As you may know, PRSA will vote on a proposed bylaw amendment change at Assembly in October that would expand the requirements for service on the PRSA National Board. The amendment change would continue the policy of having members who are APR run for the national board. But it would also allow qualified non-APR members to also run.

The proposed bylaw change follows:

Current Bylaw:

Article V, Officers and Board of Directors, Section 2. Eligibility.

(a) To be eligible as a director, the individual must be APR, be a member of the Society in good standing and have at least one of the following qualifications: (1) held a leadership role within the Society, including, but not limited to, served as a member of a Chapter, District or Section board of directors, chaired a national or local committee or task force, or served as an Assembly delegate; or (2) served as a public relations professional for 20 years, with increasing levels of responsibility.

 Proposed Bylaw:

Article V, Officers and Board of Directors, Section 2. Eligibility.

(a) To be eligible as a director, the individual must be a member of the Society in good standing and have at least one of the following qualifications: (1) APR; (2) held a leadership role within the Society, including, but not limited to, served as a member of a Chapter, District or Section board of directors, chaired a national or local committee or task force, or served as an Assembly delegate; or (3) served as a public relations professional for 20 years, with increasing levels of responsibility.

 Rationale (According to the Proposers of the Amendment Change):

APR is a hallmark for professional improvement but not for governance. If PRSA is to become the relevant professional organization it must distinguish between APR’s value and the need to attract more industry leaders.

 APR should be an optional requirement for PRSA national leadership. By allowing candidates who aren't APR an opportunity to serve as PRSA leaders, the organization will attract distinguished professionals who have not been able to serve PRSA as a result of the present bylaw.

 We Want to Hear from You:

PRSA Richmond will be voting as a Board at the September 29 board meeting on how our Chapter dekegates will vote on proposed Bylaws changes at the upcoming Assembly in October. PRSA Richmond will be sending three delegates -- Jeff Wilson, Jennifer Curis and Laura Baliles Osberger -- to the Assembly to echo the chapter’s vote.