College of Fellows 101: Preparing to Apply

1. College of Fellows 101: Preparing to Apply Thursday, January 23, 2014 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST

2. Introductions • Anne Dubois, APR, Fellow PRSA Co-chair, GoodFellows • Margaret Ann Hennen, APR, Fellow PRSA, Co-chair, GoodFellows • Maria Russell, APR, Fellow PRSA Immediate Past Chair, College of Fellows • Jesse Gwyn, PRSA Staff Liaison, College of Fellowsjesse.gwyn@prsa.org

3. 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

4. The PRSA College of Fellows Established in 1989 Inaugural class all Gold Anvil recipients New Fellows added annually: 6-20 14 new Fellows inducted in 2013 297 active Fellows Meet Standards of Excellence

5. 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 national leadership positions

6. College of Fellows Online Resources Go to PRSA home page Click on Network, then Communities Scroll down to College of Fellows prsa.org/Network/Communities/CollegeOfFellows/index.html

7. 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/index.html

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

9. Six Sections/Criteria Accreditation Professional Experience and Qualifications Superior Professional Capability Advancement of the Profession Service and Leadership Role Model

10. Minor Changes for 2014 100-word inspirational statement replaces the role-model statement. To be submitted with 150-word biography and the 35-word summary statement. Pending business or legal matters notice on the Applicant Information form

11. 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

12. 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

13. Letters of Support Letters must be: On business letterhead or personal stationary One typewritten page in length At least 12-point font size Have an original signature Mailed or scanned and emailed as PDF Received at PRSA Headquarters by the deadline Letters should add something substantive, not repeat your resume and application

14. 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

15. 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 orreputation

16. 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

17. Reminders Names of letter writers listed on the Applicant Information Sheet 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

18. Application Tips Give yourself plenty of time Application requires thought and documentation Take credit for your accomplishments Present a body of work that has had real consequence Demonstrate each requirement from a strategic standpoint Provide examples in a situation - action - results format List contacts with phone numbers and/or emails with examples Do not exceed the page limit – 8 pages for six criteria

19. Common Mistakes Not reading the application and instructions carefully Rushing through your application Failing to proofread Not explaining your personal role in a project Failing to demonstrate the outcomeor results of an activity

20. 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

21. Schedule Example By end of February Request a GoodFellow Have letter writers confirmed By mid-March 1st application draft to GoodFellow; comments received By end of March 2nd 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 (Jesse Gwyn) Overnight Application to PRSA HQ or submit PDF electronically Thurs, May 1, 2014 – Fellows Application Deadline All materials, including letters of support, must be received by PRSA HQ by 5 pm EDT.

22. What Is a GoodFellow? GoodFellows are Fellows who: • are specially trained and prepared • coach applicants through the application process

23. About GoodFellows Coaching is available and encouraged GoodFellows are neutral; they give you an extra, knowledgeable set of eyes for your application GoodFellows are assigned – not personally selected by applicants Ensures objectivity and preparedness to assist applicants GoodFellow assignments will be made January 27 – April 1, 2014

24. More About GoodFellows GoodFellows identify, encourage and coach applicants 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 Respecttheir time. They may not be available the week before applications are due At the same time, we ask our GoodFellows to respect your time.

25. How do I get my GoodFellow? Request a GoodFellow by emailing: goodfellows@prsa.org Include your resume to expedite process

26. 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 Apr 1 Last GoodFellow assignments made May 1, 2014 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 OctNew Fellows installed, 2014 International Conference, Washington, DC, October 11

27. Application Review Process Current Fellows Chair-Elect leads the Selection Committee 15 members: Fellows officers [mandatory] 10 other Fellows selected to reflect geographic, ethnic and occupational diversity; staggered two-year terms for continuity At least one Fellow from the most recent class

28. Application Review Process EACH application receives an exhaustive review. Selection Committee members may verify an application with: Letter writers Employers PRSA members Fellows who know the applicant Others who might be expected to confirm the applicant’s qualifications The Selection Committee deliberates and makes recommendations to the PRSA Board of Directors, the body that grants Fellows membership.

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

30. Questions?

31. Contact Information General contact: goodfellows@prsa.org GoodFellows Co-Chairs: Anne Dubois, APR, Fellow PRSA ad@duboisbetourne.com Margaret Ann Hennen, APR, Fellow PRSA mahennen@gmail.com Staff Liaison: Jesse Gwyn jesse.gwyn@prsa.org