A new era for CIPR and for me. But do not fret. I’m not going anywhere!
In October this year, a new committee for 2022 was elected at the CIPR International AGM. Since my three-year term has expired, it is time for me to take on a new role and support the new Chair, Samantha Seewoosurrun, as Vice-Chair. As it is the end of an era for me, it is only fitting to now reflect on the achievements of the past period.
"We left behind being mainly a London-centric organisation and have become a large international group"
The world has changed tremendously in the past three years, and so has CIPR International - as it should. We have shifted from a London-centric organisation focused predominantly on live events (such as conferences and Maggie Nally lectures) to a fully digital mode that is accessible to all our members wherever they are based. Among many other accomplishments, the prime example of the digital shift (by the CIPR itself) is as follows:
Influence magazine went digital.
Chartership assessment is now available online.
Past events are now available on our YouTube playlist.
In recent years, we have also been organising predominantly online events with the help of other CIPR groups and external partners like Africa Communication Week. CPD points are awarded for almost all our activities, reflecting our ambition to provide knowledge and continuous learning opportunities - not only information and the possibility for networking. Committee members are devoted to CPD and have accredited status.
Additionally, our organisation has a relatively high percentage of chartered members, including myself since August 2020, as it was one of the promises I made to myself and my mentor (Eva Maclaine from whom people can request mentoring). Our blog - which you are reading now - is stacked with intriguing articles that are worth following.
As Group Chair I had to fulfil an interesting hybrid of roles at the same time. These included:
Representing member requests towards the main office.
Amplifying campaigns and pursuits of the CIPR HQ.
Motivating committee members.
Among my many other leadership positions I am glad to have had such a diverse committee, with whose help we have developed a lot, especially in the following fields:
We left behind being mainly a London-centric organisation and have become a large international group.
CIPR International was and still is an exceptionally inclusive community, welcoming everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation or race. We have focused on gender and diversity issues to a large extent and accepted agency, corporate and freelance members from a variety of locations and professions.
We have opened our doors to young people and students.
Finally - and as part of my job - I managed to travel all over the world, got to know many regions such as the Balkans, and attended the PRAU general assembly a few years ago.
I had my own unique development path within CIPR: First, I became a member, then head of the subcommittee responsible for our events and then became Vice-Chair. It was a great honour to have been elected by the members as Chair at the AGM three years ago - given that I am not sure if CIPR International had ever previously had an overseas Chair. I am glad that my appointment has also set an example: the new Chair, Samantha, also based outside the UK, proves just how international our group is.
I have to thank CIPR for a vast amount of gifts: acquaintances, friends, assignments, lots of professional knowledge, insight into different cultures, convincing arguments and stories. Therefore, I sincerely encourage anyone who is open to a world vision and happens to be a PR professional, to join our international community.
In 2022, I will be helping the committee as Vice Chair and will focus on maintaining and building external relationships. I truly hope that all our members can benefit from my knowledge and experience.
Follow our channels to be up-to-date with current events and news, and should you need any further advice, do not hesitate to contact me (sztaniszlav.andras@gmail.com)
Andras Sztaniszlav
