ATLANTA, November 21, 2008 – Do you know how to fully integrate corporate social responsibility initiatives into internal and external communications? Our panel of top corporate social responsibility specialists does. They will provide the inside scoop during the Atlanta chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) monthly luncheon and meeting on Tuesday, November 25, from 11:15 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Buckhead. This month’s luncheon is sponsored by Miracle Graphics (www.miraclegraphics.org).

Panelists Bruce Brooks of Interface Americas and Lynnette McIntire with UPS will explore how to develop a powerful CSR communications and reporting program that enhances the brand and satisfies the C-suite, employees and customers. The conversation will be moderated by True Blue Communications President Michelle Bernhart. Attendees will learn why communicators are the right people to lead CSR initiatives and hear strategies for leveraging social responsibility communications to supercharge employee engagement and external outreach programs. From lessons learned and best practices in social responsibility, to tips for boosting your career through CSR leadership, our panel of experienced professionals will share all the tools you need to succeed.

Moderator Michelle Bernhart is president of True Blue Communications, which helps organizations strengthen sustainability performance, achieve strategic objectives, enhance reputation, and manage risk through credible and engaging communications. She has more than 20 years of experience leading strategic communications and engagement programs for projects in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and China. Michelle has helped global companies establish corporate responsibility improvement programs, led communications and reporting, and developed training and outreach for employee engagement.

She currently chairs IABC's social responsibility committee, and serves as advisor, author and reviewer for the development of the ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility.

Our esteemed panelists include:

Bruce Brooks, director of associate communications at Interface Americas, is a communications professional with more than 16 years of experience in the corporate and higher education sectors. His experience covers internal communications, executive communications, media relations, branding, special events, and project and vendor management.

Bruce oversees internal communications for the Americas division of Interface, Inc., a global environmentally friendly carpet manufacturer based in Atlanta. In his role, he implements programs and tools to make sure that associates in the Americas are informed about important company milestones, events, people, benefits, news and successes through print and electronic materials, and in company meetings. Bruce works closely with the Interface Americas management team on ideas and programs to engage associates in Mission Zero and sustainability-related initiatives and to promote company values and culture. As part of this process, he strives to keep an ongoing two-way dialogue between all associates and the senior management team in the Americas through a variety of communications tools.

Lynnette McIntire, director of corporate reputation management at UPS and senior manager in the Corporate Communications Group, is responsible for communicating UPS's sustainability program externally and internally. She has been with UPS for 11 years, and her current role includes direct mail, advertising, interactive communications, customer communications and public relations. Her team also creates the annual sustainability report and interacts with assessor and activist groups.

Lynnette is a member of the Corporate Sustainability Steering Committee, chaired by five members of the company's Management Committee, and she is the communications representative on the Corporate Sustainability Working Committee. She co-chairs one of company's sustainability subcommittees that encompasses issues and reporting around philanthropy, human rights, diversity, community engagement and employer of choice issues.


About IABC — IABC/Atlanta (www.iabcatlanta.com) is a local chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, headquartered in San Francisco, Calif., IABC/Atlanta represents more than 300 professional communicators in the metro Atlanta area. Membership includes public relations and communications professionals from FORTUNE 500 companies, small businesses, communication agencies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies as well as freelance writers and associates.