When I was a public relations student, Barbara Sheffield, APR, CPRS Fellow, and Life Member, visited our class and talked about CPRS Toronto — a professional organization that was working hard to enhance the reputation of the industry I had just decided to enter. In her short presentation she inspired me by showing me a clear career path: joining CPRS, continuing my professional development and, after five years in the field, achieving accreditation in public relations. Needless to say, I joined CPRS Toronto immediately and went to my first event feeling both nervousness and excitement.
I have been a Public Relations practitioner my entire career and have attended many events and conferences hosted by various organizations over the years, but I still remember my first CPRS Toronto event.
What struck me was the sense of community in the room and a genuine interest of members in supporting one another. Years later, I learned my involvement and accreditation by CPRS was a factor in my acceptance to graduate school in the US – this community extends past our borders.
For many students and new members, our annual Open House was their first CPRS Toronto event providing an opportunity for them, as well as long-time members, to meet this year’s board at PJ O’Brien pub. I don’t know if it was the luck of the Irish, but the event sold out days before and by all accounts, people had fun networking and hearing about our plans for the coming programming year.
Thanks to our volunteers Sarah MacKinnon and Chi Chi Egbo, our intern Sarah MacKenzie Smith, and our Secretariat Lois Marsh for helping to plan the Open House and to Sears Canada for their generous donation of the evening’s door prize. This was our first networking event of the season – look forward to more in the coming months.
As a member of CPRS Toronto you have made an investment in your career. Take advantage of all that we offer, some of which is highlighted in this newsletter. And with all investments, the more you put into it the higher the returns. You have a role in your experience with this organization. Don’t sit on the sidelines. I encourage you to get involved.
