PRSA

PRSA

National Capital Chapter

August 2020 President’s Message

Dear NCC Colleagues,

It is hard to believe the end of summer is near. As we hit the five-month mark since COVID-19 lockdowns began and a “new normal” took hold here in the Washington area, the National Capital Chapter (NCC) is still looking toward progress and programming in the months ahead.

This summer, NCC volunteers organized numerous events and activities to benefit our members, including:

  • Professional development events centered on website redesign, research, starting a sustainable side business and other topics;
  • Virtual networking and mentorship events that brought professionals together to discuss their business challenges related to COVID-19, obtaining the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and other matters pertaining to their individual growth and success; and
  • Issues advocacy events that brought professionals together for open, thoughtful discourse on topics including how organizational leaders can better support the LGBTQ community and champion racial justice.

These events not only helped us offer an array of opportunities to members, but they also point back to our strategic priorities of bringing more diverse speakers and topics to our members, and offering events throughout the year that are low to no cost as a benefit to members. In fact, of those nine events, nearly half were either free or as little as $5 for NCC members to attend.

In addition to NCC-hosted events, we also delivered on a strategic priority to engage in more partnerships with other organizations to extend additional content and cost benefits to NCC members. Partnerships over the summer included virtual events with The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management and with Social Driver. We have several others in the work this fall as well.

This fall promises to be packed with an entirely new stretch of opportunities, as well as growth for NCC as an organization. This includes:

  • Our Accreditation Committee offering support to professionals pursuing their APR by hosting virtual Jump Start sessions;
  • Hosting another robust set of professional development events, including a how-to series on podcasting that will feature speakers from NPR, PBS NewsHour, the Smithsonian Institution and other prominent media outlets and organizations;
  • Honoring the best campaigns, components and individuals in the greater Washington communications community at the National Capital Excellence in Communication Awards (ECAs), or the “Thoth Awards,” in November (entries for the ECAs can be submitted until September 10); and
  • Improving NCC’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion and better weaving those principles into the fabric of the organization.

It will undoubtedly be a busy fall ahead, and I am looking forward to NCC being there alongside our members, supporting you with opportunities to learn, share, connect and grow individually and collectively.

 

Sincerely,

Lisa Kiefer
President, PRSA NCC