(May 19, 2016) – The Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), the oldest public relations organization in the United States, has announced the launch of LeadershipFPRA, a new program developed as an exclusive premium member benefit for those who wish to take their leadership skills to a new level.
The Florida High Tech Corridor Council, long an investor in leadership development programs statewide, is the presenting sponsor. Patterned in many ways after local community and statewide leadership programs, LeadershipFPRA will provide FPRA members with the tools they need to become leaders in their organizations, their communities and within FPRA. “Last September when I was sworn in as FPRA state president, I had a goal of establishing a leadership development program for our membership that would help them develop the skills necessary to grow both professionally and personally,” said FPRA President Roger Pynn, APR, CPRC, President of Curley & Pynn Public Relations & Marketing Communications. “Our theme this year has been #ThinkFPRA because #FPRAIsForLeaders, and through the hard work of our team we have established a legacy
Leadership program for our association.”
Class size is limited to 20, so applications are competitive. The LeadershipFPRA Selection Committee will review all applications and choose the most qualified applicants all while building a class that represents diversity—professionally and geographically, as well as in the areas of age, race, gender and ethnicity. Once selected, each class member will receive a LeadershipFPRA orientation at FPRA’s Annual Conference this August, followed by six seminar-styled leadership training classes from a faculty of some of the most accomplished professionals in the state. The curriculum is challenging, and participants are required to attend orientation, graduation and at least five of the six program sessions offered in Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee and Gainesville.
Graduation will be held at the next FPRA Annual Conference in August 2017.
Graduates of the LeadershipFPRA program will be better equipped to not only function as PR professionals in their respective workplaces, but also earn their rightful seat at the boardroom table and to evolve into leadership roles in FPRA, their communities and the industry in general.
Applications are currently being accepted until June 15, 2016. The cost of the LeadershipFPRA program is $750 per participant (not including travel and lodging), payable upon acceptance to the program. Tuition can be paid in full at the time of acceptance into the program or the following payment plan may be utilized. First payment of $450 due at time of acceptance into the program with the remaining $300 due no later than December 31st, 2016.
“FPRA is grateful to the Florida High Tech Corridor for its support of the LeadershipFPRA program,” said FPRA Vice President of Accreditation and Certification Ryan Gerds, Marketing Communications Director of RTI Surgical in Alachua. The Corridor is a partnership involving more than 25 local and regional economic development organizations and 14 community colleges, the Council is co-chaired by the presidents of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF). The Council includes the presidents of two of the state colleges and
representatives of high tech industry appointed by the co-chairs.
The Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. The organization’s 15 professional and 13 student chapters provide professional development, networking and recognition opportunities for more than 1,500 professionals across the state. FPRA is the nation’s oldest public relations organization, established by Lt. Col. John Dillin, APR, CPRC in 1938. For more information, visit www.fpra.org.