President's
Column
By Monique Uher, APR
2001 President
Spring is in the air today as I write this column. The
temperature is pleasant. The sun is shining. My thoughts tend naturally
toward making some changes to the way we normally do things at NMPRSA.
Why? Because spring is a time of renewal – a time when we
open our homes, plant our gardens, change our fashion and engage in that
ritual known as “spring cleaning” (well, most of us do, anyway …).
Because spring is the time we’re most likely to take chances, to try
something new. Because spring is literally the season for change.
And so, with spring as the backdrop, I would like to
introduce the following changes for your consideration:
A
July 1 planning year. Currently NMPRSA follows the calendar year (as does PRSA
national). Under that structure, the board rotation cycle looks something
like this: election in October. Results tallied in November. Incoming and
outgoing boards meet at the November meeting, with maybe a planning
retreat in late November or December or even in January. The new board
begins planning for the January meeting sometime in November or December.
The new board officially takes office January 1.
It’s a tough schedule to follow at one of the most hectic
times of the year. Changing
the planning year from January 1 to July 1 would allow the incoming and
outgoing boards to transition at a time when the pace is typically slower,
both at work and at home. A
July 1 start date would also allow the chapter to follow the planning
cycles of other trade chapters such as the American Marketing Association,
with whom NMPRSA is sponsoring
a joint seminar this May on integrated marketing and communications.
Perhaps most important of all, a July 1 planning year will alleviate some
of the pressure that accumulates so readily during the holiday season and
is compounded with the extra burdens that come with serving the chapter as
a board member.
A
new election period. Hand-in-hand with the change in the planning year is a
change to the election process. The NMPRSA board is proposing a change to
the election process by holding it one month earlier, or three months
prior to the end of the planning year. The extra month will allow for
adequate overlap and planning time as new members transition on to the
board.
A
new award. In the rich history of our chapter, we have yet to honor the
vision and leadership of those who have brought us to where we are today.
This year, a new award honoring significant achievement in the field of
public relations will premiere at the Cumbre Awards. Called “The Vista
Award,” it honors significant time and professional achievements of
NMPRSA members. Eligibility requirements include: a minimum of 20 years’
professional, paid PR experience; in good standing of PRSA in any
membership category; in good standing of the chapter; significant
contributions to the chapter including service as a chapter officer or
board member; and personal and professional qualities that serve as a role
model for other PR practitioners. More information on the Vista Award,
eligibility requirements and the nomination process will be available on
the web site soon.
In May, NMPRSA members will be given the opportunity to vote
to change the planning year and the election process. As always, I
encourage your comments and feedback, either to me directly or on the
chapter listserve. Until next month, enjoy the weather and your Spring
Cleaning!
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