Scripps PRSSA Executive Board elections happen every spring semester, in order for successors of the executive board to fully transition their predecessors before their term begins on June 1. Members can apply to serve on the executive board by submitting a cover letter to scrippsprssa@ohio.edu. After submitting cover letters, applicants must prepare and present a one minute speech that outlines their desire and ideas for the position. For each position a member applies to, there needs to be a tailored cover letter and speech. Interested in learning more about Scripps PRSSA executive board and the roles of each board member? Ask any of our current executive board members or read below for position descriptions.
Position Descriptions
Chapter President
The Scripps PRSSA Chapter President is responsible for overseeing the executive board, general operations and successes of the Chapter. Several duties of the position include leading general and executive board meetings, creating meeting agendas and decks and designating any upcoming Chapter events. In addition, the Chapter President serves as a liaison between any outside entities of the Chapter. As the leader of the organization, the Chapter President is in charge of making adjustments and/or executive decisions that will best benefit the Chapter. Ultimately, the Scripps PRSSA Chapter President is the face of the Chapter and must respectfully reflect Scripps PRSSA in all they do.
Skills Gained: Leadership, team management, event planning, networking
Works Closely With: Faculty Adviser, Professional Adviser, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, PRSSA National, Executive Vice President
Time Commitment: 8-10 hrs/wk
Executive Vice President
The Scripps PRSSA Executive Vice President establishes new and maintains current relationships with alumni and professionals by scheduling the Chapter’s weekly speakers. Several duties of this position include overseeing all Chapter programming, inviting speakers to a networking dinner after each meeting, leading Scripps PRSSA Diversity Committee and being in constant communication with any potential speakers. In addition, the Executive Vice President of the Chapter assists and stands in for the Chapter President during any absences. Ultimately, the Scripps PRSSA Executive Vice President’s top priority is taking into consideration the interest of the Chapter and programming new, innovative speakers that cover a variety of industries, backgrounds and topics.
Skills Gained: Leadership, project management, event planning, networking
Works Closely With: Professionals/Alumni, Chapter President, Vice President of Public Relations, Vice President of Member Relations, Vice President of External Relations
Time Commitment: 4-5 hrs/wk, in addition to hours over summer break for fall programming and hours over winter break for spring programming
Vice President of Member Relations
The Vice President of Member Relations serves as a liaison between PRSSA members and the executive board. This position communicates with members and transcribes feedback, by conducting surveys to gauge chapter performance. This position constructs the mentor/mentee program, and serves as a mentor for students interested in joining
The Scripps PRSSA Vice President of Member Relations serves as a liaison between the executive board and Chapter members. Several responsibilities include networking with current members, recruiting new members, constructing the Chapter’s mentor/mentee program, taking meeting attendance, updating dues-paying members list, classroom pitching and sending out weekly emails that cover the Chapter’s upcoming events. In addition, the Vice President of Member Relations is tasked with Scripps PRSSA’s Weekly Member Spotlight, where they spotlight a new member at every Chapter meeting. Ultimately, the Vice President of Members Relations has an emphasis on not only maintaining relationships with current members but also recruiting new members to join Scripps PRSSA.
Skills Gained: Event planning, networking, email marketing
Works Closely With: Chapter Members, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism (during recruitment), Chapter President, Vice President of Visual Communication, Vice President of Social Affairs
Time Commitment: 4-5 hrs/wk
Vice President of External Relations
The Scripps PRSSA Vice President of External Relations is responsible for informing members of professional opportunities in the school and industry. Each week, the Vice President of External Relations sends out a weekly external update email that outlines job and internship opportunities on both the local and national level. In addition, the Vice President of External Relations must construct the professional mentor/mentee program, where Chapter members are paired with an alike professional. Other duties of this role include sending the weekly speaker a thank you note and serving as the liaison between Central Ohio PRSA (COPRSA).
Skills Gained: Email marketing, networking, event planning
Works Closely With: Professionals/Alumni, COPRSA, Chapter President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Member Relations
Time Commitment: 4-5 hrs/wk
Vice President of Finance
The Scripps PRSSA Vice President of Finance is responsible for any financial actions on behalf of the Chapter. Several duties of this position include noting any expenditures and/or deposits made from the Chapter’s bank account, reimbursing any executive board members or general members for Chapter purchases, ensuring PRSSA National receives all of Scripps PRSSA’s dues-paying members information, planning Chapter fundraisers, showcasing any scholarship opportunities and managing the Chapter’s budget. In addition, the Vice President of Finance is in charge of communicating with the Student-Activities Commission (SAC) for funds every semester and attending any necessary SAC audits or meetings. Ultimately, the Vice President of Finance is monetarily responsible for Scripps PRSSA.
Skills Gained: Monetary management, budgeting, event planning, fundraising
Works Closely With: Faculty Adviser, Chapter President, Executive Vice President, PRSSA National, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Student-Activities Commission
Time Commitment: 4-5 hrs/wk
Vice President of Public Relations
The Scripps PRSSA Vice President of Public Relations has the primary role of serving as the editor-in-chief of Scripps PRSSA’s PR Success, a bi-semester newsletter filled with members’ writing contributions. As editor-in-chief of PR Success, the Vice President of Public Relations is responsible for recruiting writers and photographers, brainstorming each newsletter theme and copy editing stories. Several other responsibilities in this role include writing each week’s speaker recap, monitoring Scripps PRSSA’s blog, heading Scripps PRSSA’s Publications Committee, updating the Chapter’s website and writing any press releases about the Chapter’s successes and/or important events.
Skills Gained: Writing, copy editing, project management, organization
Works Closely With: Chapter Members, Vice President of Digital Communications, Vice President of Visual Communication
Time Commitment: 5-7 hrs/wk
Vice President of digital communications
The Scripps PRSSA Vice President of Digital Communications is responsible for managing and monitoring all of the Chapter’s social media channels, which includes: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. In addition, the Vice President of Digital Communications is tasked with live tweeting during each Chapter meeting, creating monthly content calendars and aligning the Chapter’s channels with any social media trends. Ultimately, the Vice President of Digital Communications is the face of all of the Chapter’s social media channels.
Skills Gained: Copy writing, social media management
Works Closely With: Vice President of Visual Communication, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Member Relations, Vice President of Social Affairs
Time Commitment: 4-5 hrs/wk
Vice President of Social Affairs
The Scripps PRSSA Vice President of Social Affairs is responsible for planning and executing all social events outside of weekly Chapter meetings. Several events include informational sessions, professional workshops, new member socials, member bonding events (i.e. Halloween movie night) and executive board bonding events. In addition, the Vice President of Social Affairs is tasked with planning all of Scripps PRSSA’s annual traditions which includes: pumpkin carving social, homecoming alumni breakfast, Thanksgiving dinner, ugly Christmas sweater social and the end of the year awards banquet. As the leader of the Chapter’s events, the Vice President of Social Affairs is responsible for overseeing Scripps PRSSA’s Social Affairs Committee and delegating members’ tasks.
Skills Gained: Leadership, event planning, project management, networking
Works Closely With: Chapter President, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Digital Communications, Vice President of Visual Communication
Time Commitment: 8-10 hrs/wk
Vice President of Visual Communication
The Scripps PRSSA Vice President of Visual Communication is responsible for any of the Chapter’s visual assets, including (but not limited to): social media content (images and/or graphics), promotional material (i.e. flyers for involvement fair), blog headers and website graphics. In addition, the Vice President of Visual Communication is headed with designing and assembling four editions of PR Success, Scripps PRSSA’s Chapter Newsletter, throughout their term. Graphic design experience is required, photography experience is a plus.
Skills Gained: Graphic design, content creation, copy editing, project management
Works Closely With: Executive Vice President, Vice President of Digital Communications, Vice President of Public Relations, Vice President of Social Affairs, Vice President of Member Relations
Time Commitment: 8-10 hrs/wk