PRSA-LA Committees

We invite PRSA national and chapter members in good-standing to get involved and serve on committee. It’s an opportunity to support the chapter and meet PR colleagues and prospective clients. It is also an established preferred pathway to future PRSA-LA board membership.

To learn more about the work of any committee, please contact the committee senior director through the PRSA-LA Office, executive.director@prsala.org. If you are not yet a PRSA-LA member, click here for membership information.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Committee:  Erik Deutsch, Leshelle Sargent, John McCartney, Bilal Kaiser

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee is established to ensure that the chapter’s programming, events, and other activities reflect the culture, gender, age, and other aspects of our diverse population.  The focus is on identifying diverse points of view and voices or personalities and integrating them in the offerings made available to public relations practitioners through PRSA-LA.

Committee Responsibilities:

  • Build Board/Chapter commitment to multicultural and diverse programming and policies.
  • Track and report diversity at all levels of engagement and make recommendations to the board.
  • Plan and coordinate one dynamic program focusing on a trend or issue impacting diversity within organizations during the course of the year.

Finance

Committee:  John McCartney

The committee supports the Chapter treasurer in managing financial reports and ensuring fiscal efficiency for the largest PRSA chapter in the nation.

Committee Responsibilities:

  • Prepare Chapter budget
  • Manage financial matters for the Chapter
  • Recommend ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses
  • Report on finances to the board of directors

Independent Practitioners Alliance

Committee: Stacy Schwartz Wonacott

The Independent Practitioners Alliance is a special section within PRSA-LA that is comprised of public relations professionals who either work as a consultant or freelancer.

Committee Responsibilities:

  • Create opportunities for independent practitioners to meet, collaborate, and share resources
  • Plan and conduct regular professional development or networking events for independent PR practitioners
  • Identify and promote resources that benefit independent PR practitioners

Marketing and Public Relations

Committee: Angela Herrera

The committee endeavors to keep public relations practitioners throughout Southern California in the know and up-to-date with the latest news and happenings in the Chapter and in the field.

Committee Responsibilities:

  • Showcase the breadth and caliber of offerings for professional development, networking, and industry advancement through external communications, including press releases, newsletter, and the organization’s social media channels
  • Demonstrate the chapter’s leadership role by projecting a clear, consistent voice on issues impacting our profession
  • Promote the chapter’s programs, prominent speakers, and noteworthy events through media outreach in an effort to secure coverage that helps attract participation and positively position the chapter
  • Write and distribute news releases and pitching PRSA-LA as a local source for information on stories related to PR/Marketing
  • Enhance awareness among business and government leaders of the important role public relations plays in our region
  • Engage PRSA-LA in relevant issues that affect the PR profession through thoughtful, insightful public discourse
  • Oversee all PRSA-LA social media channels, actively posting and engaging with online audiences, and sharing the latest updates and news from PRSA-LA
  • Attend chapter events to secure photos and content to disseminate on social channels, including live posting, as well as sharing content with the rest of the board and committee members for additional chapter communications
  • Maintain and distribute the monthly newsletter highlighting chapter activities and news; Newsletter Contact: executive.director@prsala.org
  • Make recommendations to improve PRSA-LA’s website

Membership

Committee: Melendy Britt, Zach Stevens

The Membership Committee is focused on the sustainability and growth of the chapter through member recruitment and retention. The committee places equal emphasis on attracting new members and reinforcing the value of membership through meaningful benefits and positive member experiences.

Committee Responsibilities:

  • Develop/implement an outreach plan for each area of concentration (corporations, nonprofits, agencies, independent practitioners, young professionals, etc.)
  • Identify and cultivate new member prospects
  • Work with the Marketing committee to promote PRSA membership promotions
  • Call new members to welcome them, identify interests and encourage active participation
  • Meet new members at monthly programs and introduce them to others

PRism Awards

Committee:  Marisol Perez, Tony Ferguson, Zach Stevens

This project-based committee is responsible for all aspects of production for PRism Awards, PRSA-LA’s premier industry recognition event held annually in the fall.

Committee Responsibilities:

  • Develop, produce and distribute the “Call for Entries” materials
  • Plan and coordinate promotion of the “Call for Entries” to agencies, companies, and nonprofits
  • Contact finalists to ensure attendance at the event
  • Convene to review and judge award entries from another PRSA chapter (which in turn judges our PRSA-LA PRism Awards entries)
  • Plan and coordinate all logistics related to the PRisms Awards show, including producing event invitations, designing and printing the program, securing PRSSA student volunteers, recruiting presenters, and producing appropriate signage
  • Conduct follow-up calls to finalists and sponsors who have not RSVP’d; ensure all sponsors’ banner ads and links are collected and added to the website
  • Recruit award presenters and others who participate in the “show”

Programs and Professional Development

Committee: Sallie Olmsted

PRSA-LA’s primary mission is to support the professional development and career advancement of its members and others in the industry. Each quarter, the chapter hosts a program on a particular topic – either focused on a PR discipline or a particular industry vertical.  Often a moderated panel presentation, this offering features some of the industry’s most prominent thought leaders, speaking on today’s timely issues affecting communications and reputation.

Committee Responsibilities

  • Develop topics and coordinate the hosting of quarterly professional development events
  • Conduct outreach to and confirm prospective speakers
  • Work with sponsorship committee to secure event-specific funding
  • Create program notices and oversee distribution
  • Work with the Marketing and PR committee to promote each event

At Breakfast With…

Committee: Claudia Santa Cruz, Maricela Cueva, Erik Deutsch 

At Breakfast With… features panel discussions with top media professionals (reporters, editors, bloggers, etc.) in a casual breakfast setting.

Committee Responsibilities:

  • Develop and coordinate topics and manage logistics for ABW programs
  • Secure media panelists and venues
  • Work with the sponsorship committee to raise sponsorship funding
  • Create program notices and ensure distribution

PRSSA

Committee: Scott Pansky, Marisol Perez, Melanie Gazazian

The committee works with PRSSA student chapters at Southern California colleges and universities to help prepare them for entry in the public relations profession, and involvement with PRSA-LA.

Committee Responsibilities:

  • Coordinate, plan, and guide activities for members of the various PRSSA chapters throughout the Southern California region
  • Host programs and events, including the annual PRSSA Forum, to provide professional development and networking opportunities that can jump-start a student’s career

Social Responsibility

Committee: Jenny Kantor

Quality Time with PR Minds

This award-winning program provides an opportunity for local nonprofit organizations to benefit from the wisdom, experience, and expertise of PRSA-LA member professionals. The event is held once a year for organizations that apply and are selected to receive professional counsel and planning support from seasoned PR practitioners.

Committee Responsibilities

  • Identify and invite nonprofit organizations to participate
  • Recruit PR professionals to volunteer as consultants
  • Work with sponsorship committee to secure funding
  • Work with Public Relations/Advocacy committee to promote

Sponsorship

Committee: John McCartney, Stephen Chavez

The committee is responsible for helping to solicit funding and in-kind contributions to support the operations of PRSA-LA and its year-round events. In addition, the committee ensures that sponsors receive and see the value for their contributions.

Committee Responsibilities

  • Review chapter sponsorship guidelines and make recommendations to the board
  • Identify sponsorship needs for various programs/chapter activities
  • Develop and implement a plan to identify potential sponsors
  • Solicit and pursue sponsorship opportunities and coordinate fulfillment

Scholarship Program

Committee: Yurina Melara Valiulis, Melanie Gazazian

The PRSA-LA Scholarship Program aims to recognize and assist outstanding undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in Public Relations or Communications. Student scholarship winners will be notified in the summer and awarded a scholarship of $1000 each person. Public recognition of the scholarship winners will happen annually at the PRSA-LA PRism Awards ceremony.  In addition to receiving the scholarship, students will receive (1) year FREE access to all PRSA-LA webinars and events, giving them the additional opportunity to network and learn from PR professionals. 

Committee Responsibilities:

  • Review PRSA-LA scholarship guidelines and make recommendations to the board
  • Promote and send out publicity to invite candidates
  • Solicit and pursue sponsorship for Scholarship Program

Young Professionals

Committee: Scott Pansky, Marisol Perez, Melanie Gazazian

The Young Professionals committee provides a forum for learning and networking for PR professionals with less than five years of experience. Through various member services and professional outreach programs, YP members learn about the industry’s latest developments and form relationships with peers, as well as with experienced, respected industry professionals.

Committee Responsibilities:

  • Identify and engage young PR professionals in active participation with the chapter by coordinating, planning, and guiding activities that aid in their professional development and networking.

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APR

Committee: Justin Glover, John McCartney, Sallie  Olmsted

As a skilled public relations professional, you know that your success is dependent on staying relevant, resourceful, and inspired. The Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential certifies your drive, professionalism, and principles, setting you apart from your peers and positioning you as a leader and mentor in the competitive public relations field. This committee is in charge of providing opportunities for members to gain their credentials.

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Western District Conference

Committee: Scott Pansky, Stephen Chavez, Marisol Peres

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