Hirst Vista Award

Qualifications for Nomination (please make sure that your nominee meets the following criteria) :

• A member in good standing of PRSA in any membership category;
• A member in good standing of the New Mexico Chapter, in any membership category, for a minimum of five years;
• At least 20 years of experience in the profession;
• Significant contributions to the chapter to include past or present service as a chapter officer or board member;
• Personal and professional qualities that serve as a role model for other PR practitioners;
• Significant contributions to the advancement of the profession.

Other Important Considerations:

Nominations should include at least one specific example of how the nominee has demonstrated expertise in the practice of public relations. Please consider that Public Relations encompasses the following:

• Members of the selection committee are not eligible for the award;
• Nominations are not accepted from members of the selection committee;
• Self-nominations are not permitted;
• Any chapter member may make a nomination;
• PR Accreditation will be considered;
• Anticipating, analyzing and interpreting public opinion, attitudes, and issues that might impact, for good or ill, the operations and plans of the organization;
• Counseling management at all levels in the organization with regard to policy decisions, courses of action, and communications, taking into account their public ramifications and the organization’s social or citizenship responsibilities.
• Researching, conducting, and evaluating, on a continuing basis, programs of action and communication to achieve the informed public understanding necessary to success of an organization’s aims. These may include marketing, financial, fund raising, employee, and community or government relations;
• Planning and implementing the organization’s efforts to influence or change public policy. Setting objectives, planning, budgeting, recruiting and training staff, developing facilities – in short, managing the resources needed to perform all of the above. (Source – Public Relations Society of America)
• APR Accreditation will be taken into consideration in the event of a tie.

The nomination process is simple and free. Submit the name of your nominee along with a specific example of how the nominee has demonstrated expertise in the practice of public relations (a paragraph or two). The nominee’s contact information must also be included. The selection committee will then follow up with a questionnaire to the nominee. The questionnaire will include questions about the nominee’s experience and contributions to the chapter.

Please send question or submit completed nominations to NMPRSA President Nancy Salem. The nomination process is simple and free.

Previous Winners of the Hirst Vista Award

2018 – Steve Carr

2017 – Tom Carroll

2016 – Dennis Roberts, APR

2015 – Dave Smoker, APR

2013 – Doug Turner

2012 – Joan Griffin

2011 – Tom Garrity

2010 – Susan Sponar

2009 – Karin Stangl, APR

2008 – Melanie Majors, APR

2007 – Greg Johnston

2006 – Rod Geer

2005 – Anne Monson, APR

2004 – Chad Perry, APR

2003 – Fred Morgan, APR, Fellow PRSA

2002 – Sam Giammo, APR, Fellow PRSA

2001 – Lee and Marie Hirst