Passion: The Path to Becoming a Stronger Leader

Nominations for the 2014-2015 PRSSA executive board are underway and this time next week we will have a new executive board leading our chapter.  Many of of current members, myself included, have shown the drive and interest in taking on a leadership position in PRSSA.  As the current Social Media chair, I have learned the best ways to provide tactics and information about our chapter via social media platforms to share with our members and other PRSSA chapters across the country.  All of the executive positions require one common trait for each person wanting to run. That trait is passion.

There are hundreds of qualities that could be listed as leadership charactersitics, but in order to commit oneself fully to a leadership position, passion for Public Relations and the betterment of our PRSSA chapter is very important.

A helpful article I found on how to become a leader: http://www.prsa.org/intelligence/thestrategist/articles/view/10031/1072/13_ways_to_become_a_better_leader#.UzNEgvldWH4

As writer Dave Grossman said in the above article, "If you were to commit to some additional chutzpah this year, then where might you focus your energies?"

Chutzpah, a Yiddish word which translates into "incredible guts," is something I would want to implement in the executive board, in every position. 

Number 1 was one of my favorites from Grossman's list...

• Have the tough conversations you've been meaning to having.

WITH YOURSELF ~ Many people have very great ideas and important thoughts, that go unsaid.  Telling people what they need to hear, instead of what they want to hear, may not earn you initial positive feedback but will not only be helpful to you (since you are no longer holding back your thoughts) but to the person who you are sharing the information with.  This will help create bonds and trust - two things that are important in any organization.

Elections are next week, a new executive board will be taking over, and Valpo PRSSA will continue to grow in a positive manner.  

What are your favorite traits you believe makes someone a leader? 

Share your thoughts!

Written By: Emily Doherty, PRSSA Social Media Chair and National Delegate for Valparaiso University. 

Contact Emily ~  emily.doherty@valpo.edu or linkedin.com/in/edoherty1/

PRSSA National Assembly 2014

National Assembly 2014 (March 13-16)

Emily Doherty - VP of Social Media

Last weekend was the Public Relations Student Society of America's annual National Assembly.  The Assembly took place in the beautiful southern city Charleston, South Carolina.  

A delayed flight in Chicago left PRSSA members Luke Crawford, David Watta, Erica Brown and myself rushing to our layover flight which was in Newark, New Jersey.  After running throughout the small New Jersey terminal, we watched our flight fly away right in front of us.  Needless to say, we were not thrilled.  We were missing the Day-of competition and the welcome dinner, but we were determined to make it to National Assembly! One more flight to the middle-of-nowhere South Carolina, a three hour drive in a rental car, and a twenty minute taxi ride, we had finally made it! At 11 pm.

Our rental car...

I was excited to meet my new roommates and fellow PRSSA members from across the country.  I walked in the room and they were so excited to meet me! I had the pleasure of rooming with Deanna Directo, Lexi Digby, and Cindy Deng. (We later realized we were roomed together by alphabetical order..) It was great having people to connect with right away and to mingle with during the sessions.  

March 14th

The first day was filled with excitement.  Seeing as this was my first National Assembly (and also my first national PRSSA event!) I was so eager to start learning about leadership at the opening session which was for Chapter Officers.  I attended the session for current/future Presidents and VP's which was great and interactive.  The other PRSSA students who attended this session sat together in groups as we talked about things that could be done to improve our chapters, to help recruit new members, and to create key talking points about PRSSA for our current members.  

President/VP Session

Next, we had leadership training sessions which included "Discovering the Leader in You," "Communicating Member Benefits," and "Leading with Integrity."  I took notes on these sessions which I shared with my chapter at our 3/18 meeting.

A special session with Fred Cook followed.  Cook, the CEO of GolinHarris International spoke to us at the Assembly and shared some of his entrepreneurial successes. As said via golinharris.com/about, "We’re changing…intentionally. Or said another way, we’ve PRevolved."

After the day came to a close, my roommate Lexi and I decided to explore downtown Charleston.  We went out for some good old fashioned southern food at a local restaurant and walked down the pier and main street.

Nice escape from the Midwest weather

Southern Cookin'

March 15th

National Assembly Meeting: As the delegate, I had the right to vote for the new PRSSA National Committee. I was proud to be reppin' Valpo!

Representing Valpo with iced coffee, of course. 

More information can be found at this link... http://www.prssa.org/news/national/news/display/1305

Congrats to the new National Committee! :) Glad I had the pleasure of meeting most of you.

After the Assembly came to a close, it was time for the PRSSA members to celebrate their new committee. Again, my roommate and I went out exploring the town and ended up coming back to the hotel room and making even more new PR friends! It was a great time and I cannot wait to reconnect with the individuals I met at assembly at the 2014 National Conference in D.C! 

March 16th-The Final Day

The last day of the Assembly was set with a keynote speaker and a farewell meeting.  The keynote speaker, John Deveney of Deveney Communications.  One key thing I took away from Deveney's keynote was, "Become hungry to objectively study, discuss your shortcomings, mistakes and failures," John Deveney.

After the morning sessions, it was time to pack up our things and check out of our hotel room. While the trip only lasted three days, the memories, the networking, and the bonds created with other PRSSA members will definitely last much longer than that. #prssalove

Written By: Emily Doherty, PRSSA Social Media Chair and National Delegate for Valparaiso University. 

Contact Emily ~  emily.doherty@valpo.edu or linkedin.com/in/edoherty1/

About Eric

 

About: Eric is a sophomore Public Relations major and Spanish minor here at Valpo. He is an active member in our PRSSA chapter. Along with being involved in PRSSA, Eric is also the Vice President of External Affairs for the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity where he handles the philanthropy events and public relations of the fraternity.

Hometown: Huntley, IL

Dream Job: To work for a sports team in their PR department.

Favorite part about PRSSA: Being a new member of PRSSA this semester I finally have the opportunity to work on a PR team here at our chapter. With this, I simply love the weekly meetings we have together as a chapter since they allow me to develop essential skills for my future in the Public Relations field.

3 Things You Can't Live Without: My best friends, sports writing, and coffee.

 

About Nicolina

About: Nicolina is a sophomore Public Relations major with a double minor in Spanish and Business Management. As well as being involved in PRSSA, she is a sister in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.

Hometown: Huntley, IL

Favorite Part of PRSSA: The many opportunities that are offered! It’s not only an amazing opportunity to gain experience and knowledge about the Public Relations field, but it is key for forming relationships with both other members of PRSSA and current PR professionals. Most of the knowledge needed to be learned within PR is learned through experience and cannot be taught in the classroom, PRSSA offers this experience to a further extent than just internships.

Dream Job: Living in Chicago, working in fashion public relations or as an event coordinator.

3 things You Can’t Live Without: Eminem, my cell phone, and my planner. 

About Emily

About: Emily is a sophomore Public Relations major with a minor in Creative Writing.  In addition to being a member of PRSSA, Emily is involved with Valparaiso University’s paper The Torch as an Arts & Entertainment writer.  She is also an active member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for women.  Emily loves to write in her journal, cook, listen to her Spotify account, and read fashion blogs in her free time.  Emily is inspired by the creativity and optimism of others as well as vintage illustrations, interior design and musician Jesse Lacey.

Hometown: Oak Forest, IL

Dream Job: Either being an event planner, publicist, or columnist for a fashion/beauty company or magazine. Or all three since I consider myself to be ambitious! Ha. I would also love to be located in my favorite city, Chicago!

Favorite Part of PRSSA:  My favorite part of PRSSA is being a part of a group of young professionals who strive for excellence in their specific fields of interest.  I also love how different each one of our members are and how these differences produce many bright, creative ideas at our weekly meetings.

3 Things I Can’t Live Without:  Classic Literature (Scott F. Fitzgerald), Music, My Favorite People (you know who you are).

Get Swabbed Comes to Valparaiso University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ellis Lichtfuss                                                                      

Historian, Valpo PRSSA

Ellis.Lichtfuss@valpo.edu

Get Swabbed Comes to Valparaiso University

Dec, 10, 2013 Valparaiso, IN- The Public Relations Student Society of America at Valparaiso University is hosting ‘Get Swabbed’ this Thursday, Dec. 12, from 1 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Hearth located in the Harre Union at 1509 Chapel Dr. Valparaiso, IN 46383.

This event will ask that students, faculty and staff have their cheeks swabbed to see if they are a match to donate bone marrow. The participants will be registered in the bone marrow registry for Be The Match. Be The Match helps children and adults to find the match they need for bone marrow transplants.

Valparaiso University PRSSA is helping one leukemia patient in particular. Ben, a 13 year old from Chicago is part of the 7% of people who do not find a match for bone marrow. Valpo PRSSA first heard about this event when their sister chapter, Columbia College Chicago, was unsuccessful in finding Ben a match for their ‘Get Swabbed’ event last year.

”I am so excited for ‘Get Swabbed’! It’s for a great cause,” said Lauren Robinson, the event planner for PRSSA. “The opportunity to head this event means the world to me because my grandpa died of leukemia and I can only hope that I can help someone with this same disease and  beat this awful cancer.”

Valparaiso University PRSSA is certified by PRSSA national. PRSSA is a pre-professional organization of over 11,000 students nationwide. Valpo PRSSA currently has 20 active members and is led by Chapter President Ellie Lange and adviser Lanie Steinwart.

For more information about ‘Get Swabbed’ please contact Lauren Robinson, event planner for Valpo PRSSA, at Lauren.Robinson@valpo.edu

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About Lauren

About: Lauren is a junior at Valparaiso University. She is a Public Relations major with a Fundamentals of Business and Philanthropic Leadership and Service double minor.

Hometown: Lauren was raised in Manteno, IL, which is a small country town an hour and a half south of Chicago.

Dream Job: Lauren’s dream job is to be a Children’s Hospital Event Coordinator, preferably in Tennessee or Colorado; but she’ll take what she can get!

Favorite Part of PRSSA: Lauren’s favorite part of being a member of PRSSA is the on-hand experiences she has participated in. In addition, Lauren loves how easily it is to strengthen and enlarge her network through PRSSA.

3 Things I Can’t Live Without: Chai Tea Lattes, running shoes and my cat, Morris.