MEL AND I: A Tagteam Approach to Continuity

One cycle that I really want to break is the lack of continuity. It seems that every year our officers graduate, leaving behind no experience to manage the Chapter. Those that are left struggling to learn what they are doing and how they want to do it. By the time they figure it out, they are ready to graduate and have not had the time to train anyone or create a continuity binder.

One of the things I would like to strengthen is our standard of continuity. It has three tiers: mentorship, experience and leadership. If I were to surrender to the common practice of acronym usage, I might call it MEL. MEL is cool.

In the first stage-mentorship-a student is initiated into PRSSA, paired with a mentor and taught their role as a pre-professional public relations student. At this point, they learn to crawl. They may be given a few simple tasks or responsibilities until they become more familiar with the Chapter routine. Most importantly, they discover what they strive to accomplish in PRSSA.

The second stage is experience. The public relations student becomes confident of their skill and PRSSA knowledge. They are allowed to take on greater roles in our projects. They may still be under mentorship, but gradually progress into leadership positions.

The last stage-leadership-should occur naturally for most public relations personality types. They take on the management of accounts and inter-organizational projects, and they are elected into officer positions or subcommitees. They should be adopted by a PRSA professional mentor to help them complete the transition into the “real world” of public relations.

Finally, leaders begin to realize what it takes to be a successful professional, and who might be willing and able to fufill its duties. A leader will take on an understudy who seeks knowledge and is gaining experience, to teach and condition them to become a future Chapter leader.

Throughout the three phases, public relations students should to log their experiences, keep track of projects and hours spent volunteering, working and learning. By the time they graduate, they will have more than enough material to contribute to their own continuity binder. One is needed for every officer position and for long term projects such as the website.

Jerami Marsh
Vice President
Public Relations Student Society of America
Seawolf Chapter

Artisan Trade Show

Over the past month, I have been talking to local artists and inquiring about their concerns for publicity. After meeting with a few who do not consider themselves artists, I have to include applied art and trade skills.

The idea I have now, that each artist or tradesman will donate a piece of work to display at a public venue,can be hosted by PRSSA. The event will actually be a silent auction, as well as an opportunity for media to come meet original creators and for buyers to get autographs or place more orders.

PRSSA will accept donations and split the proceeds with the creators of each piece sold. A portion of the proceeds could also go to benefit a local guild or non-profit proponent of the art community.

Haunted Halloween Fun Night

Alaska Chapter: This event is a safe environment for trick-or-treating during the weekend before Halloween. It will be on Saturdaythe 28th in the Student Union from about 3pm to 9pm. Families will purchase tickets to join in the games, while fundraising for student clubs.

Artisan Trade Show

Over the past month, I have been talking to local artists and inquiring about their concerns for publicity. After meeting with a few who do not consider themselves artists, I have to include applied art and trade skills.

The idea I have now, that each artist or tradesman will donate a piece of work to display at a public venue,can be hosted by PRSSA. The event will actually be a silent auction, as well as an opportunity for media to come meet original creators and for buyers to get autographs or place more orders.

PRSSA will accept donations and split the proceeds with the creators of each piece sold. A portion of the proceeds could also go to benefit a local guild or non-profit proponent of the art community.

Guerilla PR Tactics

I was thinking about a publicity campaign for PRSSA to get more underclassmen involved. It entails dressing up in jungle fatigues and running around the school in a not-so-stealthy manner, tacking posters that with a recruitment date, place and time. Then who ever shows up would get to go with us on our trip and, if they join, a t-shirt to be initiated in.

I know this sounds crazy, but I think the whole hazing thing has merit if you are trying to get people into a “family” of brothers and sisters…”fellows” I should say. Otherwise, kids just come in half-heartedly and give up on the mission when things start getting busy.