It’s that time of year again! For the month of March, local societies across the country are celebrating Membership Month, the crown jewel of our annual recruitment efforts which we use to foster continued growth and diversity within the society. 2021 is no different – and I don’t know about you, but I’ll take any reason to celebrate!
So, here’s three cheers to the CPRS Vancouver members who have supported the growth of the community and each other over the years – especially in this past year and beyond.
That said, there’s no better time to join as a CPRS member. All new members and those with lapsed memberships who join or renew by March 31 will save the $50 initiation fee. If your renewal date is in March, you’ll also be entered to win a $50 voucher each week. And, to sweeten the deal, if you join or renew your membership in March, you’ll also be entered to in a draw to win a YEAR’S FREE MEMBERSHIP!
And! If you’re referring members, don’t forget to have them use your name when signing up – every member you refer equals $100 off your membership fee.
We have several membership types available to fit your budget, and there are several benefits of joining, which are listed below:
The Members Network
CPRS Vancouver is nothing without its members. By joining the local chapter, you’ll be able to meet other like-minded PR and communications professionals in Vancouver – and beyond. Members also have access to the membership directory of PR practitioners across the country, discussion forum, exclusive access to CPRS Coffee Chats, a weekly forum to have frank discussions about current issues, and much more.
Professional Development
As mentioned, our events this year have gone virtual and we’ve got a great roster of upcoming events. And, because most events across the CPRS network are virtual, you’ll be able to attend other CPRS chapter events as well – and learn even more from professionals across the country.
Global Alliance Membership
One often-forgotten CPRS member perk is the member affiliation with Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Management. With this powerful membership, CPRS members in good standing can take full advantage of lower registration fees for PRSA events (often registering at the PRSA member registration rate), knowledge sharing with practitioners around the world, further special discounted rates at the World Public Relations Forum, the Global Alliance Signature Event, and so much more.
Additionally, CPRS has a special gift for its members for 2021! CPRS has made the Global Capabilities Framework (GCF) and supporting assessment tools available for all members. The GCF offers a benchmark for measuring personal and team capability in professional communication and is considered a ‘gold standard’ around the world. Take advantage of this now as a member – or join today to get access to this invaluable tool!
Accreditation and Certifications
To help practitioners pursue their goals, CPRS has created several ways to help professionals achieve them, regardless of your level of experience. If you’re a new practitioner with one to five years of experience, the Public Relations Knowledge ® Exam will help you stand out to potential employers, letting them know you’ve got what it takes to succeed in the business. For the more experienced practitioners (5 to 10 years of experience), the Accredited Public Relations (APR) ® designation might be right up your alley. And for those who have 20+ years of experience in PR, the pinnacle of achievement for any member of CPRS is ascending to the College of Fellows. Celebrate your experience and knowledge today by applying for one of these distinctions.
The Job Board
The job market is tough out there with the sheer amount of competition. CPRS Vancouver offers a private members-only job board with high-quality communications and PR postings throughout the Lower Mainland. Sample roles include a media relations advisor role with ICBC, a deputy minister for government communications and public engagement with the Government of BC, communications officer roles, and many others.
Access to the Bill Rees Learning Centre
The Bill Rees Learning Centre is CPRS National’s repository of articles, webinars and other content curated to help our members learn new skills and develop their talents. This catalogue is constantly updated with the latest and greatest, and it’s a resource worth its weight in gold.
Exclusive Discounts
As a member of the Canadian Public Relations Society, you have access to a wide range of opportunities, services, and products at exclusive rates. CPRS Members can also purchase several publications written by leading Canadian and international professionals at a reduced rate, including Public Relations Strategies & Tactics, access to PR Week, and more.
There are many other benefits to being a fully-fledged CPRS member. So, again, I’m raising my glass to everyone who’s a member – thank you for making this community what it is. I’m #CPRSProud, and you should be too. Let’s bolster our ranks and share knowledge, and be sure to keep an eye on CPRS Vancouver’s social feeds for new announcements throughout March!
About the Author
Lesley is a public relations professional who has experience in communications, marketing and public relations in the public, private and non-profit sectors, including the health care and travel sectors. She has worked as a volunteer on political campaigns and for a number of non-profit organizations.
Lesley is a graduate with honours of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where she earned a diploma in Public Relations. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society.