In 2017 President's Message

Dear FPRA family,

Have you noticed more Christmas trees and holiday decorations up around your community? I know I have, but to me November is a time for Thanksgiving and we as an Association have a lot of reasons to be thankful. We are celebrating our 80th anniversary, our membership continues to grow strong and our leaders are working hard to deliver valuable programs and offer more professional development opportunities.

I’m pleased to report that our membership renewal campaign was successful. More than 71% of our membership renewed before the November 7 deadline.  Congratulations to the Ocala Chapter who had 84% of their members renew before the deadline, which is the highest percentage of any chapter in the state. I’ve also already sent personal emails to more than 50 new members in the Association this year. If you haven’t sent in your renewal application yet please do so at your earliest convenience.  I also encourage each of you to try and bring a potential new member to a chapter meeting and introduce them to our great Association.

On a sad note, I want to make you aware that the state board recently voted to dissolve the Nature Coast Chapter of FPRA effective at the end of this month. This decision was not made lightly and the Executive Committee has been working for the past 2+ years with the Nature Coast Chapter to research and determine if the chapter was sustainable and viable moving forward.  In a meeting with the Nature Coast members in early October, it was determined that the best course of action was to dissolve the chapter and have their members either (1) join an adjacent chapter where they do business or (2) renew as an At-Large member.  Many of these members have already joined another chapter or renewed as At-Large members. I’m very proud of the Nature Coast chapter members. They worked extremely hard. However, several factors proved to be too much to overcome. I’m also proud of the Executive Committee and the leadership of Terri Behling, APR, CPRC, our Immediate Past President. Terri has worked tirelessly with the Nature Coast Chapter over the last two years and given her time, expertise and heart to the chapter.

I made a promise at Annual Conference to talk about my theme, Find Your Balance, in each newsletter. This month I want to highlight a couple that began as FPRA acquaintances several years ago and are now newlyweds. Please join me in congratulating Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC and Jay Wilson, APR, CPRC, on their wedding this month. Jay and Jennifer met through FPRA when they both served on our Association’s Executive Committee. Jennifer and Jay have found their balance together and I couldn’t be happier for them and their families.

Friends gather at wedding.

Several members of FPRA gathered at the Moss/Wilson wedding to celebrate the nuptials of Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC and Jay Wilson, APR, CPRC
Photo by CN Chair, Chris Gent, APR, CPRC

 

All the best,

Ryan Gerds, APR, CPRC

President

Florida Public Relations Association

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