November President’s Message

Hi PRSA Richmond friends,

It’s hard to believe that the 2021 PRSA Richmond season is coming to an end. And what a year it’s been! A roller coaster of plans made and unmade – but through it all we remained strong and connected as a chapter. That really speaks to the community built here at PRSA Richmond.

Speaking of our community, I hope to see many of you at the member happy hour on Tuesday, November 9 at Brambly Park in Scott’s Addition. You can bet on laughs, great conversation and ample parking. Register here and see you there!

Coming up in a few weeks is our November program. This is always a special one as we invite our past presidents to reconnect. We also use the event to celebrate the future of our PR community by awarding scholarships to college students with ties to Central Virginia. The Richmond PR Foundation will announce the four $1,500 scholarships during the meeting. This year the Foundation created the Jeff Wilson, APR Scholarship of Excellence to recognize a student of color studying PR and communications. Please do your best to join us on November 17.

Our speaker for November is Benjamin Jancewicz, creative director & social media manager at Baltimore City Health Department. We’re calling the program, “Clapbacks, PSAs, and Public Health” because over the pandemic, Baltimore City Health Department has received accolades for its unique approach to social media. In fact, The Baltimore Sun reported on the Department’s “expert use of memes, gifs and epidemiologist-approved graphics to share the latest public health information” that encouraged more residents to get their COVID vaccine. We’re looking forward to this timely and creative program – and I hope to see you there! Find out more and register here.

Before I sign off from my last president’s message, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude and awe for every member of our chapter. Despite challenges and curveballs, we’ve continued to create meaningful and important work. Our profession is often nonstop, and so much is riding on the effectiveness and success of PR and communications.

Some days it may feel like too much, but most days it’s worth it.

Please know that I am cheering on each one of you and always here to talk. I’ll continue to advocate for the path to board leadership, and I would love to meet with you anytime.

An extra shoutout to the 2021 PRSA Richmond board. Thank you for all you do for our community.

Thank you for a great year as your PRSA Richmond president.

Stay in touch and stay well.
Lindsay