NEW YORK (Jan. 20, 2010) — The Public Relations Society of America's (PRSA) Board of Directors has announced details of the process that will be used to replace Catherine Huggins, APR, who resigned last week as director representing PRSA’s East Central District due to pressing professional obligations.
Elected to a two-year term by the National PRSA Assembly, Huggins assumed the role of director in January 2009 and has been extraordinarily active and productive during her time on the PRSA Board of Directors. To fill the vacancy left by her departure — and maintain the board’s geographic diversity, as required by PRSA’s bylaws — PRSA’s Executive Committee is soliciting applications from qualified candidates throughout the East Central District, which encompasses Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Huggins’ term expires Dec. 31, 2010.
How a Director Vacancy is Filled
Article (V) Section (3) of PRSA’s organizational bylaws contemplates midterm board vacancies, and authorizes the remaining board members to appoint individuals who are qualified and willing to serve the balance of any unexpired terms. PRSA’s Executive Committee is taking the initial step of contacting members from the East Central District directly. After reviewing applications, the Executive Committee will recommend a candidate, who must then be approved by a vote of the full board.
Director Eligibility
To serve on the board, an individual must be Accredited in Public Relations (APR), a member in good standing of the Society and possess at least one of the following qualifications:
- Prior service as a PRSA leader, including, but not limited to, as a member of a Chapter, District or Section board of directors, chair of a national or local committee or task force, or Assembly delegate.
- At least 20 years of experience as a public relations professional, with increasing levels of responsibility.
Directors may not serve more than two consecutive terms, but may be eligible for election again after a one year hiatus from board service.
Individuals from the East Central District who are interested in serving the balance of Huggins’ term must submit their applications by Feb. 19. The board is expected to announce its decision by mid-March. For more information on the process, including the qualifications, roles, responsibilities and timeline, read the "Industry Leaders Wanted" section of the PRSA Web site.
About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
With more than 31,000 members, PRSA is the largest organization of public relations professionals and students. PRSA is comprised of 110 local Chapters organized into 10 geographic Districts; 16 Professional Interest Sections that focus on issues, trends and research relevant to specialized practice areas, such as technology, health care, financial communication, entertainment and sports, and travel tourism; and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which has more than 300 Chapters at colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. PRSA is headquartered in New York.
