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With Truth and Transparency for All #PRSAassembly19

By Jared Meade, APR posted 08-28-2019 08:13 AM

  



Bylaw Proposal Seeks Transparency, Inclusion & Open Systems of Leadership

What would you say if I told you that a law had been passed in 2016 that took away the ability of U.S. citizens to have a say in how certain candidates are chosen for office?

What if I told you this law now allows the president and his Cabinet, before leaving office, to determine who the candidates will be for president, secretary of treasury and secretary of state – three of the most powerful positions in the government?

Would you allow this law to stand knowing that you, as a citizen, have very little input into who becomes a candidate for these positions or would you cry nepotism and demand more transparency?

"I believe transparency in government is key to restoring our nation's faith in its elected leaders." - Kirsten Gillibrand

What if in answer to any protests, government officials simply stated, we know what is best for the country and who is best suited for each of these positions?

I do not doubt that for those who love this country and who want to see it be the best that it can be, the answer to these questions would be outrage and protest. No one could in good conscience believe that this law had the best interest of the country at heart.

Thank goodness this is just a hypothetical situation for the United States of America.

Unfortunately, it is a real situation for PRSA.

In 2016, the PRSA National Board proposed a bylaw change, that was eventually passed, taking away the ability of the Nominating Committee to recommend candidates for the offices of chair-elect, treasurer and secretary. Instead, current board members now decide who the candidates for these positions will be.

When concerns were raised regarding the bylaw change removing the “checks and balances” role of the Nominating Committee, members were told in a PRsay blog post that their skepticism was “unhealthy” and that we should, “…trust them [PRSA National Board] to identify our senior-most volunteer offices.”

As a member who has great affection for PRSA and who wants to see it be the best organization it can be, I must voice my opposition to the current process for officer nominations.

It is the obligation and right of the Assembly to be able to vote (as representatives of chapters, districts sections) on a complete nominating slate of officers AND have the option to put forth candidates by petition to run from the floor of the Assembly when it convenes. 

To that effect, I am co-sponsoring a PRSA bylaw proposal to eliminate the role of the PRSA National Board in officer nominations.

My co-sponsors include Deborah Radman, APR, Fellow PRSA (2018 PRSA College of Fellows Chair and Counselors Academy member); Sam Waltz, APR, Fellow PRSA (PRSA Past National Chair, 1999); Art Stevens, APR, Fellow PRSA (a Past PRSA National Secretary, Counselors Academy member and member of both the PRSA New York Chapter and Gulf Coast Chapter) and Mary Beth West, APR, Fellow PRSA (a past PRSA National Board member, PRSA Volunteer Chapter member and National Co-Chair of Champions for PRSSA).

This bylaw proposal has met the required signature threshold to be added to the agenda at PRSA International Conference in San Diego.

The purpose of this bylaw change is to revert to the pre-2016 nomination process in order to promote accountability, transparency and to eliminate any politicization either real or perceived.

"Trust happens when leaders are transparent." - Jack Welch

In no way, is this proposal about personalities or a dislike of current or past PRSA board members. I do not know many of the current board members personally and those that I do know, I know only through interaction by email or conference call.

Frankly, this is a REFORM proposal, to restore to the Chapters and the Districts as well as the Sections some greater influence on who leads PRSA, via restoring to the elected members of the Nominating Committee – comprised of Chapter / District / Section members – a voice in the nomination of PRSA's national officers.

I desire that all PRSA chapters and Assembly delegates have an opportunity to digest all pertinent information regarding this proposal so that we can ensure they can cast a well-informed vote in October.  

If you are a current member of PRSA, I ask that you (1) give thought to what is best for PRSA membership, then look over and sign the Petition to show your support, and (2) to give thought to instructing your Assembly Delegates to support the bylaw proposal in San Diego.

Here is a link to the online petition and rationales for your convenience:https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/eliminate-role-of-prsa-board-in-officer-nominations.html

For any member who has questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. I would be more than happy to provide you with answers or address any of your concerns.

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