Ethics are the backbone of our Society and profession. As students and rising professionals, we have a responsibility to ourselves, our co-workers and our clients to live up to the standards of a values-based profession. By investing time and energy in ethics-related programming for our classrooms and workplaces, we are properly preparing the next generation of public relations practitioners for the industry we all know and love.
Here are a few tips for strengthening a Chapter-wide understanding of ethical behavior and decision-making, both as students and professionals in the workplace:
1. Invite a guest speaker from PRSA or the Champions for PRSSA to give a lecture on ethics.
Is your Chapter interested in earning a Star Chapter recognition? If so, dedicating a meeting to ethics is a great way to engage members and professionals in meaningful conversation — and fulfill a Star Chapter requirement. Check out the guidelines for the Star Chapter Award, and start your Chapter’s year off strong during the fall semester. Interested in inviting a speaker but unsure where to start? Contact your PRSA sponsor Chapter for potential candidates.
2. Participate in the Ethics Month Competition.
As PRSSA members, you are invited to try your hand at the Ethics Month Competition, an effort by PRSSA National to get members thinking critically about how ethical decision-making impacts real life. Your responses to the case are due no later than midnight on Sept. 30, 2016. The PRSSA member who most thoughtfully incorporates the PRSA Code of Ethics into their response will be awarded a $50 Amazon gift card.
3. Participate in the Ethics Twitter chat.
Mark your calendars and join fellow PRSSA members and industry professionals for the Millennial Ethics: Workplace Dilemmas & Scenarios Twitter chat, focusing on ethics in our profession. Log in at 9 p.m., EST on Sept. 14 to join the conversation. Use #PRSSA to take part and share your thoughts on ethics in public relations with Chapters across the nation.
What are some of your Chapter’s Ethics Month agenda items?
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Callie Curley is a junior at Penn State University studying journalism and international agriculture. Follow her on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn.