Meeting with Grace Leong, Hunter PR 6/23/10 First question to ask: What do you want it to be?

o Focus on branding your organization!  Practical out-of-classroom application, strictly a networking professional society? o Then, focus on your objectives, a blueprint for what needs to be done o Know was the chapter should do for you Quantity v. quality o Better to have 10 active members than 50 total members o Look for committed members, give value to them  Provide tangible ways for them to get involved! Have realistic expectations Value for members o First meeting: let them know what it means to be in PRSSA  Explain the importance of being involved/active; they must be able to grab the information you give them and work it o Exemplify people who have gotten a job or internship and rely their success story (in newsletter, on website, etc.)   Go through old COMM newsletters to ook at alumni and find success stories Help members understand how they can be successful as well o Tip time or feature story at beginning of meeting Focus on key messaging o This is an action society; not about an hour-long meeting but rather what you do with the information provided for you in that meeting 

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Mission statement; have it stated consistently Team leaders o Single someone out and put them in charge; give them value by putting them in a leadership position

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President’s Award: for most active in chapter o Recognize people for individual successes o Recognize someone at every meeting (‘Kudos’)

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Give members experience! One-page statement with mission statement, goals, objectives Strategic plan: o Goal/Mission: To be… o Objectives (measureable)      Have around three Ex. Establish a closer relationship with PRSSA National What you will do to get that accomplished Tiny and simple Ex. if you are going to a field trip to visit PRSSA National, who is the team leader? They are assigned to make this happen.

o Strategies o Tactics

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Find a target audience o But also inform your external audience of what you’re doing Brand PRSSA as an extension of PRSA – a huge resource At retreat…explain what PRSA is, PRSSA is, and what you’re not (here to work, not to entertain) o Must be the interns of PRSA! o Use Pointpoint to explain all of this o Make them feel connected, a junior part of PRSA (compared to AMA, ABA)

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Cultivate pride in the organization 

o Talk about PRSA members and UD alum in PRSA, talk about big name PR professionals, legacy/history of PRSSA UD Let members know about awards available at end of year (include history of awards) o Strive for something! o Set-up lunch at end of year with Harker, Perse for recipients Re-engage the alumni o Use as speakers, monetary underwriters o Tell them exactly how they can help o Pilot intern program for over winter session o Use alumni and create an identity and tradition in them! Awards for Chapter o Find criteria for application to win PRSSA awards (Chapter Development, Chapter of the Year, Student of the Year) and play to that criteria o Awards = money and validation!