Resources

  • Our board and committees help keep Alabama PRSA active, welcoming and useful for members across the state. From events and professional development to networking, student outreach and chapter support, these roles help create the kind of chapter people want to be part of.

    If you would like to get more involved, reach out to our President, Buffy L. Lockette, APR.

    President

    Leads the chapter by setting direction for the year, guiding board meetings and helping each chair stay connected to the chapter’s larger goals. This role works across every area of the board to keep communication strong, support progress between meetings and make sure chapter business, programming and leadership needs are moving forward in a steady way. The president also represents Alabama PRSA in key national settings and serves as a central resource for the full board.

    President Elect

    Supports the president while preparing to step into the chapter’s top leadership role, gaining a full view of operations and strategy. This position plays a key role in programming and board engagement, helping ensure continuity and forward momentum year to year.

    Secretary

    Responsible for keeping clear, timely records of board meetings and helping the board stay organized throughout the year. This includes taking detailed minutes, sharing notes promptly after meetings and helping track decisions, next steps and committee updates so everyone stays informed and accountable. The role also supports strong internal communication among board members.

    Treasurer

    Oversees the chapter’s financial activity and helps the board make sound decisions about budgeting, spending and long term stability. This person manages receipts and disbursements, prepares financial updates for the board and provides an annual financial statement for members. The role also works closely with other chairs to make sure chapter funds are handled carefully and in support of programming, membership and chapter priorities.

    Immediate Past President

    Provides continuity and institutional knowledge to support current leadership and board success. This role serves as a trusted advisor, helping guide decision making and maintain consistency across leadership transitions.

    Explore Board Roles and Committee Responsibilities

    The board chair roles below each include committee responsibilities that help support the chapter throughout the year. Review the responsibilities of each area to see where your interests, experience and availability may be a good fit to support a committee.

    Accreditation

    Supports members who are pursuing or maintaining their APR credential and serves as a knowledgeable guide throughout that process. This group promotes accreditation within the chapter, helps plan or share APR preparation opportunities, coordinates panel presentations and serves as a resource for both candidates and current APRs. The role also makes sure newly accredited members are recognized and that accreditation remains a visible and valued part of the chapter’s professional development efforts.

    Communications

    Handles how the chapter communicates with members and prospective members through the website, newsletter and social media. This group keeps chapter information current, makes sure events and updates are clearly promoted and helps coordinate communication needs across the board, especially when it comes to meetings, registration details and member outreach.

    Community Service

    Plans opportunities for members to give back in ways that are meaningful, practical and easy to participate in throughout the year. This may include service projects connected to chapter meetings, drives or other efforts that support nonprofits and communities across Alabama. The role works closely with programs, membership and communications to make service a visible and consistent part of the chapter experience.

    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Works to make sure the chapter’s work reflects a broad range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences in thoughtful and practical ways. This person looks at chapter programming, leadership, communications and member experience through an inclusive lens and helps identify ways to better reflect PRSA’s diversity standards and values. The role also contributes regular content to chapter communications and leads planning around PRSA Diversity Month in October.

    Ethics

    Keeps ethical practice front and center in the chapter’s work while serving as a key connection to PRSA’s Code of Ethics. This person shares guidance with both board members and the chapter at large, contributes ethics focused content to the newsletter and plans the chapter’s September programming for Ethics Month. By tying ethical principles to real situations communicators face, this role helps members approach their work with sound judgment and greater confidence.

    Membership

    Leads efforts to recruit, retain and reconnect members across the state while helping shape a long term vision for chapter growth. This includes following up with prospective members, reaching out to dropped members, strengthening relationships with employers and connecting with PRSSA students and recent graduates as they enter the profession. The role also keeps member benefits visible, helps maintain accurate membership information and works closely with regional coordinators and chapter communications to keep people engaged.

    Professional Development

    Creates learning opportunities that help members grow in their careers and stay current in the field. This includes planning special programs such as Women in PR and Black Men in PR, coordinating with PRSA national and other partner organizations and helping identify topics members want most, such as leadership, strategy, storytelling and emerging trends. The role works closely with the programs committee to make sure development opportunities are timely, relevant and useful.

    Programs

    Leads planning for the chapter’s monthly meetings and helps shape much of the member experience throughout the year. This includes identifying topics, securing speakers, coordinating locations, building agendas and managing event details that make each program successful. Because monthly programming is one of the chapter’s most visible member benefits, this role has a direct impact on engagement, attendance and the overall value members receive from Alabama PRSA.

    Regional Coordinators

    Serve as the chapter’s local connection points across Alabama, helping build relationships and support chapter involvement in their regions. These board members identify prospective members, organize networking opportunities, connect with nearby PRSSA chapters and help the programs team find speakers and local partnerships. Their efforts strengthen the chapter’s presence statewide and help members across Alabama feel seen, included and connected.

    PRSSA Liaison

    Serves as the main link between our board and the PRSSA professional advisors who support universities across the state. This role helps strengthen connections between student chapters and professional members by promoting mentorship, scholarships and student engagement opportunities, while also coordinating the annual student awards program. Alabama PRSA has professional advisors assigned to each school it supports, and this role plays an important role in keeping those relationships active, organized and connected to the chapter’s broader goals.

    Sponsorship Chair

    Leads the chapter’s sponsorship efforts and helps build the support needed to strengthen major events and special initiatives throughout the year. This role works with event leaders to identify prospects, develop outreach materials, keep sponsorship asks coordinated across events and create a clear process for online giving through the chapter website. They also work closely with the treasurer to track donations accurately, make sure sponsors receive the recognition and benefits they were promised and handle follow up such as thank you messages, receipts and ongoing relationship care.

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