ECD Chair’s June 2025 Message

Dear PRSA ECD Members,

As I gaze out my office window and ponder the dynamic landscape of our PRSA East Central District, a few inspiring words come to mind: excellence, vision, tenacity … and maybe a little caffeine.

I see our chapters fully engaged — cheering each other on, helping members grow, and showing leadership that makes us proud to wear the PRSA badge. Our presidents are leading with conviction, creativity, and occasionally sheer willpower and a really strong to-do list.

I was pleased with the first Leadership Network meeting with chapter presidents last month. And there is plenty of room for more presidents at the next meeting Aug. 14.

But let’s be honest: I also see leaders who are tired. Burnout is real. Last month was Mental Health Awareness Month, and hopefully you caught our fantastic webinar, the first in a new PRSA-ECD Mental Health Webinar Series, featuring Tracy Teuscher, APR, developed by Jennifer Kramer, APR. It was powerful. If you missed it, check it out here. You’ll thank yourself.

The webinar reminded me of an anonymous quote, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

Don’t stay in a dark place. Turn to the light!

And speaking of light, let’s turn our collective spotlight toward something worth celebrating — the 48th Annual Diamond Awards!

This isn’t just another line item on your calendar. It’s our time to shine a light on the incredible work you’ve done this year — campaigns, tactics, moments of pure PR brilliance. So, I’ll ask the obvious question: Have you submitted your entry yet?

Submissions opened May 1 and run through June 30. And this year, we plan to announce the winners during the 2025 East Central District Conference, specifically at the Friday evening mixer Sept. 12, in Columbus, Ohio.

So dust off that award-winning campaign and give it the sparkle it deserves — submit it for a Diamond Award and plan to raise a glass in Columbus.

Finally, speaking of our District Conference, a shoutout to Mark Pompilio, who’s fine-tuning the Friday mixer and Saturday’s full conference agenda. If last year’s conference was any indication, you’ll laugh, learn, and leave with your cup refilled (metaphorically …  though there’s real coffee too). Registration begins this month!

Let’s keep doing good work, taking care of each other, and remembering that even in a career built on managing messages, we all need to hear this one from time to time: You’re doing great!

Keep moving forward,

Mark D. Weinstein 

PRSA East Central District Chair