In This Issue
President's Message
What exciting times these are! One of my root words for the 2009-10 board is “new:” new approaches for the PR vista, new horizons for Vancouver Island, new faces at the board level, a new National committee appointment and new visions from each director. Your board is building a plethora of golden opportunities for members. This newsletter is one of those gems, showcasing a new design, newsworthy features and a communications committee with superb solutions on how to “reach out and touch” our 90-plus membership network. Plans are underway to embrace more of Vancouver Island in the CPRS-VI engagement strategy, which has galvanized the directors. Dialogue has begun with practitioners in Duncan, Nanaimo, Comox and Campbell River. Volunteers from up-island are working with our events committee to organize a gathering in Nanaimo to connect with the wealth of up-island expertise.
Special congratulations to our membership chair, Phil Saunders, who has accepted an invitation from Dr. Terry Flynn – the president of CPRS National – to sit as the chair of the National Membership Committee. The annual conference returns for its 2nd year. The conference committee, led by Barbara Carver –2008-09’s past president – is about to unveil a tantalizing agenda and keynote for the November event. This board is a dedicated roundtable of some of the finest professionals I’ve met in Victoria. With such tremendous spirit and a bevy of volunteers – each committed to excellence – CPRS-VI’s future is strong, bright and full of promise. Very exciting, indeed! All this, even with some empty slots open for qualified professionals. Our search continues for a vice-president and a sponsorship chair. If you know someone who wants to be part of our success story, please contact me directly at ange-frymire@shaw.ca.
Ange Frymire APR MBA
President 2009-2010
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Back to School?
By Steve Hutchings
The leaves are turning, the days are getting shorter, and the halls of schools and universities are filled with the footsteps of eager students. As the school year gets underway, a growing number of established PR professionals may be thinking about joining the student ranks again – post-graduate style.
Two schools, Royal Roads University (RRU) and the University of Victoria (UVic), offer degree programs to complement a PR practitioner’s existing education and/or experience. RRU offers two Masters of Communications programs – one in Professional Communication, the other in International and Intercultural Communication – while both RRU and UVic offer a Masters in Business Administration. All programs offer comprehensive training that would enhance a PR resume.
David Black, Associate Professor of Communications and Culture at RRU says that the school’s MA in Communication is popular with mid-career professionals looking to “awaken the intellect within.” The program places heavy emphasis on theory, which Black says develops a professional who can lead, strategize, consult and educate others. “The program is an entrée to management-level responsibilities,” he says, adding that it incorporates hard skills like business software training and conflict resolution analysis, which “…speak for a potential for promotion.”
The UVic MBA program further enhances one’s analytical skills, and aims to develop generalists who know how to solve problems. “Our students know how to think”, says Heather Ranson, Senior and Graduate Programs Marketing Manager. “The program is designed to help you know where to go to help you find information.” This approach develops a well-rounded generalist, she says, many of who start their own businesses or gain director-level positions.
An alternative to a post-graduate degree is UVic Continuing Studies’ Certificate Program in Public Relations. “The flexible distance learning format provides adult learners the opportunity to connect nationally with peers and instructors for a comprehensive view of the public relations industry,” notes Laura Vizina, Senior Program Coordinator. “Combined with our instructors’ blend of academic and senior industry experience, our program incorporates the knowledge, skills, and abilities that organizations are seeking in today’s current climate.”
CPRS also offers PR practitioners a designation that benchmarks PR expertise and ethical acumen. While the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation doesn’t require a return to school and isn’t a degree, the year-long study and preparation process “challenges professional perceptions and understanding, culminating in increased confidence and competence in professional practice,” says CPRS-VI Accreditation Chair Karla Sandwith. “Although demanding personally and professionally, the process is tremendously rewarding. ”The bottom line? Post-graduate training is a personal investment. Whether it is necessary to further your career is ultimately up to the individual.
For more information about Royal Roads University’s MA Communications program, please visit www.royalroads.ca or call an Enrolment Advisor at 250-391-2528.
To learn more about the University of Victoria’s MBA program, please visit www.business.uvic.ca/graduate/advantage or call 250-721-8264.
To learn more about the UVic Continuing Studies Certificate Program in Public Relations, please visit www.uvcs.uvic.ca/pr or call 250-721-6129.
To learn more about the Accreditation in Public Relations designation, please join Karla Sandwith and other APRs at one of two informational sessions being held at the University Club on Wednesday, September 30 at 7PM and Thursday, October 8 at 7PM. For more information, please contact Karla Sandwith, APR, at 250-370-4235 or accreditation@cprs-vi.org.
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For your information…
Library Bursary
Thanks to our Whistler Conference Legacy Fund, CPRS-VI has been able to offer increased educational support to its members. The society now houses a collection of public relations books at the Greater Victoria Public Library for the use of our members and the public. It's a great arrangement: each year, CPRS-VI will add to the collection and the library will look after a unique set of public relations resources. We need your help to keep this going. What are some books or material that you would like to see in this collection? Are there publications that get you excited that you would like to share with other PR professionals? If so, please email your suggestions to David Alexander, CPRS-VI Education Chair at david@zeroonedesign.com.
Denis Racine Student Bursary
CPRS-VI has renamed the Legacy Student Bursary to the Denis Racine Student Bursary in honour of Denis Racine who passed away January, 2009. Racine was a prominent figure in Victoria's public relations community and was president of both CPRS-VI and CPRS National as well as Tournament Director for the Times Colonist Open. Donations to the Denis Racine Student Bursary are being accepted and may be mailed to:
Communications and Public Relations Foundation
Suite 1515
73 Widdicombe Hill Blvd
Toronto, Ontario
M9R 4B3
Bursary Dates
Application information on the Denis Racine Student Bursary will be available October 1, 2009 with a deadline of November 30, 2009.
Application information on the Legacy Funds National Conference Bursary will be available January 11, 2010 with a deadline of March 2, 2010.
Please visit www.cprs-vi.org for more information on these bursary opportunities
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