2007 PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition Q & A

Rules and Regulations for the Bateman Competition

1. How do we enter the Bateman Case Study Competition?
   Complete the enclosed Intent-to-Enter form and return it to PRSSA Headquarters with your $50 entry fee no later than Monday, November 6, 2006. After you submit your Intent-to-Enter form, PRSSA will send you a packet of information with additional resources.

2. How are the winning teams chosen?
   Several judging teams comprised of PRSA members will convene in New York on April 14 and 15, 2007, to select the top three entries. Each of the three finalist teams will be advised no later than Monday, April 16 and will need to arrange to make a presentation to a group of judges from the client/sponsor and PRSA in May (date to be determined). 1st 2nd and 3rd place teams will be notified shortly afterwards.

3. What is the prize structure?
   The first-place team will receive $2,500 and a trophy; second-place will receive $1,500 and a plaque; and the third-place team will receive $1,000 and a plaque.

   All team members will receive a Certificate of Recognition. Winners will also be recognized during the PRSSA 2007 Conference in Philadelphia, PA.

4. Who can participate in the Bateman Competition?
   All undergraduate members of PRSSA may participate. Each member must be in good standing with current national and Chapter dues paid. In all aspects of the competition, only team members may participate actively.

5. How many teams can enter from a school?
   You may have as many teams as your resources permit. For schools who have entries from more than one team, the judging will be conducted as follows: each entry will be judged by separate teams of judges to avoid selection of only one entry from a school into the next round. However, if multiple entries from a school are advanced in the judging, those entries will then be reviewed collectively to ensure that teams do not duplicate research use, implementation tactics or evaluation measures giving them an unfair advantage over schools who fielded a single team. Based upon that review, the judges will determine whether all the entries continue in the judging or if another school's entry from the first round will replace them based upon their duplication or collective impact, which changes the judge's earlier decision.

6. How many members can be on a team?
   A minimum of four and a maximum of five members can be on a team. If your Chapter has more than one team, please be sure to properly label and number all materials to avoid confusion.

7. How are team members chosen?
   Team members may be elected or appointed. Any reasonable method of team selection is acceptable.

8. Is there a limit to the amount of money that can be spent on the campaign?
   Yes, your expenses cannot exceed $300. A list of itemized expenses must accompany each team's entry. This list must be separate from your list of in-kind donations.

9. Can we do fundraising to increase our budget?
   No. Fundraising is not allowed during the Bateman Competition.

10. Can we solicit in-kind donations?
    Yes, but the donations cannot exceed $1,000 in value. An in-kind donation is any service or product that normally has a dollar amount attached to it, but the client is now offering this item to you "free-of-charge.” Any item that falls under this category must be deducted from the in-kind donation amount. These items cannot exceed $1,000 in total and cannot be combined with the $300 chapter expenses. For example:
    • A pizzeria offers you free pizza for your event. You must calculate what the pizza would have cost and deduct that amount from the $1,000.
    • A copy or printing company offers you their services. You must calculate the cost and deduct it from the $1,000.

    NOTE: If the product or service carries no charge to the general public you do not have to deduct anything from the $1,000. For example:

    • A convention bureau gives you pamphlets; however, these pamphlets are free-of-charge to the general public, so you do not have to deduct anything from the $1,000.

    All solicited in-kind donations must be itemized and presented in your entry. The listing must be separate from your $300 itemized list of expenses.

11. How can our advisors assist us?
    Each team should designate one Faculty Advisor and one Professional Advisor. The advisors will stimulate creativity and give direction, but may not contribute to the actual construction or creation of the campaign. Since one of the purposes of this competition is to help prepare students to enhance their professional skills, teams are encouraged to seek out and utilize all of their resources, including contacting members of their sponsoring PRSA Chapter. We strongly encourage the advisors to help assure that the teams adhere to the competition rules, such as the timeline, no fundraising, etc.

12. What is the campaign summary?
    The summary is a written outline of the case study, and should summarize all key points. It could include a situation analysis, research, goals and objectives, strategies and tactics and evaluations. The summary should give the judges a thorough view of the complete campaign. Each entry must have a summary or it will be disqualified.

13. How long should the summary be?
    The written summary shall not exceed 10 pages. Teams may, if they wish, provide supplementary material to accompany the outline. Entries with a summary longer than 10 pages will be disqualified.

14. What supplementary materials may we include?
    Traditionally, winning entries include exhibits and/or appendices, which provide detailed information to support the written outline developed by the team. Examples are: news releases, press conference/media materials and schedules, research summaries, proposals for tangential programs, a bibliography and so forth. These materials are extremely important and validate your 10-page summary.

15. Do we have to submit a video?
    No. Although previous Bateman Case Study Competitions have included videos, it is not a requirement for this year at the time of entry.

16. How many copies of our entry should we prepare?
    Four. PRSA Headquarters will keep one copy of every entry submitted. Three copies of the entries and all scoring sheets will be returned after the Competition takes places for all but the three finalist teams, to whom we will return two copies with their scoring sheets. We recommend that you keep a copy of your entry for your files as well.

17. Are there any restrictions on the size of our entry?
    Your entry must be submitted on 8.5" x 11" paper. It may be bound no larger than 10.5" x 12". Remember to label all entries accordingly to avoid confusion.

18. Do we implement our campaign?
    Yes. You may implement your campaign on your campus and in your local area.

    Any special events taking place as a result of your campaign implementation must occur between February 1 through February 28. Failure to comply with this timeframe will result in disqualification.

19. Can we send out news releases?
    Yes. You may send out news releases in your local area only.

20. Can we start working on our campaign before the November 6 deadline?
    Yes. You may begin planning your campaign immediately.

21. What is the deadline for submitting the entry?
    Four copies of your entry must be received at PRSSA Headquarters in New York by Friday, March 30, 2007. Late entries will not be considered.

22. Whom do I contact with questions?
    For more information, contact Brent Hendrix at PRSSA Headquarters (212) 460-1476 or email brent.hendrix@prsa.org.

23. Can we contact the sponsor directly for more information?
    Yes, the name and telephone number of a contact person will be provided after you submit your Intent-to-Enter form.

24. What is the profile of the audience?
    Your campaign should focus on targeting adult family caregivers in the community and families impacted by caregiving, as well as audiences identified by your analysis.

25. When is the presentation for the finalists?
    Presentations by winning teams will be held the first or second week of May. Each finalist team member MUST be available from Thursday until Sunday for the final judging event date TBD. In order to accommodate cost-efficient travel arrangements, finalists must stay for the entire duration of the presentation schedule. More information about the schedule will be sent to participating teams shortly.

26. Where do I send the entry?

    
    Bateman Competition
    PRSSA Headquarters
    33 Maiden Lane, 11th Fl.
    New York, NY 10038-5150

    Please note:

    Students will not be “charged with explaining how their campaign could be offered nationally.” If the local program is designed to have a national component, or a potential national implementation, it would be evaluated on how that helps to achieve the unique goals of their program and would not be valued as better or more successful than a program that focuses on achieving its goals within a given local geographic. The quality of the program in all aspects of research, planning, implementation and evaluation is the essential criteria for judging.

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