CIPR

So, my last blog post as President of the CIPR. Time flies as they say.

My final post is based on my last update to CIPR members, simply because it says all I want to say (and thanks to all those who have taken the time to comment on these posts over the last 12 months).

Roosevelt said it beautifully (about farewells): "Be sincere; be brief..." and so I will.

Firstly, a huge thank you to our members, fellows, volunteers, council and board colleagues, staff, partners and the broader public relations community for the input, advice, critique and support in 2010.

I promised small progress steps in January this year and we have achieved many, including a review and restructure of the CIPR. Also the launch of our new website and the first interactive live PR TV show, CIPR TV. New Diplomas in Public Affairs and Crisis Management; new guidance for members on planning and measurement, procurement, media spamming, communicating with children and social media. We represented the interests of our members on matters key to PR, including the Barcelona Principles on evaluation. We launched a public sector initiative to bring together examples of PR value. We were co-founders of the new UK Public Affairs Council. We brought together some of the UK's foremost social media practitioners and launched the Social Media Panel to develop advice for our members. We welcomed the UK's first cohort of Chartered PR practitioners; we launched online CPD for members and held conferences and workshops on a wide range of PR topics. We launched the Diversity Working Group and celebrated the achievement of young PR practitioners with the launch of the Future Leaders Forum. We celebrated creativity and excellence at the CIPR Awards. We opened the doors to Russell Square for our 'Social Summers' – informal weekly events for practitioners on everything social media. We held careers days for students and recruitment events for members. Our groups rolled-out a huge programme of events, awards and activities and attracted stand out speakers to their conferences. Importantly, the Institute has taken tough decisions and is back in surplus, financially in a stronger position.

So progress, yes, but there is much still to do. Not every challenge is solved. I said in January that all we set out to achieve would not be beautifully packaged in my year as President and it hasn't been. We will do more to support members impacted by spending cuts. We need to focus on tangible outputs from our new working groups and forums. We need to ensure every individual member feels supported and connected to the Institute. Our voice on national issues will be amplified. We have processes to revamp, feedback to act upon and a dialogue to continue with practitioners so that we offer the right support and guidance. We need to keep listening and engaging.

So more small steps, but all in the right direction.

I now hand over the Presidency to an outstanding PR professional, someone as passionate about the CIPR and its members as I am, Paul Mylrea. Together with our new CEO Jane Wilson, our team and volunteers who form our council and board and run our groups throughout the nations and regions, the CIPR will be there for members, a voice for the profession.

It has been an honour. Happy Christmas to all those celebrating the festive season.