I'm back damnit and here's your starter for 10: an OpenCIPR

OK. I'm back blogging again. Apologies for the haitus. Twas caused by busy, busy work and too much homelife going on.

So I have a few thoughts on s0me issues around public engagement and social media which I aim to write up soonest, in the meantime I wanted to float this idea:

Does the desire exist among UK PR types for an OpenCIPR?

Well, is there? I didn;t renew my membership earleir this year but after discussions with a good few digtial PR types was convinced that there are a number of areas where an organisation of social media and digital PR and communications types would be very useful, e.g. taking the marketing and ad agencies on through thought-leadership; developing and sharing best practice communally (a la Will McInnes' Measurement Camp); knwoeldge sharing, networking, drinking, etc.

But this thought led naturally to the next.... in a social/digital age do we need (a) formal organisation to organise? My opinion: no.

So I propose re-joining the CIPR and establishing a OpenCIPR grassroots version. This is something David Wilcox and others did with the RSA. And if they can do it with the RSA we can do it with the CIPR.

But I need to know a) that this isn't a stupid idea and b) others are willing to get involved.

Please leave your views in the comments. kthxbai

Tags: CIPR, OpenCIPR, open source organising

Comments

[Simon Wakeman]

Hi Simon,

I think that's a really good idea - since I've been a member I've really willed and supported CIPR to reinvent itself to address the fundamental changes in the comms environment we work in - but very little is happening.

Count me in!

cheers
sw

[Rax Lakhani]

Hi Simon - welcome back!

I think that an Open[INSERT ACRONYM] is a great idea, although tagging on to the CIPR isn't necessarily the answer.

What we need is a solid collective which moves the industry forward in terms of ideology and best practice - drawing from the collective experiences of its members. The CIPR is supposed to fulfull this role but hasn't kept up with the pace that our industry's been moving over the past few years.

I, like many of this blog's readers, would be more than happy to serve by your side, Cap'n Collister!

[Rob Skinner]

Simon

I enjoyed our discussion about the CIPR at the Wolfstar party in February.

Your idea is a great one, which I'd be pleased to support, although I do think a formal body is needed as well.

We may be in a digital age, but I see no sign that actual organisations are going to disappear any time soon, any more than they did when the railways, the telegraph or the telephone were invented.

Rob

Rob

[Simon Collister]

@SW - great! Thanks for stepping up
@Rax - I take your point re. to CIPR or not to CIPR. I also totally agree about needing a collective that just does stuff without recoursing to electing members, directors, etc a la a traditional membership organisation. But I like the idea that we can reform the CIPR which already has a standing in the wider PR industry.

Admittedly my head says it won;t happen... but where there's a will there's a way!

@Rob - I kind of agree - see my point to rax above. You're always the voice of reason!