Update on PRSA Dues Increase Proposal: New Member Benefits

Free webinars would be an awesome benefit! Thanks for considering this.

Joe – Thanks for your feedback. It is impossible, at this point, to provide specifics on what exactly would be cut. As you can appreciate, we’re nearly a $12-million operation, and to say we could cut something across the board without proper vetting and consideration of how it would affect all members and our operations would be irresponsible.
 
We have been proactive in eliminating $1.5 million in operating expenses in recent years. This has included cost and operational efficiencies, elimination of underperforming products and services, staff reductions, a pay freeze, reducing Board travel and cutting sales and marketing expenditures.
 
As we do every year, we have begun our budget and operational planning process for the following year, and we’re looking at two scenarios — one including the dues increase and one without. Once we’re at a good draft point with both scenarios, they will be presented to the Board of Directors or the Board’s Finance Committee. The Board is the final approving body for the Society’s budget. Typically, no budget is finalized until the late fall in preparation for the new year. While we’re avidly working through the process, we will not be making any decisions on final plans or budgets until we have the assembly’s decision. Then we will look at the different scenarios and apply more specifics at that time.
 
If your chapter would like for one of our national board members or myself to participate in one of your board meetings to help explain the proposal and answer any questions, just let us know. We’d be happy to participate.
 
Rosanna Fiske
PRSA Chair and CEO
 

The real value in PRSA for me is in the local chapter. I do not think that a national dues increase should pass because I do not get the majority of the value of my membership from nationals. Therefore, I think that nationals should cut services, not raise dues, in order to achieve their financial balance.
 
In fact, I think that nationals is overpriced already. What I’d really like to see is a freeze of dues going forward. As inflation rises, the relative cost of nationals to members will be reduced. It also will force nationals to continue cutting services to balance their finances – based on what is nice to have vs. what is must have.

I reviewed a PRSA presentation that discussed the Value of Nationals, but remain unconvinced.

Thanks for your additional input, Chuck. Many of the local Chapter benefits you cite would not be possible without support from National. They simply would not exist if PRSA National did not exist. Therefore, it’s imperative that we pass a dues increase in order to continue to provide support for every Chapter, so that the benefits you enjoy, along with the other 32,000+ professional and student PRSA members, can also continue to enjoy. Additionally, a modest dues increase will help us introduce new benefits and new support options for Chapters and Sections, which will provide even greater value to all members.
 
Anyone seeking more information on the value of National and the support it provides all PRSA Chapters, I urge you to view this presentation: http://www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA/Leadership/LeadershipRally/ReportfromHeadquarters2011

Rosanna Fiske
PRSA Chair and CEO

I totally agree with Chuck’s comments.   My feeling is the local chapter is where the action is, and the national organization adds very little to the experience.  I’m not really interested in what they’ve “added,” since in my view they could eliminate a lot of what they are doing now.I also feel, as I’ve seen others express here and elsewhere, that being able to join the chapter only should be an option.  I would choose that option.  In their efforts to offer more marketing, advocacy, and lobbying at the national level, I’m afraid the national organization is likely hurting the chapters, and in so doing could eliminate what most of us experience and appreciate about PRSA.  I hope that doesn’t happen, but I know I cannot justify this increase in fees, given I really feel I get nothing of use from the national body and get everything I need or want from the local chapter.
 
It sounds like the powers that be have made their decision, and they are going to move forward with this increase regardless of what the 20,000 members out there feel – some of whom I’m sure will agree with their move, and most (I’m thinking pretty sure) won’t.
 
We shall see if the membership numbers slip as a result, and whether that in and of itself brings the organization to just where we are now without an increase. 
 
One of the disturbing things I also see with PRSA’s effort on their blog posts regarding this, is a push from the organization to “sell” this to our members.  We are in effect being “PR’d,” trying to persuade us into thinking this is a good idea.  If some / many don’t feel the National organization is adding the value those who work there feel it is adding, what then?  Can you persuade me that you’re adding more things of value, and that makes the new dues rates better?  I don’t think so, mainly again because I think the National organization is doing too much already, and not adding things of value.
 
I should note that I would consider supporting the local chapters and sections as a thing of value from the national organization.  I’m not sure we need the HUGE infrastructure, or the New York City address to do that.
 
This is at least the third time I’ve considered dropping PRSA, and every time it’s been because of the national focus, and nothing to do with the local chapter.  In the end, I chose to stay for the sake of the local chapter.  I may go back to being one of the “a la carte” participants locally going forward.

I have recently registered for a free webinar and, while I appreciate and look forward to it, I note that it is free not only to members, but to nonmembers as well. Is this a mistake? Otherwise, where is the added benefit for membership?