Last day as IPP, last day in #PRSSA

Terms for the incoming National Committee for 2014-15 start June 1, so today is my last day as PRSSA Immediate Past President and my last day in PRSSA. It’s truly bittersweet and it’s still surprising it is all over!

It’s a very strange feeling so I had to write about it. I’ve been in PRSSA since 2009 and have changed so much and have so much to be grateful for thanks to this organization. It’s not a club, it’s a pre-professional organization! I’ve also had points taken off papers for always capitalizing Chapter without even thinking about it.

So many of my closest friends like Amy Bishop, Catherine Koonce, Tara Rosenbaum and Chris Piedmont I met through PRSSA and I have countless more friendships and connections through PRSSA as well. I know I have so much to thank PRSSA for, I really do.

I’ve already written about my experience on three National Committees, but I can’t even describe what it’s like to work with such talented people who just want to serve and give back. It’s very rare to work with such people and I’ve been blessed.

Although it will be different to not be in PRSSA, I look forward to everything to come with PRSA and giving back there. I’ve already learned a lot by serving PRSA New York and serving the PRSA New Professionals Section; I know this will only grow.

I hope to still be involved in PRSSA in some ways in the future and will always be a resource as a past member, Chapter President and National President. This organization means a lot to me and it always will.

Thank you to all the people I had the chance to serve with and for all you did for me and the Society. It was truly an honor to get to know and serve with so many!

I know our PRSSA leaders now and in the future will continue to advance the profession and the future professional. Hope to see all of you in PRSA in the future or giving back in another way!

#PRSSA: Leadership and Legacies

One of the first things Nick Lucido, the then Immediate Past President, told my first National Committee for 2011-2012 when I was the vice president of public relations was “this year will go by quickly and you only have one year to make a difference. That’s all you get so you have to make the most of it.”

Three years later and three National Committees later, it’s been a crazy, fun, interesting, exciting ride. I didn’t know I would have a chance to serve three National Committees and I’m extremely glad I did. Each of the Committees were extremely different from the one before and I got to work with many different leaders and personalities.

One of the things we talked about at this National Assembly in Charleston, SC (my last PRSSA event) was the impact we leave on people’s lives. No matter if we meet someone for a minute or know someone for 10 years, we have a chance to make a real impact on someone. We literally touch lives in ways we may never know.

Whether you’re a Chapter leader or a national leader in PRSSA, take every moment you can to make a difference and leave the Society better than it was before.

Part of leaving the Society better is having a good transition. Always make sure you have a few meetings with the person taking over after your time is over. It’s important to talk to the new leader about what worked, what didn’t work, what you wish would have happened and goals for the future. During the transition, it’s a good time for the incoming leader to listen and ask questions. Make sure part of the legacy you leave is leaving a good transition so the success continues.

This applies to the real world as well. When you begin a new position, think about how much that transition means to you and how it develops you. As you rise through the ranks, always make sure you take time to help the new people transitioning as well. It’s also very important to help others as you grow. Remember what it was like when you were a student or brand new professional and all the questions you had. Continue to take time to help others.

I still can’t believe my time in PRSSA is almost over, but I believe I helped the Society grow and I hope I helped a few members grow as well. I hope a part of my legacy will be that I helped others and made a difference.

I can’t wait to continue to make a difference and give back in PRSA and hope to help grow more leaders while I continue to grow and learn myself.

Thank you to everyone who made a difference in my five years with PRSSA! Too many to name, but I really do want to thank you all because you all made an impact on my life.