ECD Chair’s December 2024 Message
December 2024
Dear PRSA ECD Members,
As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared this year. It has been a year of innovation, collaboration, and growth for PRSA’s East Central District. Together, we have truly celebrated the spirit of public relations and the strength of our community.
This year, we showcased the best of our Chapters through roundtable discussions, Leadership Forums, the PRominent and Platinum Awards, Diamond Awards, and our many forms of communication. We hosted a remarkably successful QuickStart, launched a mental health advocacy program that has earned national recognition, revised our bylaws for the first time since 2015, and achieved tremendous growth in our social media engagement.
For the first time, we offered a full year of Coffee Chats, bringing value and personality to our content. We also championed the APR credential nationally, created meaningful opportunities for member engagement, and laid the groundwork for an extraordinary 2025 and beyond.
As we approach the end of the year, I invite you to the final ECD Chair Coffee Chat of 2024 on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 9 a.m. Let’s celebrate our successes, reflect on our journey, and bid farewell to an incredible year together.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of our ECD board members. Your dedication, expertise, and passion have inspired me at every step. Thank you for volunteering your time to advance our District’s mission and for trusting me to lead. We also say goodbye to three board members whose terms end in December – Karah Davenport; Risa Richardson, APR; and Kaylin Staten, APR. Thank you for all of your contributions over the years. To our Chapter leaders: thank you for your dedication and stepping up as innovators and advocates in your communities. You have made me incredibly proud to call the East Central District the best in PRSA.
As I pass the torch to Mark Weinstein, I know our District will continue to thrive under his leadership. As your past chair, I am committed to supporting Mark and the incoming board. I also look forward to continuing work on mental health advocacy initiatives, a cause that will forever hold a special place in my heart. Additionally, I’m eager to champion efforts to strengthen connections with our PRSSA chapters and members—our future leaders in the industry.
As many of you know, I like to begin our board meetings with a quote that inspires us to think about the bigger picture. It feels fitting to end my time as Chair with one that captures the essence of our shared journey this year:
“Although we may come from vastly different stories and very different walks of life, we are one people who possess common values and common ideals; who celebrate individual excellence but also share a recognition that together, we can accomplish great and wonderful things we can’t accomplish alone.”
—President Barack Obama
This quote reminds me of the power of our shared purpose in PRSA ECD. Though each of us contributes uniquely, our collective efforts create something far greater than the sum of its parts. Serving as your 2024 ECD Chair has been a testament to that truth. Thank you for trusting me with this role, inspiring me daily, and sharing this remarkable journey. I wish you a joyful, peaceful holiday season filled with relaxation, love, and laughter. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’ll always be here for this District and its incredible people.
With gratitude forever,
Jennifer
Jennifer L. Kramer, APR
2024 ECD Board Chair
