There is a grassroots effort, in the form of an online petition, requesting that the Public Relations Society of America remove a long-standing rule that its national leaders must be accredited members of PRSA.

The nerve of PRSA, making its national officers and board members carry the accreditation of the organization they lead.

On second thought, I guess that makes perfect sense.

I currently serve on a few volunteer boards, and it’s a given that such positions carry with them expectations that can range from time and monetary commitments, to other specific criteria that are important to each particular organization.

PRSA board members who are accredited demonstrate that they are supportive of the organization’s programs, including accreditation. These types of commitments are part of being a leader.

Petitioners argue that the requirement is unfair because 80 percent of PRSA members are not accredited, and therefore not eligible to serve as national officers or board members.

For the record, I am accredited by PRSA, and have been since shortly after I became eligible to sit for the exam (PRSA had required a minimum of five years of experience to earn your APR).

The accreditation process is designed to demonstrate a commitment to professional excellence and ethical conduct; measure knowledge of communications theory and application; and test capabilities in research, planning, implementation and evaluation. These are good qualities to have in leaders of the world’s premier public relations society.

No doubt, there are many non-accredited members of PRSA who would strengthen the organization through their leadership skills and experience. I admit that if I was not already accredited at this point in my career, I don’t know if I would go through the process now.

Some members have suggested that PRSA should offer different routes for accreditation to allow seasoned members to gain APR status based upon experience and other measurable achievements.

I support this kind of thinking. But until this happens, I encourage aspiring national leaders who are not accredited to show leadership of another kind…become accredited by your professional society.