By: Paul Matson

pm948705@ohio.edu

Each year hundreds of small teams from PRSSA chapters around the country assemble to compete in the Bateman Case Study Competition. The Bateman Competition requires each team to create an inventive campaign for a designated company or organization that entails research, budgeting, publicity events and an analysis of the results. Teams nationwide create a campaign for the same company selected by PRSSA national members.

This year, Ohio University was represented by four outstanding individuals to compete for the best campaign for the National Family Caregivers Association. Students Cari Steiner, Courtney Cooper, Janelle Huelsman and Alivia Nuzzo teamed up to create a PR plan for the NFCA. The planning began in January and was implemented in March. Their official plan is due during the month of March, which is also when they begin a self-evaluation before being officially judged. The team was allotted $300 from chapter funds to begin their work and could potentially receive up to $1000 in donations to help them along their way.

The NFCA, Bateman team members say, is a great company with whom to work. Their mission is to offer support and education to family caregivers around the nation. With the slogan “Family Caregiving… It’s not all up to you,” the NFCA works to help people who care for loved ones who are ill or disabled. Based on this mission, OU’s Bateman came up with several ideas to promote the company, including holding an ethics workshop and bringing in a guest speaker to raise awareness for those who are home caregivers. The team has held several promotional events around Athens during the month of their plan’s execution.

“Our goal was to educate future business leaders about the reality many of American employee’s life situations. Many people care for dependent loved ones at home while also working a full-time job. It’s important that business leaders are aware of this fact and are knowledgeable and understand the many tough situations that their potential employees will face one day,” said Cari Steiner.

With the annual competition coming to a close, the team feels confident about their work for the NFCA this year. In past competitions, OU has done very well and has typically placed among the top few competing teams, and the team hopes to continue the tradition of excellence this year as well.

For more information about the National Family Caregiver’s Association, go to www.familycaregiving101.org.