National Committee Spotlight: Events and Fundraising
This article is part of our National Committee Spotlight series. This series features our current National Committee reflecting on their experience and offering insights into their respective roles as we approach National Elections and Leadership Assembly. To learn more about running for National Committee, click here.
Rachel Meltzer — Vice President of Events and Fundraising
What is your role? Give us a brief description of what you do in your role.
A major part of my role is managing the District Conference process and helping to develop these Conferences. The lesser-known aspects of my position include cultivating fundraising ideas and serving as a resource on events and fundraising to our Chapters. I love getting to chat one-on-one with our members.
What does a typical day look like for you as a PRSSA National Committee member?
I love that every day is different. However, I’m consistently checking in with our conference committees and making sure we have information such as promotional materials, updates to programming or structure, etc. My days can also include meeting with Chapters about fundraising and event ideas, working on initiatives with other National Committee members, or revising handbooks.
What has been your favorite project/initiative to work on so far?
Getting to work with all of the awesome conference committees has absolutely been my favorite part. Most of our teams had to take their District Conference virtual this year, which has never been done before for PRSSA. I’m super proud of all the hard work that they’ve been able to put into making these Conferences engaging and beneficial for our members.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your role so far?
This year has been a little unique to say the least. Navigating taking District Conferences virtual and implementing virtual fundraising ideas for Chapters has been new this year. Luckily, I have some experience that gave me valuable insight into virtual events and ideas for virtual fundraising, but mostly I’ve been learning with our Chapters as we go. I don’t always have the answers and sometimes it takes some researching to provide the best resources possible.
What advice would you share with your future successor?
It’s okay if you don’t have all of the best answers all of the time. It’s important to stay up to date with events and fundraising practices so you can be a great resource for Chapters. However, there will be times when you have to say “I’m not sure about that; let me get back to you after I’ve looked into that,” and that’s okay. We’re all constantly learning.
Anything else you would like to share?
If you’re thinking about running for National Committee, just go for it.It can be so easy to get caught up in imposter syndrome and question yourself, but I guarantee that it has the opportunity to be one of the most influential experiences in your life!
Lightning Round
Favorite hobby? Blogging and reading
Favorite app? Notion
Favorite TV show/movie/video game? Virgin River
Favorite music artist? Ben Rector or Jake Scott
Favorite Quote/Piece of Advice: “What is for you shall not pass you.”
Zach Ferenchak, 2020–2021 vice president of brand engagement, is a senior at Capital University, a private university in Columbus, Ohio. He is majoring in emerging media with an emphasis in public relations and minors in journalism and marketing. In his free time, Ferenchak can be found obsessing over the latest gadget or video game, exploring a coffee shop with friends, or going on a trail run. He hopes to elevate the voices of all PRSSA members through the organization’s various brand platforms. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter.
