Committees
Minnesota PRSA is a volunteer organization. The strength of the organization comes from its member who volunteer on the various chapter committees.
If you wish to volunteer on a committee (almost all committees are seeking additional members), or are interested in more information on one or more committee, visit our Volunteer form or contact us at office@minnesotaprsa.org.
Accreditation (APR) Committee
This committee promotes APR (Accredited in Public Relations) as a mark of distinction for professionals, motivates non-APR chapter members to pursue APR and prepare for the APR exam and coaches and mentors APR candidates throughout the process.
DIRECTOR
OPEN
CHAIR
Adrienne Foley, APR
Classics Committee
This committee works to recognize area communications professionals for excellence in public relations through the annual Minnesota PRSA Classics awards. The committee also promotes interaction and learning for PRSA members through judging opportunities, award entry preparation events and the annual Classics awards banquet.
DIRECTOR
Ryan Baird
CHAIR
OPEN
CO-CHAIR
OPEN
Communications Committee
The Communications team conducts all internal and external communications for the chapter and assures Minnesota PRSA members are up-to-date on the latest information on all chapter initiatives, news and events. The committee is responsible for the content and distribution of all of the chapter’s main communication vehicles and media relations related to chapter programming, including:
DIRECTORS
Darryl Sellers
Carolyn Will, APR
CHAIR
Beth Wellman
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
The Minnesota chapter is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment to all PR and communication professionals. In 2018, the membership voted to add a Diversity and Inclusion Officer (DIO) to its board. In this role, the DIO leads Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) efforts for the chapter including an annual half-day DE&I forum. The DIO will also:
- Provide stewardship in aligning the chapter with the national PRSA standards and best practices for DE&I
- Oversee the chapter’s DE&I education, and lead efforts to incorporate DE&I into the fabric of the chapter
- Serve as an advisor to the board on matters related to DE&I
- Work with members to increase visibility of DE&I standards, resources, and best practices for the following dimensions of diversity at all levels of the organization – racial, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, culture, skills and mindset
DIRECTOR
Leah Kondes
CHAIR
Amy Frantti
CO-CHAIR
Kiara Davis
Events Committee - Social Events & Career Coffees
The Events team develops cutting-edge, enriching programming that helps members develop their skills and bolster their networks. This committee is dedicated to programming that helps professionals stay ahead of the latest trends, hear experts in related fields and prepare themselves for the future of our profession. Monthly events are held at various times and locations around the Twin Cities and timely topics focus around five PR “pillars:” research, planning, implementation, evaluation and ethics.
DIRECTOR
Emily Tackaberry, APR
CHAIR
Katy O'Neill
CO-CHAIR
Eva Keiser, APR
Member Engagement/Career Center Committee
The Member Engagement team serves as the primary point of contact for members and prospective members, ensuring they are getting the most they can from belonging to Minnesota PRSA. The committee also works to broaden the membership of Minnesota PRSA by reaching out to public relations professionals and recent public relations graduates who are currently not members of PRSA. Core activities include:
- Member retention programs
- Special programs for new members to help them understand chapter opportunities
- Mentorship program to connect experienced PRSA members with professionals of all ages and experience levels
- Special recognition programs for veteran members
The Career Center team assists professionals in finding new or different career opportunities. The team works to create a list of professional job listings valuable to the public relations professional. Career Center also works with employers who wish to list jobs to the MNPRSA.com site. Additionally, the team looks for internship and volunteer opportunities to include through the Career Center. The Career Center committee also works closely with other Minnesota PRSA committees to communicate and host events surrounding career opportunities.
DIRECTOR
OPEN
CHAIR
OPEN
Student Relations Committee
The Student Relations committee supports 11 Minnesota PRSA-affiliated Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapters. The committee helps these students learn more about the profession and PRSA, as well as prepare for a career in public relations, by providing opportunities for students to interact with professionals, network with potential employers and gain experience in the field.
DIRECTOR
OPEN
CHAIR
OPEN
CO-CHAIR
OPEN