Happy Thanksgiving to all our JJ&W Friends!

As the season of thanks draws near, we reflect on how the world has changed since Sept. 11, 2001, a full decade ago, and we give thanks for the men and women who have served in the armed forces to ensure the safety of our country and our right to freedom. Our hearts and thanks go out to them and to their families, with our hopes for lasting peace.

In our own way we have been working towards harmony, mutual respect and effective communications that bridge differences between our clients and their constituencies. Our year has been engaging, working with terrific clients ranging from small nonprofits to international corporations, in towns next door, across the country and as far away as Japan.

Our projects have been varied and challenging, including:

• Strategic planning for the NH Scots, proud organizers of the ever-popular NH Highland Games held each fall here in NH
• Behavioral research to determine what motivates energy consumption behaviors & use of smart grid technology
• Focus groups with select business units in a recently merged international airline to improve communication
• Strategic counsel for a private school on parental engagement and reputation management
• Organizational development training for government agencies (in services, resource management, and administration)

Our commitment to improving the public relations profession continues. This year we:

• Played a role in the establishment of PRSA Yankee Chapter's new Jim Bradley Memorial Scholarship Award. Congratulations to Rosanyi Santos, a student at the UNH Manchester, winner of our first scholarship prize.
• Presented the JJ&W Behavioral Prize at the PRSA International Conference in Orlando to Shannon Arrowood Bowen, PhD., Associate Professor at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, for her work on ethics in the public relations field.
• Offered the still-popular 2-day PR Bootcamp session through PRSA in San Francisco, Boston, Las Vegas, Orlando and NYC

On August 6th, Isobel hosted the annual JJ&W Blueberry Breakfast for members of the JJ&W family, including employees and clients. We cherish this tradition and the opportunity to spend face time with people who have been, and continue to be, important in our lives.

We wish you all the happiest of Thanksgivings and ask you to take time out to relax and reflect on the many blessings you have received over the years, and to nurture the relationships that have made your life rich in your personal and professional lives.

-- Isobel Parke, APR, Fellow PRSA, Stacey Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA, Robin Schell, APR, Fellow PRSA