Public Relations Society of America, New York Chapter

The month's event calendar holds a variety of opportunities for PRSA-NY members and their colleagues. On May 7th PRSA-NY will be coordinating a panel discussion that will focus on the crucial role public relations professionals play in keeping the media informed of fast-moving developments in corporations, government entities and other organizations around the world.

Scheduled to take place from 6-8 PM at Ketchum, participants will hear from international journalists how PR practitioners can successfully support and provide crucial information for reporters and news organizations. Seasoned PR pros will share tips on how they deal with financial issues every day and how they have learned to communicate effectively as developments unfold rapidly and unexpectedly across international time zones and geographies.

Join us on May 13th for another popular PR Tuesday. We'll be gathering from 7-9 PM at 10 Degrees (121 St. Marks Place in the East Village.) These monthly cocktail receptions offer a perfect opportunity to network and establish professional connections. You don't have to be a member to join in the fun.

The following night, May 14th, offers another social networking event coordinated by the New Professionals and New Media and Technology Committees. Sponsored by Radian6, at the Art Bar on 8th Avenue, the night offers an open bar and an opportunity to meet face-to-face with popular bloggers you have probably communicated with online.

The Big Apple Awards will celebrate the achievements of many on May 22nd at the Rainbow Room. Starting with a cocktail reception at 6 PM, followed by the awards presentation at 7:30, the event will be hosted by Michelle Charlesworth and Phil Lipof of WABC-TV's weekend morning news broadcasts.

To learn more about these events, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Membership Perks Make it Easier (and Cheaper) to Plan for Your Future

While no one likes to think about the possibility of needing long-term disability insurance or life insurance, it is prudent to have some sort of coverage to fall back on in an emergency. The leadership of PRSA-New York has now made it easier for all PRSA-NY members to set these safeguards in place. Thanks to a relationship that we have developed with National Financial Network and the Guardian Life Insurance Company, we are able to offer member discounts on Disability Income Insurance and Long Term Care Insurance. Learn more about this opportunity.

In April and May members are also welcome to participate in two seminars that focus on the protection of assets and preparing for the future. Protecting Your Assets - Your Intellectual Property and Your Income will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 6 PM-8 PM. Preparing for the Next Phase of your Life, What's Your Plan for Living a Long Life is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 6 PM-8 PM. Learn more.

2008 Big Apple Awards Sponsorships Now Available

The 21st annual Big Apple Awards are right around the corner. Scheduled to take place on May 22nd in the Rainbow Room, this event recognizes the accomplishments of public relations professionals in the tri-state area. It always draws a crowd. Sponsors of the event, should sign on early to get full advantage of the exposure offered. Click here for sponsorship rates and packages.

In 2007, 36 Big Apple Awards and 20 Honorable Mentions were presented before a crowd of 300 attendees. Winners in each category were eligible for the "Best of the Big Apple Award", which was ultimately won by Novartis with Ruder Finn. TRANE with Charmichael Lynch Song won "Best of Research, Measurement and Evaluation", an award presented by the Institute for Public Relations for the first time last year. Take a peak at this year's finalists.

Tax-Exempt Scholarship Fund Established

PRSA-NY has set up a tax-exempt way for you and the entire New York PR community to assist our best and brightest students! Click here to read the press release announcing our 501(c)(3) fund that was established as a part of the PRSA Foundation.

It's a fact that PRSA-NY members who volunteer for Chapter activities have more fun!

Here are a few of the volunteer opportunities open for 2008: New Media & Technology Committee; NYC Crisis Preparedness Committee; Marketing Committee; Meet-the-Media; PR Tuesdays; International Committee. There are other volunteer openings as well. Click here for more information.

PRSA-NY has just launched its Student Diversity Buddy Program

The program pairs select multicultural students from four metro-area colleges with four New York agencies - one college with one agency - for semester-long internships and mentoring. Agencies will also provide guest speakers to classes throughout the semester. Acceptance as a student participant is competitive, based on grade point average, writing ability, recommendation by faculty and interview by the agency. Click here for the full announcement.

Welcome to PRSA New York

PRSA-New York is your gateway to new skills, new knowledge, new jobs, new employees, new clients, new contacts and more. Member or non-member you can take advantage of the best public relations programs in metropolitan New York City. Here's a summary of our core offerings.

Educational Programs, some 20 each year, developed with your interests in mind and running the gamut from skills building to management training. Included are:

Meet the Media Panels with top editors, reporters and producers from national and local media, traditional and online.

Skills Training Workshops on writing, publicity and other PR staples.

Professional Development Seminars on new technology, crisis communications and other key topics.

Networking Programs through which you can meet members and non-members who can provide you with information, knowledge and contacts that can help to advance your career and assist your employer and/or clients.

New Professionals Network for younger PR practitioners throughout the New York City metropolitan area. A great opportunity to attend targeted networking activities and/or volunteer to help organize chapter initiatives.

PR Tuesday, our monthly networking party which is held at different venues in mid-town Manhattan.

Career Development Programs intended to assist members and non-members in finding jobs and managing their careers in public relations.

Mentoring Program - PR Legends Mentoring Program through which some of the profession's leading legends provide you with one-on-one advice and counsel regarding your aspirations, on-the-job challenges and much more. Click here if you want to apply for mentoring. Click here for more information on the program.

Membership Directory - online, with complete names and addresses.

And Last But Not Least, you can get involved by joining one of our many active committees, the stepping stones to Board membership and chapter leadership. Click here to volunteer.