Barnes, Caldwell Become Accredited
Thursday, December 11th, 2008The Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), a consortium of nine professional communication organizations that directs this competency certification program, has announced that Ron Barnes and Mary Anne Caldwell are the two newest Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) members to successfully complete the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations (APR).
In order to complete the accreditation program, which assesses competence in 60 areas of knowledge, skills and abilities associated with the profession, each had to complete a rigorous process that included presenting a portfolio to a Readiness Review panel of three peers and sitting for a computer-based exam.
Professionals earning the APR must maintain their credential through continuing professional development, providing leadership to the profession and serving their local communities. SPRF counts more than 100 Accreditated professionals in its membership and another 15 candidates are currently in the pipeline to test for APR.
Barnes is the 2007 president of the MS Beach chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM), and has served for two years on the PRAM state board of directors. Barnes has received numerous awards for his work in public relations, and was recognized as one of Sun Herald’s “Top 10 Business Leaders Under 40” and the Home Builders Association MS Coast Chapter named him its “Associate of the Year” and “Presidential Leadership award winner.”
“I was fortunate to have a great mentor in the APR process and two other candidates in my study group that were a great support,” Barnes said. “I believe all PR practitioners would benefit from experience of preparing for Accreditation. Earning Accreditation in public relations has been one of the most educational and rewarding achievements in my career.”
Since its inception 11 years ago, Caldwell has been the public relations and marketing director for the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Mississippi’s only children’s museum. Caldwell’s education degree from Ole Miss and her extensive experience in the travel and tourism industry have been important assets in her chosen profession. Working with a non-profit, she understands how vital volunteers are for such groups to succeed and thus, she is a life member of the Junior Auxiliary of Biloxi-Ocean Springs, has been active with the Boy Scouts in Biloxi and is passionate about literacy initiatives.
Founded in 1972, SPRF is a regional network of nearly 1,400 public relations professionals from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and north Florida who share a common interest in the public relations profession.
SPRF exists to further the professional and networking interests of today’s public relations and communication professionals in private, public and nonprofit businesses and organizations. Along with networking, SPRF serves to advocate on behalf of and assist its members through ongoing professional development and defining ethical behavior. SPRF is the umbrella organization for the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Public Relations Association of Mississippi, the Public Relations Association of Louisiana and the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization.
SPRF, along with eight other regional and national public relations organizations, is a participating member of the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), the national body which administers the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) mark. Members certified as APRs have successfully demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations effectively in today’s business arena.