Northern Plains Area Ethics Update 2010

Michael McGuire, Designated Area Ethics Advisor

Louise Dalton, Area Ethics Assistant

Public Service is a Public Trust• Each employee has a responsibility to the U.S.

government and its citizens to place loyalty to the Constitution, laws and ethical principles above private gain.

• Each employee should respect and adhere to the established principles of ethical conduct.

Core Concepts

• Employees shall not use public office for private gain, and

• Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.

Core Principals of Government Ethics1. Public service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution,

the laws, and ethical principles above private gain.

2. Employees shall not hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty.

3. Employees shall not engage in financial transactions using non-public Government information or allow the improper use of such information to further any private interest.

4. An employee shall not, except pursuant to such reasonable exceptions as are provided by regulation, solicit or accept any gift or other item of monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by the employee's agency, or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or non-performance of the employee's duties.

5. Employees shall put forth honest effort in the performance of their duties.

Core Principals of Government Ethics

6. Employees shall make no unauthorized commitments or promises of any kind purporting to bind the Government.

7. Employees shall not use public office for private gain.

8. Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.

9. Employees shall protect and conserve Federal property and shall not use it for other than authorized activities.

10. Employees shall not engage in outside employment or activities, including seeking or negotiating for employment, that conflict with official Government duties and responsibilities.

11. Employees shall disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to appropriate authorities.

12. Employees shall satisfy in good faith their obligations as citizens including all just financial obligations and especially those-such as Federal, State, or local taxes-that are imposed by law.

13. Employees shall adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap.

14. Employees shall endeavor to avoid any actions creating the appearance that they are violating the law or the ethical standards promulgated pursuant to this order.

http://www.usda-ethics.net/rules/Secretary-Memo-on-Ethical-Conduct.pdf

Core Principals of Government Ethics

Questions and Discussion

• ParticipatoryCandy Provided!!!

Can you run for public office?

–Yes. You may run for elected office if the office is considered non partisan. (e.g. school boards)–No, if the election is partisan. (e.g.

member of congress)

Can you contact a member of congress?

– Yes. You may contact a member of congress in your personal capacity with the disclaimer you are acting on your own time and not expressing the views of the Federal Government.

– No. You cannot use federal resources to lobby a member of congress.

– No. You may not appeal to members of the public to contact their elected representatives in support or opposition to legislative matters or proposals; e.g., budget!!!• We support the President’s budget.

Can you get involved in political campaigns?

• No. You cannot wear buttons or otherwise campaign for a particular candidate at work or use Federal resources to print or distribute materials.

• Yes. You may use your own time and resources to campaign for someone.

What is a Prohibited Source?

• Prohibited sources include persons (or an organization made up of such persons) who --– are seeking official action by, are doing business or

seeking to do business with, or are regulated by the employee's agency• Examples include CRADA Partners; Universities where we

have Agreements in place.

– have interests that may be substantially affected by performance or nonperformance of the employee's official duties. • Examples include pesticide or seed companies.

and Why Does it Matter?

• Employees shall not use public office for private gain, and

• Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.

CORE CONCEPTS!

Can You Accept a Gift From a Prohibited Source?

• An employee can never solicit or coerce the offering of a gift, or accept a gift in return for being influenced in the performance of an official act.

• Nor can an employee accept gifts so frequently that a reasonable person might think that the employee was using public office for private gain

Exceptions to the Gift Rule• a gift valued at $20 or less, provided that the total value of gifts from the same

person is not more than $50 in a calendar year (including meals)• a gift motivated solely by a family relationship or personal friendship • a gift based on an employee's or his spouse's outside business or employment

relationships, including a gift customarily provided by a prospective employer as part of bona fide employment discussions

• a gift provided in connection with certain political activities • gifts of free attendance at certain widely attended gatherings, provided that the

agency has determined that attendance is in the interest of the agency • modest refreshments (such as coffee and donuts), greeting cards, plaques and

other items of little intrinsic value • discounts available to the public or to all Government employees, rewards and

prizes connected to competitions open to the general public. • There are other exceptions, including exceptions for awards and honorary

degrees, certain discounts and other benefits, attendance at certain social events, and meals, refreshments and entertainment in foreign countries

Exceptions to the Gift Rule• a gift valued at $20 or less, provided that the total value of gifts from the same

person is not more than $50 in a calendar year (including meals)• a gift motivated solely by a family relationship or personal friendship • a gift based on an employee's or his spouse's outside business or employment

relationships, including a gift customarily provided by a prospective employer as part of bona fide employment discussions

• a gift provided in connection with certain political activities • gifts of free attendance at certain widely attended gatherings, provided that the

agency has determined that attendance is in the interest of the agency • modest refreshments (such as coffee and donuts), greeting cards, plaques and

other items of little intrinsic value • discounts available to the public or to all Government employees, rewards and

prizes connected to competitions open to the general public. • There are other exceptions, including exceptions for awards and honorary

degrees, certain discounts and other benefits, attendance at certain social events, and meals, refreshments and entertainment in foreign countries

When in doubt…

.. Ask!

!!

Completion CreditIn order to receive credit for your annual Ethics training, please click Submit and fill out the form that will follow: