11 Ways to Earn 15 Points by PRSSA National Conference

Each year, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) hosts a National Conference where students are able to network with professionals and their peers, learn from experts in the public relations industry and have a little fun. Last year, PRSSA Kent brought 13 of its members to National Conference in Washington, D.C. This year, we hope to bring even more to Atlanta.

We know it can be expensive to attend National Conference, so our Chapter wants to help make it a little easier for you. We offer partial reimbursement to members who have earned 15 membership points between the 2014 National Conference and the 2015 National Conference. (For full reimbursement details, read our Chapter Bylaws.) If you were a member last year, you may have already earned those 15 points just by going to our meetings and serving on committees. But maybe not. Maybe you still need a few extra points to get you to the big 1-5. Here are 11 ways to earn 15 points by the 2015 National Conference.

1. Pay your dues.
Members who pay their dues earn one point per semester. Pretty simple.

2. Come to General Meetings.
National Conference is a bit later in the semester than it normally is, so you have five opportunities to earn points just by showing up to our General Meetings every other Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

3. Come to Workshops.
This year, PRSSA Kent is introducing Workshops into our meeting schedule. These short, one-hour meetings will offer tips and tricks about topics like networking and writing press releases. All you have to do is show up to earn a point.

4. Come to Darrow Meetings.
Darrow Meetings are officer meetings. The e-board meets every other week in between General Meetings to talk about Chapter updates and plans. These meetings are open to all of our members, and again, all you have to do is show up to earn a point.

5. Come to Socials.
This is probably the easiest way to earn a point at PRSSA Kent. Every once in a while, we all go out and do something as a group just for fun. Participate in our group activity, and you’ll get a point.

6. Join the Homecoming Committee.
The Homecoming auction is one of the biggest sources of income for our Chapter; it helps us reimburse these trips to National Conference. If you plan to receive reimbursement for National Conference, you MUST help with the Homecoming auction. You will receive points based on how many meetings you attend and how much work you accomplish outside of the meetings.

7. Join the Communications Connection Committee.
For every hour you spend in a meeting for, or working on, a committee, you earn a point. Points are determined by the officer in charge of the committee.

8. Join the Web and Social Media Committee.
The Web and Social Media Committee is a little different than other committees; it rarely meets in person. Points are awarded by the Web and Social Media Manager based on the number of posts submitted for the Chapter’s website and social accounts.

9. Contribute to National publications.
PRSSA has two national publications: FORUM and Progressions. FORUM, PRSSA’s e-newspaper, is published three times a year. Progressions, PRSSA’s blog, constantly publishes tips and tricks about finding internships, staying on top of industry trends and getting involved in PRSSA. If interested in contributing, contact PRSSA National Publications Editor in Chief Emma Finkbeiner.

10. Donate to the National Community Service Initiative.*
The PRSSA National Vice President of Chapter Development organizes a Community Service Initiative (CSI) every year where Chapters can bring items to donate to a certain cause. Last year, PRSSA Kent donated more than 50 items to Access Housing Inc. This year’s CSI has not been announced yet, so keep an eye out on PRSSA Kent social media to see how many items will equal one point.

11. Participate in a community service project.*
PRSSA Kent is dedicated to our local community, so we sometimes do projects on or around campus to help out. If you participate in service organized by the Co-VPs of Fundraising and Community Outreach, you will receive one point per event.

*Please note that members must have at least one point earned through community service to be eligible for reimbursement for National Conference.