Fact Sheet: Promo kits

Fact Sheet: Benefits of Membership

PRCA offers a wide variety of opportunities for members to interact with each other and become more involved in the organization and community. Each section below covers the features and benefits of PRCA membership.

Already sold on membership?

Then send a quick email to our VP of Membership. If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download a membership application and send it to us with your check to North Alabama PRCA, P.O. Box 598, Huntsville, AL 35804.

Networking
Monthly luncheons, professional workshops, annual conferences and social events give members many opportunities to meet their peers and exchange ideas.

Professional Development
Meetings, workshops and annual conferences feature a variety of speakers addressing topics of interest to all levels of PR professionals. We strive to host one local professional development workshop each year and the state hosts at least one workshop open to all PRCA members. Workshops are open to non-members, but PRCA members usually receive a discounted rate.

Code of Ethics
All members of PRCA have agreed to abide by a Code of Ethics and do their part to uphold and further the state of the public relations profession. Go to the SPRF web site to review the Code of Ethics.

Accreditation
Members with at least five years of full-time public relations work experience are eligible to take a nationally-recognized, universal accreditation exam. Accreditation is the ultimate in professional development endeavors. Earning accreditation (APR) is comparable to earning a CPA for accountants, RN for nurses or PE or engineers. The initials APR after a practitioner's name designates the individual as Accredited in Public Relations. Click for a list of the accredited North Alabama PRCA members.

The North Alabama Chapter has an accreditation representative on the board of directors who can provide guidance on the APR application process. The accreditation representative usually handles the proctoring of the local exam. For full information about eligibility, costs and the test, please visit the SPRF site on accreditation.

Leadership
SPRF and PRCA offers members leadership opportunities on the regional, state and local levels. The North Alabama Board of Directors fills 17 board positions and numerous committee positions each year. Special events like the state conference and community service projects give other opportunities to serve.

Community Service
Each year PRCA selects local non-profit organizations to receive free public relations assistance with promotional campaigns, event planning, media relations, communication material and communication strategy. We do not provide fundraising support. For more information, go to our community projects page.

Michael K. Simmons Memorial Scholarship Fund
In 1994, we established the Michael K. Simmons memorial scholarship fund to recognize and award outstanding public relations students at area colleges and universities. Through special community fund-raising projects, we have created a self-sustaining scholarship for North Alabama PR students.

The scholarship is awarded each spring to a college student enrolled in an accredited college or university. Sophomores and juniors are strongly encouraged to apply, but freshmen who meet all the application criteria are eligible for consideration as well.

For criteria and application information, please go to our scholarship page or contact our Student Chapter Chair.

Medallion Awards
As part of our annual conference, we recognize the work of our members. Members may submit entries in 25 categories. A panel of outside judges awards Medallion (first), Certificate of Merit (second) or Honorable Mention (third) to entries they deem worthy of recognition. A Best of Show Award is given to most outstanding entry of all those submitted.

Click here for a list of PRCA Medallion Award Winners

SPRF also recognizes members work through the Lantern Awards.

Membership Directory:
Each member regularly receive updates to the statewide membership directory. Our listing on the web site is updated regularly. A list of our members is a benefit of membership and is not disseminated to non-members. Our on-line membership directory is password protected and available only to members.