Not for profit organisations really need a PR department

Hi all,

Being a not for profit organisiation there are a lot of birocracy policies and procedures as well as rules and regulations. Because you rely on the grants and sponsorships it seemed to me that everyone donating money was a boss of ERISJ. Not having money for paid advertising someone needs to be able to find venues for unpaid publicity and who else then PR person? I would have imagined that such an organization would then have an allocated PR department or at least a position. Someone has to research and chase the money for those grants and sponsorships and who else is better equipped to do so then a PR person?

I got myself in a trap in applying for a grant for ERISJ when I suggested that their computers and software are completely out of date - practically a dinosaur of computer times. In order to design and organise the back stage and staff passes for the Just Music concert I had to bring in my own lap-top. I could not design and liaise with the printers and designers using ERISJ’s computers. David, the director, suggested I start researching avenues and apply for a grant that would allow purchase of new computer equipment.

As it was the busiest time, leading to the big event of the Just Music concert, Kate have openly expressed her dissagreement in doing so. I was also aware that would take up a lot of my time as well as the fact that I had no experience in doing that what so ever. I knew it was a huge job; there are even short courses and information nights at TAFE’s and Universities teaching people how to apply for grants and sponsorships. It was not an option at this point of time. I have suggested starting doing that after the Just Music concert to which both Kate and David where really happy.

What I am trying to get across here is that all those jobs motioned here are PR related jobs: Publicity, Events Organizing, Grants and Sponsorships, Liaison with Printers and Designers and there was not a formal position in PR allocated in doing that. Kate’s position was Major Events Coordinator and I am just a temporary intern there recruited specially for this Just Music event but PR work, as we all know, includes much more than just Events.