It’s a tradition of our monthly PPRS meetings to introduce guests (whether they like it or not!), share shameless plugs and uplift individuals for their volunteer efforts or positive impact on the community. I’d like to dedicate this month’s President’s column to the latter: giving a monumental kudos to this year’s PPRS leadership team and committee co-chairs.
PPRS has undergone a period of unprecedented change in the past two or three months, and these dedicated volunteers have not only accepted, but wholeheartedly embraced, new ideas and processes. Many have worked tirelessly to resolve issues we’ve encountered along the way, stepping up in unexpected and much appreciated ways.
First, let me thank 2020 Vice President Christine Cronkright, Secretary Joe Aponick and Treasurer Megan Earley. Christine was instrumental in our website transition and her well-considered perspective is a terrific balance to my (occasional) urge to charge forward. Joe helped us ditch an outdated Microsoft Publisher newsletter format in favor of a sleek e-newsletter he designed which allows us to track viewer interest and drive subscribers back to our website. Megan has brought the role of Treasurer into the 21st Century, converting many of our burdensome hard copy paper files into an electronic format to keep us organized and streamline the position for those that follow in her footsteps.
Next, I’d like to acknowledge three individuals who perform their PPRS roles so well that we sometimes forget they do it. Barry Ciccocioppo graciously distributes member communications and, to the best of my knowledge, has done so since before I joined the organization. His dedication to the organization is greatly appreciated. Roger Baumgarten, a master photographer, has selflessly given of his time and talents to capture PPRS moments and memories for years. In a way, he serves as an unofficial visual historian for the organization. Lori Baker Pizzarro, who just gave a stellar presentation on graphic design basics at our January meeting, annually donates her time and talents to the design and layout of our hard-copy PPRS Directory. Trust me, folks, these are no small undertakings. Barry, Roger and Lori, your efforts are noticed and appreciated.
Finally, PPRS wouldn’t be the organization it is without a strong cohort of committee chairs. Thank you to the Nominating & Professional Standards Committee Chairs Erin Waters-Trasatt, Larissa Bedrick and Crystal L. Hull, ABC, MPA; Programming Committee Chairs Beth Ann McCoy and Megan Dapp; Awards & Installation Committee Chairs Katelyn McNally, Angela Sweigart and Ruth Miller; Public Relations Committee Chairs Chelsea Hess-Moore and Erin Zakin; Special Events Committee Chairs Sara Bozich and Kait Gillis; Membership Committee Chair Kristin Kellum; Membership Outreach & Feedback Committee Chair Keri Oram; Student Development Chair Joelle Shea; Ken Robinson Memorial Scholarship Chair Sean Connolly, APR; and the Bylaws Committee Chairs Bob Fisher and Quinn Bryner. I could dedicate a half dozen paragraphs to the terrific work you’re all doing on behalf of PPRS. Please know how grateful I am for your efforts.
I feel indebted to this organization. Through it, I’ve learned of job opportunities that have changed the trajectory of my life, refined valuable skills, met an incredible and well-respected group of professionals and pushed myself to succeed at things I would have otherwise never tried. I hope you all feel the same way, because this organization is also indebted to all of you.
Thank you,
Carolyn