CPRS-VI President Elect Catherine Dooner presented Joan Yates APR with Life Membership at the CPRS-VI AGM on June 11, 2019.
CPRS member societies grant Life Membership to people who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the national and local societies, and to public relations in general.
Joan is Vice President of Student Experience at Camosun College in Victoria, and has served CPRS both locally and nationally.
It was an honour for the CPRS-VI board to be able to recognize Joan. She is an inspiration for many, and has contributed significantly to CPRS and to the practice of public relations in Canada.
Her many contributions include:
- Nine years of service on the local society board.
- National President of CPRS.
- Receiving the CPRS Outstanding Achievement Award in 1996, which recognizes a single, major contribution made by a Society member, which has resulted in the betterment of CPRS through the enhancement of its image in the eyes of other Canadians, or the world-at-large.
- Receiving the CPRS Lamp of Service award in 2004, as part of the governance review task force. Recipients of the Lamp of Service have given distinguished and dedicated service to CPRS. It is awarded to a member whose personal activities, leadership and dedication have resulted in a striking illustration of the Society’s principles or a notable advancement in the prestige of the Canadian Public Relations Society.
- Leading the development of the Pathways to the Profession program while on the National Education Council.
- Developing some of Canada’s leading PR education programs at the University of Victoria (Diploma in PR) and Royal Roads University (Masters of PR & Graduate Certificate In PR Management).
- Developing courses and teaching hundreds of post-secondary students from across Canada on PR for over 20 years.
