Membership Information

How To Apply For Membership

Further details are included in the Membership Application form and are available from a Member Society or the National Office. Applications should be submitted, with the exception of Individual Members, through a Member Society. Individual members should apply through the National office.

Membership Fees

  • Full Membership: $300 ($220 national fee and $80 Hamilton chapter fee) plus a one-time $50 administration fee for those who have graduated and are actively involved in practicing public relations. The total with GST is $363.50.
  • Affiliate Membership: $100 (plus a one-time $50 administration fee) for those with an interest in public relations (e.g., suppliers.)
  • Student Membership: $30 for individuals enrolled in full time, post-secondary public relations studies. Student membership renewal and 1st year graduate is $30 for individuals who have graduated from a full time, post-secondary public relations studies.

Membership Dues

Dues for the fiscal year commencing April 1 are payable upon receipt of a statement. All members are sent a statement covering National dues, plus dues established by their Member Society National dues are established by the Board of Directors and ratified by Members at the Annual General Meeting. Member Society dues are established by the Member Society concerned.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Membership Membership in The Society shall be in accordance with the bylaws of The National Society.
  • Membership Categories There are two classes of National Society members called voting and non-voting members.

Voting Members

  • Members
  • Individual members
  • Accredited members
  • Fellows
  • Life members
  • Members are those who are principally employed in the practice of public relations and have at least one year’s experience or; those who have at least four years full-time experience in the practice of public relations, yet are not employed in the practice of public relations or, those who either teach or administer a public relations course recognized by The Society and who have at least one year’s experience in same or in the practice of public relations, or those who possess a degree, diploma or post-graduate certificate in public relations from a program and institution both of which meet the standards set and recognized by The National Society.
  • Individual members are those who live and work outside the geographical area of any member society and who may request membership as an individual member.
  • Accredited members are those Members who have passed the examination requirements as determined by the accreditation board of The National Society. Such members shall be designated by the term “Accredited Public Relations” (APR).
  • Fellows are those whose terms of entry are established by The National Society board of directors.
  • Life members are those members who have, in the opinion of The Society’s directors, provided exemplary service to The Society. Such membership shall be approved by a majority of voting members at The Society’s annual general meeting. A life member shall be exempt from paying any local dues required by The Society.

Non-Voting Members

  • Retired members
  • Associate members
  • Student members
  • Affiliate members
  • Retired members are those who may apply to transfer to the retired members category, provided:
    • The applicant has been a member for a total period of at least 10 full years, of which at least five years have been at Voting member status, and;
    • he or she has retired from full time employment in public relations.
  • Associate members are those who have responsibility for the public relations function within their organization and have yet to be employed full time in the practice of public relations, or have completed a member society recognized course in public relations. Associate members who become employed full time in the practice of public relations shall become voting members on completion of one year as an associate.
  • Student members are those who do not qualify for voting member status and who are enrolled full-time in a course of studies that would lead them to a career in public relations. Upon graduation from their course of study, student members may maintain their student membership status for a period of 12 months and are eligible to pay the student membership dues for that period of time. Student members are admitted by The Society and are not part of The National Society.
  • Affiliate members are those who have an interest in public relations and do not qualify for membership in the categories of member, individual member, accredited member, fellow or life member. Affiliate members are admitted by The Society alone and are not part of The National Society. Affiliate members are non-voting members. Individuals may remain as affiliate members for unlimited periods, subject to annual approval by the board of directors of The Society.

Why Join CPRS-Hamilton?

It’s a great investment in personal and professional growth and development. Whether you are a seasoned communications professional or a newcomer to the public relations industry, a CPRS Hamilton membership is invaluable. More than simply a few lunch meetings; membership opens doors to:

  • professional and personal development
  • friendship
  • valuable networking
  • active involvement in your professional association
  • communication with practitioners across Canada
  • access to the CPRS National Library
  • CareerFile

CPRS Hamilton members live and work throughout the Golden Horseshoe. They represent a diverse group of organizations and companies in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

Services

At the National Level:

  • A voluntary National CPRS Accreditation Program through which members may establish their proficiency in the public relations field. Adding the coveted APR (Accredited, Public Relations) designation after your name becomes a key to career advancement. As an accredited member you join a fraternity of more than 500 Canadians who have demonstrated this established level of expertise. Only Society members may seek accreditation. The APR designation is also recognized by the Public Relations Society of America in the United States.
  • Annual publication of a Membership Directory. All members receive this publication in addition to Bylaws and Regulations, historical, reference and professional material. All members also receive a Certificate of Membership.
  • Annually, in conjunction with a Member Society, a national conference. The conference consists of study sessions, case history presentations, talks by nationally and internationally recognized experts in the field. The Annual General Meeting of the Society is also held at this time.
  • Career guidance material for schools and students, are an aid to developing the acceptance and respect of those interested in the practice of public relations
  • An annual Awards Competition for Members, designed to foster pride and a spirit of competition in projects through national recognition and reward for high calibre entries.
  • Recognition, through national Major Awards, for outstanding contributions to public relations by Members: to the advancement of public relations itself on behalf of the Society, the attainment of the highest level of professional achievement and to exceptional public service.
  • Support for certificate and degree courses in public relations at community colleges and universities.
  • Opportunity for personal contact with public relations people across the country.

At the International Level:

  • CPRS engages in on-going liaison with the International Public Relations Association, the Public Relations Society of America and other national public relations organizations around the world.

At the Member Society Level: Regular meetings with public relations practitioners, where Members can benefit from:

  • speakers recognized for their expertise on communications matters;
  • case study sessions;
  • panel discussions on topicalsubjects from a public relations perspective; and
  • educational and technical seminars.
  • Career development through seminars, workshops and courses.
  • News bulletins to keep members up-to-date on professional affairs at the local level.
  • Sponsorship of social events to promote and maintain a stronger sense of identity within the community.
  • Provision of a Member (Member Society President) to be a Director of the National Society and voting delegates to the Annual General Meeting of the National Society, to ensure that regional views and interests are made known and included in national programs.
  • Involvement in national conferences following nominations as host society.

For More Information

For additional information about Member Societies and how to join CPRS, contact the CPRS Hamilton Membership Chair or contact the CPRS National Office:

Membership Chair - Hamilton

Samantha Sutton

Tel: 905-845-4681, ext. 116

E-Mail: samm_antha@hotmail.com

CPRS National Office Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS)

4195 Dundas Street West, Suite 346

Toronto, Ontario M8X 1Y4

Tel: 416-239-7034

Fax: 416-239-1076

E-Mail: admin@cprs.ca

Web: http://www.cprs.ca