DETROIT, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- PRSA-Detroit, a chapter of the Public
Relations Society of America, has recently been recognized by the National
PRSA and the PRSA East Central District for its diversity program and Chapter
Excellence in professional development.
Mary Henige, APR, president, PRSA-Detroit, accepted the award for the
chapter's diversity programs from Ofield Dukes, APR, PRSA Fellow, and chairman
of the National PRSA diversity committee. He recommended to the National
Board that Detroit receive one of three Diversity Awards for its "outstanding
leadership and work in promoting diversity."
"When I attended PRSA-Detroit's 2002 state conference, I was so impressed
with the chapter's firm resolve that Detroit would have a well-organized and
relevant diversity program," Dukes said. "They have more than lived up to
that resolve."
In 2003, PRSA-Detroit sponsored diversity efforts including an active
Multicultural Committee aimed at boosting diverse membership and a program on
the role of public relations in defining perceptions of Arab-American culture.
"The benefits of diversifying our Chapter accrue to the existing as well
as the new member," said Renee Ahee, APR, multicultural officer, PRSA-Detroit.
"We can learn to become better PR counselors if we learn how to communicate
with people of various cultures, something our new members can teach us, and
we can provide valuable professional development and networking for the new
member that they're not now receiving."
Awards for diversity were also given to the Cleveland and Georgia chapters
of PRSA. Dukes said, "These diversity programs now serve as a model for other
PRSA chapters."
This year, the PRSA East Central District revived a former national
program to share and recognize best practices among chapters. PRSA-Detroit
was awarded the Chapter Excellence Award in the Professional Development
category for chapters with more than 150 members.
"The strength of the PRSA-Detroit chapter's professional development
programming is in its breadth and targeted audiences," said Henige. "Our
board knew we had winning educational programs, but it is great to have our
efforts recognized."
The chapter was recognized for four primary initiatives: the biannual PRSA
state conference in 2002; sponsorship of and assistance with the annual
Southeastern Michigan's Public Relations Student Society of America
conference; the New Professionals Committee's professional development
programming; and the Professional Development committee's annual program,
which offers seminars to build the skill of the chapter's members.
Colleen Robar, former Detroit chapter president and current East Central
District secretary, said, "The best part of the Chapter Excellence Award is
that the chapter's programming now stands as a best practice for all other
chapters to emulate."
PRSA-Detroit is one of the largest Public Relations Society of America
(PRSA) chapters, serving more than 500 public relations professionals in
Southeastern Michigan, including the Metropolitan Detroit as well as those in
the Ann Arbor - Ypsilanti area. In addition to its monthly chapter and less-
frequent professional development programs, the chapter's New Professionals,
Automotive Council, Senior Council and Multicultural Affairs groups offer
services to area professionals with specific needs. Contact Nancy Skidmore,
PRSA-Detroit executive secretary, at 248-545-6499 for information on PRSA
membership.
SOURCE PRSA-Detroit
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.prsadetroit.org
CONTACT:
Nancy Skidmore, PRSA-Detroit executive
secretary, +1-248-545-6499
|
