Name: Sarah Dougherty
Position Title: Vice President
Position Duties: I plan speakers and programming for chapter meetings, produce and submit PRSSA National Award entries, and help all executive members with miscellaneous projects as needed.
What did you do in your position this semester?
I found, contacted and coordinated with potential speakers and invited them to speak at each chapter meeting centered on a different theme each month. This semester, we're focusing on internships, diversity & inclusion, agency life in New York City and social media marketing. We also hosted our first combined meeting with the UA PRCA. I focused a lot this year on highlighting successful Alabama alumni. Later this semester I will be working with executive board members to produce and perfect Teahan Award entries, which are basically the Oscars of PRSSA.
What qualities or characteristics does it take to do your position well?
I think you need to be a dedicated networker, extremely professional, patient and adaptable. You need to be plugged into hot topics in the industry and programming initiatives that PRSSA National shares. You also need to be able to tell stories well so that the chapter is successful in the award entries.
How much time did you dedicate to your position?
It really depends-—some weeks it's only two hours, and others it's 10 to 12. It comes in stride. (Hence the importance of being adaptable! Things happen.)
What would you like to go back and tell yourself before taking on this position?
I would tell myself to add more hands-on meetings, such as mock interviews, business dinner etiquette 101, and case studies in addition to speakers and panels. We should have more member engagement programming!
How does your position fit in with or engage with the rest of the executive board? I am the right-hand man to the president and provide speakers that need to be promoted through the public relations director, social media leader, publications features, etc. I truly work with everyone on the executive board regularly, which is one of the best parts of the job.