Many student organizations at UTM attend the regional and national conferences of their respective groups.

Many attend to accept awards and learn about new developments in their field. Others attend to be trained as leaders and to find out new methods to motivate themselves and others.

One group at UTM attends their conferences to teach. The UTM chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is presenting a session at its National Conference in San Francisco on Friday, November 15.

Each fall, hundreds of students from PRSSA chapters across the nation gather for National Conference where they attend workshops and seminars on developing their chapters and professional lives.

Members from UTM will host the session entitled “Circling the Wagons: Keeping the Team Together” that covers the subjects of group organization, motivation and camaraderie.

“Students from UTM have achieved much in PRSSA. This chapter has a reputation as an active, cutting-edge group,” said Amy Jacobs, former national vice president of chapter development. “They prove that even small universities can stand out on the national level.”

This presentation will be the third consecutive chapter development session given by the UTM chapter on the national level.

Previously, the chapter has conducted workshops in Chicago and Atlanta on topics including graduation preparation, portfolios and recruiting and retaining members.

“The internal dynamics of this year’s team make them especially effective in teaching their peers,” said Dr. Jeff Hoyer, the group’s faculty advisor. “They carry on the Chapter’s tradition of excellence and will definitely represent the UTM Chapter and the University of Tennessee at Martin well in California.”

The UTM PRSSA chapter has a long-standing tradition of being involved locally and nationally.

The chapter has hosted both regional and national conferences, earned the national Pacesetter Award, been awarded competitive national academic scholarships and produced members who have served as national officers, in addition to taking part in many campus activities at Martin.

The chapter also offers a student-run PR firm with clients that have included the UTM men’s basketball team, The UTM Technology Showcase, Community Developmental Services, Santa’s Village and the Tennessee Dietary Managers’ Association.

The declared purpose of PRSSA is to cultivate a favorable and mutually advantageous relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners.

Today, more than 6,500 members in 220 chapters on college campuses across the country are becoming oriented with and prepared for the world of public relations through this organization.