Sheri Rosen; ABC, New Sub-Saharan Region Receive Chairman's Award

Communication World, June, 2001

Sheri Rosen, ABC

"A true evangelist," is how one of Sheri Rosen's many admirers describes her. Through a column she has written for Communication World magazine since 1984, Rosen has freely shared her vision and knowledge. She was a pioneer and early advocate of the use of technology, beginning with her efforts as an assistant system operator in the early days of the PR & Marketing forum on CompuServe. Chair Charles Pizzo says, "If Shel Holtz is the 'father' of technology for communicators in IABC, then Sheri is its 'Earth Mother.'"

Her first speaking engagement for IABC was in 1983 at the organization's international conference. She has appeared at many more international conferences and IABC seminars. Among her many other activities, Rosen has served on IABC chapter boards in five cities during her 20 years of volunteer service.

In 1976, Rosen received IABC/San Antonio's Rookie Editor of the Year award, and the chapter's Communicator of the Year award in 1996. In addition to serving on the Gold Quill blue ribbon panel, Rosen herself has won four Gold Quill awards. She has also received dozens of local and district awards for her work. Rosen served on numerous local chapter committees, as well as headed international committees on leadership development (1982) and technology (1984 and 1994).

Before joining USAA -- where she is the assistant vice president, employee communications -- Rosen owned ConsultRosen Communication.

Sub-Saharan Africa Region

"In a term filled with challenges, a team of hard-working volunteers in Sub-Saharan Africa saw nothing but opportunity ahead for IABC," says Pizzo. Formerly a part of the European region, leaders in Africa wrote their own business plan for autonomy. They created a professional development road show and met with communicators in several cities. The plan succeeded even though it was one of IABC's toughest years.

Chapter charters have been granted to Cape Town, Namibia and Swaziland. The former IABC Southern Africa has been renamed IABC Gauteng. IABC Sub-Saharan Africa was also chartered as a developmental region -- the first for IABC in many years.

These efforts support two of IABC's business plan priorities: membership development and international growth. And in the spirit that epitomizes the new IABC, the region has entered into one of the association's first partnership agreements with a national communication group, PRISA -- the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa.

Credit for this success goes to a succession of visionary IABC Southern Africa chapter presidents and their local boards. This Chairman's Award recognizes the entire team.

"Her contributions to IABC and the IABC Foundation are too numerous to list; both her time and her donations are truly appreciated. Through this kind of dedication, the Foundation has thrived, and Lynda can be credited for her inspiration and devotion to making it the success it is today," says Lou Williams, ABC, APR Fellow, who now serves as interim IABC president.

Stewart was employed by Cox Enterprises, Inc., as head of external and internal corporate communication. She retired in 1999.