IABC Code of Ethics for Professional Communicators

Hundreds of thousands of business communicators engage globally in activities that in turn affect the lives of millions of people. There are certain social responsibilities that come with this package of enormous power, and because of that purpose alone IABC has put together a Code of Ethics for Professional Communicators.

The code is engineered around three different principles of professional communication that applies throughout the world.

“These principles assume that just societies are governed by a profound respect for human rights and the rule of law; that ethics, the criteria for determining what is right and wrong, can be agreed upon by members of an organization; and, that understanding matters of taste requires sensitivity to cultural norms.”

The concept of a communicators’ code of ethics is great, however I personally feel that the “unknown about communicator” is what binds us as communicators. Communication is simply mysterious and that alone should be a point emphasized in the code.

We deal with humans that cause our job to be mysterious and unique every time.

Within every organization – and communication for that matter – we constantly have to put things in perspective based on a company’s culture, what we want to accomplish and lastly who the audience is. This is a reason why I am a public relation major, for the lone fact that my job maintains a mutually beneficial relationship between my company and its publics. And we all know our organization cant success without its publics being happy, right? J

We, as communicators, all are storytellers, navigators, interviewers and investigators who collect data and ideas and build a sturdy framework for a plan or story in a meaningful way to whomever receives it. And that is our job. IABC believes that good professionals should have strong principles. This however, I’ve been told, can become very tiresome with success varying from organization to organization. Not to mention that most people don’t pay any attention to this in the first place, which is the reason this task isn’t easily conquered.

Nonetheless, communicators are consistent. We all have principles that we follow and we are all communicators, so finding a way to weather the storm and get something done professionally with social responsibility is achievable. Check out the code of ethics for yourself and see what you think about them.

Ethic Code Link

Power is in Volunteering

“Have I done enough volunteering,” is a question I often ask myself. I couldn’t help but think if others ask themselves this as well. It is no surprise that most people in our generation don’t volunteer as much as they should. This is the reason I feel we are so disconnected from our roots and reality. Nowadays, you can find most of our adolescences glued to a HD screen with an Xbox controller in hand. Yes, they are staying out of trouble (drugs, gangs etc.)by doing this, but at what point can this become detrimental to the user or operator? I know that there are some high schools that are requiring students to volunteer in their community prior to graduating, and I totally agree with this, but volunteering should be taken upon the students themselves. I understand that this is easier said than done; however I know this can be achieved. Most of our generation has some type of role model; icon or someone that they think is cool and chances are that person volunteers. Do research on your favorite celebrity, sports figure or idle and see where they volunteer or donate money and become part of that movement. I hope that this will give volunteering a new image that will be more appealing to others. If we can get young people connected with this mentality of being able to say that they played their part in their community, then I feel we can start a movement or force that cant be stopped.

The purpose of this post is to get my young communicators out in the world volunteering. I mentioned the Bronze Quill Awards Gala as a excellent way to get out and volunteer. I wouldn’t suggest something that I personally wouldn’t be doing, which is the reason I am also volunteering at this event. If you already are attending UH, then this is a grand way to display cougar pride and network with professionals. If you are a prospective student, then this is a excellent way to meet President Renu Khator and also see how IABC Houston rewards its winners in the field of communications.

For those who have already reaped the benefits of volunteering, then you know what to expect at an event like this. I can personally say that volunteering my time is the best thing I have ever done in my life. It taught me that money would never be my motivation for working. My motivation will only come when I can make a difference in another person’s life and the self-gratification feeling is like no other. It can become an addicting feeling my friends, but you wont ever know unless you get up and do it.

This perspective can be viewed on a micro scale (this gala), or macro scale (leaving your impression on the world) but no matter how you view volunteering the point is it’s beneficial and rewarding so try it out.

Please contact Mr. Emery for more information about The Bronze Quill Awards Gala and volunteering for this event. 

Mike Emery - memery@Central.UH.EDU

I leave you with a quote from one of our past leaders.

“Never before has a man had such a great capacity to control his own environment, to end hunger, poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and human misery. We have the power to make the best generation of mankind in the history of the world.”

-John F. Kennedy

Quill + Khator = EPIC

This years Bronze Quill Gala awards are sure to be something special. Judges are proud to announce their choice for Executive Communicator of the Year, the Winner’s Showcase Gallery, and a premier awards event honoring Houston’s very own best communications work.

For those who aren’t aware, the Gala will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at The Junior League of Houston and is presented by IABC Houston's chapter.

In addition UH President Renu Khator will be in attendance and would love to be surrounded by her fellow COOG’S.

President Khator overseas an organization that quenches the thirst of more than 65,000 students yearly, and has “an annual budget that exceeds $1.3 billion. UH generates a $3 billion-plus impact on the Greater Houston area’s economy each year.”

 

Recently Khator earned global respect when she was named to the Indian Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council. She currently sits on many local, state and international boards like the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the Greater Houston Partnership and the Texas Medical Center CEO Group to just mention a few. Khator is also a noted scholar and has published books and articles in the field of global environmental policy.

The first Indian immigrant to head a comprehensive public research university in the United States, Khator was appointed in January 2008 and has take this university to Tier 1 status in less time than projected. This is only one of the reasons IABC Houston will recognize Khator achievements of a local top-level business/organizational leader who actively supports the power of communications.

“Dr. Khator exemplifies the qualities of a true leader – and communicator – that we look for in bestowing this award,” said Elalin W. Krause, president of IABC Houston. “Her ability to keep all UH constituencies engaged and informed is unique. When it comes to communications, she ‘gets it,’ which is why we’re so happy to honor her.”

This event should be history in the making. This is the beginning of a movement which I personally feel isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Reserve your seat or read my next post about information on how you could get in for free. (Volunteering or volunteerism) It is an excellent way to network and establish connections, in addition to the self-satisfaction that you helped others out.

President Khator deserves to be honored so lets make it happen COOG’S!

PS

Thought I’d share a quote… Till the next time.

Everyone can be great because anyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't even have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve... You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love...
   

 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   

The difference between living and existing….

I suppose many would agree that they would rather play than work. Many of us return to child memories and realize that it was good life. Playing around and following intuition while not having a care in the world for tomorrow. Kevin Carroll is a storyteller, educator and inspirer, who has wrote and published three successful books over this thoughts about social change. Carroll believes that his purpose on this earth is to inspire businesses, organizations and individuals to embrace their spirit of play and creativity to maximize their human potential and sustain more meaningful business and personal growth.

He is known for simply being a “Katalyst.”

Carroll revolves his story around a red ball that he played with a child. At a very young age, Carroll was forced into addressing very serious issues while looking over his two younger brothers after their parents abandoned them. Carroll would kick his red ball out of frustration and anger every time he didn’t understand how life worked.

One thing that he was definite about was the fact that he had to chase that ball every time he kicked it. In a sense he knew that playing around was a very serious business so he addressed it that way every time he played.  Before he knew it, he had dozens of enthused children surrounding him wanting to play. This was when Carroll realized that he turned his dream of “belonging” into reality and he did this by being passionate about what he did.

Carroll’s dream was to chase that ball and while doing that he realized that anything is possible... If one passionately pursues what they want, then it can be obtained.

I ask this of you my fellow colligate constituents, what is your red ball?

It is clear to see that it isn’t just any ordinary red ball. Oh no, this is in respect to how you address courage, discipline, sacrifice, and disappointment to challenge yourself everyday. The most important, thought, of them all is how to have BIG AUDACIOUS DREAMS.

Carroll is living proof that you can chase your passion with his metaphor to him chasing his ball. Our passions (science, math, literature and mostly anything) range across full spectrum and are obtainable.

I sometimes ask myself what types of people live out their dreams everyday, and it is people like Kevin Carroll who show me that it is real. If you follow your dreams correctly, you will blur the line between work and play, simple as that.

Some would consider this the art of living. To simply pursue our own individual vision of excellence.

Leaving others to decide if we are working or playing.

For people like Carroll, he is always doing both and is living his life, not just being in existence.

Kevin Carroll is headlining at the 2012 IABC World Conference this June in Chicago. Environmental activist, Robert F. Kennedy, will join him, as the two are the events keynote speakers.

For more details on conference sessions and to register online visit, http://www.iabc.com/wc