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About FPRA
Founded in 1938, FPRA is the nation's oldest Association of public relations professionals. Today, it has more than 1,400 members.
Membership in FPRA is a sound professional investment providing a variety of services, benefits and opportunities. It is dedicated to programs and activities that enhance the success of the public relations professional, including:
Networking
FPRA membership puts you in contact with more than 1,400 public relations practitioners in Florida who are available through e-mail or telephone. There are more than 100 members in Southwest Florida, and we coordinate joint networking events with other area professional organizations such as PRSA and AdFed.
Professional Development
Highly educational monthly luncheon programs feature speakers on a variety of topics relevant to pubic relations and related professions. We also host PRU, a full-day professional development seminar, and a bi-annual media breakfast. Members are always welcome to participate on various committees, which offer opportunities to practice skills and share experiences with other members. Members receive White Papers on public relations topics, and the chapter gives scholarships to attend the annual FPRA state conference.
Professional Recognition
The annual Image Awards competition allows members to measure their work against other public relations practitioners in southwest Florida and prepare for the statewide Golden Image Awards competition. Receive recognition for your work and gain valuable feedback from qualified judges. The chapter also recognizes each year a Rising Star, Chapter Member of the Year, and PR Professional of the Year.
Professional Accreditation and Certification
Study sessions are available for FPRA members to help them achieve the internationally recognized rank of Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), and a second tier credential, Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC), for more seasoned members. The CPRC credential is only offered through FPRA.
Local and Statewide Job Bank
Available positions in public relations are posted on this Web site, as well as on a statewide job bank accessible to FPRA members only at www.fpra.org.
Counselors’ Network
Membership in the network is open to FPRA members who meet set criteria based on experience and accreditation. Benefits include special programming such as the mid-year meeting and annual conference breakout sessions. Other special functions, as well as an annual business meeting, are held in conjunction with FPRA's annual conference. For more information on Counselor’s Network, go to www.fpra.org.
Members Only Benefits
As an FPRA member, you have access to valuable resources only available to FPRA members, including the Members Only section of http://www.fpra.org. These resources include:
- Membership Directory
- Golden Image Award Summaries
- Chapter Management
- Job Bank
- FPRA Resources
Leadership Opportunities
FPRA offers leadership opportunities to its members to help them hone and enhance their leadership skills. Members have the opportunity to gain experience by serving in a leadership position and working with a group of public relations professionals to lead and direct our chapter, and eventually serve on the board of directors at the state association level. Leadership in FPRA helps build confidence, boosts your professional reputation and is a great experience to include on your resume. Organizational and motivational skills gained through chapter/state board or committee leadership positions can also improve and enhance work performance in your paying job.
Southwest Florida Chapter Presidents
2008 -- Barbara-Anne Urrutia
2007 -- Olivia Orth
2006 -- Nancy McCarthy, APR
2005 -- Eileyn Sobeck-Bador, APR
2004 -- Deb Webb, APR
2003 -- Karen Ryan, APR
2002 -- Kate Gooderham, APR
2001 -- Kelly Powell
2000 -- Tina Haisman, APR
1999 -- Susan Johnson
1998 -- Louisa Grace, APR
1997 -- Melinda Isley, APR
1996 -- Kurt Harclerode
1995 -- Kurt Harclerode
1994 -- Rae Nicley, APR
1993 -- Andrea Meyer, CPRC
1992 -- Mary Briggs, CPRC
1991 -- Craig Bair, CPRC
1990 -- Lynn Schneider, APR, CPRC
1989 -- Teri Hansen, APR
1988 -- Lousia Scott, APR
1987 -- Rina Henderson
1986 -- Barbara A. Schropp
1985 -- Paul Kutz
Southwest Florida Chapter Public Relations Professional of the Year
Each year FPRA honors an individual from the Southwest Florida Chapter who exemplifies the high standards of the public relations profession in Southwest Florida. The recipients of this award are nominated by the Chapter membership and must exemplify the following:
The nominee should be a Southwest Florida Chapter FPRA member in good standing.
The nominee should display a professional attitude and exercise professional conduct.
The nominee should be cooperative and supportive of fellow public relations professionals.
The nominee should be concerned with raising the professional standing of FPRA.
Recipients include:
2008 - Kara Winton, APR, CPRC
2007 - Karen Sloan, APR
2006- Mary Briggs, APR, CPRC
2005 - Kate Gooderham, APR
2004 -Melinda Isley, APR
2003- Colleen Reynolds, APR
2002 - Karen Ryan, APR
2001 - Laska Ryan, APR
2000 - Susan Johnson
1999 - Teri Hansen, APR
1998 - Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC
1997 - Lynn Schneider, APR, CPRC
1995/1996 - Andrea Meyer, APR, CPRC
1994 - Kitty Green, APR and Craig Bair, APR
1993 - Margie Byers, APR
1992 - Deb Wolfson
1991 - George Cecil
1990 - Donna Waldorf, APR
1989 - Craig Bair, APR
1988- Laurel Smith, APR
1987 - Amy Gravina, APR
Southwest Florida Chapter Member of the Year Award
Serving as an active member in a professional association requires a significant commitment of time and energy. Those individuals who go above and beyond to ensure the success of the Chapter are selected as recipients by the Chapter membership of this award and must exemplify the following:
Gave time and energy in the areas of creative thinking and actual participation in chapter programs and projects
Supported the Chapter to help raise the level of professionalism in our community
Exemplifies a professional attitude and standard of conduct
Is supportive of fellow public relations professionals
Recipients include:
2008 - Ginny Cooper
2007 - Kara Winton, APR
2006- Olivia Orth
2005- Deb Webb, APR
2004- Nancy McCarthy, APR & Debbie Steele
2003- Eileyn Sobeck-Bador, APR
2002 - Lee Rose
2001 - Kate Gooderham, APR
2000 - Kelly Powell
1999 - Tina Haisman, APR
1998 - Melinda Isley, APR
1997 - Susan Johnson
1995/1996 - Carolyn Roger, APR
1994 - Mary Briggs, APR, CPRC
1993 - Betsy Pearce
1992 - Trish Leonard
1991- Claudia O'Brien, APR
1990- Cyndi Doragh and Steve Floethe
1989- Lynn Schneider, APR, CPRC
1988 - Janette Hunt
1987- Nancy Frahmann, APR, CPRC
Southwest Florida Chapter Rising Star Award
Because FPRA focuses on enhancing the public relations profession and assisting in members' professional development a Rising Star Award was developed. This award was established to recognize members who have contributed significantly to chapter activities and their own professional development. Recipients of this prestigious award are selected by Chapter membership with the following criteria taken into consideration:
Must be a member in good standing
Is involved energetically and enthusiastically in numerous chapter projects
Seizes opportunities to develop professional career
Exhibits a desire to pursue leadership opportunities in FPRA
Is supportive of fellow public relations professionals
Displays a professional attitude and exercises professional conduct Recipients include:
2008- Vicki Collins
2007- Laura Zocki
2006- Kirsty Whelan
2005- Kaley Miller
2004- Paul Filla, APR
2003- Nancy McCarthy, APR and Olivia Orth
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