Next Monday it is likely that we will know the result of the CIPR Presidential election. With the CIPR set to make a loss of £700,000 this year, the new President is going to have a challenge on their hands.When I discovered that the CIPR was due to elect a new President I had a preconceived idea that their manifestos would be very dry and not particularly earth shattering. However I was pleased to find that both candidates, Jenifer Stirton and Paul Mylrea agree that the CIPR needs to be less London-centric.
With 75% of CIPR members located outside of London it is disappointing that the CIPR does not make more of an effort to locate their events and workshops to match that demography. For the period 26th October - 23rd November 2009, there were 41 CIPR workshops providing one day training to top up PR understanding, knowledge and skills. 37 of them were in London, 2 in Edinburgh and 1 each in Glasgow and Birmingham.
Resentment about the headquarters of a national organisation being located in London is by no means something unique to the PR industry or the CIPR. However, it should be expected that the CIPR serve its members. This would include reaching out to all members across the country. With a 6 hour train journey from Stirling to London; PR practitioners in Scotland will be reassured by any move which sees the CIPR move out from London.
Yes, i totally agree. CIPR should probably learn from the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA). I am a member of PRISA and they have what is called 'Chapters' or offices in various cities and member countries, such as Namibia,Botswana,Lesotho,Swaziland and South Africa. These offices organise events and workshops and seminars similar to the ones that are organised in the area where the headquarters is situated (in Johanessburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa). Members don't have to travel to the headquarters to attend events anymore. The President of PRISA also occasionally travels to the various 'Chapters'.
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