PRSA is what you make of it. The benefits are the Strategist and other publications which keep you current on what's going on in the profession. Additonally, your name is among others who are committed to the profession of public relations. You get a lot for your dues but you have to take advantage of the benefits to really realize the fully value. I recently had a challenge with work and reached out to PRSA for some research to prove my case. The information I recieved almost immediately was spot on and really helped me to nail the problem but would take taken me weeks if not months to find, much less compile (and yes, I reached out to a number of industry experts as well but did not get the home run I did with PRSA). However, I must also say that the local chapter can make a huge difference.

My local chapter is very active about job postings and the frequent Newsflash e-mails which have a lot of good information and keep me pretty informed about what's going on locally--more than I would ever know if I was not a member. The local chapter has a lot of great events which serve to not only connect me with others in the profession, but provide education. For example, just one of the local events coming upl is an after hours social called, 'How Not to Screw up Your Career' held at a trendy pub. It's a fun game-show format trivia game where you and other PR pros answer ethical questions and dilemas. It's fun, educational, and serves to connect me with other colleagues and show whether I know my stuff. This is in addition to the regular slew of breakfast forums, speaker lunches, and professional development offerings. I do a lot of networking and I've found my membership to be worth the money not only in tems of conenctions but education.

Also, if you are the president of your group and your business is marketing communications, which usually involves public relations, what does it say to your clients and fellow colleagues if you let your membership lapse? Will your business and your career suffer if you let your membership lapse? Probably not, but because your colleagues are typically a key channel in which business may flow to you, there may be benefit in keeping that association current.

Obviously, I feel there is a benefit but as I mentioned, I have a strong local chapter. Best of luck to you.
Jacque

posted August 28, 2008

I agree with all that participation enhances any organization membership. I think one frustration that Yin may be feeling as it is one I have, is that PRSA loses relevance with more senior practioners. Fortunately, with the addition of facets such as social media, we are all 'back in school' learning how to implement these new tools within our practice. In my own local PRSA I am noticing a shift in topics of discussion. Less 'how to write a really great release' and more about strategy and new ways of thinking.

Yin, I'd take a look at the upcoming events for your local chapter and see what topics they are finding important to the group. If they are 'been there, done that,' your chapter just isn't there yet and paying a membership may not make sense. But if they are changing with the times, it might be worth another whirl.

posted August 29, 2008

It is 100% what you make of it! You can join, pay your $275 or whatever it costs now and sit back and just get all the emails, read them, then hit delete and do nothing.... OR you can jump right in, decide to participate, and get involved.

PRSA has special interest sections for industries.... I suggest looking into those. I belong (and am an active Board member) to the Health Academy. Its soooo worth it for me. Over the years so many doors have opened for me on so many different levels and different fronts (but I am heavily involved - but that is because that is what I choose to make of it). The education has been great and sure, the networking is great too!

I say give it whirl and decide to dedicate yourself to a few things... Go to a conference that looks appealing, join some telesmeinars, offer to present at one or two of them, go to a local chapter networking event, look into the special interest section.... and try using the e-group. The e-group is a great tool that is often underutilized. MemberNet is a wonderful resource as well (also underutilized I think!). Read the publications cover to cover (I still think Tactics is great... always something to learn and Strategist is very good too). I think that should give you a good start for your return back.

posted August 28, 2008

As the vice president of public relations for PRSA (now in my third week), it's been interesting to see some of the different criticisms of the Society, especially those that come from casual observers and others outside our organization. The fact is, when you have nearly 32,000 professional and student members who represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations, it's difficult to operate in a way that makes everyone happy. Nevertheless, we do poll our members regularly (most recently in June and July), and the issues and concerns they raise help us respond in ways that better the Society and increase its value as a professional organization.

In terms of the value of PRSA membership, the pat answer is that we offer a breadth of resources, including professional development, industry information and research, meetings and networking opportunities, and specialized practice offerings, that support all areas of the profession.

Specifically, PRSA conducts the profession’s largest annual meeting, which draws experts from diverse communications-related disciplines to share their expertise with thousands of professionals who also enjoy a unique opportunity to network and learn from one another. PRSA also offers extensive professional development outside of the Conference with year-round seminars, teleseminars and specialized topical conferences. We also deliver an online Professional Resource Center that offers practitioners the profession’s most comprehensive source for research, analysis and practice tools, reflecting our role as a thought leader and information resource for the industry.

PRSA is also a leading advocate for the industry. PRSA leadership has taken public positions on the use of front groups, paid political spokesmen and other communications ethics issues, including those raised by the memoir of former presidential Press Secretary Scott McClellan, anonymous Internet postings following the juicycampus.com revelations, and the “faux press conference” held by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the California wildfires late last year. PRSA leadership also was called to testify before Congress defending New York Times reporter Judith Miller’s right to protect the identity of her source in reporting on the Valerie Plame incident and on proposed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules on the identification of sources for video news releases (VNRs).

The real answer, though, as others have noted here, is that PRSA membership is really worth only what you're willing to make of it. If none of the professional development or networking opportunities that I've described here are important to you, or if you don't have the time or inclination to get involved in helping PRSA advance the profession, then perhaps the benefits that we deliver are less tangible to you. Of course, only you can evaluate PRSA’s relevance to your own career, though we hope you find it so. If you’re still unsure, you can visit http://www.prsa.org/membership/index.html for a wealth of information to help you decide.

posted August 29, 2008

posted August 31, 2008