2002-03 PRSSA Annual Report

Notes from the Vice Presidents

Brandi Littlejohn, Vice President of Internships/Job Services

An adventure of exploration, discovery, action, disaster and success.

The journey began by exploring the Job Center. Research was conducted to investigate members' awareness, usage and opinion of JobCenter through focus groups and a survey at the PRSSA 2002 National Conference. Employers' opinion of the JobCenter was also examined. The discoveries from the research were then used to write and implement an action plan.

Littlejohn actively recruited postings and informed members of JobCenter by using various tactics. She worked with the FORUM editor in chief to produce the first Classified Ads section, and added a "How to Find an Internships Anywhere" page to the Career Manual.

JobCenter faced disaster when information was lost due to technical difficulties, but was able to overcame the challenge. Precautions to prevent this from re occurring was established. The success of JobCenter is evident.

Since November, the number of resumes posted on Job Center has increased by more than 170 percent and the number of PRSSA members registered on the site has increased by more than 89 percent.

Littlejohn's adventure is ending, as the JobCenter starts a new beginning.

Ciara O'Brien, Vice President of Professional Development

This year was a very challenging yet extremely rewarding year. The position has successfully taken on increasingly more responsibilities each year and this year was no different.

For the second semester, the Cross Country Connection Program elevated to new heights as the participating Chapters went from approximately 12 in the spring of 2002 to 32 in the spring of 2003. The goal was to increase the awareness of the program and increase participation.

Along with maintaining the Cross Country Connection Program, a new program to enhance and develop a relationship between PRSSA Chapters and their local sponsoring PRSA Chapters was developed.

This initiative launched the inaugural PRSSA/PRSA Relationship Month and took place in October. For its first year, it turned out to be a successful event with more than 75 Chapters participating. A list of participating Chapters was published in the winter issue of the FORUM.

As an advocate of student run firms, O'Brien believed it is one of the best assets to members. Through regular contact with current firms, a workshop at conference for new firms and revamping the existing handbook, 10 new firms were created, with at least 10 firms to begin this fall.

Chris Knudson, Vice President of Public Relations

Renaissance or revitalization. These are the only words that can properly describe the situation for the vice president of public relations during the past year.

Among the items revived was the Connecting with PRSSA leadership newsletter.

The most obvious changes were the renewed focus on leadership development, a new professional design, increased quantities without increasing the budget and a new "Web Connection" section to integrate the publication with the PRSSA Web site.

This year brought about four new responsibilities for the vice president of public relations. These included producing the National Committee business cards, creating a manual for proper PRSSA logo usage and writing style, designing logos and designs for various events, creating a new e mail communication tool with all PRSSA members called "Blurbs and Links" and developing the research phase of a national public relations education and outreach program, Synergetic Education.

Knudson has taken this position to the next level. This year, a viable candidate for this position will be required to submit at least two graphic samples that demonstrate proficiency in layout and design.

Jeremy Bridgman, Vice President of Member Services

Retention and recruitment. These are the responsibilities of the vice president of member services. The main focus for 2002 03 was retention. Unless members of PRSSA are exposed to multiple opportunities to get involved, their most valuable member benefits and services are inconsequential.

To help Chapters with recruitment, there is a new outline for the updated slide show, and there are published articles on how to promote member benefits.

To this end, the Recruitment Video Contest was fully implemented, and the scholarship and awards programs were promoted extensively.

In addition, a new Day of Competition was created to annually take place at National Assembly. This extremely successful event will be the template for future competitions, but will remain flexible to meet the needs of the society.

The inaugural Day of Competition asked participants to brainstorm ideas that articulate the meaning of PRSSA in other words, the essence of PRSSA. They were then asked to formulate a plan that would promote the message to their target market.

Collaborating with the vice president of public relations and 27 participants made this inaugural event a success.

Kelly Albanese, Vice President of Chapter Development

The 2002 2003 term showed continued success for the office of Chapter Development and its programs, old and new. At the PRSSA 2002 National Conference, Chapters showcased their talents during Chapter Development Sessions, Chapter President's enjoyed a crisis simulation and leadership speaker Jack Felton.

TEAM Create a Smile made its debut as part of the Community Building Program, putting smiles on the faces of children at UCSF Children's Hospital. The visit to the hospital exceeded expectations and the overwhelming response to the national toy drive, by Chapters, aided in its success. In October, a new communication tool was introduced to Chapter Presidents Chapter Chats embarked on its pilot run.

At the PRSSA 2003 National Assembly, Leadership Training Sessions proved to be both entertaining and informational. The second TEAM Create a Smile visited the Hebrew Home in South Beach brightening the lives of senior citizens through song, conversation, and dance.

With a strong foundation, and programs that adapt well to the ever changing membership, PRSSA and its Chapters will continue to grow in a positive direction and the new programs of today will hopefully lead to successes of the future.

Lara Golike, Vice President of Regional Activities

From jungle to surf, Elvis to the Lone Star state, the PRSSA 2003 Regional Activities featured themed mini-conferences such as ethics and crisis planning, special event planning, entertainment public relations and sports public relations. Member outreach was boosted and communication frequency was increased with this year's I I conference coordinators from east to west, from the north to the south. They came from the East: Rutgers; from North Carolina, Ohio State and Miami University; from the cowboys of Texas Tech to the rockers at Memphis; from America's Heartland at Kansas State and Southern Illinois to the West Coast's Central Washington, San Diego State and Pepperdine University, with their invigorating dose of surf

This year, the regional activities were highlighted in the FORUM giving all members (regardless of position) a chance to be a participant at one of these versatile regional activities across the country.

The most rewarding part of the year was working with the Chapters and overseeing the transformation of the Regional Activities workshop. The opportunities of the past year resulted in the unbreakable bonds forged with the partners and colleagues on the National Committee.

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