Contact:
Cedric L. Bess
212-460-1495
cedric.bess@prsa.org

NEW YORK (October 23, 2004) – The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) today approved three revisions to its governing bylaws during its annual Assembly. The Assembly also heard reports on the Society, on its three core initiatives – Advocacy, Diversity and Professional Development – a financial overview and the 2005-07 Strategic Plan. The Assembly preceded the 2004 PRSA International Conference, “Architects of Change, Advocates of Understanding: Advancing the Public Relations Profession.”

In total, the 268 PRSA Assembly Delegates represent 96 Chapters, 12 Professional Interest Sections and 10 Districts, the PRSA Board of Directors, three delegates-at-large, the Canadian delegate-at-large and a representative from the College of Fellows and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

Before and during the Assembly, the bylaw amendment that stimulated the most intense debate addressed Assembly representation. Variations of this amendment were voted down by the 2003 Assembly and referred back to the 2003 PRSA Board of Directors for review by the 2002 Assembly. The amendment that passed this year will require that a member must be Accredited or a current board member in their respective Chapter, District or Section as the minimum standard to serve as an Assembly Delegate.

In other actions, the Assembly formed a PRSA Foundation Advisory Board and addressed Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) eligibility requirements. The requirements bylaws were changed to allow individuals to register for the APR Examination with a recommended five to seven years of work experience plus a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. In addition, eligible registrants no longer have to be employed full-time.

The Assembly also voted to dissolve three inactive Chapters: Central Massachusetts, Chesapeake Bay and Delmar. During their recent board meeting, The Board of Directors chartered a new Chapter, Southwest Missouri, putting the number of PRSA Chapters overall at 114.

About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
The Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org), based in New York City, is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals. The Society has more than 28,000 professional and student members. PRSA is organized into 114 Chapters nationwide, 18 Professional Interest Sections along with Affinity Groups, which represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has 255 Chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States.