September is Ethics Month – Do You Know What Resources Are at Your Fingertips?

September is Ethics Month, and I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself and share some valuable resources that come with your PRSA membership.

My name is Liz Viscardi, APR, and I am honored to serve as the incoming Ethics Officer, following in the footsteps of Teresa Dougherty, APR, who held this role for 10 years. I have been a PR practitioner since 2006, earned my accreditation in 2012, served in Colorado Chapter leadership since 2019, and was chapter president in 2023. Throughout my career, I have taken ethics seriously and believe in the importance of living by the PRSA Code of Ethics every day.

As the Colorado Chapter Ethics Officer, my role is to provide members with knowledge and resources to navigate ethical communications, guided by PRSA’s Board of Ethics and Professional Standards (BEPS). If you ever find yourself—or a client—at an ethical crossroads, I encourage you to reach out to me by phone or email. Sometimes talking through a scenario is all it takes to find clarity.

PRSA also offers a wealth of ethics resources online. Ethics has been central to PRSA since its inception, with the first Code of Ethics written in 1950. These principles have evolved over time, but they remain a foundation of our profession, ensuring respect for and within public relations.

As a PRSA member, here are some of the ethics resources available to you year-round:

• • PRSA Code of Ethics – Available online and should be referenced often as a pillar of professional conduct.

• • On-demand webinars – Covering topics such as artificial intelligence, common ethical challenges, leadership and more. Select

I look forward to serving you in this role and supporting your commitment to ethical practice.

Liz Viscardi, APR
Owner, LV Events and PR
Ethics Officer, PRSA Colorado Chapter