ECD Chair’s September 2024 Message
September 2024
Dear PRSA ECD Members,
As we welcome September, we also embrace one of the most significant observances in our profession—Ethics Month. The importance of ethics in public relations cannot be overstated. It is the foundation upon which we build trust, credibility and integrity in our work. The PRSA Code of Ethics, first developed in 1950, remains a guiding beacon for us all. It is designed to help us carry out our ethical responsibilities with principles that uphold our core values: advocacy, honesty, expertise, independence, loyalty and fairness.
This code is not just a document but a living, breathing guide that informs our daily decisions and actions. As practitioners, we must continually commit ourselves to these standards, recognizing that our work profoundly impacts the organizations we serve and the public we engage. During Ethics Month, I encourage you to revisit the PRSA Code of Ethics and reflect on how it shapes your professional conduct. Let us all strive to be examples of ethical excellence, fostering trust in our profession and positively impacting the world.
In addition to Ethics Month, September is an exciting time for PRSA ECD as we prepare for the QuickStart Leadership Conference Sept. 14 in Columbus. This in-person event is a fantastic learning, networking, and leadership development opportunity. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Chair-Elect, Mark Weinstein, for his outstanding leadership and dedication in planning this year’s conference. We are also incredibly grateful to our sponsors: expertfile, Fahlgren Mortine, Central Ohio PRSA, and COHATCH, whose support has made this event possible. Additionally, a big thank you goes out to the many speakers who will be sharing their expertise with us. Learn more and register here. We also have a special group rate of $159/night at Courtyard by Marriott Easton-Columbus – book here.
Before the conference, our Board of Directors will convene Sept. 13 for our annual retreat, which will include our standard board meeting followed by a strategic planning session. This is a critical time for us to come together, reflect on our progress, and chart a course for the future. Following the retreat, I encourage everyone to join us for a Happy Hour event at COHATCH from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Columbus. It’s a wonderful chance to connect in a relaxed setting and strengthen our professional community.
Please remember that we will not have a virtual board meeting this September but will resume it in October through December. However, we will have the September Coffee Chat Sept. 24. Also, the deadline for this year’s Diamond Awards is approaching. Our regular deadline is Sept. 6, with the final deadline on Sept. 27. Submit your entries here.
Thank you for your continued commitment to PRSA ECD and upholding the highest ethical practice standards. I look forward to seeing many of you in Columbus!
Warm regards,
Jennifer
Jennifer L. Kramer, APR
2024 ECD Board Chair
