GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 17 – January 10, 2015 | Page 21

WHAT IS A PRO? • Be visible and be seen to be doing. A PRO is the Public Relations Officer - a very vague term in regards to giving the officer a specific job description with key responsibilities etc. If you have a good PRO it can make a massive difference to an organisation moving forward in the same vein if you don’t have a PRO or if you have a bad PRO it can hurt the organisation and its image both within the organisation and outside. • Have a Communications Plan; be realistic and try to reach achievable goals step by step. • In my experience as PRO it is tough to balance the co-ordination of the day to day activity of being PRO and then having large projects up ahead. • Any help you can get must be capitalised upon. • The PRO is responsible for the image of the organisation. • Have a think is it sustainable over a year time period from a time giving perspective! • The PRO is a GAA Ambassador • Weekly Quarterly and Annually. It is important to monitor and review as well. • The PRO is more often than not the first point of contact for the organisation • Generate interest, promotion and publicity. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PRO: • See an opportunity and capitalise on it. • Have Two plans- where the organisation is and where it wants to get to. • An ability to represent all languages of your organisation is and would be a distinct advantage to grow promote and keep things more together in the family. 1. • 2. If the candidate for PRO has a good few of the characteristics on the following list then I believe they will make a good candidate. Reliable, Hard-working, Visible, Driven, Committed, Creative, Visionary, Confident, Assured, Planner, Strategist, Active, Involved, Organised, Enthusiastic, Passionate, Good attention to detail, Dedicated, Fair, Non-biased, Brave, Proud. • Bring your organisation and the GAA to a better place. 3. ASPIRATIONS, VISION OR STRATEGY • Do only what you can do! You are a Volunteer after all! • Seek support whenever you may need it. You are never on your own as PRO. • Idealism vs Realism - what is achievable! • Do your part to create an archive and a record which hopefully will be preserved and updated forever. • Remember to Have Fun and Enjoy Yourself ! Tune in to the next issue for - The Importance of a good GAA Public Relations Officer (PRO) - Part 2. 21