Showing posts with label APR Accreditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label APR Accreditation. Show all posts

Monday, February 14, 2011

It’s not too late to pursue your APR!

Study sessions for candidates interested in pursuing their Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) begin this week – Thursday, Feb. 18 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Briggs & Rogers office, 7680 Cambridge Manor Place in Fort Myers. It’s not too late to join us as we begin 10 weeks of study sessions in preparation for the APR’s oral and written exams. Accreditation is encouraged for public relations practitioners with at least five years of PR experience. To learn more about the process, call or email us today. Or, feel free to join us on Feb. 18. We hope to see you!

Mary Briggs, APR, CPRC
239-278-3900
 
Kara Winton, APR, CPRC
239-464-4308

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Congratulations to Melissa Simontis, APR


Congratulations to Melissa Simontis, APR, for successfully passing the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations and becoming an Accredited public relations practitioner. Melissa received her APR pin on the December 6th business meeting.



For those of you who are considering making this commitment to your professional development, it may interest you to learn that the APR status is recognized not only by FPRA, but also PRSA and seven other PR associations. And, perhaps more importantly, an accredited practitioner generally earns 20 percent more than non-Accredited members. If you want to join this elite group, contact credential co-chairs Mary Briggs, APR, CPRC at mary@briggsrogers.com or Kara Winton, APR, CPRC at pkwinton@earthlink.net.

Make accreditation #1 on 1-11-11!

Do you have five years of PR experience and want to take your career to the next level? Are you interested in pursuing Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)? Then what better way to start a new year than setting a professional goal of making accreditation #1 on 1-11-11?

Join us on Jan. 11, 2011 for an informational meeting. We will share with you an overview of the accreditation process and talk to you about the next round of study sessions set to begin in February. We’ll discuss the best days/times for everyone involved and plot a course for you to pass the exam and earn those coveted initials – APR!

Why pursue accreditation?
  • 1 – Among FPRA chapters we are the only 1 to provide candidates electronic flash cards!
  • 11 – Join us for 1 meeting plus 10 study sessions and you will be prepared for the oral presentation and written APR exam.
  • 11 – We guarantee you will receive at least 11 congratulatory emails within the first hour after we announce to the chapter you’ve earned your accreditation!
OK, there are a lot of other reasons to pursue accreditation, and we would love the chance to talk to you about them. Don’t forget to join us on 1-11-11. We’ll meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Briggs and Rogers office, 7680 Cambridge Manor Place in Fort Myers. If you have any questions, or to let us know you plan to attend, please click on either of our names below.

Ensuring the success of each candidate is our #1 priority!
Mary Briggs, APR, CPRC and Kara Winton, APR, CPRC
Credentialing Co-Chairs

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

How Competitive Are YOU in Today’s Marketplace?

Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC) certification are two proactive, affordable “short term investment/long term benefit” opportunities available to FPRA members. For less than the cost of many one-day seminars, Accreditation and Certification offer credentials that can last a lifetime.

Accreditation is offered through the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) to members of participating organizations, including FPRA. Though five years of public relations practice was previously required, ALL members are eligible regardless of years of experience. However, the objective, multiple-choice, computer exam does test a variety of knowledge, skills and abilities, so members interested in seeking accreditation need to be prepared in a variety of skill areas.

Certification is a unique, second tier credential offered exclusively to FPRA members. Candidates must have previously earned their APR and have ten or more years experience in the field of public relations. Though it is a second tier credential, it is not APR 2.0. This exam is a subjective exam that requires candidates to draw from their experience to solve problems and present solutions. Earning the CPRC credential involves passing a written exam (16 essay questions) and an oral exam (presentation of a public relations program or project).

For more information on Accreditation and Certification, as well as any available chapter or State Association rebates, please contact Mary Briggs, Accreditation Chair for the Southwest Florida FPRA Chapter.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Mark your Calendars! All upcoming chapter events in one list.

Here are some upcoming Southwest Florida FPRA events:

March 2nd: Mary Briggs, APR, CPRC and Kara Winton, APR, CPRC, have scheduled a sessions to help APR candidates prepare for the Readiness Review. Let Mary or Kara know if you are interested!

March 8th: Monthly Business Meeting - "Building Bridges for Mutual Benefit" presented by Jack Levine, a communications and public policy consultant and founder of 4 Generations Institute. Mr. Levine was a featured speaker at the FPRA annual conference in 2009.

March 11th: Submit your local Image Award entries by 5 p.m. today.

March 16th: Planning session for candidates to learn more about the remaining part of the APR process and to give their input on the best meeting day/time for the study sessions, which will begin soon. Contact Mary or Kara for more information.

March 23rd: Judging takes place today for the local Image Awards.

March 26th: 2nd Annual Pro Bono Day  from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lee County Elections Center, 13180 S. Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33907. Especially useful for non-profits or small businesses who may or may not have a full time PR professional on staff. Chock-full of tips and advice! Register at http://www.fpraswfl.org/. Cost: FREE.

April 14th: Image Awards banquet.  Location TBD.

May 4th: Monthly Business Meeting - "Bridging Politics and Public Relations: Trends & Strategies that Can Make or Break a Campaign" presented by Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall and Lee County Supervisor of Elections Sharon Harrington.

May 12th: FRPA-AdFed Mixer event is in the works. More details to come.

June 8th: Monthly Business Meeting & Media Breakfast. Details coming soon.

July 13th: Monthly Business Meeting & FPRA Annual Meeting.

July 14th: FRPA Media Day - Open to the first 25 FPRA members to register (watch for details). This event will feature a full day of training and interaction with news executives from both The News-Press and NBC-2.

August 3rd: Monthly Business Meeting - "Bridging Yesterday with Today: Lessons Learned from a Rutbuster" presented by Myra Daniels, founder, chairman and CEO of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts and the Naples Museum of Art. Myra will also bring copies of her book for sale.

August 8th – 11th: FPRA's Annual Conference. The Association's Most Anticipated Professional Development Events of the Year. Held at the Naples Grande, in Naples Florida. Registration Fee: $595/pp

For four days, FPRA members, as well as other PR professionals around the region, join together for one common goal — to enhance their career through professional development seminars led by nationally recognized speakers and networking opportunities.

By offering experts on a variety of industry-related topics, FPRA’s goal for Annual Conference is to present tools, tactics and strategies that its members can immediately apply and implement in their jobs.

September 7th: Monthly Business Meeting.

Register by visiting http://www.fpra.org/.

APR Study Sessions planned to help candidates achieve accreditation


Study sessions are beginning soon to help candidates prepare to sit for the APR exam.
Are you eligible? Do you know candidates who are?

Accreditation co-chairs Mary Briggs, APR, CPRC and Kara Winton, APR, CPCR, have scheduled two sessions to help APR candidates prepare for the Readiness Review: February 16 and March 2. Then, a planning session is scheduled for March 16 for candidates to learn more about the remaining part of the APR process and to give their input on the best meeting day/time for the study sessions, which will begin soon after.

Mark these dates on your calendar and let Mary or Kara know if you are interested! And if you are already accredited, please encourage a friend to start the process!