For the next couple of months, we will be doing a series of blog posts from our staff members called “Who Are You?” The following is from our Public Relations Associate, the amazing Chris Fanning.
I’m a People Person.
I grew up in Geneva NY and went to private school with the same 24 kids from ages 5 to 18. When I graduated from DeSales High School and my parents left me that first day at St. John Fisher College I think we hugged and I shouted “Call you tomorrow!”. I was on my own.
I received a Service Scholarship through SJFC, which eventually led me to perform my 200 hours of community service a year at Writers & Books. I didn’t know it at the time, but the connections I made that year would lead to my first job after college. I never left.
As the PR Associate at 740 University Ave I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the brightest people in the Public Relations field in Rochester. A small group of us meet once a month to discuss up coming events and what’s new in the arts & cultural sphere. Though I am the youngest member of the group, I am proud to consider these “fellow People Persons” my friends.
Nothing makes me happier than getting the word out about an event and then seeing new faces come through our door. If All of Rochester Read the Same Book is no exception. Every March we orchestrate an entire months worth of book discussions, film screenings, and receptions focused around one book. We turn Rochester into one big book club.
This year’s book, Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea, takes place partially in Mexico. Our Kick-off party Friday March 1st will include a Scavenger Hunt, food provided by our neighbor Salena’s Mexican Restaurant and live Mexican music by Trio Los Claveles. For more information on this and other If All events, check out our website at wab.org.
“Socialite” would imply that I have money and “Popular” would suggest that people know who I am, but People Person feels like a good fit to me. Want to discuss a collaboration over coffee at Starry Nites or come get a tour of our building? Call me at 473-2590 ext 105 or e-mail chrisf@wab.org (Insert a poster of me leaning against a bookshelf with my arms folded and a big cheesy smile here).