PR pros from across the state team up to relaunch Montana Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

The Montana Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), following a few years of inactivity, announced today it has restructured and is fully operational. The Chapter will hold a statewide teleconference on Wednesday, Nov. 15th at 10:00am MST to discuss programming for 2018. All Montana public relations and communications specialists interested in professional development, networking, membership and other opportunities are encouraged to participate.

Revitalization of the Montana Chapter comes at a time when more entrepreneurs than ever before are setting up shop in the state. In fact, for the fourth year in a row, the Kauffman Foundation, which reports on entrepreneurial trends nationally, ranked Montana as the number one state for entrepreneurial activity. It was this rise in entrepreneurship that spurred the Montana Chapter’s resurgence, according to Christina Ragsdale, APR, a Missoula resident who will serve as president of the new Chapter.

"We could not think of a better time to re-establish the Montana PRSA Chapter, as waves of professionals flock to the state to foster new businesses," Ragsdale said. "We look forward to using 2018 as a major stepping-stone to invigorate our Chapter service, education and support to all members and prospective members of PRSA."

As president, Ragsdale brings more than 30 years of experience in public relations, marketing communications, strategic planning, organizational communication and development to her leadership role. In 2015, Ragsdale was named the Public Relations Society of America’s (California Capital Chapter) "Influencer of the Year." She holds a Master?s Degree in Communications Studies from California State University, Sacramento. Ragsdale has developed and taught courses in public relations, public speaking and writing, and has worked as the Professional Advisor to CSU-Sacramento’s PRSSA student Chapter.

Ragsdale is joined by several new officers who will spearhead the relaunching of the PRSA Montana Chapter. Amber Conger will serve as president-elect. She currently works as the communications director for Montana’s Department of Administration, and previously held several public relations and policy positions within the Department. Conger is a graduate of Montana State University-Bozeman and Montana State University-Billings.

Courtenay Sprunger, founder and principal of Big Sky Public Relations, will join the Montana Chapter as secretary. A fifth generation Montanan, Sprunger has managed strategic planning, campaign development and client relations in the government, nonprofit and technology sectors for more than a decade.
Susan Wilson of Great Falls will be the Chapter’s treasurer. A graduate of Montana State University – Northern and Florida State University, Wilson has worked in public relations, social media and event planning for more than 20 years. Since 2000, she has conducted public relations and marketing for 3 Rivers Communications, a telecommunications service provider in Fairfield, Montana.

Finally, Kathy Hubbell, APR, Fellow PRSA, who originally founded the Montana Chapter of PRSA in 1996, will serve as accreditation chair.

"I am thrilled to work alongside such a passionate, hardworking group of professionals as we breathe life into the Montana Chapter of the PRSA," Ragsdale said. "Our Chapter will be a resource for all sectors, private, non-profit and government."

Ragsdale hopes that the local Chapter?s resurgence, through a special promotion, will inspire existing members and attract new ones.

Through November 30, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is offering a discounted membership offer: a free Chapter, free Section, and waived initiation fee when prospective members join PRSA with promo code FALL17.

This three-pronged discount, which provides three memberships for the price of one, includes several benefits. Along with a PRSA National membership, which connects individuals to more than 21,000 public relations and communication professionals, members will enjoy opportunities to network with peers from local Chapters. Membership also includes exclusive access to top-notch industry resources such as free professional development opportunities including webinars, job listings and more. Those who join through November 30 will have their $65 initiation fee waived.

For more information, or to join the Montana Chapter of the PRSA, please visit https://www.prsa.org/2017tripleplay. Those wishing to participate in the November 15 call in order to learn more about membership or to provide feedback on Chapter programming may contact President Christina Ragsdale at [email protected] or 916-320-1177.

About the Public Relations Society of America

PRSA is the nation’s largest professional organization serving the communications community. The organization’s mission is to make communications professionals smarter, better prepared and more connected through all stages of their career. PRSA achieves this by offering its members thought leadership, innovative lifelong learning opportunities to help them develop new skills, enhance their credibility and connect with a strong network of professionals. The organization sets the standards of professional excellence and ethical conduct for the public relations industry. PRSA collectively represents more than 30,000 members consisting of communications professionals spanning every industry sector nationwide and college and university students who encompass the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Learn more about PRSA at http://www.prsa.org.