PR is the Perfect Christmas Gift

Every year, my local PRSA chapter in San Antonio chooses several charitable organizations to come and sit with us over lunch. The program is called the Gift of Guidance, and it is a small way that we try to help our community.

I think that every PR pro should spend some time working with local charities. It enriches the community, teaches more people about the profession (its not just press releases) and helps the PR pro see things from a different perspective.

We help the chosen charities assess their PR needs, put together a short public relations plan for the following year and esentially give counsel. Usually, the charities leave with a couple of good ideas and a few more good contacts.

We met with the following groups yesterday:

Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas
a knowledge center formed to serve as a resource for charities
I.M.P.A.C.T., Kids in Music Technology
arts-centered program that meets the needs of “at-risk” youth
Family Violence Prevention Services
a battered women and children's shelter
Texas Brigades
a wildlife-focused leadership development program for high school youth
Seton Home
a nurturing home to homeless, pregnant,and parenting teens