As I have progressed with my public relations skills, one facet of the field that I have been attempting to improve on is my professional writing. Through courses and organizations I have taken a part of, I have been able to hone this skill and become proficient in different types of professional writing, including press releases, memorandums, analytical reports, and more. Below are a few examples of my previous products.
Press Release
November 2, 2023
North Atherton Farmers Market supports local vendors and provides a healthy shopping alternative to local customers.
This free admission market provides State College locals with a family-friendly experience and the opportunity to purchase locally sourced products.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Every Saturday from May to November, the ringing of the Market Bell at 10 a.m. signifies the start of the North Atherton Farmers Market. Over 40 vendors begin their day selling products they produced, grew or made themselves. With a wide variety of goods, from organic health and wellness vendors to artisan bakeries and wood fired pizza, there is something for everyone.
Voted number one farmers market three years in the row by the Centre County Community, the North Atherton Farmers Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Home Depot off North Atherton Street. The market offers goods such as international and traditional produce, prepared meals and food, and seasonal beverages. Weekly guest vendors and food trucks rotate their visits to yield better weekly adventures for shoppers.
According to the National Library of Medicine, farmers markets serve public health in multifaceted ways, including increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, revitalizing neighborhoods, strengthening local economies and more. Locally sourced products provide a healthier substitute for one’s diet. The North Atherton Farmers Market ensures locally sourced and producers-only products.
“It is vital to our market to create a one-stop shop for healthier replacements in our customers’ food choices,” said Andrew Marshall, the president of the North Atherton Farmers Market. “We emphasize locally sourced produce to ensure every item sold fits our quality standards.”
The market provides a wide range of amenities for its visitors, including on-site or take-home dining, advanced ordering and a weekly newsletter to assist with meal planning. Also, for the visitors hoping to bring the entire family, dogs on lead are welcome.
As one of the largest, award-winning producers-only markets in the Centre region, the North Atherton Farmers Market delivers means of healthier eating habits and constant support for local farmers and vendors. According to a publication from the University of Vermont, locally sourced food is better for you, supports local families, builds community, keeps taxes down, benefits the environment and is an investment in the future. Farmers markets guarantee a diverse list of benefits regarding health and community, and the North Atherton Farmers Market has earned its title as one of the best in the region.
For more information, visit: https://www.statecollege.com/event/north-atherton-farmers-market-2/2023-11-04/ or https://www.northathertonfarmersmarket.com/ .
Media Contact:
Daphne Riddle
717-501-1726
der5479@psu.edu
Situation Analysis:
Founded in 1996, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Penn State is a membership-based, volunteer-driven organization offering community members, age 50 or older, the opportunity to learn, explore, and connect through education and social enrichment. Through noncredit programming, the organization’s mission is to provide educational, social, travel, and volunteer experiences to the older community members and to generate a culture that promotes lifelong learning while embracing the values of education, integrity, quality, and diversity.
According to a new Pew Research Center survey, 73% of adults consider themselves lifelong learners, and 74% of adults are considered “personal learners”, meaning people who have participated in at least one activity in the past 12 months to advance their knowledge about something that personally interests them. Most adults are constantly looking for ways to continue learning, and OLLI provides an incredible resource for adults in the University Park and York County areas to fulfill that desire.
OLLI at Penn State is competing with other programs within the university for funding from the 2024 Pennsylvania appropriation request from the Pennsylvania legislature. With the acknowledgment that every program holds importance, OLLI at Penn State, more than any other, fully promotes and pursues the ideal of education that the university expresses is at the forefront of importance.
OLLI’s focal weakness is its lack of ability to share what they do with their target population. Due to lack of knowledge of the program, certain courses have been cancelled. With proper means of communication and marketing the program to the public, the program would be able to share the impact of lifelong learning and provide meaningful experiences to more adults aiming to further their education. Funding from the appropriation request would not only allow OLLI to reinstate cancelled programs and open new ones, but it would also allow OLLI to create experiences that surpass past or current expectations.
Although OLLI may appear less impactful than other programs due to its intention to teach individuals out of both the educational and professional worlds, that is exactly the reason why the program is so excitable. An article in FOX 43 described OLLI’s motto as “curiosity never dies,” which encompasses the magnitude of significance of providing the older generations further intellectual stimulation. Penn State funding should be going towards this program, which coincides with their mission statement of supporting individuals and communities through unparalleled access to education, which includes every generation.
Sample Memorandum:
SimuTech
MEMORANDUM
Date: September 17, 2024
To: SimuTech Employees
From: Daphne Riddle, VP of Human Resources
Subject: Company Policy on Computer Usage
Over the past year, SimuTech has achieved outstanding production rates and profits. Thank you for all the effort and passion you each have put into this company recently. In order to continue with these successes, we have completed a systems upgrade on all company computers. This upgrade will improve the quality of work and allow us to build upon the recent achievements our company has made.
Our computers are a great and helpful resource that allows us to pursue new opportunities. While the internet provides us with so much, it can also be misused. Such mistreatments could leave SimuTech vulnerable to issues like data theft, viruses, or legal protections. Misusing company computers will impact on our productivity and alter our company’s reputation. Unfortunately, we recently had to let go of a well-respected employee who exposed us to such issues by downloading illegal files to their computer. Please remember that illegally downloading copyright material or committing other mistreatments of company computers is against existing SimuTech policy and may be grounds for dismissal.
We aim to protect our employees and consumers to the best of our ability, and with that mission, we will be implementing a new policy. SimuTech computers will go through monthly check-ins to ensure there is no misuse of company technology. We hope to continue achieving such outstanding accomplishments going forward, and this new policy will give us the opportunity to do such. Together, we can keep SimuTech at a leading standard for quality and reputation in software production.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at (123) 456-7890 or daphneriddle@simutech.com. Thank you for your time and keep up the good work.