Membership
Become a Member of MSPRA!
If you’re responsible for communicating with students, staff, parents and local residents about your school, you need MSPRA - even if “communication” is not part of your job title, or falls under “other duties as assigned” in your primary role. As an MSPRA member, you will be part of one of the most highly recognized school public relations chapters in the country. Within our ranks are award winning, highly-qualified professionals who are eager to support their fellow communicators.
Link with others to get help!
As a member of MSPRA, you will connect with other professionals in school communication. If you have a question or an issue, there is a bank of experienced colleagues that you can call.
You can join this organization of professional communicators, who, like yourself, are concerned about school/community relations and the role it plays in student success.
Member Benefits
Professional Development: Reduced registration rates at MSPRA seminars and conferences, designed especially for communicators concerned with the future of education in Michigan.
Daily News Feed: Often featuring bellwether education-related stories that are making headlines in Michigan (and/or the nation) delivered to your inbox every morning.
Resources: Our members-only collection of public relations resources are contributed by members for members.
Awards: An annual event open to all members for a minimal fee. Each entry receives a complete evaluation.
Listserv: You can access the skills and expertise of our entire membership with just a few keystrokes.
Choose Your Membership
Membership may be held by anyone who is a member of the National School Public Relations Association and/or has school public relations responsibilities. Any individual meeting these criteria and having worked or is currently working within the geographic boundaries of Michigan may choose to join MSPRA.
Professional membership may be held by anyone who is employed in education whose job responsibilities involve communication, promotion and/or its support, including, but not limited to public relations professionals, administrators, board members, educators, and school support staff.
Institutional membership is available to any organization with employees who hold a professional position in educational public relations, communication, or marketing. Institutional membership shall provide membership for up to three employees of an organization. Institutional members shall have the right to hold chapter office and to vote on all issues that may come before the chapter.
Retired membership is available to anyone who has been an active member of MSPRA and who is no longer providing public relations services to schools. Retired members maintain all rights of Professional membership.
Apply Today!
Consider Joining an MSPRA Committee
Membership on an MSPRA committee provides new opportunities to network with your fellow professionals as well as gain additional knowledge.
Awards and Recognition
Elevates the practitioner and school public relations by identifying and recognizing professional school communicators and their districts through the MSPRA School Communicator and Superintendent Communicator of the Year Awards, MSPRA Gold Medallion Award for programs and projects, constructive peer-review feedback on communication strategies and activities, APR (Accredited in Public Relations) Certification, and application to the National School Public Relations Association for the Distinguished Chapter Award. The Awards and Recognition Committee chairperson works with volunteers to coordinate committee activities.
Marketing
The Marketing Committee's goal is to make educators statewide aware of the benefits of MSPRA membership. We publicize the overall benefits of membership in MSPRA. As part of that effort, we promote participation in the annual MSPRA conference, in regional MSPRA activities, in periodic “drive-in” events, and other MSPRA activities. Committee members work with other Standing Committees and MSPRA volunteers to achieve its goal.
Professional Development
As PR professionals in the world of education, we rarely get a chance to work with other experts in our field. Professional Development is critical for continuous learning, as well as networking with other school PR experts. This committee helps in the planning and implementation of the annual MSPRA conference and drive-in conferences on topics requested or needed by our members. The Professional Development Committee chairperson works with Professional Development Committee volunteers to plan events.
Technology
Electronic communication is the life blood of school communicators. Managing (and modeling) excellent digital media is essential to communicating with (and setting an example for) MSPRA members. This committee oversees the association’s website and social media accounts to provide information and engage its members. The Technology chairperson works with volunteers and members of other committees to coordinate and deliver relevant and timely digital content on a variety of platforms
Why should you join MSPRA?
Just ask our members:
"I can not imagine working in school PR without my MSPRA membership. From hot-topic information to trusted colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge, MSPRA is a key part of my work, professional development and personal growth."
Tom Gould
Director of Public Relations
Howell Public Schools
_______________________________
"When we found ourselves working on an urgent and sensitive communication issue, I reached out to my fellow MSPRA members and got input, suggestions and shared documents - it was all very helpful! It was reassuring to know I was on the right path, yet my MSPRA colleagues were there to provide input I had not considered. Thank you! I feel very supported."
Kaci Babineau
Marketing & Special Projects Coordinator
Jackson County Intermediate School District