May 10

In this issue ...

• National Event Updates
  • Prepare for the PRSSA 2012 National Conference
• National Committee Updates
  • Thank You
  • Receive a Free New Professionals Section Membership When You Join PRSA in May
  • Gain Industry Insight and Professional Development
  • Showcase Your Chapter Through Chapter News and Connect with PRSSA Online
  • Prepared to Bid to Host a Regional Conference
  • Budget for PRSSA 2012 National Conference Expenses
  • Utilize the PRSSA Internship Center with your Chapter Members
  • Transition your Student-run Firm and Firm Director
  • Apply for Scholarship and Awards this Summer
  • Review PRSSA Ethics and Diversity Initiatives

NATIONAL EVENT UPDATES

Prepare for the PRSSA 2012 National Conference
Get ready for the PRSSA 2012 National Conference – secure your registration (deadline: Sept. 17) and hotel reservation (deadline: Sept. 12) this summer. You won’t want to miss PRSSA’s informative and inspiring sessions and events as well as PRSA’s General Sessions with Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and Pandora founder and chief strategy officer Tim Westergren. Join the National Conference Facebook group and follow @PRSSANC on Twitter for updates on the event throughout the summer.

NATIONAL COMMITTEE UPDATES

Thank You (Last Biweekly for the 2011-2012 School Year)  
National President, Adam Aisner
On behalf of the 2011-2012 National Committee, thank you for your passion and dedication this year to advancing the future of the public relations profession. As our Society continues to grow and succeed, I am excited to see what our future leaders have in store. Have an incredible summer.

Receive a Free New Professionals Section Membership When You Join PRSA in May
Immediate Past President, Nick Lucido
As you prepare to graduate and enter the real world, PRSA offers the tools, research and networking opportunities you need to get a job in this competitive marketplace. As PRSSA members, you can join at a discounted rate of $60 when you transition from PRSSA to PRSA’s Associate Membership. If you join in May you will receive a FREE New Professionals Section membership, a network dedicated to helping young professionals succeed.

Gain Industry Insight and Professional Development
FORUM Editor in Chief, Amy Bishop
Read about the professional success of past PRSSA leaders in the One Year Later series on the PRSSA Blog. The PRSSA Blog provides resources for Chapter members at any stage in their education, including insight into industry trends, Chapter development, internship advice, PRSSA events and more. Any member may guest blog for PRSSA, including during the summer. For more information on guest blogging or to pitch an idea, contact Amy Bishop.

Showcase Your Chapter Through Chapter News and Connect with PRSSA Online
Vice President of Public Relations, Lauren Gray
PRSSA Chapters have numerous successes throughout the semester and over the summer. Share your Chapter success stories by submitting Chapter News in press release format or in video format for our PRSSA National YouTube Channel. Continue your discussion with fellow PRSSA members through Twitter with the #PRSSA hashtag, in our PRSSA LinkedIn Group and on our PRSSA National Facebook Page.

Prepare to Bid to Host a Regional Conference
Vice President of Regional Conferences, Haley Higgs
With this year’s Regional Conferences just behind us, summer is a great time for your Chapter to begin discussing bidding to host a PRSSA 2013 Regional Conference. Review past Regional Conference social media accounts, websites, blog posts and more. Also review the Regional Conference Handbook. Bid to host this coming fall for a chance to grow your Chapter and increase your knowledge.

Budget for PRSSA 2012 National Conference Expenses
Vice President of Chapter Development, Kendall Schmidt
The summer is a great time to save up some extra money to attend PRSSA 2012 National Conference. While the trip to Conference isn't until October, the expenses may sneak up on you with the onset of fall tuition, books and housing expenses. Your Chapter can host fundraisers throughout the community or on an individual basis over the summer to get a jump-start. Set a goal for how much money you plan to save over the summer and hold yourself to it. Also take advantage of PRSSA’s handbooks, guides, transition tips, fundraising tips and more online.

Utilize the PRSSA Internship Center with your Chapter Members
Vice President of Internships/Job Services, Joe Clarkson
Encourage your Chapter members to register for accounts on the PRSSA Internship Center. The PRSSA Internship Center is a resource for members to browse internship listings, post resumes for employers and find information about starting a career in public relations. If you have any questions about the PRSSA Internship Center or need your Chapter login code, contact Joe Clarkson.
 
Transition your Student-run Firm and Firm Director
Vice President of Professional Development, Jess Noonan
Be sure to transition your incoming firm directors and firm members to ensure your firm maintains its vision for years to come. Reference the firm manual or contact Jess Noonan to discuss ways to improve your firm for next year.

Apply for Scholarship and Awards this Summer
Vice President of Member Services, Vanessa Perkins
As the school year comes to a close, keep in mind that many PRSSA award/scholarship application deadlines are in June. Now is the time to work on your applications. Don’t forget about the recently added Ron Culp Scholarship for Mentorship and theNeumeier Family Leadership Award.

Review PRSSA Ethics and Diversity Initiatives
Vice President of Advocacy, JR Rochester
Diversity, ethics and advocacy are important to PRSSA and are issues Chapter leaders should keep in mind while planning for the fall semester. Review the Diversity Toolkit, abide by the PRSA Code of Ethics and review PRSSA’s general advocacy page.