2002-03 PRSSA Annual Report

Notes from the National Faculty Advisor & National Professional Advisor

Dr. Rick Fischer, APR, Fellow PRSA, National Faculty Advisor

This was a strong year characterized by new initiatives combined with consolidating gains.

A National Committee community outreach project at the National Conference was introduced and turned out well.

A Day of Competition was new for the National Assembly this year too. E-mails are now being used more effectively this year to announce scholarship opportunities and key announcements as well as to effectively reach Chapter presidents and PRSSA members.

The situational analysis responds to the frustration PRSSA leaders have felt as they tried to understand their place in the history of the organization. There's a long tradition of continuous improvement in the organization, but the record of that labor is spotty. This will go a long way to guiding future leaders on what has been tried and what remains to be done.

Dr. Fischer ends his term as faculty advisor to the National Committee. Stanton Hudson, APR, Fellow PRSA, will be the 2003-2005 National Faculty Advisor.

Craig Miyamoto, APR, Fellow PRSA, National Professional Advisor

The 2002 2003 year began with bylaws changes that relieved a continuing concern of PRSSA. Chapters were having difficulty obtaining an Accredited professional advisor who belonged to their sponsoring PRSA Chapters. The national PRSSA bylaws were amended to drop the insistence on "Accredited," and instead emphasized five years of experience if a qualified APR is not available. As a result, many Chapters, who were put on probation for not having a professional advisor, were given a full reinstatement.

Normally, as parliamentarian, Miyamoto does not have a very significant role during the Assembly. However, in the 2003 National Assembly, the role required several rulings to keep the proceedings on track and to clear up delegate confusion. President Neczypor and Assembly delegates are to be commended for maintaining order during the session.

I am always amazed at how mature and poised the students are and how cognizant they are of their responsibilities to the professional and student organizations," Miyamoto said.

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