PRSA

PRSA

National Capital Chapter

March President’s Letter

While today marks the start of a new season, the ongoing federal action and policy changes continue to pose challenges for those working and living in the DC Metro area. Beyond communicators in federal government positions, we are experiencing significant impacts on communicators working for government contractors, PR agencies and corporate and nonprofit organizations, with canceled work and layoffs affecting many in our community.

NCC is here to support you through these turbulent times. We will be sharing a resource list via email next week that highlights PRSA and local area resources for those reentering the job market, including the PRSA Job Center and NCC Job Board. We hope these tools will provide some guidance and relief during this uncertain period. Ideas for resources or professional development topics to support job seekers? Share them with us by emailing info@prsancc.org.

I’m looking forward to connecting with NCC members and fellow communicators at the 15th Annual Issues of the Day for Associations and Nonprofits on March 26, 8-10 AM at Vanguard Communications near Foggy Bottom. Seats are still available for this event designed to tackle today’s most pressing PR challenges for association and nonprofit communicators. This year’s gathering will feature five expert-led roundtable discussions, covering communicating facts in a polarized media landscape, when and how to engage with the press, navigating AI in mission-driven PR, the rise of independent journalism, and key shifts redefining the communicator’s role. It will be an excellent networking event for those seeking new job opportunities and for organizations looking for new team members. My thanks to the Association and Nonprofit Committee for their hard work in organizing this annual impactful event.

Opportunities to Note:

  • April is Accreditation Month: This is a great opportunity to learn more about APR and APR+M and how becoming Accredited in Public Relations can help advance your career. Curious about how to get started or what the process entails, sign up for the Spring APR Jump Start! Beginning April 25, this four-session virtual training series will guide you through the topics covered in the accreditation process. Can’t make one of the dates? Don’t worry – we record each session and paid registrants will have access to the recordings. For more information about your APR/APR+M journey, contact NCC APR co-chair Dr. Neal V. Fisher II, APR, nvfisherii@gmail.com.
  • April Professional Development and Networking Events: Looking ahead to April, we have several valuable events planned to support your professional growth and networking. From the Brand Builders Webinar to the Managing Wikipedia the Right Way, we’re offering learning opportunities to enhance your skills and connect with peers. Additionally, we are planning a few April networking events to bring members together – Coffee Talk event in Old Town Alexandria and a rooftop evening happy hour in DC.  Stay tuned to our event emails on Mondays for details!
  • ICON 2025 Call for Presentations: The call for presentations for PRSA ICON 2025, happening right here in Washington, DC, from October 28-30, is now open! This is your opportunity to showcase your expertise on a national stage, share valuable insights, and contribute to the advancement of our profession. I would love to see several NCC members featured as presenters in this year’s ICON agenda. Submit your ideas and be part of this landmark event.
  • Crystal’s Non-PRSA Resource of the Month: Working on your resume? Use Jobscan Resume Scanner to help optimize your resume keywords for each job listing, ensuring your application is found by recruiters. Recruiters and organizations use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to search and filter submitted resumes by keywords for open job opportunities. Jobscan can help you improve your odds if ATS is used for candidate review. Thanks, NCC Secretary Megan Sweeney, for this month’s resource suggestion!
  • Thank You & What’s Ahead: I want to thank everyone who joined me for our first Checking In virtual office hours this week. It was an enlightening and supportive conversation, and I appreciate everyone who shared their experiences and questions, particularly those related to the future of DEI communications. I’m planning another Checking In event in April, where we can talk about the job hunting process and share guidance and encouragement with one another.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I would like to acknowledge the invaluable role that women communicators play in our industry and within our NCC community. Their leadership, creativity, and contributions continue to inspire and advance the field of communications. We honor their contributions and strive to ensure their voices are elevated and valued.

Be well and thank you for being an essential part of PRSA NCC. Onward!

Crystal Borde

2025 PRSA NCC President