Board Qualifications, Responsibilities and Descriptions

Board Qualifications

Applicants for the PRSA Austin Chapter Board must be members in good standing.
Board Applicants must have two or more years of professional experience.
No minimum level of professional experience is required for committee members.

Board Responsibilities

Know the organization’s mission, purposes, goals, policies, programs, services, strengths, and needs.
Perform duties of Board membership responsibly and at a level of competence expected from Bard members.
Serve in a leadership position and undertake special assignments willingly and in a timely manner.
Serve as a liaison for any assigned committee(s) or task force, reporting to the Board regularly through written and oral communication.
Call to the attention of the chapter’s President and/or its chief operating officer issues of potential significance to the chapter.
Serve as a chapter ambassador for members and potential members.

Time commitment:

Members of the Board can expect the following time commitments:

Approximately 5 hours of service on average per month
Participate in-person or by video/phone in monthly Board meetings (approx. 1 hour long)
Attend monthly PRSA Austin Chapter events and actively encourage support and attendance by colleagues
Participate in committee meetings outside of monthly Board meetings, as appropriate, to be determined by the committee chair
For detailed requirements and responsibilities of each Board position, click here

Board Members are expected to:

Participate in a minimum of nine Board meetings throughout the year
Attend a minimum of six Chapter events
Participate in the planning of Chapter events, including drafting promotional and program copy
Greet and network with attendees at Chapter events
Assist with recruiting new members
Assist with fresh content for the Chapter website
Assist with social media conte

Board Descriptions

President (up to 2-year term)

Direct overall chapter operations
Preside at all Board meetings and member events
Install all committees with the approval of the Board
Guide the Board and evaluate progress periodically
Coordinate functions of all officers and committees
Work with other Board members in establishing chapter goals and objectives
Recommend and direct the execution of policies and programs in the interest of the Chapter
Engage with members
- Activities might include: monthly newsletter statement to members, meet the president coffee talks, etc.
- Ensure the Chapter meets and upholds national standards.

President-Elect

Perform all duties of the President if the President is absent or unable to perform those duties for any reason
Assist the President in coordinating and directing committee activities and chapter operations and perform such duties as may be delegated by the President
Recommend goals, objectives, plans and programs to the President
Advise the President on matters of policy and procedure
Ensure the chapter is upholding its professional development standards
Oversee the Strategic Planning Committee
This role is ultimately a four-year commitment that begins with President-Elect, evolves into President and ends with Immediate Past President

Immediate Past President

Serve in an advisory role to the President and Board members
Support the programs chair and committee to help ensure professional development activities and logistics are properly managed and communicated to members, prospects, allied professional organizations, and local media
Provide topics to share via the website of interest to members
Complete other duties as assigned by the President

Secretary/Treasurer (supported by Strategic Association Management)

Take detailed notes at each Board meeting and type/send notes to the chapter President within 48 hours
Work with the President to send meeting agendas, minutes, and financial reports to the Board 48 hours in advance of meetings
Work with the chapter management firm to create an annual chapter budget and provide monthly financial reports
Help manage the chapter budget by being involved in monthly planning to ensure all cost variables are factored into program planning
Ensure all funds are invested and disbursed appropriately, as ordered by the Board
Sign checks, approve expenses, and fill out/submit financial forms and contracts on behalf of the Board
Serve as a liaison for the Board by participating in quarterly best practice calls and/or email communications with PRSA National
Assist the Board with all financial matters

Director-at-Large, Marketing Chair

Collaborate with the Vice President of Programs, Vice President of Membership, Committee Chairs, and President on setting communication strategies and goals for the calendar year
Oversee the Marketing Committee, which should be divided into the following separate responsibilities:
- Social Media Committee Member (responsible for social media imagery, writing and posting)
- Creative Design Committee Member (responsible for advertising graphics, and social media meme creation)
- Work with the Marketing Committee on outreach to member and non-member audiences about all chapter activities and news
- Determine the distribution schedule of social media, and provide support in drafting copy, as needed
- Ensure promotion/distribution of chapter events to member and non-member audiences via email, social media, and the chapter website
- Oversee Chapter website content and administration with support from S.A.M. (administration)and President
- Determine promotions budget and spend in collaboration with Programs Chair, Secretary/Treasurer, and President

Director-at-Large/Public Relations Chair (2-year term)

Collaborate with the Vice President of Programs, Vice President of Membership, Committee Chairs, and President on setting communication strategies and goals for the calendar year
Oversee Public Relations Committee
Direct committee efforts to directly via email or phone new members and welcome them to the chapter
Support messaging and overall strategic communications plan for the chapter
Draft press release announcements when relevant for PRSA Austin programming and share them with local media
Draft monthly PRSA newsletter alongside President to incorporate news of chapter, national PRSA news when relevant, and updates from board member counterparts when relevant (; membership, programs, APR, ethics, etc.)
Create and update branding materials for PRSA Austin (; tone and voice document, message house document)
Coordinate with the Marketing Chair on the execution of the communications plan (via external communications platforms and creative assets)

Director-at-Large/Membership Chair

Lead the chapter’s effort to retain and recruit members
Oversee Membership Committee
Oversee PRSSA/University Outreach Liaisons and provide resources to support their efforts
Direct committee efforts to directly via email or phone new members and welcome them to the chapter
Share new member information and promotions provided by the national on a monthly basis
Coordinate new member socials or events as appropriate
Serve as the first touchpoint for PRSSA seniors transitioning into PRSA membership
Ensure a diverse membership, working closely with the Diversity & Inclusion Chair

Director at Large, Programs Chair

Oversee the Programs Committee
Work with board members, President, President-Elect, and Programs Committee members to develop the vision for topics and professional development programs for the calendar year
Support the execution of each monthly program with its event lead (as designated at the beginning of the year at the board retreat)
Leverage the Board and Programs Committee to help source and select speakers for events
Ensure qualified, interesting speakers are scheduled at least two months in advance of events and logistics are in place
Work with PR and Marketing Chairs to engage with member and non-member audiences about all chapter activities and news, including e-blasts, social content and chapter website
Highlight program calendar and resources from National on the website, including drafting copy for social and/or blog posts, e-blasts
Help to promote professional development webinars provided by National or Sections to Chapter members
Recommended 5+ years of industry experience for this role

APR Chair

Promote accreditation with the chapter and encourage eligible members to take the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations – especially in April, which is accreditation month – through education and programming
Lead effort to plan and conduct courses and/or seminars to prepare candidates to take the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations
Coordinate necessary activities with the Universal Accreditation Board
Highlight benefits of accreditation and resources on the website, including drafting copy for social and/or blog posts
Recommended APR certification and 5+ years of industry experience for this role

Ethics Chair

Promote the PRSA Code of Ethics throughout the year – especially in September, which is ethics month – through education and programming
Assist with coordinating an ethics-themed September program
Serve as a Chapter resource on ethics
Highlight ethics programming and resources on the Chapter website, including drafting copy for social and/or blog posts

Assembly Delegates (3)

Assembly Delegates are members who serve as the Chapter's representatives at the PRSA Assembly (held in different cities each year) to vote on national by-law changes and the slate of National Board members
Represent Chapter member's views and opinions during National meetings/events/calls, etc.
Participate in Southwest District calls or meetings and report back to the President and Board
The Chapter membership shall elect Assembly Delegates for a one to three-year term; the PRSA Austin Chapter will prioritize accredited members
The current President and President-Elect serve as two of the three delegates
One open position is always available for another member or director

Sponsorship Chair

Oversee the Sponsorship committee
Coordinate with the President and Programs Chair on planning and logistics for sponsorship opportunities
Develop sponsorship annual goals and sponsorship plan at the start of the new year
Develop updated annual sponsorship packet including sponsorship levels, individual program sponsorship, and job listing sponsorship opportunities, as well as create opportunities for specific sponsors
Secure prospects, leads, and sponsors based on the plan strategy
Coordinate with the Secretary/Treasurer on secured sponsorship funds
Coordinate with Marketing and PR Committee on promoting sponsorship
Manages the Job Board and Web Sponsors, sending a copy to the Marketing Chair for posting
Works closely with the Board on funding needs for yearly program calendar and events
Pitches sponsorships to local firms to support the chapter
Identifies Chapter fundraising opportunities

Diversity & Inclusion Chair

Promote PRSA national’s diversity initiatives throughout the year
Lead the chapter’s Diversity & Inclusion initiatives
Oversee the Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Work with the Program Committee to execute one Diversity and inclusion-themed event annually
Serve as Chapter liaison for PRSA’s National Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Develop and/or nurture mentorship programs with youth
Serve as a resource for the chapter on diversity and inclusion topics

PRSSA and University Liaisons

Meet regularly with PRSSA chapter professors and student leaders
Communicate PRSA events relevant to students and vice versa
Work with a team of PRSSA liaisons to coordinate professional/student mentorship opportunities, shadow days, and scholarships
Lead planning efforts for Pro-Am Day, including oversight of the Pro-Am Day event committee and coordination with Executive Committee members
Coordinate with the Membership Chair on transitioning PRSSA graduates into PRSA membership

Committee members are expected to:

Participate in Board meetings throughout the year
Participate in a minimum of six Chapter events
Participate in planning or supporting Chapter events
Greet and network with attendees at Chapter events
Assist with recruiting new members
Provide suggestions for fresh Chapter website content

Committee Descriptions

Public Relations Committee

The Public Relations Committee is led by the Public Relations Chair and is responsible for sending the monthly PRSA Austin member engagement newsletter. The committee also aids in press release distribution and community outreach.

Marketing Committee

The Marketing Chair leads the Marketing Committee and is responsible for planning and distributing program promotions on communications channels, including the newsletter and social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram). Members will also update and maintain the chapter website, create graphics for chapter promotions, and post regularly to social media accounts.

Diversity & Inclusion Committee

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Chapter promotes diversity initiatives during the calendar year. It also handles the planning and logistics for one diversity-themed program annually. The committee is led by the Diversity & Inclusion Chair.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is responsible for planning all events and communications related to members' recruitment and retention. It is led by the Membership Chair and includes the PRSSA Liaisons and the APR Chair.

Pro-Am Day Committee

The Pro-Am Day Committee is responsible for all planning and logistics related to the PRSA Austin Chapter’s Pro-Am Day event and luncheon. This is a day when students are invited to shadow PR professionals to learn about a day in the life of the industry. The PRSSA Liaisons lead the committee.

Programs Committee

The Programs Committee is responsible for the execution, preparation, and logistics of all professional development and networking programs conducted throughout the year. The Programs Chair and Committee work closely with the assigned event lead each month to execute the chapter successfully. Program topics are decided at the board retreat in December before the year the programs take place. If a board member cannot fulfill their duty as an event lead, the Programs Chair fulfills the event's lead to manage all aspects of the event. Programs also lead practice sessions and coordinate all logistics of the PRSA Austin programming. It is led by the Programs Chair.

Sponsorships Committee

The Sponsorship Committee is responsible for identifying, pursuing, and securing sponsorship support for Chapter programs. This includes creating sponsorship packages for the Chapter and signature events such as the awards program, Pro-Am Day, and the Diversity & Inclusion event, among others. It is led by the Sponsorship Chair.

Strategic Planning Committee

The Strategic Planning Committee helps the Executive Committee determine a long-term vision for the Chapter’s future. It is responsible for developing, executing, and updating a long-term strategic plan for the chapter. The plan's components include measurable goals for member recruitment and participation, programming, member engagement and participation, increasing APR participation, etc. The committee is led by the President-Elect and includes the involvement of the President