Professional Communication Organizations

There are many professional organizations for one to join within the communciations industry. I took the liberty of reviewing a few of these websites. Based on the information provided, would you as a communications professional be inspired to join? Why or why not?

 

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

http://www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA

According to the PRSA website (2012), “PRSA is a community of more than 21,000 public relations and communications professionals across the United States, from recent college graduates to the leaders of the world’s largest multinational firms. Our members represent nearly every practice area and professional and academic setting within the public relations field. In addition, there are more than 10,000 students who are members of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at colleges and universities here and abroad.”

International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
http://www.iabc.com/

According to the IABC website (2012), “The International Association of Business Communicators provides a professional network of about 15,000 business communication professionals in over 80 countries.”

Women in Communications
http://www.womcom.org/AWC-Home.asp

The Women in Communication website (2012) states, “The Association of Women in Communication is a professional organization that champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era. Disciplines represented within the association include: print and broadcast journalism, television and radio production, film, advertising, public relations, marketing, graphic design, multi-media design, and photography. The list is continually growing as the profession expands into the newer media.”

American Federation of TV and Radio Artists
http://www.aftra.org/home.htm

According to the AFTRA website (2012), “SAG-AFTRA brings together two great American labor unions: Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. We are actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, dj’s, news writers, news directors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other media professionals. Our work is seen and heard in theaters, on television and radio, sound recordings, the internet, games, mobile devices, home video: you see us and hear us on all media distribution platforms. We are the faces and the voices that entertain and inform America and the world. SAG-AFTRA is committed to organizing all work done under our jurisdictions; negotiating the best wages, working conditions, and health and pension benefits; preserving and expanding members’ work opportunities; vigorously enforcing our contracts; and protecting members against unauthorized use of their work.”

National Association of Black Journalists
http://www.nabj.org

The NABJ website (2012) states, “The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of black journalists worldwide. NABJ holds an annual convention and career fair each summer with dozens of plenary sessions and workshops for professional development. The NABJ Media Institute provides professional development and technical training for black journalists at venues across the country.

National Association of Broadcasters
http://www.nab.org

The National Association of Broadcasters website (2012) states, NAB “is the voice for the nation's radio and television broadcasters. As the premier trade association for broadcasters, NAB advances the interests of our members in federal government, industry and public affairs; improves the quality and profitability of broadcasting; encourages content and technology innovation; and spotlights the important and unique ways stations serve their communities.  NAB delivers value to our members through advocacy, education and innovation.”