5 Tips to Nail Your Recruitment Presentation

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Review Your

Resources

Prepare by reviewing the member benefits presentation and recruiting brochure. These resources already exist for you to use.

Bring Tangible

Materials

Bring branded Chapter swag, benefits fact sheets and informational brochures. Don’t forget your business cards.

Present With a

Partner

Have a fellow leader or member present with you. They can share personal experiences with prospective members.

Personalize the

Presentation

Tell a personal story,

mention Chapter

traditions and share

alumni success stories.

Personalization will

make the information

more accessible.

Get Connected

Be sure to get prospective members connected to your Chapter and personal social media channels. Provide contact information to answer any questions that come up after the presentation.

For more recruiting tips and techniques, visit the PRSSA website, prssa.prsa.org, or

contact National Vice President of Member Services at vpmemberservices@prsa.org

Best Practices for Chapter Recruitment

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Know the Benefits

Use the benefits powerpoint and fact sheet when recruiting and share PRSSA’s mission and vision statements.

Gather Materials

Recruitment materials and

information packets are

available on the PRSSA

website.

Build a Vibrant Chapter Culture

Volunteer together, hold socials

and do more than professional

development.

Be Enthusiastic and Approachable

You are the best advocate for

your Chapter.

Attend Student Activity Fairs

These pre-planned events allow

you to connect with many

students in one place.

Target Young Students

Freshman and sophomores

have more time to develop

into Chapter leaders.

Partner with other Organizations

Host joint events to reach a

diverse array of prospective

members.

Offer Extra Credit

Talk to professors and

advisers about extra credit

opportunities for PRSSA

membership.

Visit Classrooms

Visit public relations,

journalism, communications,

marketing and business

classes.

Tell your story

Tell students how PRSSA

has helped you professionally

and personally.

For more best practices, tips and resources, visit the PRSSA website, prssa.prsa.org, or

contact National Vice President of Member Services at vpmemberservices@prsa.org

7 Benefits to Highlight During Recruitment

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Build Leadership Skills

Join a student-run firm, run for a

Chapter or National leadership

position, help plan an event or

join a committee.

Exclusive Internship Center

Access

Employers post their openings

on the Internship Center, which

is only available to PRSSA

members.

Scholarships and Awards

More than $37,000 in

scholarships are awarded

annually to students through

PRSSA and the PRSA

Foundation.

Discounted PRSA

Membership

Upon graduating PRSSA

members pay just $60 to join

PRSA.

National and Regional Events

At National events you will

network with other students,

learn about the industry and

meet professionals. Attending

regional events will help you

learn more about companies

and job opportunities in local

areas.

Expand Your Writing Portfolio

Writing opportunities exist with

the national newspaper,

FORUM, and the blog,

Progressions.

Network With Peers and

Professionals

Improve your communication

skills and connect with students

and industry professionals from

around the world.

For more recruiting tips and techniques, visit the PRSSA website, prssa.prsa.org, or contact

National Vice President of Member Services National at vpmemberservices@prsa.org

Enhance your education Broaden your network Launch your career

Enhance your education

Broaden your network

Launch your career

Publications: FORUM, Strategies & Tactics, Issues and Trends • Access to PRSA Webinars • Programming at Regional Conferences/National Events •Bateman Case Study Competition (offering experience with a real client) • Student-run Firm • More than $30,000 in scholarships available

PublicationsWebinars

EventsStudent-run Firms

Scholarships & Competitions

EventsTwitter Chats

PRSSA ChaptersChampions for PRSSA

PRSA Chapters

Internship CenterCareer Resources Manual

PRSA MentorshipLeadership Opportunities

Awards

PRSSA National Conference • PRSSA National Assembly • PRSSA Regional Conferences • Fellow members at Chapters across the country and internationally • Twitter Chats • Champions for PRSSA

Internship Center • Individual and Chapter Awards • PRSA — a network of more than 20,000 public relations professionals• Mentoring • Local and National leadership opportunities • Career Resources Manual

For more information on member benefits, contact the Vice President of Member Services at vpmemberservices@prsa.org or the National President at nationalpresident@prsa.org

PRSSA Member benefits

membership involves

you

public relations student society of america membershipPut yourself at the center of a vibrant community of peers and professionals throughoutthe nation by joining the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), theworld’s foremost pre-professional society for students interested in public relations.

We are committed to providing our members with meaningful professional development,practical career resources, leadership experience and résumé-enhancing recognition.

We are assisted by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), an association ofmore than 21,000 public relations professionals. PRSA established PRSSA in 1968 tobuild mutually beneficial relationships between students and practitioners.

our missionTo provide exceptional service to our members by enhancing their education, broad-ening their professional network and helping launch their careers after graduation.

our visionPRSSA aspires to advance the public relations profession by developing ethicallyresponsible pre-professionals who champion diversity, strive for an outstandingeducation and advocate for the profession.

your membership experience begins onlineMake your first stop www.prssa.prsa.org. Here you can:• Access job and internship listings.• Apply to scholarships and awards.• Browse professional development event schedules.• Look up fundraising ideas.• Find out how to connect with local PRSSA and PRSA Chapters.• Contribute to the PRSSA newspaper, FORUM, and blog, Progressions.• And more …

publicationsFORUM is PRSSA’s national newspaper, published online three times each academicyear. FORUM informs you about the Society, how to get involved, provides job huntingtips and examines professional trends. PRSSA members have the opportunity tocontribute to FORUM, enhancing their portfolios with national exposure.

Progressions is PRSSA’s national blog, which allows students to stay up-to-date withthe latest public relations news as well as contribute a post to grow their writing skillsand enhance their portfolios.

Monthly Updates from the National Committee are packed with information aboutnational events, Regional Conferences, PRSSA news, Chapter best practices and more.

PRSSA Annual Report highlights the achievements of the past school year,recognizes new Chapters and scholarship and award winners, and provides vision forthe Society’s future.

Chapter News is your Chapter’s opportunity to get national attention for upcomingevents, accomplishments and leadership.

Professional Publications such as Issues and Trends, a daily reporting newsand issues impacting the profession and Strategies & Tactics, PRSA’s all-newmonthly newspaper.

enhance your education

broaden your network

launch your career

web resourcesSocial Media is an important part of the public relations profession today. Socialnetworking with your colleagues in PRSSA will enable you to create lastingrelationships, learn about career and educational opportunities, and stay informed.

PRSSA Google Groups connect you with peers nationwide to discuss professional trends,academic challenges and Chapter practices.

competitionsBateman Case Study Competition offers cash prizes for the best student-createdand implemented campaigns for real clients.

Day-of Competition challenges students to create a campaign for a real client ondeadline during National Assembly.

National FUNdraising Bowl takes place January through April. Chapters submit bestpractices, and winners are chosen each month. Winners receive national recognitionand the opportunity to win complimentary National Conference registration.

scholarships and awardsIndividual Scholarships recognize members’ individual achievements. Entriesgenerally require essays, recommendation letters, transcripts, résumés andapplication forms.

Teahan Chapter Awards recognize outstanding PRSSA members, alumni andAdvisers. Sponsored by Champions for PRSSA.

Star Chapter Award is an annual honor for Chapters that meet PRSSA’s standardsfor vitality and success.

Pacesetter Chapter Recognition recognizes a Chapter’s success in the areas ofmembership, national participation and/or Chapter development. Chapters may benominated by members or the PRSSA National Committee during the academic year.

eventsNational Conference is the largest annual gathering of public relations students.Each fall, you’re invited to spend five days forging relationships with peers and PRSAprofessionals; attending workshops, networking events and socials; participating in acareer development exhibition; and more.

National Assembly allows one delegate from each Chapter to vote on proposedchanges to the PRSSA National Bylaws and elect the next year’s National Committee.

Leadership Rally gathers Chapter presidents in Scottsdale, Arizona, for two days ofworkshops and leadership training. Attendees network with other members tobrainstorm solutions to challenges, generate ideas for successful programs and learnto be a knowledgeable resource for peers.

Regional Conferences are a chance to get valuable professional development andmeet other members within your area. Regional Conferences offer host Chapters theopportunity to plan an event.

your membership experience begins online www.prssa.prsa.org

networking groupsSponsoring PRSA Chapters are assigned to PRSSA Chapters and are a resourcethrough which you can network, find mentors and learn about best practices.

Champions for PRSSA is a group of professionals who enhance students’ publicrelations education by volunteering as mentors and contributing to PRSSAscholarships and awards.

PRSSA Chapters are at over 340 colleges and universities across the United Statesand in Argentina, Colombia and Peru. Through your Chapter, you can serve in leadershippositions, be mentored by your Advisers, befriend the peers who will become yourcolleagues and meet local PRSA professionals.

National Committee is comprised of 10 PRSSA members and three PRSA memberswho lead Society initiatives and assist Chapter leaders and members. You can gainnational leadership experience by serving as a member of the National Committee.

PRSSA Advisers are one educator and one professional who volunteer to supportyour Chapter. They are one of your most accessible resources as you study, obtaininternships and look for a job.

career resourcesPRSSA Internship Center. Find your next internship or job, and publish your résuméin PRSSA’s Internship Center, the Society’s most targeted resource for matchingstudents and employers. You can log in using your MyPRSA username and password.

PRSA Jobcenter. Expand your job and internship search using the PRSA Jobcenter,where you can sign up for job alerts, access career-related articles and post yourrésumé. You can log in using your MyPRSA username and password.

PRSA Associate Membership is a chance for you to jump-start your career for just$60 (regular PRSA dues are more than $200 per year). To qualify, you must be a currentPRSSA member when you graduate. You can join at the discounted rate up to five monthsbefore or two years after you graduate. Associate membership only covers national dues.

PRSA New Professionals Section helps members transition from PRSSA to PRSAby providing exclusive services to new public relations professionals. PRSA memberscan participate in this section in their first three years of professional work. Benefitsinclude mentoring, national networking and access to electronic newsletters andteleseminars.

PRSA Webinars are offered on diverse topics throughout the year to help publicrelations professionals enhance their careers. As a PRSSA member, you havecomplimentary access to a PRSA webinar at least once a month. Additional webinarsmay be purchased. You may register for webinars using your MyPRSA usernameand password.

national newspaper http://prssa.prsa.org/publications-media/forum-newspaper/

social media http://prssa.prsa.org/prssa-social-media/

scholarships and awards http://prssa.prsa.org/scholarships-and-awards/

PRSA associate membership http://prssa.prsa.org/prsa-associate-membership/

your membership experience begins online at www.prssa.prsa.org

Public Relations Society of America120 Wall Street, 21st FloorNew York, NY 10005

Phone: (212) 460-1474Fax: (212) 995-0757Email: prssa@prsa.orgWeb: www.prssa.prsa.org