How to Celebrate 2020 Ethics Month: Learn, Listen and Lead
By Andrea Simrell, SCPRSA Ethics Chair
PRSA has designated September as “Ethics Month,” a time to focus on ethics as a cornerstone of the public relations industry.
This year, the theme of the Board of Ethics and Practice Standards (BEPS) Ethics Month is “Ethical Leadership: Doing the right thing in time of crisis.”
We encourage you to find ways to learn, listen, and lead during the upcoming Ethics Month.
Ways to Learn
- Refresh your memory and reread the PRSA Code of Ethics
- Review the ethics case studies and other resources available through PRSA
- Make plans to attend the BEPS “Leading with Ethics” webinar on September 8th at 3 p.m. EDT
- Join PRSA for a Twitter Chat on Ethical Challenges in Today's Global Information Work, scheduled for September 17th, 8-9 p.m. EDT
Ways to Listen
- Watch one of these previously recorded webinars:
- Trusted Advisers: PR Agencies in a Global Pandemic
- Leadership Today: Issues of Ethics
- Taking a Stand for Ethics
- Join the PRSA Ethics in Communications Community to post questions or participate in discussions
- Check out the Ethical Voices podcast, which features real stories from real PR professionals about real ethical issues they have faced
Ways to Lead
- Write a blog, post on social media or find another way to share your thoughts on ethics as a public relations practitioner. Here are a few prompts if you need one:
- What does the word “ethics” mean to you?
- How can leaders demonstrate their commitment to ethics?
- How are you continuing your ethics education, both during Ethics Month and beyond?
- Start a discussion around ethics with your coworkers, clients or other publics you influence
- Consider nominating yourself or another SCPRSA member for a 2021 Board Position. More information can be found on the SCPRSA website, and nominations are due August 31.
We’re excited to continue the conversation around ethics over the next month. Let us know if you have any additional resources to share or ideas on how to celebrate.
