Investigates types of organizational rumors, their prevalence and effects, effectiveness of rumor management strategies, and associated psychological and situational variables. Finds 3 distinct dimensions of rumor effects: external ramifications (bad press), internal attitudes (lowered morale), and internal behaviors (increased absenteeism). (NH)

Describes the emergence of public relations in the Russian Federation over the past 7 years. Concludes that Russia is developing its own vision of public relations, similar in many aspects to that found in the West but also adapted to the harsh realities of Russian life. (NH)

Business students planned a fund-raising event for two clients, incorporating management principles. Authentic assessment methods were used to evaluate the project. Students' critical thinking skills were enhanced and they were highly motivated by having input from multiple evaluators, including clients. (SK)

Discusses the development of public-relations education in Thailand; structure of current programs' curricula and course content at eight universities; graduate programs; instruction; and faculty. Reveals that while university faculty believed students were well-prepared academically, most at private universities did not think the current…

Presents a case study for use in business communication classes to help students understand and learn both the context and the strategies for communication with business and management. Deals with an electrical company that finds itself with an environmental crisis on its hands. Includes five assignments as well as five samples. (SR)

Draws upon the history of the American town meeting as a vehicle for understanding this institution. Considers how a New England public school district has used town meetings effectively as a reform vehicle. Town meetings should be considered an honorable, truly democratic forum, not a symbolic gesture to improve public relations. (24 references)…

Explores, taking an issues management approach to new technologies, the dialogs that can occur on the World Wide Web. Examines the public issues debate between Shell Oil UK and Greenpeace which engaged in a town meeting regarding the best financial and environmental solution to the decommissioning of the Brent Spar. (PA)

Discusses the importance of public relations for gifted education and the role of teachers, parents, and students in that area. Provides six strategies for becoming a successful advocate of gifted programs, and describes methods for contacting and involving newspapers, magazines, and television. (CR)

Suggests that private consulting is a beneficial tool in classroom teaching. Reports a concerted effort to use private consulting experience in teaching a public relations course, and to evaluate the effectiveness of using the instructor's current consulting project as a teaching tool. Suggests use of real examples had a positive effect on…

A study of the promotional activities used in marketing departments in business schools found that departments do better by using specific promotional devices, such as written goals, a promotion committee, and support of a public relations professional. A six-step strategic departmental promotional plan is outlined, based on the findings.…

This review of the past 20 years in child abuse and neglect prevention discusses the effectiveness of both general and targeted prevention services, especially home visiting; 9 ingredients of a successful home visiting program; the need for additional resources to cover home visiting services; and cautions against overselling or underselling…

Offers suggestions to school districts for operating a cost-efficient public-relations program, including districtwide mailings, face-to-face communication, weekly news releases, parent-orientation programs, a theme-based calendar, and other ideas. Public relations can be one of the most cost-effective items in a school-district budget. (LMI)

Discusses issues and appropriate behaviors for college and university fundraisers when a major donor shows signs of burnout, noting causes (oversolicitation, ignoring the donor's interests, neglecting to steward past gifts) and warning signs (telephone tag, no-shows, disgruntled spouse), and offering techniques for bringing donors back (personal…

Provides suggestions to institutions of higher education that are developing or enhancing World Wide Web sites for use in student recruitment. Explains basic concepts and offers tips from prospective students. Examples are provided from the University of Colorado, University at Buffalo (New York), and Gettsyburg College (Pennsylvania). (DB)

Discusses uses of technology appropriate for camps, which are service organizations based on building relationships. Describes relationship marketing and how it can be enhanced through use of Web sites, interactive brochures, and client databases. Outlines other technology uses at camp: automated dispensing of medications, satellite tracking of…