Upholding the Value of Accreditation

Upholding the Value of Accreditation

There is a debate occurring on a national level within the Public Relations Society of America. It centers on whether or not national board members must have their accreditation in public relations (APR) to serve. This is making us evaluate whether or not we value our own accreditation process. I believe that if we as an organization put stock in our own process, this standard should remain.

The Tulsa chapter of PRSA has one of the top APR programs in the nation. We boast an above average pass rate and this should strengthen our conviction of the importance of keeping this standard.

Individuals who go through the accreditation process and earn their APR have proven that they have a great knowledge of strategic public relations and are seasoned industry professionals. We should hold that achievement in the highest regard, not devalue it.

There are some wonderful practitioners who choose not to go through the APR process. I can think of many people in Tulsa who don't have their APR that I admire for their skill in the industry and leadership. The local chapter of PRSA does not have the same requirement for the board involvement, so there is an opportunity for practitioners to get involved locally regardless of accreditation. To serve at the national level, there is a case to making this a requirement for service.

In the midst of this discussion, I want to encourage professionals in the Tulsa chapter to consider going through the accreditation process at some point in their public relations career. The process will sharpen your skills as a practitioner and be a symbol of your expertise to individuals outside the industry.

What are your thoughts on the APR being required for national board service? What do you feel the value of the APR is?

OkieSMart - August 26 in Tulsa

Who could have ever predicted the way technology would change the public relations industry? I am amazed every day at the new developments that make communicating with our key audiences easier and more effective. Blogs, wikis, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and the like continue to revolutionize the communication industry.

This is why it is very important to be familiar with current and emerging technology trends. Our next event, OkieSMart, which is being co-hosted by the Tulsa Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, the Tulsa Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators and the Tulsa Press Club, will teach us about new resources that can benefit our organizations and clients.

OkieSMart is an afternoon seminar featuring social media experts who discuss today's trending technology. Last year's first OkieSMart event featured HARO Founder Peter Shankman, and this year's seminar promises to be just as engaging.

OkieSMart 2010 will take place at the SpiritBank Event Center on Aug. 26 from 1 to 5 p.m. Speakers Rick Burnes, inbound marketing manager at HubSpot, and Steve Crescenzo, principal at Crescenzo Communications, will share insight on how to leverage social media, and a reception at Savastano's Pizzeria will follow for event attendees.

To register for OkieSMart, visit www.okiesmart.com.

You may be so excited about your new-found knowledge after this conference that you, like Dwight Schrute, may want a Second Life. I look forward to seeing everyone at OkieSMart!

New Blog

I was encouraged by my cousin, Brent Prentice, to start a blog. I thought I would at least try it and see how it goes. There are a lot of unique things in my family and career that would be interesting and encouraging to read. We'll soon see!