This past weekend, your PRSA Colorado assembly delegates, Meredith Bagnulo, APR; Lisa Cutter; Dawn Doty, APR; GG Johnston and Cherie Orwig, APR, attended the 2009 Assembly meeting in San Diego. Our primary focus was to approve a sweeping set of bylaw changes — http://www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA/Governance/Bylaws — requested by delegates of the 2007 assembly. In a Tactics article, Dave Rickey, APR, chair of the Bylaws Rewrite Task Force, and vice president of public relations at the Alfa Corporation, explained how PRSA could benefit from bylaw changes:
“One of the key findings from the Task Force research was that, as professional organizations mature, they tend to become more inclusive. They also broaden the base of members who aspire to be leaders in the organizations. The current PRSA bylaws actually work at cross purposes with this philosophy. As a result, several of the recommended bylaws changes deal with broadening the “universe” of who can be members, and also expand the criteria for becoming leaders.”
After much discussion, and soliciting opinions from our members via a variety of avenues, including consulting with local member Jeff Julin, former president of PRSA National and member of the bylaws task force, the Colorado delegation strongly supported the recommended changes. While the bylaw changes formally passed, the approved document bears little resemblance to the piece put forth by the task force. So many amendments were made to the original document that in reality, little was changed.
In comments made to the assembly by our delegation, we expressed disappointment that “It has served us for the past 60 years” was considered a valid argument. The field of PR and communications is rapidly changing, and we’re concerned about the future of our organization if we don’t keep up. We are very proud of our chapter, one recognized for innovation and forward-thinking. The Colorado Chapter is committed to the future of PRSA, not the past. We will continue to represent this attitude on behalf of our members.
To learn more about the bylaw changes, visit www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA/Governance/. Or, feel free to contact any of us directly to discuss questions or concerns.
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