Take Your Firm to the Next Level: Apply For National Affiliation
You created a student-run firm. You have a solid infrastructure within the firm, including a mission statement and position breakdown. You have set clients and from them great case studies of how to run a firm. But, you have no idea how to take your firm to the next level. By applying for National Affiliation your student-run firm has the opportunity to be selected as one of PRSSA’s top firms.
However, you cannot become Nationally Affiliated without a strong application. Follow these five steps to create a successful application:
Step 1: Determine if your firm is qualified
Ask yourself, is my firm established? Do we have a clear mission? Are there case studies we can provide? Do we have a connection to PRSSA/PRSA? If you answered yes to all of these questions, then you’re ready. If not, work to establish these qualifications during the next year so that future firm leaders can apply for National Affiliation.
Step 2: Discuss with your firm members and Chapter leadership how you will create the application
Perhaps you want to divide the requirements based on your work within the firm, or maybe you want to work together. Lay out a list of requirements and who will be responsible for completing what.
Step 3: Reach out to the PRSSA national vice president of professional development with questions
If you are unclear at any point in the application process, feel free to make contact. It can also help to talk to someone who has reviewed and helped other Chapters with applications before.
Step 4: Review and edit your application – NUMEROUS times
Put the application through a rigorous editing process. Try having firm members read it over, then the firm director, then the Faculty and Professional Advisers to ensure no mistakes.
Step 5: Send your application by mail or email to PRSSA Headquarters
Have all material prepared and put together in a PDF or hard copy form.
In addition to national recognition, Nationally Affiliated firms can look forward to other benefits including exclusive blog posts from national affiliated firms, select conference calls and webinars, permission to use the National Affiliation logo and more.
What steps has your firm taken to be more professional and gain experience? How have you prepared to be a Nationally Affiliated firm?
This is a guest post by Vice President of Professional Development, Jessica Noonan.
