PRSA

PRSA

National Capital Chapter

August President’s Letter

Checking in, NCC friends. How are you? What a time to be living in the DMV, right? Wherever you are now in the spectrum of socioemotional wellness in your life and career, know you are a part of a community that cares about you and your success and continues to find ways to support you. Connect with me and PRSA National Capital Chapter on LinkedIn, and let us know how we can best support your journey. Stay safe and know your rights.

August brings the final stretch of summer—and with it, new ways to invest in your career, make meaningful connections, and gear up for a strong (and exciting!) fall. Whether you’re job searching, looking to get more involved in PRSA, or just want to catch up with colleagues over baseball and happy hour, PRSA NCC has something for you this month.

Also, it’s a great time to sign up or renew your PRSA NCC membership. We’ll soon be announcing a special, behind-the-scenes member-only experience happening this November—and trust me, it’s one you’ll want to act on fast! Space will be limited and tickets will go quickly. If you’re not yet a member, now is the perfect time to join so you don’t miss out on this Instagram-worthy opportunity.

  • Super Saver Rate for PRSA ICON 2025 Ends September 5: The ICON line-up for keynote speakers and presenters is amazing. Don’t miss ICON when it returns to DC from October 28–30 at the Washington Hilton. Register before the full rate is active. Also, take advantage of the bundling registration rates and register to attend PRSA Association/Nonprofit Section Conference or the Health Academy Conference, held October 27-28 in DC as well. Like ICON, both pre-conferences are valuable opportunities for learning and networking, especially for communicators looking for new job opportunities.
  • Job Hunting? Members Can Attend ICON Career Expo for Free: PRSA members looking for their next opportunity can attend the ICON Career Expo for free. Usually only open to PRSSA members, the ICON Career Expo on Wednesday, October 29, will be open to PRSA members as well this year to offer more opportunities for job-seeking members to connect with recruiters and hiring organizations in one place. You can register here. Note: This registration will not give you access to ICON program content. On the other side of the table? If your organization is hiring, let me know if you would like to get involved and showcase your openings to top PRSA-PRSSA talent.
  • Get Involved in ICON 2025: We’re looking for enthusiastic, creative volunteers to help our chapter host ICON in October. If you’d like to get involved with planning and supporting this event, let me know.

What Else You Need to Know This Month:

  • Aug. 26 Checking in on Volunteering & Leadership Virtual Office Hours: Curious about what it’s like to get more involved in NCC or take on a leadership role? Join me for Checking In: Virtual Office Hours on Monday, August 26 from 12–1:30 PM to talk volunteering, leadership, and finding your place in our chapter. Drop in any time to ask questions, share ideas, or just say hello! Advance registration is required.
  • Networking & Baseball: Join us at Nationals Park on Monday, September 15 for an after-work fun, informal networking happy hour as the Nats take on the Braves. Mix and mingle with fellow communicators in a relaxed setting complete with ballpark energy and great conversation. This is the perfect way to cap off summer and make meaningful connections before the fall slate kicks off. Secure your ticket today. Tickets to the game and a $35 concession credit are included.
  • Coffee & Community: These casual, members-only coffee meetups happen each month through November across the DMV. They’re a great way to meet new people, exchange ideas, and connect with chapter leadership in a relaxed setting. Next meet up: Tuesday, September 9 at Tatte Clarendon (2805 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201). Stay tuned for fall meetups in Foggy Bottom and Crystal City coming soon.
  • September is PRSA’s Ethics Month – Ask Sabrina Anything!: Ethical decision-making is at the core of our communications work. As we gear up for PRSA’s Ethics Month in September, our chapter’s Ethics Officer, Sabrina Kidwai, APR, CAE, is ready to hear your toughest ethical scenarios and questions. Got an ethical scenario you’d like advice on? Email Sabrina and she will respond in our September email newsletter. Stay tuned for details about our next Checking In event in September, featuring Sabrina and me, all about PR ethics.
  • Crystal’s Non-PRSA Resource of the Month: As genAI tools become more integrated into our communication workflows, communicators must lead with both curiosity and caution. “Generative AI in Organizations: Insights and Strategies from Communication Leaders” report by the Institute for Public Relations (IPR) explores how PR professionals are currently using AI, what ethical concerns they’re navigating, and how AI is reshaping everything from content creation to media relations. It’s a must-read for staying ahead of the curve—and guiding your team with confidence. Great for sparking conversations with leadership or your comms team.

As summer winds down, it’s a great time to recommit to your goals, your growth, and your community. Whether you’re stepping into a new role, attending your first PRSA event, or just looking to recharge—remember that you don’t have to do it alone. We’re in this together.

Thank you for being a part of our NCC community. Onward!

Crystal Borde

President, PRSA National Capital Chapter