The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations Ethics Advocacy Award

2008 application form: PDF | Word

Deadline: Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Awards

The following PRSSA Chapter honors for Ethics Advocacy will be presented at PRSSA Awards Event during the 2007 National Conference in Philadelphia:

• FIRST PLACE: CHAPTER AWARD $1,000 / FACULTY ADVISOR $300

• SECOND PLACE: CHAPTER AWARD $750 / FACULTY ADVISOR $250

• THIRD PLACE: CHAPTER AWARD $500 / FACULTY ADVISOR $200

Background on Competition

When PRSA was established 60 years ago, its founders made ethical performance a requisite for members. Today, each member must pledge to uphold the PRSA Code of Ethics in professional practice. PRSA’s Board of Ethics and Professional Standards (BEPS) is responsible for giving priority to professional ethics throughout the organization.

PRSSA is also committed to professional ethics. Faculty Advisors and other educators emphasize that subject in courses. BEPS also encourages both PRSA and PRSSA Chapters to observe “Ethics Month” each September in their programming.

Early in this decade, unethical performance by some organizations – both for profit and not-for-profit – captured widespread attention by media, share owners and supporters, employees, customers, and the public-at-large. Several executives were brought to court and convicted for the outcomes of illegal, unethical behaviors. Such actions have escalated public concern about ethics in all areas of society – business, politics, the community and in personal life.

These concerns also reached to schools – particularly students in secondary and higher education. In pursuing their studies for future careers, many were learning about professional ethics and codes. However, in their here-and-now behavior, there has been increasing evidence of cheating and plagiarism – often abetted by extensive resources available via computer. Unfortunately – and despite academic Honor Codes – there also appears to be growing acceptance of such behavior…even among students whose own personal standards are high.

For those reasons, in 2005 the prestigious Bateman Competition for PRSSA Chapters focused on ethics. It challenged PRSSA Chapters and members to become “Advocates for Ethical Behavior” on their campuses – supporting their schools’ Honor Codes and enforcement, researching peer attitudes toward ethical and unethical behavior, and demonstrating their own commitment to ethics during their academic years and beyond.

Sixty-two chapters participated in that 2005 competition. Many were so encouraged by what they had accomplished that they expressed a desire to continue their advocacy programs.

In response to that interest, the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, established by University of Alabama, volunteered to sponsor the Annual Ethics Advocacy Awards for PRSSA Chapters. Since 2006, Chapters at these universities have been proudly honored: Belmont; Illinois State; California State/Fullerton; Nebraska at Omaha; Southeast Missouri State. Your Chapter can earn a place on that unique Honor Roll! Here’s how --

The 2008 Competition

Basic requirements are noted on the following Entry Form to accompany each entry. The deadline for receipt and entries at PRSSA Headquarters is Tuesday, October 7.

Examples of Chapter objectives that encourage ethical behavior include:

• To champion Honor Codes and their enforcement.

• To become campus spokespersons for ethical behavior.

• To forge relationships with other campus organizations, faculty and administrators, to encourage attention to ethics.

• To observe Ethics Month in September, including activities associated with sponsoring PRSA Chapter.

• To give attention to ethics beyond the campus, e.g. in the community, high schools, with media, etc.

• To develop ongoing plans for the 2008-09 academic year.

THE CENTER RECOGNIZES THAT –

-- Ethical behavior is fundamental to public relations, which is responsible for building trusted relationships and respect between institutions and their constituencies. Beyond professional and practice codes, it is also a personal commitment. Each student brings his or her understanding of ethical behavior to the campus, then to the workplace, influencing colleagues, employers and clients and the institutions served throughout a career lifetime.

-- Through PRSSA, students can represent the integrity of the profession to which they aspire. They can take the challenge to become exemplars, leaders and advocates for ethical behavior among their peers – TODAY!

Winners - 2007

First Place - California State University, Fullerton, Dr. Dean Kazoleas, APR

Second Place - Illinois State University, Dr. Tomasz Fediuk

Third Place - Belmont University, Dr. Bonnie Reichert, APR, Fellow PRSA; Southeast Missouri State University, Dr. Susan Gonders, APR, Fellow PRSA

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