PRSA Launches Voices4Everyone; Board Nomination Process Underway
By John Elsasser
April 2021
PRSA has unveiled Voices4Everyone, a new strategic initiative that supports a national conversation building mutual understanding, trust and civic engagement through more inclusive civil discourse.
Voices4Everyone is designed to leverage the expertise, creativity and collective voice of the PR profession as communicators address the complex issues of civil discourse, civic engagement and ethical behavior; embrace diversity and inclusion in their broadest sense; and combat mis/disinformation.
“Part of our role as communicators is to build trust and be the voice of the clients and organizations we represent and the communities we serve,” said Michelle Olson, PRSA’s 2021 Board chair. “Voices4Everyone provides you with tangible resources and assets to ensure we are always enabling mutual respect and understanding among our diverse stakeholders.”
The website offers robust content focused on each of these pillars, with the fundamental purpose of taking it upon ourselves, and encouraging others, to ACT:
- Amplify the assets and messages to support a healthy information environment.
- Connect initiatives with your publics to build positive relationships and establish thought leadership.
- Take action by advocating the content to learn, grow, engage and share as trusted advisors in the national conversation about advancing the public good.
Visit the site at: voices4everyone.prsa.org.
Board Nomination Process Underway
The application process is underway for the 2022 Board of Directors.
PRSA is seeking candidates to fill three available Executive Committee positions as well as director positions for five Districts and one director-at-large position.
“Serving on the Board provides an opportunity to truly make a difference, not only for PRSA, but the entire communications profession,” said Debra D. Peterson, APR, 2021 Nominating Committee chair. “Having the chance to work closely with communications professionals around the world has been, and continues to be, tremendously gratifying. It’s wonderful to work with people who are passionate about PRSA and our profession and who want to make a positive impact.”
Applications are due by May 25.
Please visit the PRSA website for information on how to apply.
Honor for a PR Legend in Kansas City
In February, PRSA’s Greater Kansas City Chapter celebrated Black History Month and the start of the Chapter’s 60th year by honoring its former member Dr. Inez Y. Kaiser, the first Black woman to open her own PR firm and to serve national clients. In 1966, she became the first Black woman to join PRSA.
The Chapter is establishing the $25,000 Inez Y. Kaiser GKC-PRSA Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation for undergraduate college scholarships.
In 2022, the endowment fund will begin awarding scholarships to Black college students at the junior and senior levels who demonstrate Kaiser’s qualities of Black leadership, PR excellence and community volunteerism, PRSA’s Greater Kansas City Chapter said in a statement.
She died in 2016 at age 98.
Ethics for an Evolving Profession
Be sure to take a look at PRSA’s Board of Ethics and Professional Standards (BEPS) position papers available on the ethics page of our website. The papers provide useful analysis and recommendations on everything from plagiarism to information leaks and more.
Details: www.prsa.org/about/ethics.
