PRAL–Baton Rouge - Committees

COMMITTEES

Accreditation Committee

The accreditation committee assists chapter members in becoming accredited in public relations and recruits accredited members to sit on Readiness Review panels.

Co-Chairs: Jesse Hoggard, APR and Michelle Spielman, APR

Panelists:

Mary Beth Chevalier, APR
Bobby Ann Clark, APR
Glen Duncan, APR
Jerel M. Giarrusso, APR
John Hightower, APR
Jesse Hoggard, APR
Stephen Loy, APR
Bill Michelet, APR, Fellow PRSA
Amy Nolan, APR
Elizabeth Spence, APR
Michelle Speilman, APR
Justine Sutley, APR
Karla Swacker, APR
Renee Smith Tadie, APR

Delia Taylor, APR

Hospitality Committee

Committee members welcome new members to monthly meetings, assist board members with meeting duties, thank members for attending, and help recruit potential members who have attended meetings as guests.

Chair: Vacant

Members:

Membership Committee

The membership committee actively pursues and recruits new members, maintains the association's membership database, and coordinates the application process for those applying to become new members.
Chair: Elizabeth Tadie-Canfield
Members:

Newsletter/Publicity Committee

Develops story ideas, writes, and disseminates "PRALines"—PRAL's e-newsletter. Develops and disseminates press releases and other PR materials to promote PRAL.

Chair: Lauren Joerg

Members:

Pro Bono Committee

Develops public relations planning, programming, and assistance free-of-charge for nonprofits and other charitable causes/organizations. Contact the committee chair to participate or to recommend an organization to receive public relations assistance.

Chair Ginger Guttner, APR

Members: Kaki Heilgenthal; Kelli Richmond; Amy Nolan, APR; Lisa Doyle; and Liz Canfield

Programming Committee

Assesses programming desires of membership, selects monthly membership meeting speakers/topics, and arranges for speaker transportation, lodging, honoraria, etc. Makes arrangements with luncheon vendor's catering manager to confirm expected monthly meeting attendance numbers prior to event or luncheon meeting.

Chair: Catherine C. Simpson

Members: Michelle Clement, APR; Lauren Joerg

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

For more information about PRSA, or to request a PRSA membership application, please contact PRSA Baton Rouge Chapter President Stafford Kendall, APR.

Professional Awards Committee

Coordinates PRAL's annual professional achievement recognition awards—First Circle Award, Communicator of the Year Award, Practitioner of the Year Award, Member of the Year Award and SPRF Professional Achievement Award.

Chair: Vacant

Members:

Student Services Committee

Recruits applicants, reviews applications, and chooses winners for the Jack H. Sanders and William M. Michelet Awards. Committee members also coordinate public relations activities for the scholarship programs.

Chair: Megan Tanner
Members:

Senior Advisory Committee

Chair: Bob Johannessen

Social Media Committee

Administers PRAL's social media strategy through Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social media venues.

Chair: Bridget Conrad
Members: John Siebenthaler

Southern Public Relations Federation

Represents state PRAL chapters and the PRAL Baton Rouge Chapter at SPRF board meetings.

Representative: Glen Duncan, APR

Web Development Committee

Develops and updates content for www.pralbr.org. Works closely with membership and program committees to update the organization's website content management system and disseminates relevant information about membership events and activities. Committee chair acts as organization contact with association management Web application vendor.

Chair: Lauren Joerg
Members: