College of Fellows 101: Preparing to Apply Thursday, January 29, :30 AM – 12:30 PM EST Thursday, January 29, :30 AM – 12:30 PM EST

Introductions Anne Dubois, APR, Fellow PRSA Co-chair, GoodFellows Geri A. Evans, APR, Fellow PRSA Co-chair, GoodFellows Steve Seekins, APR, Fellow PRSA Chair, College of Fellows Rosie Torres, PRSA Staff Liaison, College of Fellows Anne Dubois, APR, Fellow PRSA Co-chair, GoodFellows Geri A. Evans, APR, Fellow PRSA Co-chair, GoodFellows Steve Seekins, APR, Fellow PRSA Chair, College of Fellows Rosie Torres, PRSA Staff Liaison, College of Fellows

Today’s Agenda What is the PRSA College of Fellows? Where can I find information online? How do I apply? What are common application mistakes? What is a GoodFellow?  Would I benefit from having one? Q & A

The PRSA College of Fellows Established in 1989 Inaugural class all Gold Anvil recipients New Fellows added annually: new Fellows inducted in active Fellows Meet Standards of ExcellenceStandards of Excellence

Who Are Fellows? Public relations professionals from all areas of practice:  Agencies, consultants, educational institutions, government, health care, corporate, associations, etc.  Some retired  All recognized with awards  Most have served PRSA in local, district and/or national leadership positions

College of Fellows Online Resources  Go to PRSA home page Click on Network Select College of Fellows prsa.org/Network/Communities/CollegeOfFellows/

College of Fellows – Online Resources, cont Contents  Membership Criteria  Application Instructions  Applicant Information Sheet  Application  Chapter/Section/District Comment Form - To be accompanied by a letter prsa.org/Network/Communities/ CollegeOfFellows

Who is Eligible? A PRSA member who:  Is Accredited  Has practiced or taught 20 years or more (240 months) superior capability  Demonstrates superior capability as a PR practitioner or PR educator  Has advanced the profession  Provides service and leadership role model for others  Exhibits personal and professional qualities as a role model for others

Six Sections/Criteria 1.Accreditation 2.Professional Experience and Qualifications

Six Sections/Criteria 3.Superior Professional Capability 4.Advancement of the Profession 5.Service and Leadership 6.Role Model

Letters of Support First-time applicants need six letters:  1 letter from your Chapter/Section/District  Accompanies a Comment Form  Must be signed by an officer or the immediate past president/chair and explain why comments were made  The same Chapter/Section/District officer can submit Comment Forms and Letters for multiple applicants from that Chapter/Section/District  4 letters from public relations professionals or public relations educators  1 letter from someone who is not a public relations practitioner or PR educator

Letters of Support - Restrictions Only one letter per writer, per year  Exception: Chapter/Section/District Officer Comment Form and Letter No letters from:  Members of PRSA Board of Directors  College of Fellows Officers or Members of the Selection Committee  Your GoodFellow

Tips for Great Letters Ask your letter writers early  Make sure they can meet the deadline  Provide tactful reminders before deadline Consider the right person(s) to ask  Examples: Executive-level colleagues, current or past supervisors, Fellows, APRs, clients, clergy, elected officials, community contacts, academic faculty and administrators, former students or others you have mentored who have successful or impressive careers

Tips for Great Letters Writers should:  Know you well  Have appropriate stature  Briefly explain why/how they are in a position to write on your behalf Writers who address the criteria do the most for your application  Should be able to discuss your professional accomplishments, contributions to the profession, service as a role model, capabilities, ethics, integrity or reputation

Red Flags The letter repeats the resume It arrives too late (Must meet deadline or application cannot be accepted.) There are no letters from a Fellow or an APR or two The Chapter, Section or District declines to send a comment form and letter

Reminders Names of letter writers listed on the Applicant Information Form must match those on letters HQ receives Letters must be on business or personal stationery with contact information Letters must be signed and submitted by the letter writer There are separate instruction for re-applicants

Common Mistakes Not reading the application and instructions carefully Rushing through your application Failing to proofread Exceeding 8 pages; narrowing the margins; using wrong size font Not explaining your personal role in a project Failing to demonstrate the outcome or results of an activity

Common Mistakes Being too modest Failing to explain how you advanced the profession Claiming a "first" but failing to substantiate it Not proving the requested five examples in criterion 3, 4, 5 and 6 Failing to ask if you have questions -- Thanks to David H. Simon, APR, Fellow PRSA, 1998 Fellows Chair

Schedule Example By end of February  Request a GoodFellow  Have letter writers confirmed By mid-March  1 st application draft to GoodFellow; comments received By end of March  2 nd application draft to GoodFellow Early to mid-April  Comments received; final application draft to GoodFellow  Contact letter writers to complete drafts End of April  Final comments received; final tweaks and proofing  Encourage letter writers to get letters to PRSA HQ (Rosie Torres)  Overnight Application to PRSA HQ or submit PDF electronically Thurs, May 7, 2015 – Fellows Application Deadline All materials, including letters of support, must be received by PRSA HQ by 5 pm EDT.

What Is a GoodFellow? GoodFellows are Fellows who:  are specially trained and prepared  coach applicants through the application process  are neutral; they give you an extra, knowledgeable set of eyes for your application GoodFellows are Fellows who:  are specially trained and prepared  coach applicants through the application process  are neutral; they give you an extra, knowledgeable set of eyes for your application

About GoodFellows They don’t ensure selection They don’t approve, sign-off or write your application They can’t write a letter of support for you They are assigned – not personally selected by applicants  Ensures objectivity and preparedness to assist applicants Coaching is available and encouraged

How do I get my GoodFellow? Request a GoodFellow by ing: Remember: Include your resume You must request a GoodFellow before March 15, 2015

Important Dates Oct/Feb Fellows encourage qualified PRSA members to apply Nov/Feb Application materials updated, tools developed Jan/Feb Informational sessions held for GoodFellows and potential applicants; GoodFellows matched with applicants Chair appoints Selection Committee Mar 15, 2015Last GoodFellow assignments May 7, 2015 Applications due at PRSA HQ by 5 pm EST Mid-May/Mid-June Screening occurs July Selection Committee deliberates Late July PRSA Board reviews and approves Aug New Fellows notified Nov New Fellows installed, 2015 International Conference, Atlanta, GA, November 7

Application Review Process  Current Fellows Chair-Elect leads the Selection Committee  15 members on Selection Committee EACH application receives an exhaustive review. Selection Committee members verify an application’s statements with letter writers, contacts provided and others The Selection Committee deliberates and makes recommendations to the PRSA Board of Directors, the body that grants Fellows membership.

Frequently Asked Questions Can my Chapter President write more than one letter to be submitted with the Chapter Comment Form? What if my application is denied by the Selection Committee? What if I can’t meet the deadline due to extenuating circumstances? What if my application is not accepted due to a technicality? Can I file the application electronically instead of sending by mail?

Your Questions?

Contact Information General contact: GoodFellows Co-Chairs:  Anne Dubois, APR, Fellow PRSA  Geri Evans, APR, Fellow PRSA Staff Liaison:  Rosie Torres