A massive thank you to every who voted for me to re-elect me to the Council of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).
The public relations profession is, I believe, at a crossroads. It needs leadership, guidance and support to all practitioners in challenging and interesting times, yet full of opportunity.
Please do get in touch with me if there is anything you think the CIPR should be doing.
As the CIPR President and Council elections draw to a close what lessons are there to be learnt?
1). Democracy is alive in the CIPR
I was genuinely delighted that we had three colleagues decide to stand for President and that we would have an election. And they were all great candidates, and whoever is elected, I’m sure will do the Institute proud.
I was fearful, after the events of last year, that it would put members off standing, where we would return to the era of Presidents being elected unopposed.
Let’s hope elections are now the new norm.
2).On-going legacies
Last year’s election did leave a positive legacy of the creation of an independent Returning Officer, which has been a positive move. Also, candidates producing campaign videos, another new emergent idea from last year, provides a good tool for candidates to share what they stand for, and for voters to make an informed decision.
Let’s keep these going.
3). Personality politics
I know there is deep concern among some senior colleagues about elections setting members touting for votes against each other, who all have much to offer, fearing it’s beginning to feel like the US elections. Read more
A year ago I ran in the elections for President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). I only decided to stand a week before the deadline, while working in Ghana, to ensure there would be an election.
What started out as a last-minute, genuine desire to do good became horribly distorted with the divisive nature of electioneering; imagine the recent Referendum campaign but this time it’s personal, coupled with the ignominy of my being disqualified, and got even worse.
Standing for election was a huge cost in time, energy, health and well-being – even hurting those I love the most in this world.
Like any negative experience, time can often be a great healer. It enables you to put the torrid times in a wider perspective. You unearth dividends from disruptive thinking – sparking new insights and ideas you wouldn’t have garnered had you not found yourself in an unexpected situation.
Crucially, the bad times provide valuable lessons to learn and grow from.
Here is my account of the positives gained and hopefully serve as a guide for the 3 excellent candidates standing in this year’s CIPR Presidential election. (I happen to be backing Sarah Hall.)
I am sure they won’t have to go through what I did, but there’s still some wider lessons. Read more
Why the CIPR needs urgent change
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) needs urgent change to tackle the challenges facing its members. It needs to move it away from a top-down run bureaucracy, needing instead a network of communities actively and tirelessly collaboratively working to improve the interests of PR professionals and the wider world.
And that is why I’m urging you to consider voting for Sarah Hall as President of the Institute in its current Presidential elections.
We have three very good candidates in this year’s election but Sarah edges it for me with her ability to get things done, especially with her exceptional experience in sparking and nurturing collaborative communities – the pathway for a better future for anyone with a passion for making things better in PR.
Do check out the #FuturePRoof initiative – perhaps the best effort anywhere to lead us into a better future.
And believe me, we need urgent action – and Sarah is the person to deliver that change
Over a year ago, last April, in my role as a member of the Institute’s Policy & Campaigns Committee I produced a discussion paper on the need for a ‘Collaboration Strategy’. Read more
I am standing for election to the Council of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
If you are a Member of the Institute I would ask you firstly to vote (I think it’s 9 out of 10 don’t bother to vote) and secondly, do please consider voting for me.
I’m keen to ensure the Institute, in a very uncertain age, shows leadership and guidance for members and the wider profession. I aim to do whatever I can, to help in this challenge.
Thanks.
Here is my Candidate Statement published on the Institute’s web site.
Get in touch with us!