Help New PRSA Members Find Their Way: Become a New Member Navigator

Joining a professional association should feel like opening a door to new opportunities, not trying to find your way through a maze.

For many first-year members, PRSA offers an extraordinary range of resources: local chapters, Professional Interest Sections, webinars, Member Monday sessions, PRSA ICON, certificate programs, volunteer opportunities, APR, and a national network of communications professionals. But with so many possibilities, new members may not always know where to begin.

That is why PRSA has launched the New Member Navigator Program.

The program connects first-year PRSA members with experienced members who can offer a warm introduction, share their PRSA experiences and help new members identify a useful next step aligned with their professional interests and goals.

A Small Connection Can Make a Meaningful Difference

New members join PRSA for many reasons. They may be looking to expand their network, strengthen professional skills, find a local community, explore leadership opportunities, pursue accreditation, or feel more connected to the profession.

A Navigator can help turn “I joined—now what?” into “I know where to start.”

The role is intentionally simple. Navigators are not expected to serve as formal mentors, career coaches, customer service representatives or experts on every PRSA program and policy. Instead, they serve as friendly guides and connectors.

That may mean recommending a chapter event, introducing a Professional Interest Section, sharing an upcoming webinar, discussing a positive ICON experience, or connecting a member with the right PRSA staff contact.

Often, the most valuable thing a Navigator can do is listen.

What Does a New Member Navigator Do?

Each Navigator will generally be paired with two or three first-year members for one year. The anticipated commitment is light: approximately three or four check-ins throughout the year.

Navigators are encouraged to begin with a short, personal email within the first week of receiving a match. A simple question can open the conversation:

  • What are you hoping to get out of your PRSA membership?
  • Have you had an opportunity to participate in anything yet?
  • Are you most interested in networking, learning, chapter involvement, leadership, conferences, or Professional Interest Sections?

The goal is not to overwhelm someone with a long list of links or resources. It is to listen for what would be most useful and suggest one practical next step.

PRSA staff will provide outreach templates, reminders, matching support, and assistance when a member has a question outside a Navigator’s scope.

What the Role Is Not

The Navigator Program is designed to be supportive, respectful, and manageable for everyone involved.

Navigators should not:

  • Provide legal, financial, HR, mental health, or other professional advice.
  • Solicit business, clients, referrals, sales, or professional opportunities.
  • Pressure members to attend events, volunteer, renew, or purchase programs.
  • Make promises on behalf of PRSA.
  • Continue outreach beyond reasonable limits if a member does not respond.

The program is about creating a welcoming, human connection—not adding pressure.

Why PRSA Needs Navigators

Early engagement matters. A personal outreach from someone who understands the value of PRSA can help a new member feel seen, supported, and more confident about participating.

Success does not require every new member to become deeply involved immediately. It may be as simple as helping someone discover a chapter event, attend a webinar, explore a Professional Interest Section, or recognize that PRSA has resources relevant to their career.

Over time, those early connections can help build stronger relationships, greater engagement, and a more connected PRSA community.

Volunteer as a New Member Navigator

If you are an experienced PRSA member who believes in the value of professional connection, shared learning, and helping others find their place in the organization, we invite you to become a New Member Navigator.

Your experience—whether through your chapter, PRSA ICON, APR, professional development, volunteer leadership, or the relationships you have built through PRSA—can help another member take a meaningful first step.

If you are an experienced PRSA member who is interested in becoming a New Member Navigator, send your name to [email protected].

A few check-ins can make a lasting difference. Help a new PRSA member find their way.