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The Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (Minnesota PRSA) celebrated the 47th annual Classics Awards on April 24 at the Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom in Golden Valley.

The Minnesota chapter of PRSA has two more members entering the College of Fellows this fall – Brooke Worden, APR, Fellow PRSA, President, The Rudin Group; and Mike Porter, Ed.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, Distinguished Service Professor, University of St. Thomas.

Minnesota PRSA and The Hubbard School at the University of Minnesota co-sponsored an important panel discussion focused on the roles and responsibilities of media and PR professionals during a crisis.

COVID-19 has brought uncertainty and a new normal to our work and daily lives. Trusted, clear, consistent communication has never been more critical as we lead through rapid change and transition to new ways of working together.

On April 2nd, Minnesota PRSA hosted a free virtual town hall designed to bring our member community together to share experiences, best practices and advice with one another.

Professional development, building connections and refreshing and introducing the chapter’s strategic plan are key 2020 focus areas

The time has come to cast your vote on the slate of nominees for open positions on the 2020 Minnesota PRSA Board of Directors.

Are you interested in serving on Minnesota PRSA's Board of Directors in 2020? The chapter’s nominating committee will meet this fall to nominate five Minnesota PRSA directors, and the nominees will come before a vote of the entire Minnesota PRSA membership leading up to our 2019 Annual Meeting on December 4.

In the past, all nominees were required to have earned their accreditation in public relations (APR) in order to be considered. Following a chapter bylaw change in 2018, up to two Board of Director positions are open to non-APR members.

The Minnesota chapter of PRSA has an unprecedented number of new members entering the College of Fellows this fall. Of the 11 new members, three hail from Minnesota - Thomas J. Jollie, APR, Fellow PRSA, senior vice president, Padilla; Paul G. Omodt, APR, Fellow PRSA, owner and principal, Omodt & Associates Critical Communications LLC; and Janet E. Swiecichowski, APR, Fellow PRSA, vice president, CEL Marketing|PR|Design.

In June, Janet Swiecichowski, APR, was elected by the Minnesota PRSA Board of Directors to fulfill the remainder of Kimberly Albert’s two-year term. Kimberly resigned from the board in March due to personal and work commitments. Per the chapter’s bylaws, successors will be nominated by the President and elected by the board. Janet’s term will end in December 2019.

“We were very diligent about finding the right candidate to fill the board vacancy,” said Minnesota PRSA President Eva Keiser, APR. “As we approach, the organization’s 70th year, it was extremely important that the successor has been active in the organization and was committed to helping shape Minnesota PRSA’s future.”

In her role on the board, Janet will be working closely with the chapter's executive team as it conducts extensive member and nonmember research as part of the strategic planning process.

Janet previously served on the Minnesota PRSA Board in 2001-2002 and has been activ

Tom Jollie, APR and senior vice president at Padilla, received the Donald G. Padilla Distinguished Practitioner Award at the 41st annual PRSA Classic Awards on May 2. The peer-judged award, created in 1996, honors the late public relations pioneer Donald G. Padilla and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and contributions to the profession of public relations, has contributed to the mission of PRSA and has volunteered their time and talents toward making our community better.

Starting as a student, Huggins continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening the organization’s relevance within the local PR community.

Minnesota PRSA has awarded Katie Huggins, external communications specialist at Best Buy, with its Rising Star award. The award celebrates accomplishments of exceptional members of the chapter who have served three to seven years in the industry, post-graduation. Higgins received the award at Minnesota Public Relations society of America (PRSA) Classics on May 2.

Minnesota becomes nation’s first chapter to elect Board-level Diversity and Inclusion Officer;

2019 Board of Directors unanimously elects Marsha Pitts-Phillips to newly created role.

UPDATE - At the December 5, 2018 Minnesota PRSA Annual Meeting, the proposed bylaw changes were approved by the membership. The changes to the bylaws are outlined below.

Minnesota PRSA Honors Paul Maccabee with Donald G. Padilla Award
Using 30 Years of PR Experience, Maccabee has Supported Causes that Focus on Community Improvement, Social Justice

MINNEAPOLIS (May 30, 2018) – Minnesota PRSA has awarded Holli Henderson, a marketing communications manager at U.S. Bank, with its Young Professional of the Year Award. The award celebrates the accomplishments of exceptional members of the chapter who have served three to seven years in the industry, post-graduation. Henderson received the award at Minnesota Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Classics on April 19.

Exponent PR Clinches Best of Show at 40th anniversary edition of Classics Awards, 45 other award-winners formally recognized

Jilliaen Fiebelkorn and Karen Johnson, both recent graduates of Metropolitan State University, recently earned their Certificates in Principles of Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Both women earned the honor in June 2017.

Since 1996, Minnesota PRSA has been a place where I learned new skills, broadened my perspective, developed leadership abilities and connected with peers.

Over the years, the greatest value has come from the individuals I’ve met, the colleagues I volunteered alongside and the network Minnesota PRSA helped me create.