In speaking with fellow members of PRSA, one of my favorite questions to ask is what motivated them to join the organization. Invariably, I receive one of three answers.
The most common answer I receive is that they learned of PRSA through word-of-mouth referral, which is unsurprising given the persuasive power of direct testimony. The lesson in this is that PRSA’s value is what we bring to it. Every colleague we invite along to an upcoming event, every student we agree to mentor, and every member we recruit to committee service makes the society stronger.
Another reason to join is to obtain help and guidance in navigating career transitions. This situation is common enough that it is the focus of our June 27 Career Master Class. Career transition is also a focus of our Independent Practitioners Alliance, which provides year-round programming specifically tailored to solo practitioners and small agencies.
The last reason members provide is to stay current on industry trends. PRSA National supports this with access to a catalog of free on-demand webinars, but those with Chapter memberships can maximize this through participation in chapter programming, attendance at the annual PRSA Western District Conference, or serving as volunteer judges for other chapter’s annual PR awards programs. For those considering earning their APR credential, we have strong chapter-level support for that, too.
Hopefully, you’re already taking advantage of the perks of membership. If not, this summer is the perfect season to start!
Best Regards,
Philip Sokoloski
