03.31.08
Posted in PRSA News at 11:48 am by John Mims, APR
The Universal Accreditation Board is in need of your expertise to update the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations. There are two opportunities for your involvement in keeping the Examination current for today’s public relations professionals:
1. Write examination questions (with training provided)
2. Review and debate proposed examination questions
1) Writing Test Questions – RSVP needed by April 2
Accredited members are needed to draft multiple-choice examination questions during the month of April.
2) Technical Review of Potential Questions – RSVP needed by April 21
Participate in one (or more) two-hour conference calls to discuss/debate proposed questions.
If you are interested in sharing your expertise, please contact John T. Mims, APR before the RSVP deadlines above.
Permalink
03.17.08
Posted in Professional Development at 4:39 pm by John Mims, APR
If you’ve been a PR practitioner for any number of years, you have undoubtedly thought about getting accredited. Although very challenging, the APR exam is very rewarding and a great booster to your career. There is no time like the present to begin to prepare for accreditation!
We will be hosting an APR “open house” on April 9 at 5 p.m. at Altyris Advertising, 4196 Mendenhall Oaks Pkwy, Suite 115. The purpose of the meeting is to review the accreditation process, answer questions and discuss with other APR candidates the best way to organize study sessions. The meeting is expected to last less than one hour.
If you plan on attending, contact John T. Mims, APR, at (336) 841-0600 or at john.mims@altyris.com.
We look forward to seeing you in April!
Permalink
Posted in PRSA News at 10:54 am by Caroline Matthews
I have just returned from the 2008 PRSSA National Assembly in San Diego and WOW, PRSSA is hot stuff! I can’t even measure the amount I learned from the various chapter development sessions and executive board member discussions, let alone the rewarding interaction I got with various chapter leaders from throughout the nation.
Just to give you a little heads up on your future competition: be afraid, be very afraid. This is all in good humor, but seriously, I couldn’t believe how smart and involved some of these kids were. One girl, who actually was just elected as the 2008 VP of Advocacy, is implementing a campaign to promote awareness on disabilities. In the coming months, 200 people will be jumping out of a plan (and hopefully Oprah will join them too!) at her command. Several students are even double majoring and had up to four minors in progress! Don’t forget that the students at the Assembly were chosen by their chapters because they are the best of the best, and they will be headed YOUR WAY in the coming years for employment.
Buzz words that were heard throughout the weekend-long assembly included social media, Facebook, ethics and diversity. I encourage you, like I have in pervious posts, to reach out to these leaders and learn all that you can. It’s getting redundant, I know, but that’s my point!
If you don’t have a Facebook, get one. Even if you don’t plan to use it, having an account is essential in understanding why this Web site has such an impact on the 18-25 year old demographic. If you need help creating an account or navigating your way throughout the site, email me at cmatthews3@elon.edu with your contact information and I’ll help you get the ball rolling.
Ethical practices, as I know have been engrained in your head since your own college years, are vital. The world as we know it headed down a very immoral path. Deception and the craft of “spin” seem to be what drive consumerism and public thought (don’t tell John Guiniven, APR, I used that phrase, he taught me that doesn’t exist!) I encourage you to continue fairness within your practice. Promote good behavior by setting an example for those around you.
I really do encourage you to get involved with your local PRSSA chapter. Students would love to have a mutual relationship with you, sharing information from both the professional and the pre-professional standpoint.
Permalink
03.11.08
Posted in PRSA News at 11:12 am by Eric Fletcher, APR
Attaining Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is an important accomplishment during the career of a PR professional. As one of our chapter APRs, Jessica Knight once put it, “Having APR says to everyone, ‘hey, I’m here and I mean business.’” Can’t you just hear Jessica saying that?
So, when I got the notification that it was time for me to submit my APR maintenance application, I quickly completed it – ’cause hey, I mean business! (The maintenance application is what APRs must submit every three years to keep the designation. The application serves as evidence of an APR’s continued learning, sharing and support of the PR profession.)
But this post is less about APR maintenance than it is about encouraging you to get the designation. John Mims, APR, is our Chapter APR Chair, and is available to answer any questions you may have about the designation or process of becoming accredited. Personally, just the experience of going through the accrediation process is worth the work. You’ll learn about our profession, its history, its importance, and best practices in PR. Going through the APR process will make you a better practitioner, which will make you more valuable to your organization. If you are serious about a career in public relations, I’d highly recommend embarking on the accreditation trail. You can do it! Good luck!
Permalink
03.08.08
Posted in PRSA News at 10:40 pm by Caroline Matthews
If it weren’t for my peers in PRSSA, I definitely would feel lost at Elon. The university takes pride in having self-motivated students who go above and beyond their academic duties. We set the bar extremely high for ourselves. PRSSA pushes me to do more and be more. For example, when I was a member as a freshman, I got involved simply because I didn’t want my 70 dollar member fee to go to waste. In an effort that began on a whim, I became extremely involved with our chapter and started such initiatives as PRSA affiliate relationships and our monthly newsletter, The Student Professional. If it weren’t for the push that my chapter gave me, I would still be a journalism student who only wrote for the campus newspaper and did nothing else.
So, PRSA Tar Heel, this is my challenge for you. Last month I challenged you to seek the enthusiasm and excitement that I find in my own chapter within yours, and this month I am calling you to reach out.
I also challenge you to carry on your enthusiasm to other chapters, including your PRSSA affiliates. OUR CHAPTERS NEED YOUR SUPPORT. We are a student lead organization that thrives off experiences. If our chapter members have questions, we can only answer them to the best of our own ability. We need individuals to speak at our chapter meetings and Regional Activities, or even by becoming a mentor. Our chapter would really like to push this effort, but we can only do it if both sides are willing. A mentor program like this would not be veiled as a way to provide internships or job opportunities to students. We simply want support via e-mail or an occasional coffee date. We want to ask questions and receive valuable answers. We want to know if our resumes and cover letters are professional enough to make it. We want to question our futures and have you support our endeavors. We want to experience the same enthusiasm you do each day when you go do work and meet a new client or develop a new strategic plan.
If you are interested in aiding any chapter throughout the state, please e-mail me at cmatthews3@elon.edu. Even though I represent Elon University, I can put you in contact with East Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill, Pembroke and Charlotte and NC A&T chapters. Your efforts will be invaluable to PRSSA members, and in turn the up-and-coming professionals in your field.
Permalink