Get Inspired This Summer!

by Lindsay Stout, Vollmer Public Relations Dallas

Every summer, my family vacations on a little island that’s part of the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina.  (In fact, as you read this, I’m probably in my beach chair, reading my summer book and sipping some lemonade.)

I find the beach to be a magical place.  Porpoises dance through the waves, fragile seashells wait to be discovered, endangered loggerhead turtles venture onto land to lay their eggs in the protection of the sand dunes, and lifelong friendships are made with people from all over the country.  For me, it might even be the most magical place on Earth (sorry, Disney World).

But recently I’ve been to a few other magical places where I found some new inspiration.

Camp For All near Houston definitely fits into the magical category.  Adults and kids with special challenges come here throughout the year to enjoy a barrier-free camping facility.  Camp For All is the host site for groups serving people with special needs, including those with HIV, epilepsy, cancer, multiple sclerosis, kidney disease, autism, hearing and sight impairments, and brain injuries,,   Camp For All helps people with these challenges discover life by learning what they can do, as opposed to what they can’t do.

A few weeks ago, I spent a day at camp watching kids with muscular dystrophy participate in a ropes course that I would never have the courage to try.  The kids also rode horses, tried archery and paintball, and panned for gold. Most of the kids were in wheelchairs.

I wish you could have seen the light in their eyes during these activities!  Watching them was completely inspirational to me.  They’re brave, they have a contagious energy, and yet they have gone through more in their young lives than I can imagine.

Another magical place I’ve been to recently is Fenway Park, home of my beloved Red Sox.  Don’t ask how an Oklahoma girl fell in love with them; it just happened.  I had the good fortune to squeeze in a trip to the nation’s oldest active major league ballpark during a recent trip to Beantown for the Association of Travel Marketing Executive’s 30^th annual conference. 

The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) is a  professional association made up of senior-level travel marketers representing all segments of the industry.  ATME is the only organization of its kind and is committed to enhancing skills, recognizing excellence and advancing the highest standards of travel marketing leadership.

A large part of the conference focused on social media and mobile marketing. I left Boston feeling energized, with a new passion to always be on the forefront of PR and marketing trends in order to provide the best possible service to clients.  (I also left with a new Red Sox shirt).

So this summer, whether you find yourself taking in the glory of a beautiful beach, realizing how precious and fragile life truly is, or accepting a new challenge to be better in your career, I hope you feel inspired and energized, ready for the second half of 2010! 

Yes. Take the Trip Insurance.

by Judy Haveson, Vollmer Public Relations New York City

When you make a big purchase such as a car, boat, house, television or jewelry it isn’t unusual to buy insurance to protect it against loss or damage. So why not your vacation? Just like these big ticket items a vacation can be something you’ve saved for years, but what happens when you get sick or you have to reschedule? According to a survey released last year by the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, Americans spent nearly $1.6 billion on travel insurance.

I was definitely one of those people who used to think travel insurance was just another way to get my money. I wasn’t one who changed their travel dates and nothing bad had ever happened to me on vacation…until it did. Well, indirectly, as it happened to my parents.

My mom and dad were both turning 75 years old and they decided to take themselves on a big birthday cruise to South America. About 45 minutes out from landing in Panama to change planes to Sao Paulo my father took ill. He had to be transferred by ambulance to a local hospital. Given that my mother’s Spanish language skills didn’t go much beyond asking where the bathroom was, and the fact the hospital was asking her to give them $10,000 cash in order to work on my father,  I was very eager to get my parents home. So, several phone calls later and less than 24 hours from when the incident occurred, they were transported home via an air ambulance. I was told the cost of the air ambulance was $20,000. At the time I wasn’t thinking about how I would pay for it, I was just thinking I wanted them home. Once everything was stable and reality kicked in that I just put $20,000 on my American Express, my mother informed me that as part of the cruise package she paid an additional $745 for trip insurance. I was ecstatic! According to the contract any services related to medical emergencies, including air ambulances, were fully covered!

While this is an extreme example, you never know what can happen to you. There are a lot of reasons to buy travel insurance, and every policy is different. Here are a few reasons you should definitely think about it:

• Medical emergency in a foreign country and/or needing medical evacuation
• Flight is cancelled
• Bags are lost
• Trip needs to be cancelled due to illness
• Travel supplier goes bankrupt
• Terrorist incident
• Hurricanes or other natural disasters
• Passport or wallet is stolen

Ultimately, the decision to purchase travel insurance is very personal as it is directly related to cost. So the question you need to ask yourself is how much is your vacation worth to you if you’re not able to take it based on one of the reasons above. As you’re putting your checklist together for items to take with you on that trip of lifetime, after a good book and before suntan lotion, don’t forget travel insurance!

Ah, Freedom.....

by Helen Vollmer, Vollmer Public Relations CEO

Have you ever wondered what America’s founding fathers were thinking when they decided to make a break from Jolly Old England?  Why the heck did they resolve to shape their own destiny 234 years ago?  Sure, the onerous taxes were a drag, but what is it about the notion of independence that allows the human spirit to risk it all, dream big and defy conventional expectations?

Beyond Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison and the others (for a fascinating summer read check out the Pulitzer Prize winning “Founding Brothers:  The Revolutionary Generation” by Joseph J. Ellis), history repeats itself.  Is there a bit of Davy Crockett (who died fighting for Texas independence at the Alamo) in all of us who  treasure  independence to the point of foolhardiness?

As the founder of the largest independent public relations firm based in the Southwest, I have a definite  POV on the value of independence.  I think it’s a perspective that all independent firms - from the largest to the smallest - share.  And, at a time when we celebrate our hard-earned freedoms this July 4, it might be worth considering the finer points of independence.

• Independence demands responsibility.  If you are going to be successful as an independent business or as an entrepreneur, you understand from the get go that there is no other safety net.  There is no one to “pass the buck” to, and there’s a pride in taking ownership.
• Independence fosters the freedom to think wholly and creatively.  With no one telling you “these are the rules,” you tend to evolve based on the needs of those you are servicing, the marketplace and your own ability to connect the dots for a greater good.  The result is you get to look at all the angles in making a decision and are guided by the desire to do the right thing with the knowledge you can sleep well at night.
• Independence breeds responsiveness.  Without layers of approvals, bureaucracy and time lags, you can move at lightening speed, under radar or as long as is necessary, depending on the need.
• Independence is an underpinning for tolerance.  When you treasure freedom, you also understand that it is something everyone, regardless of his or her beliefs or culture also has the right to pursue with the caveat that, “Your rights end where my nose begins.”

Don’t get me wrong.  Independence is not synonymous with great strategy, leadership and innovation.  Those can be found anywhere among individuals.  We all have to work hard every day to command the respect of clients, colleagues, friends and mentors.

But like the Founding Fathers, and all those who have fought for our freedom since this nation began, our common ground is that we believe independence in all its forms is worth a struggle.  Independence is worth fighting for. Always raising standards while exploring individual strengths breeds greater success, greater opportunity and more personal reward. 

And if you don’t believe me, just take a few minutes to read the words of the ultimate spinmeister, Thomas Jefferson, at the Declaration of Independence website.  You’ll be proud of your independence and your freedom at a time when freedom has never been more precious.

Vollmer Summer Recipes - Camp For All Peanut Butter Wraps

From Camp For All

This high protein, easy to make recipe is perfect for a healthy breakfast or picnic snack!  Replace peanut butter with Sunbutter for a nut-free alternative.  This Camp For All breakfast favorite is just what the campers need to fuel their full day of Discovering Life!

Tortillas
Peanut butter
Granola
Green apples
¼ cup lemon juice
¾ cup water

1. Wash apples.  Slice into thin slices. *If wraps will not be enjoyed immediately, dip apple slices into a mixture of ¼ cup lemon juice and ¾ cup water to preserve color and freshness.
2.  Spread a thin layer of peanut butter  one side of each tortilla.
3.  Put three slices of apple down the middle of the tortilla.
4.  Sprinkle a tablespoon of granola on top of the apple slices.
5.  Roll the tortilla up like an enchilada.  Enjoy!

Vollmer Summer Recipes - CHRISTUS Hospital's Cajun Pork Tenderloin

From CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth and St. Mary's Healthy Recipe Collection

Serves 4

2 tbsp. paprika
2 tsp. each: onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper
1-1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. each dry thyme leaves, dried oregano leaves
1 lb. pork tenderloin

• Blend spices in small bowl. Rub onto pork (some spices may not stick to pork); let stand 30 minutes.
• Place pork on grill 4 inches from medium-hot coals.
• Grill turning occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes or until inserted meat thermometer reads 155-160 degrees.

Vollmer Summer Recipes - Carolyn Mayo's Beach Salsa

From @carolynmayo  Vollmer Public Relations President

2 cups canned black beans washed ( I usually just dump 2 whole cans in)
2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
2 cups frozen corn thawed
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup cilantro chopped
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup chopped green onion
Serve with blue corn chips!!!!!

Vollmer Summer Recipes - Lori Martin's Mambo Margarita's

From @lomartin Vollmer Public Relations Houston

(1)   12 oz can of frozen limeade
(1)   12 oz can of 7-UP (NOT sprite!)
(1)   Corona
(1)   Tequila to your liking. It’s suggested to use a 12 oz, but that makes it fairly potent.

Served chilled and over ice. Garnish with a lime. Salt is optional.