January 2021 President’s Message

Hi everyone,

Welcome to 2021! We’re all freshly coming off of a year unlike any other. And while this isn’t the place to focus on all that went wrong, I will take a minute to focus on all that was remarkable – as it relates to PRSA Richmond. I am extremely grateful to Windy Campbell’s leadership as she endured a truly unprecedented presidency. She displayed grace throughout the many challenges and empowered the board to make recommendations and changes with the best interests of the membership in mind.

As I prepare for my year as your PRSA Richmond president, I will draw from last year and approach 2021 with enthusiasm and ready for what comes our way. Every president chooses a theme to energize the board and the membership. Maybe it’s because the Hamilton soundtrack plays on repeat at my house, but the theme that captured what’s ahead for us was “Rise Up.”

I believe that all of us – personally and professionally – will rebuild, grow and rise up in 2021. I have full confidence that our 2021 board will deliver an exceptional year for the membership.

Because we’re currently unable to be physically together, we’re planning a year that connects us all and helps us grow. When it’s safe to be together again, we’ll plan for that. And the extrovert and PR enthusiast in me can’t wait for that moment! Until then, here are a few things that I am excited about for in 2021:

• Programs and professional development workshops. We’ve doubled the programs budget to ensure members are getting maximum value for their membership.
• DEI strategic plan implementation. The board and committees are committed to bringing the DEI plan to life throughout every aspect of the chapter.
• Awards. We don’t know what awards will look like this year, but I can assure you they’ll be innovative and appropriate for the times. (Please note that the 2021 Call for Entries has been delayed. More information will come soon.)
• Hearing from the membership. Whether you have recommendations about a program topic or you’re curious about how to create a path to chapter leadership, I want to hear from you. Email me at president@prsarichmond.org.

I am here to connect anytime with members. I’m a long-time PRSA Richmond member who has served in a number of board roles and I would love to share that experience with you and learn about you and your goals and interests. Don’t hesitate to reach out, the offer is real.

Thanks for listening and I look forward to this year with each of you.

Best,

Lindsay