February President’s Letter
Checking in. How are you? The past few weeks have brought significant changes to our DC Metro community since last month’s White House transition, directly impacting government communicators and our area’s broader communications landscape.
Navigating uncertainty and job insecurity is tough, but PRSA NCC is here to support you. If you are back in the job market, use the PRSA Job Center and NCC Job Board to find—and share—opportunities. Log into your MyPRSA to connect via the Member Directory for networking and informational interviews, and save money with PRSA member discounts in the Discounts & Offers section. Join us at upcoming events, like the free members-only coffee meet-up on March 11 at Indigo in Adams Morgan or the 15th Annual Issues of the Day for Associations and Nonprofits on March 26 at Vanguard Communications near Foggy Bottom.
Got ideas for resources or professional development topics to support job seekers? Contact us at info@prsancc.org.
February Opportunities to Note:
- Register for Upcoming March Events: March is packed with professional development and networking opportunities. Meet the NCC Board of Directors and committee chairs at events—we’ll have colorful ribbons on our name badges! Also, check out PRSA’s learning opportunities and Member Mondays events.
- Join PRSA & Get a Free Chapter or Section: Thinking about joining PRSA or know someone who is? New members who join by February 28 with promo code NETWORK25 at the $267 level can add a Free Chapter or Free Section (up to a $100 value)! NCC and the Association/Nonprofit Section have been valuable to me—this is a great deal if you’re considering membership.
- PRSA ICON 2025 Super Saver Rate Ends March 1: If you’re planning to attend PRSA ICON in DC (October 28-30), now is the time to register! The super saver rate expires March 1, so lock in your spot at the lowest price.
- PRSA’s Commitment to DEI: PRSA recently reaffirmed its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—core values in our profession. While this stance may be challenging for members working in federal government and public affairs spaces due to recent Executive Orders, communicators understand that audience inclusion considerations remain essential to effective communications. Interested in discussing this? Connect with me on LinkedIn—I may host a virtual NCC office hour on this topic soon.
- New AANHPI Affinity Group: PRSA’s Affinity Groups provide members with networking and resource-sharing communities at no extra cost. Alongside the Black Voices and Hispanic-Latino Affinity Groups, PRSA now offers an AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) Affinity Group. Membership is open to all PRSA members in good standing.
- Crystal’s Non-PRSA Resource of the Month: For those working with media, keeping up with industry changes is a challenge. I recommend subscribing to The Latest, a free newsletter from the National Press Club Journalism Institute, delivering top journalism news and best practices Monday-Thursday.
As February ends, I want to acknowledge Black History Month and the profound impact of Black communicators on our profession. When I studied PR in college, I didn’t meet any Black PR professionals in my local chapters until a PRSSA conference at ICON—representation matters. Recognizing observances like Black History Month and other identity community celebrations throughout the year is vital.
Be well and thank you for being an essential part of PRSA NCC. Onward!
Crystal Borde
2025 PRSA NCC President