Victoria Lelash, a partner at the Atlanta public relations firm Jackson Spalding, has been awarded the Georgia Chapter’s Chapter Champion award.

She was presented with her certificate and an inscribed pen at the Chapter’s monthly meeting on December 3.

The Chapter Champion award was created to recognize a member who has significantly contributed to the Chapter’s success. It is given monthly or when appropriate.

Lelash brought the “Quality Time with PR Minds” program to the Georgia Chapter after co-founding the initiative with the Los Angeles Chapter. Part of the PRSA|GA Pro Bono Committee, the program provides free assistance to nonprofit organizations that might otherwise not have funds or resources to retain professional public relations counsel.

The inaugural fall 2007 event matched 43 Georgia Chapter members – who each volunteered four hours of their time – with 14 nonprofit organizations to help them identify solutions to their PR and marketing challenges. As a whole the Chapter donated a total of 172 hours, equal to about $20,000 in professional fees.

As a result of this type of volunteerism, the Georgia Chapter ranks as the No. 2 Chapter in the nation and has been recognized for its best membership practices among PRSA Chapters across the country.

PRSA|GA (www.prsageorgia.org), the second-largest local chapter in the national society, consists of nearly 1,000 professionals throughout Georgia. Its mission is to enhance the profession, provide continuing education and offer networking opportunities for its members.

The Chapter has monthly meetings as well as nine Special Interest Groups (Employee Communications, Government/Public Affairs, Healthcare, Independent Counselors, Leader Board, Nonprofit, Technology, Travel & Tourism, and Young Professionals) that meet at various times.

The Chapter supports five PRSSA (student society) groups at these colleges: Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University and University of Georgia.