Historical Highlights
TSPRA originated in 1962 at the annual convention of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) in Denver, Colorado. A group of 11 Texas delegates led by Don E. Matthews, outgoing NSPRA president and an assistant superintendent in Dallas ISD, met to begin the process of forming a chapter. The Lone Star Chapter was officially launched at the TASA/TASB Convention in Austin with Matthews as the first president. And the rest, they say, is history.
1962
Membership Growth 1962 11 1963 57 1972 105 1982 215 1992 307 2002 365 2012 899 2022 1178
In membership dues were
Winter 2021 | www.TSPRA.org
1969
In , the Lone Star Chapter changed its name to Texas Chapter, National School Public Relations Association. In 1975, the bylaws stated that the organization would also be known as TSPRA, standing for Texas School Public Relations Association.
In Aug. 1988, TSPRA contracted with Annell Todd to serve as executive director parttime and established a state office in Austin. In 1996, Todd moved to a full-time position, where she stayed until she retired in 2004 when Judy Farmer took over until June 2010. Janet Crock, who was also part-time, became fulltime in July 1997. In Sept. 2009, TSPRA added a communications specialist position.
28
$5.
1972
1963
In , the first chapter meeting held with 57 duespaying members, most of whom were superintendents.
In , TSPRA was rated as the best NSPRA chapter in the nation and the association continued to be a perennial NSPRA Blue Ribbon Chapter, as well as receiving honors for Distinguished Chapter and Outstanding Year-Round Project. NSPRA awarded TSPRA its Mark of Distinction, Exemplary Chapter Award in July 2014.
NSPRA Presidents from TSPRA Don Matthews (1961-1962) Lloyd Bell (1971-1972) Larry Ascough (1975-76) Bonnie Ellison (1984-85) Steve Knagg (1991-92) Dorian Martin (1997-98) Julie Thannum (2016-17)
501(c)(3)
In 1977, TSPRA received an individual charter status as its own 501(c)(3), enabling us to operate independtly from the national chapter.
