Elections – just like buses, none for ages and then……
There’s been enough chatter about the US Presidential election just on this side of the pond to last for the next forty years, never mind four. Most of it is none too flattering for either Hilary Clinton or Donald Trump. I won’t even mention the Labour Party leadership (deep sigh).
So, you want an election with integrity yet still full of drama. One where you can even vote for me. Ladies and gentlemen (CIPR members at least) I give you the CIPR election 2016.
Not only can we choose a President-elect, but we also get to elect who we think should sit on the CIPR Council and represent the PR profession.
The President-elect bit first – 3 great candidates – Gary Taylor, Sarah Hall and Emma Leech. I am proud to be one of Gary’s 10 nominators for the post and am backing him to do a great job so I’d say #VoteGary. The good news for the CIPR is he has excellent competition in Sarah and Emma. It’s great for the CIPR to have three strong candidates this year.
I’m standing for election on the English regional list (huge thanks to the CIPR North East regional group for nominating me) and would be honoured to be re-elected to the CIPR Council. My statement is below and you can see it alongside the other candidates’ statements on the CIPR website.
If you want to get in touch about my views on CIPR just email chris@dtw.co.uk or message me @dtwchris on twitter.
Thanks for reading. Thanks even more if you are voting for me. CIPR members should have got their voting links by email today (Monday 12 September).
Chris Taylor
My CIPR statement for the 2016 elections
Communications. Content. Social. Digital. Call it what you want, our profession is changing faster than almost any other, and the pace of change is greater every day. Scary. For those of us who remember the days of posting hard copy photos to news editors and faxing press releases to radio and TV newsrooms (less than 20 years ago!) PR, and society, has changed beyond belief. That creates opportunities for great communicators, but presents us with a huge dilemma. Our skills have never been more in demand, but never have there been more people who think they can ‘do PR’.
The CIPR needs to be a broad church, but one focused on professionalism. It needs to become the natural home for great communicators who use their skills to solve problems and add value to their organisations whatever their background. In order to do this the CIPR must lead the PR industry and its members into this exciting and fast-changing future on the front foot. In order to deliver this it is vital that there is a strong link between regional groups and the CIPR Council.
As the past Chair of a regional committee (the North East Group) for three years and a regional committee member for ten years I can honestly say that the CIPR has been at the core of my career. It’s a great organisation, and the more you put in, the more you get out.I fell into the CIPR family twelve years ago because my new boss told me it was a good idea – he was right. Since then I’ve been an active member of the north east and the Local Public Services groups.The regional and sectoral groups and their events and networks are the heartbeat of the CIPR, and if I am elected to Council for another two years to represent the English regions I will work hard to make sure regional groups and members from right across the country have a strong voice within the CIPR.
As for the day job, for me it is being Managing Director of DTW – we’re a strategic PR consultancy based in the north of England working in the energy, waste, education, health and infrastructure sectors, as well as with government at all levels. If you want to know more about me catch up with me on twitter @dtwchris.In my 12 years as a CIPR member a lot has changed in our profession. The next 2 years will see just as much change again. I’d like to play my part in ensuring the CIPR remains at the heart of the PR profession”