From the President: The Six-Million Dollar Chapter?
by Tom Lucia
I’m probably dating myself a bit with this, but here goes. When I was a youngster, I loved the TV show, the Six Million Dollar Man. Really, what was there not to like? A regular guy (if you could ever consider Lee Majors “regular”), transformed into a superhero with awesome powers. He was rebuilt and made “better, stronger and faster.”
Okay, Lucia, make your point.
Stronger & Faster
Any chapter member within shouting distance these days knows about our organization’s recent, rapid growth. As I type this, our membership includes 167 PR and communications professionals. We are the fastest-growing of PRSA’s 109 chapters nationwide (by percentage). Anyone who has been involved with our group for a few years will tell you that we are bigger now than most folks believed possible.
Evidence of this lightning-quick evolution was on display at the recent Excalibur Awards Dinner. Usually a gathering of about 100-120 members and guests, this year’s event drew 191! Again, those who have been involved with the dinner in the past could best appreciate and enjoy the gratifying sight of a jam-packed ballroom. It was a tremendous event, and proved to be a chance for us to flex our new-found muscles.
Better?
But, to quote from the story of another superhero favorite of mine, “with power comes responsibility” (Superman). With the unprecedented influx of new members comes the challenge of engaging them. Can we do that? Unequivocally, this chapter’s leadership is up to that challenge.
Strong programming is the lynchpin to what we do, and, in the upcoming months, we have a lot to look forward to. Our annual Sunrise Seminars are on-deck for the month of August. This signature event takes the form of a collection of professional development sessions on a wide range of topics. This year’s series will feature unique topics and great speakers – including a morning with Wal-Mart’s regional PR whiz. We are also excited about our first-ever workshop for new professionals, our annual membership party, a couple of thought-provoking teleseminars, and programs on the nationally renown Strong Museum and the building of a solid community brand, Wegmans.
So, we are stronger and, sure, we are rapidly changing, but are we getting better? If you are a new member, do you feel welcome? If you are a chapter veteran, do you feel comfortable enough to offer your thoughts/suggestions? If the answer is yes, then we are doing our job. If not, please let me know. Having 167 members is nice, but having 167 happy, engaged and contributing members is the ultimate goal.
Writer’s Note: By the way, The Six-Million Dollar Man was based on a novel written by Martin Caidin, an ex-Air Force pilot and public relations practitioner for NASA.
Best Excalibur Awards Dinner Ever!
Record number of winners, attendees in '07
