley @ 4:04 pm

Happy New Year! We had a study session this past Tuesday to review the written submission portion of accreditation. Before I tell you about the class, let me break down the steps to earning APR:

1. Attend study sessions (series offered twice a year, no charge) 2. Apply for accreditation with the Universal Accreditation Board ($25) 3. Read (FPRA owns several recommended books you can borrow) 4. Prepare Written Submission for Readiness Review Panel (comprised of 3 accredited professionals) 5. Make oral presentation to Readiness Review Panel (similar to a job interview to determine if you are ready for the exam) 6. Study, study and study some more 7. Schedule and take the exam at your convenience, within one year after the Readiness Review ($385, with an $85 rebate from State, $50 rebate from Orlando Area Chapter)

This is an overly-simplistic summary, but it at least should give you an idea of the process. 

I must admit, though, the written submission is not as simple as I was expecting. I figured I’d copy and paste my resume and be done with it. The submission questions are much more probing than that. The idea of the submission is to give the Readiness Review panelists an in-depth summary of your experience, prior to the actual Review. But while preparing the submission will be more work than I was expecting, the exercise should be worthwhile. My submission is due Feb. 1. I’ll keep you posted on my progress, and I may even post my submission as a sample for those of you who are considering taking the exam in the near future (if you aren’t, why would you even read this blog?) We have three more study sessions; I’ll keep you posted on those as well.

December 23, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 9:38 am

No class this week. Our class leaders, Sheridan Becht, APR and Andrea Finger, APR, gave us this and next week off for the holidays. The next APR Prep class will be January 4, 2005, so I won’t be posting until then. In the meantime, I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year’s Eve.

December 17, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 9:02 am

OK, if you're reading this blog you must be interested in learning more about accreditation. Click the new animated banner ad on the home page of this Web site (bottom, right side.) The ad links to a page with more information about accreditation.

December 16, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 9:20 am

Even though I missed class this week, I was fortunate that one of my classmates took notes for me and got extra copies of the handout (Thank you, CB!) And judging from the notes, the answers to the History questions on the exam will likely be something other than Bernays.

December 14, 2004
Bob O’Malley @ 10:37 pm

I missed class tonight! I drove back from Tallahassee this afternoon, on schedule to arrive in Orlando by 6:30 p.m. Unfortunately, there was a really bad accident on the Turnpike. The trip took an extra two hours. Fortunately, though, I am preparing for the exam with four other PR professionals from the Orlando area. We all take notes and cover for one another when work intrudes into class time. I'm also fortunate that this particular class topic was History, which only accounts for a couple of questions on the exam. I figure if I write Bernays as my answer to both History-related questions, I'll probably get at least one correct.

December 12, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 7:25 pm

It's been awhile since my last posting. This past week at work has been really busy, in addition to the general business of the holidays. But that is what this blog is about; to provide a glimpse into the entire accreditation process. Some weeks I'll be enthusiastic about studying, other weeks I'll be too busy. This past week was a good week to be an APR slacker. We did not have a study session because the FPRA Holiday Social at Season's 52 was held on Tuesday.

Our next study session will be this Tuesday, December 14. I'll be in Tallahasee but I'm planning on driving back for the study session. I think the topic will be History. I'll post again on Wednesday and let you know how it was.

November 29, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 4:22 pm

Because last Tuesday was during Thanksgiving week, there was no study session; which was good since it allowed me to attend the UCF football game (but also bad since UCF lost.) But the long weekend gave me a chance to read a little from Effective Public Relations. We have a study session tomorrow night and we will be learning more about RPIE.

November 17, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 9:08 am

Do you know what this means?

If you do, you should take the APR exam; you’ll pass. If you don’t know what it means, you should also take the APR exam. Before last night’s APR study session, I was in the latter group. But because of the accreditation process, now I know. I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again: even if I fail the exam, the accreditation process will benefit my professional development. I’m a better PR practitioner than I was yesterday.

November 11, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 9:30 pm

I forgot to mention this GOOD NEWS in my earlier posting. At the Chapter Board meeting this morning, the FPRA-OAC Board approved a $50 rebate for anyone taking the APR exam. Currently, the cost of the exam is $385. FPRA members receive an $85 rebate from the state. The $50 local rebate would be in addition to the state rebate, bringing the cost down to $250.

If you are thinking about starting the accreditation process soon (more study sessions will be offered in the spring!) you should also know that your Chapter has purchased and will continue to purchase PR books to help you prepare for the exam. This also helps reduce the cost of earning your APR.

November 11, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 10:27 am

We had our first study session this past Tuesday; the topic was Communication Models & Theory. Specifically, we reviewed the Shannon-Weaver and Wilbur Schramm models and discussed how they applied to everyday situations in our own jobs. The session was very informative and it helped me look at some areas of my practice in a different way. Even if I fail the APR exam, I think these study sessions will help make me a better PR professional.

November 7, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 7:41 pm

This weekend, I started reading Effective Public Relations by Cutlip, Center & Broom in preparation for the APR study sessions, which begin this Tuesday. The Orlando Area Chapter owns this book, and we plan to purchase of few more to lend to FPRA members who are preparing for the exam. By providing members with the recommended books, the Orlando Area Chapter is helping to offset to cost of accreditation and ensuring that its members are prepared for the exam. 
 
The topic for this week's study session is Communication Models & Theories. The study session will be held at the OUC building at 6:30 p.m. As I promised my fellow FPRA members at the APR Orientation, I'm bringing the pizza and drinks. Remember, the APR study sessions are FREE, all FPRA members are welcome to attend, and participation in the sessions does not obligate you to take (or pay for) the exam.
 
I hope you will join me on the road to accreditation. And if you cannot participate in these sessions, we will offer another series of classes in late spring 2005. I'll write again later this week and let you know how Tuesday's session went.
 

November 2, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 10:08 am

A few FPRA members who were not able to make it to last week's APR Orientation have asked me about the process. To summarize what was presented at the orientation, the process for preparing for the APR exam is structured to ensure that candidates succeed. First, candidates, like myself, participate in a FREE eight-week study session. Each weekly session covers a different area of public relations practice. Participation in the study sessions are voluntary and do not obligate a candidate to take the exam.

After the study sessions are complete, candidates who feel prepared for the exam participate in a Readiness Review. Similar to a job interview, candidates meet with a Readiness Review panel, comprised of accredited PR professionals, who determine if the candidate is sufficiently prepared to sit for the exam. This step in the process ensures that candidates who take the exam have a good chance for success. After the Readiness Review phase, candidates are eligible to take the exam at their convenience.

This summary provides the basic information presented at the APR Orientation. If you have additional questions about the accreditation process, please call me at (407) 481-5672 x323.

October 29, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 3:24 pm

On Tuesday evening, October 26, Sheridan Becht, APR and Andrea Finger, APR, hosted an APR Orientation at the OUC building. The meeting was very informative. Sheridan and Andrea reviewed the process for achieving accreditation and the schedule of a series of FREE study sessions. The study sessions will begin Tuesday, November 9 and will be held at OUC in the evening.

Playing on the antics of reality TV, I offered a challenge to my fellow FPRA members. If 10 FPRA members attended the Orientation Session, I would eat pickled pig’s feet (which you can buy at the Winn Dixie on Bumby & Colonial, but apparently cannot buy at any Publix in the Orlando area.) Unfortunately (or fortunately from my perspective) 9 people attended. But I still have a jar of pig’s feet, so if 10 FPRA members attend the November 9 study session...

October 18, 2004
Bob O'Malley @ 1:16 pm

Do you want to learn more about becoming accredited in public relations (APR)?

Tune in to the new hit reality show, APR Factor, and join Bob O’Malley, FPRA-OAC President, on his journey towards accreditation.  APR Factor will be featured each month in the Chapter’s newsletter, PRoclaimer, and online at www.fpra-orlando.org.

You can also learn more about accreditation at an APR Orientation Meeting on Tuesday, October 26 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.  The meeting, hosted by the Orlando chapters of FPRA and PRSA, will be held at the OUC building, located at 500 S. Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando.  For more information or to RSVP, contact Sheridan Becht, APR, Vice President of Accreditation for FPRA-OAC, at jsbecht@ouc.com.