My year as the PRSA Midwest District chair

By Brant Skogrand, APR, MBC

In 2013, I had the honor of serving as the chair of the Midwest District of the Public Relations Society of America.

Throughout the year, Midwest District activities focused on advancing the district’s mission -- to build stronger chapters throughout the district by providing a link between national and the chapters, fostering communication among the chapters, facilitating leadership development and providing assistance to chapters in need.  

Here is a recap of Midwest District accomplishments in 2013:

• We delivered a second annual Midwest District Conference. The Nebraska chapter hosted this summer’s conference in Omaha, providing high-quality programming on a regional level to 180 attendees. In addition, a conference website was developed as well as Twitter (@PRSA_MDC) and Facebook accounts, which can be used by host chapters to promote future conferences.
• We created the first annual Platinum Award. The highest individual honor bestowed by the PRSA Midwest District, the Platinum Award recognizes outstanding career achievements in furthering the practice of public relations. The Platinum Award also was created to honor personal service to the Midwest District and any of the affiliated chapters within the Midwest District.
• We produced a Midwest District annual conference overview and operational guide. To ensure as smooth of a process as possible to host chapters, this document outlines the benefits of hosting the Midwest District Conference, keys to success, financial considerations, and more.
• We shared best practices. Through the bimonthly affinity conference calls, chapter representatives discussed mutual interests and shared solutions to mutual problems. A particularly popular topic was electronic award submissions, which several Midwest District chapters are starting to implement. 
• We developed financial policies and procedures. To ensure that the Midwest District is an effective steward of district dues, we documented the Midwest District’s financial management responsibilities. 

2014 should be an excellent year. I hope to see you at the Midwest District Conference in Springfield, Mo., from June 18 to 20! 
 

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