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| History ofPublic Relations Society of America Valley of the Sun ChapterPhoenix, Arizona | ||
| The idea of a public relations society in the valley originated in early 1957. After initial organizing efforts, by-laws were adopted, directors elected and charter membership of 26 approved at a meeting on March 8, 1957. The group, not affiliated with any national organization, was called the Public Relations Society of Phoenix. Four years later, the Arizona Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America held its organizational meeting in September of 1961. Tucson as well as Phoenix area professionals attended. For more than two years the two groups coexisted, with nearly identical membership lists, as least as far as Phoenix residents were involved. Finally, a joint meeting of the two Boards was held Jan. 3, 1964, to discuss a merger. The general membership of both groups later approved and the formal merger was announced March 19, 1964. In 1970 the chapter split to more effectively serve its geographically dispersed membership. A new Southern Arizona Chapter was formed with 24 members. The surviving Arizona Chapter later (1974) changed its name to the Phoenix Chapter. Over these past 30 years, the Phoenix Chapter and its predecessor organizations have built a proud history of serving the professional needs of its membership, rendering service to the community, pioneering ideas on the national scene and advancing the highest standards of the public relations profession. This record culminated in the Chapter earning four "Banner Awards" - given to the outstanding local chapter by PRSA national - and the Silver Gavel award for outstanding chapter planning. Phoenix was the first chapter to ever establish such a record. | ||
| Other Milestones | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1959-64 | First through six annual PR institutes conducted by PRSA. | |
| 1963 | First PR course at Phoenix College scheduled and taught by chapter members. | |
| 1966 | First professional development seminar, "PR in Shirt Sleeves." | |
| 1967 | Chapter begins widespread program to prepare for Accreditation: pioneering effort includes massive "teach-in" and gains national recognition. | |
| 1968 | Chapter hosts first district seminar; more than 100 attend. | |
| 1970 | First Phoenix Film Festival, sponsored by the chapter. | |
| 1972 | First District Chairman from Phoenix - "Bee" Pine, APR, and long-nourished education program flowers with development of Associate of Arts degree in PR at Phoenix College; five three-credit courses taught by chapter members from the curriculum. The first in the nation. | |
| 1974 | First Chapter seminar co-sponsored with ASU - "Public Relations For Non-Public Relations Executives." Mini-seminars scheduled where senior members share their experiences with younger members - a distant forerunner of the Mentor Program. | |
| 1977 | NAU PRSSA Chapter formed. | |
| 1978 | "Innies" vs. "Outies" compete at a chapter summer outing. First Silver Anvil District PR session. First Suppliers Day. | |
| 1981 | First Board mini-retreat held to plan upcoming year. Chapter newsletter, The Communicator, born. Job Bank created. First Chapter Banner Award. | |
| 1982 | Chapter membership passes 100 for the first time. Nationally acclaimed mentor program established. First Phoenix Award luncheon. PR degree sequence at ASU established. ASU PRSSA Chapter formed. Second Chapter Banner Award. | |
| 1983 | First Summer Institute at NAU. Phoenix College announced - precursor to PRSA national's marketing campaign. Silver Gavel Award. Third Chapter Banner Award. | |
| 1984 | Chapter membership passes 200. Phoenix selected to host 1991 PRSA National Conference. | |
| 1986 | First Chapter member elected to National PRSA Board - Pete Klute, APR. | |
| 1987 | Fourth Chapter Banner Award. Chapter established scholarship program for NAU and ASU PRSSA members. Chapter won national PRSA award for its community-wide Illiteracy Awareness campaign. | |
| 1988 | Chapter conducted first Comprehensive Valley wide public relations practitioner profile survey and hired its first intern through the PRSSA Pride Program. | |
| 1989 | Barbara Van Fleet serves as Chairman-elect for the South Pacific District. | |
| 1991 | Chapter hosts PRSA National Conference in Phoenix. | |
| 1992 | Croatia HotelesPRSA National conducts its first Professional Development Seminar in Phoenix. | |
| 1993 | Name changed to Valley of the Sun Chapter. District Chapter Banner Award. Chapter leads district membership growth. | |
| 1994 | PRSA National conducts a second Professional Development Seminar in Phoenix. | |
| 1995 | Chapter begins contest to send a member to PRSA National Conference. | |
| 1996 | South Pacific District becomes the Western District and two Colorado chapters join the District. | |
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