This first quarter of 2017 has been a great group effort for the KC chapter of PRSA, from putting on a PRSSA Summit for 65 PR students to the 52 members who jumped in to help judge Nashville’s record-setting 500 PRISM entries, and all the great professional development programming in between.

As this year’s VP of Member Connections, I would like to share my thanks for our GKC-PRSA members and your dedication to our chapter. I, personally, have made so many wonderful and valuable connections through my involvement in both PRSSA and PRSA, and I am proud to be a member with so many talented individuals who I admire and who continue to challenge and teach me. 

As a member of PRSA, we have access to a national network of professionals, educational programming, conferences, job postings, leadership training and tools and the opportunity for APR Accreditation. We also know the value of your PRSA membership is different for everyone, and we’d like to hear what would make your experience better. We have created this 5-minute membership survey–we hope you fill it out and let us know how we can better serve our members.

If you know anyone who may be interested in joining PRSA, we have a couple promotions running in April and May. Prospective members may attend a free PRSA webinar (up to a $200 value) to try out in April or May. If they join PRSA by May 31, their $65 initiation fee will also be waived. Also, New Pros (less than 3 years PR experience) can receive a free one-year New Professionals Section membership when they join National as an Associate Member.

I will be your go-to for any membership-related questions throughout the year, so please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

We look forward to kicking off our second quarter with more great events. On Tuesday, April 25, Fleishman-Hillard’s Justin Goldsborough will present on “The Social Media Revolution” and how 2016 shaped social media and embedded its future in the media mix.

Hope to see you there!

Sydnie Burton  

VP of Member Connections

If you're ready to take the next step in advancing your career, or you're just curious what it takes to earn an APR, here's your chance to hear from PR pros on the benefits of this special designation during a free, on-demand webinar.

Click here for information.

Contact Jake Potter, APR, at jpotter@hgcons.com if you'd like to begin the process or have any questions.

PRSA National is presenting the below three promotions beginning on April 1, 2017 and running through May 31, 2017.

Spring Graduates Promotion: New Professionals (PROMO CODE AM17)

New PRSSA graduates or those with less than 3 years PR experience receive a free 1-year New Professionals Section membership when they join National as an Associate Member ($60-$200 annual dues.) RESTRICTIONS: Chapter and other Section dues are additional. Not applicable for Regular, current, or renewing members.

Webinar Trial Promotion (Promo Code TRYPRSA17)

Nonmembers who may be interested in joining PRSA can try one webinar of their choice (up to $200 value) free of charge. They can try it out April - May 2017.

Webinar Trial Promotion Membership (Promo Code JOINPRSA17)

If the nonmember from the Webinar Trial Promotion joins PRSA by May 31, 2017, their $65 initiation fee will also be waived.

For questions, contact Sydnie Burton at Sydnie.burton@gmail.com.

Deadlines

• April 17: Saver Rate Deadline for Registration to the Travel & Tourism Conference, Palm Springs, Calif.
• May 1: Application Deadline for Chair-Elect, Treasurer and Secretary positions on the PRSA Board of Directors. Hear more about what these roles entail.
• May 15: Saver Rate Deadline for Registration to the Employee Communications Conference, Denver, Colo.
• May 31: Saver Rate Deadline for Registration to the Public Affairs and Government Summit, Dallas, Texas
• June 13: Application Deadline for District Director and At-Large Director positions on the PRSA Board of Directors. Hear more about what these roles entail.

Workshops

• May 18-19: NOT Your Father’s News Release Writing Workshop, Chicago, IL
• May 25: Public Relations Strategic Planning, Boston, MA