2020 Year in Review

Summary: The Coronavirus Pandemic presented unique challenges for planning special events in 2020. However, PRSA Phoenix stepped up to the challenge and quickly shifted gears from hosting in-person events to hosting virtual events to keep chapter members engaged.

2020 P&L Statment

Professional Development Highlights

Professional Development Committee: Cynthia Weaver, Heather Vana, Constance Wilson, Savannah Harrelson, Krista Paniagua, Diane Smith and ASU PR Lab students. The Professional Development committee had the support of the entire board who assisted with event suggestions and speaker selection.

Highlights & Results:

• Frequent engagement of our members

• Created new partnerships w/ diverse community groups and affinity Journalism organizations

• Co-hosted events with various collaborators including AZABJ and SPJ

• Provided timely/relevant programming in response to current events

• Provided membership more diversity & inclusion event programming than ever before

• Created Wednesday Wisdom virtual discussion series featuring various trending topics with credible speakers

Timeline:

January

• Hosted webinar w/ HARO Founder

February

• Hosted in-person roundtable “Pitching Diverse Stories to the Media discussion w/ AZABJ

• March Women PR Execs Panel Discussion @ Burton Barr Library *canceled due to COVID outbreak and stay at home orders

April

• Professional Development Committee brainstorming/shift to virtual programming

May

• 1st Wednesday Wisdom/Open Discussion Happy Hour

June

• Co-presented Race and the Media w/ AZABJ

• LGBTQ+ Wednesday Wisdom Discussion about Supreme Court rulings

July

• Indigenous Communicators & Journalists Wednesday Wisdom Discussion

August

• Bye Month/No Events

September

• Ethics Discussion w/ Paula Pedene

• SPJ “Switching Seats Discussion”

• Copper Anvils October Hispanic Heritage Month Discussion w/ Monica Villalobos, AZ Hispanic Chamber

November

• Bye Month/No Events

December

• PRSA Phoenix Virtual Holiday Party