How to Support Your APR Candidates
Join Best Practices Call on Jan. 26
PRSA Georgia has a successful APR Program in place, and on January 26th, that chapter’s Denise Grant and Justine Holcomb, APR, will lead a discussion on the steps in their tried-and-true process. Topics will include:
- Conducting an annual prep series for candidates
- Leveraging Universal Accreditation Board resources
- Using local APR volunteers to attract, mentor, educate and motivate candidates through each step of the process – from completing and presenting the Readiness Review to prepping for the online exam
Spend an hour with your SE District colleagues on January 26th (3pm EDT, Dial-In Number: 559-726-1300; Participant Code: 699479#) and learn how your chapter can enhance the profession and the professional by growing the APR community. Come with questions. Come with ideas.
Mark your calendars! June 3-5, Greenville, SC
Southeast PRSA District Conference
“Find Your Story”
In Memoriam
Mitch Edwards, past president of the Alabama Chapter and the SE District for PRSA, passed away suddenly in December. Kevin Storr, Alabama Chapter President, shared Mitch’s vision, shared at the Alabama Board’s retreat held the week before:
In four simple words, Mitch encapsulated a mantra we should all carry, not only in service, but in life: “Make it your own.”
Mitch told the incoming board to learn from, but not be dominated by, the past. He encouraged us all to take our new positions and make our own imprint on the job and our own impact in the PRSA world. The perfect message from the visionary who pushed to expand PRSSA chapters beyond Birmingham schools and co-founded what is now the PRSA Summit.
In honor of Mitch, the Alabama chapter’s theme for 2015 is “Make it your own.” The board will keep this in mind in everything we do for you and for others. We encourage you to do the same. Make your world a better place. Make it your own.
Mitch was only 47 when he passed away, yet he had already accomplished much for his family, his community and his profession. He will be sorely missed.
The Volunteer Chapter is making a memorial contribution to PRSA SE District, to be used for need-based scholarships for the District Conference in June. Application details will be posted shortly on PRSASoutheast.org. Others wishing to donate toward the Mitch Edwards Scholarship should contact:
PRSA Southeast District
c/o Kirsten Khire, APR, Treasurer
20911 Sterling Bay Lane East, Apt P
Cornelius, NC 28031
Dr. Michael Herman, APR, Fellow PRSA, S.A.G.E, and long-time member of the North Carolina Chapter, passed away unexpectedly January 3rd of heart failure.
Over his 40-plus years in the business, Mike built a national reputation as one of PR’s most accomplished practitioners. In 2009, PRSA recognized Mike with its highest individual honor, the Gold Anvil for lifetime career achievement.
His work life included leadership of the Epley Associates Raleigh office and later The Catevo Group, but he held a number of other positions during his career, including stints at the United Nations and the UNC Highway Research Center. While at Union Carbide, he helped coordinate crisis communications surrounding one of the most serious industrial accidents in history at the company’s facility in Bhopal, India.
Mike was elected chairman of the Counselors Academy of PRSA and the PRSA College of Fellows, and he was a regular speaker at regional and national conferences and universities. An adjunct professor at N.C. State University for more than a decade, Mike taught public relations to hundreds of students, many of them now leaders in the industry.
A steadfast friend, consummate professional and loving family man, Mike was always willing to share his time, experience and wisdom with fellow practitioners. And he played a mean guitar.