I’m standing for President of the CIPR in 2014. I’ve set out ten words and ten pledges that I would focus on during my period in office. Here’s a Slideshare summary.

The election will take place from 7 to 21 May. You need to be a member of the CIPR to vote. The President for 2014 will be announced on 24 May.

Throughout the election period I’m going to blog about two of my words and pledges each week and answer any questions that have been raised by members.

Last week was professional and excellence. This week I’m onto pledges and words seven and eight: social and lobby.

Social

If I am elected I would be part of the CIPR presidential team for three years, from 2013 to 2015 (2013 as President Elect, 2014 as President, and 2015 as Immediate Past President). My ten words and ten pledges focus on what I’d like to achieve during this period. At the heart of this is setting a vision for membership for the future.

A key task for the President is to look forward and work with the Council to ensure that the CIPR has a vision for the next decade.

We have made great progress in addressing the fragmentation of media in professional practice and in how the CIPR itself engages with its audience. Indeed we’ve seen members and non members engage in this election process in ways that haven’t happened before.

Last week’s edition of the CIPR Conversation reported on where the action is taking place. It’s a fantastic model for 2014 and beyond and I hope that non members will now be motivated to consider joining the CIPR.

I have recognised that social media is changing how members want to engage with the CIPR through content, services and education. Addressing this issue will drive member engagement locally, regionally and internationally. I am promising to  put members at the heart of the CIPR.

Lobby

We need to seek swift resolution on the issue of the registration of lobbyists and ensure that any new statutory rules are fair and applicable to all practitioners irrespective of role.

Despite commitments the government is not showing any urgency to address this issue. It clearly has not been a priority for the Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform Chloe Smith who was appointed in September. At the moment we’re playing a waiting game until the government declares its position.

However the CIPR is well placed to lead the debate on the definition of lobbying. Uniquely our members work across UK industry, the professions and the public sector.

This is a great opportunity for CIPR to take the leadership in this role - our Public Affairs Group is very strong and we are in a position to reach out to people such as the CBI, the Law Society and Local Government. I am delighted that one of my nominators is the chair of the CIPR Public Affairs group and elected I will work with the group to get this plan of action ready.

Questions and Answers

This week a debate about the relevancy of PR associations has kicked off on LinkedIn and the discussion about the future of professional practice continues.

If you have any other questions please get in touch either via the comments below or email.