Nonprofit Support

by Stephen Lindsley

Founded in 1971, the Community Service Public Relations Council (CSPRC) is composed of communications professionals from St. Louis-area nonprofit organizations. The group supports people who do public relations, fund-raising, volunteer management and media relations work at local nonprofits. Approximately 150 local organizations are CSPRC members.

“Our organization is unique to St. Louis and the region, and maybe in the U.S. as well,” says CSPRC president Dorothy Hutchinson-Gross. “It’s a great way for professionals with the same challenges and concerns to share new ideas and best practices. I also think the mentoring program has been very valuable to members.”

The mentoring program, which is facilitated by a board chair, pairs seasoned professionals in the industry with newer employees, giving both members a chance to examine what they do, how they do it and how it might be done better. “At first I was apprehensive about being a mentor,” says Hutchinson-Gross, “but it has really re-energized me and offered me a different perspective on my own job.” Hutchinson- Gross is public relations and events manager at the St. Louis Science Center.

Another important program is the CSPRC Job Referral Network. Organizations seeking talented individuals can submit their requirements to the CSPRC, which then disseminates the listing to possible candidates in the metropolitan area for a small fee. People seeking employment in a local organization can also submit resumes to the CSPRC Job Referral Network at no cost.

Each month, members attend a luncheon meeting with a different speaker or topic for discussion. In addition, the CSPRC publishes Noteworthy, a monthly newsletter. Three times a year the CSPRC offers a workshop called “Building Better Relationships,”which is an opportunity for members to meet after hours with other industry professionals who can offer insights into how to succeed in different aspects of their jobs. This year, the theme is “Winning the Competition,” with successive events focused on job advancement, media relations and grant writing. The CSPRC’s annual meeting, known as the Spectrum Conference, is another chance for members to gather with their peers and discuss current issues in the field.

NETWORK’s Nonprofit Profile has a long history of profiling the good works performed by nonprofits in our community. It is less often, though, that we get a chance to highlight the efforts of a local nonprofit that actually serves other nonprofits. Day in and day out, talented communications professionals are working hard to make a difference for their organizations. The CSPRC is dedicated to helping them do it a little better.

For more information, send email to csprc@kaygroup.com, or call 647-1000. The offices and administration of the CSPRC are located at the Kay Group, an association management firm.

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