Nov 5, 2018 | APR, Professional development
The PRSA Maryland Chapter currently has 8 APR candidates who will soon be ready to give their Panel Presentations. We are putting the word out now for those APRs interested in serving as a Panel Presentation evaluator in 2019.
You can earn 1 point for each Panel Presentation you evaluate, which counts toward the 5 points you must earn every 3 years to keep your accreditation current. We will be hosting two types of panels:
- Final Panel Presentations –This would involve an in-person meeting during one evening after work at a Baltimore-area business or organization yet to be determined.
- Practice Presentation – We would also like to offer APR candidates an opportunity to practice their Panel Presentation before giving the real thing. This would involve about an hour of your time via video chat or conference call with the candidate.
Please contact Dianna Fornaro, APR Chair, at dfornaro@ceiwc.com if you are interested in serving as a Panel Presentation evaluator on one of the panels, or would like more information on this important volunteer opportunity.
Apr 9, 2018 | APR, Professional development
April is APR month. The Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is a credential earned by public relations practitioners who commit to the profession through ethical practices and sound judgment, strategic perspectives, knowledge of best practices and the use of the four-step RPIE process.
Unlike other professions, the field of public relations does not require licensure or certification to practice the craft. But it does require expertise, knowledge and training to be a successful public relations professional and strategic counselor.
There’s no better time than now to begin your journey toward your APR. See what other APRs have to say by clicking here and on our Facebook page.
Learn more at www.praccreditation.org. Or contact Dianna Fornaro, Accreditation Chair, at dfornaro@ceiwc.com.
Jan 18, 2017 | APR, Uncategorized
Did your new year’s resolutions include taking your career to the next level? Consider becoming an APR in 2017!
If you’re interested in seeing what it takes to become Accredited in Public Relations (APR), we encourage you to join the virtual APR Open House Web Meeting, next Tuesday, January 24, at 3:00 p.m., hosted by Kathy Mulvihill, PRSA National’s Accreditation Manager. She will be sharing information about study opportunities in 2017.
A list of other PRSA National APR Prep activities can be found here: APR PREP Schedule
If you have questions about the APR process, you can contact Jennifer Kellar locally at jennifer.kellar@aecom.com for guidance.
Apr 5, 2016 | APR, Uncategorized
Submitted by Jennifer Kellar, APR
Now is the perfect time to explore Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)—April is PRSA’s APR Month. The APR program is a voluntary certification opportunity for public relations professionals that includes completion of a Readiness Review panel interview and passing of a computer-based exam. The program is an opportunity to differentiate yourself among your peers and in your workplace by demonstrating your commitment to the profession and your subject matter expertise.
PRSA Maryland offers guidance and support to candidates who are seeking accreditation. In 2015, three chapter members achieved APR status, and there are several more candidates pursuing it this year. Candidates have provided positive feedback on the process saying it was both enriching and rewarding from beginning to end.
Recently accredited Chapter President Dan Dunne said, “After many years as a public relations professional, earning my APR has given me a whole new perspective and knowledge-base of the PR industry. With that understanding comes a higher level of confidence in being able to deliver the utmost in all aspects of my communications role.”
Have you been wondering what it takes to earn your APR? Or what it will mean for your career? You can find out more at www.praccreditation.org and by contacting Jennifer Kellar at jennifer.kellar@aecom.com.
Stay tuned for information about a Readiness Review prep session that will be scheduled this month.
Jan 18, 2016 | APR, Area events, Awards, Professional development, Uncategorized
We had another busy year. Below are just a few of the highlights …
APR Happenings … directed by our awesome and very capable APR Chair Jen Kellar, the APR Study Group begun in Fall 2014 continued the process with 12 candidates. To date, 3 of the candidates have received their APR! A new round of sessions began on 1/12/15. Click here for more information.
Mentoring Program … we launched our mentoring program and while still in its infancy, we’re looking forward to watching it grow. If you are interested in getting a mentor or being a mentor, let us know at info@dev.growsocially.biz.
Events … Always looking to advance our members professional development, we hosted/participated in a number of events:
∗ Visit to WBAL-TV 11, 2/1/15. Partnering with BPRC, we met with editors and reporters of WBAL-TV 11 and WBAL News Radio 1090. The event was a sell-out! Read recap by Jeff Davis here.
∗ Digital Media Panel, 3/17/2015. We were invited to join BPRC for their March meeting to hear a panel discussion on how you can work with local blogs that cover a myriad of topics from business to communities to entertainment.
Sporting some bling!
∗ Crisis Communications with Kevin Byrne of The Baltimore Ravens, 5/20/15. With the Ray Rice controversy still fresh in our minds, we welcomed Kevin Byrne, senior vice president of public and community relations for the Baltimore Ravens for a frank discussion on crisis communications. Plus we got to hold – and some of us got to put on – the Ravens’ Super Bowl Ring. A special thanks to our event host Emerging Media/Loyola University Maryland.
Root Down to Rise Up
∗ 2015 Chesapeake Conference, 6/4/15. Hosted by Erickson Living for the second year, #Chessie15 was touted as one of our best in terms of speakers and sessions. We began with a keynote from Sherry Llewellyn, Director of Public Affairs for Howard County Police Department and ended with a presentation by Michelle Andres, Vice President of Digital Media/Broadcasting and Chad Steele, Vice President of Public Relations for the Baltimore Ravens. Click here for a full recap and presentation handouts.
Meeting New Friends
∗ PRSA MD Summer Networking Event, 8/26/15.
We met on a beautiful summer evening at the BoatHouse in Caton for a casual get-together. The event coincided with PRSA’s New Professionals Week, yet it was an event for everyone to enjoy. And enjoy they did by swapping stories, advice and a few business cards in the process! We had over 25 PR pros and new pros attend.
Courtesy of Coyle Studios
∗ 2015 Best In Maryland Program & Gala. We exceeded our entry counts from last year with many of our entries receiving high scores. This year, we also did away with the binders/folders by accepting entries electronically. Winners gathered at the Best In Maryland Gala and Holiday party on Tuesday, December 1 for an evening of networking and celebration where we also presented 4 professional awards. Click here for recap.
∗ Mid-Atlantic Marketing Summit, 9/30/15. We were a proud sponsor of this one-day event that brought together more than 300 marketing and communications executives to discuss high-level issues through a series of panels, keynotes, presentations and networking.
∗ Volunteer Appreciation Pizza Night, 12/8. We invited current and prospective volunteers to join us for pizza. It was a chance for us to show our current volunteers how much we appreciate their hard work, and a great chance for prospective volunteers to get a taste of what it means to be part of the chapter.
Other events that we participated in included …
∗ PRSA Webinar: How to Activate an Influencer Network with Converged Media – Free to members, this webinar featured Michael Brito, head, social strategy, WCG who talked about incorporating new earned, owned and paid media tactics to better engage influencers with content.
∗ PRSA Central Chesapeake Chapter, 04/16/2015. Learn ways to get elected officials to your event
∗ INTEGRATE DC presented by West Virginia University IMC program, 10/27/2015. PRSA Members received discounted registration.
p.s. Did you know that you can find recaps to many of these events in our Resource Library?
Coming soon … What’s in store for 2016? Well, we’re working on this year’s programming calendar including our annual Chesapeake Conference. Also be sure to keep a watch out in late spring for the 2016 Best In Maryland Call for Entries.
Looking forward to an even better year!
Want to get involved? Contact us at info@dev.growsocially.biz!
