Ethics

Quick Quiz on Ethics

Test your knowledge of the ICMA Code of Ethics and advice. Answers and explanations are provided in this magazine.

1. The county council has asked me to raise funds for the Arts in the Parks festival this summer. As the county manager, can I raise funds for this cause?

A. Yes
B. No

2. I am the city manager, and my husband was active in community affairs before we married. He was the district attorney when we met, and he recently filed papers to run for the state legislature. Although I have explained that I cannot make financial contributions to his campaign or publicly endorse him, one aspect of his campaign platform advocates saving open space by purchasing it with state funds. Last year, I spoke at numerous public events to promote the city’s ballot measure to purchase open space and parklands. Our city is considered a model by many observers. My husband plans to distribute copies of my land conservation speeches at his campaign events. Is this a violation of the ICMA Code of Ethics?

A. Yes
B. No

3. I’ve been asked to lend my name to various products and services. Which ones are ethical for me to support?

A. A recycling partnership program that the city has with a private company.
B. A book on leadership published by a friend.
C. An ICMA University workshop.
D. All of the above.
E. None of the above.

To find out whether you answered the questions correctly, scroll down...

—Elizabeth Kellar
Deputy Director
ICMA
Washington, D.C.
ekellar@icma.org

1. Yes, but use good judgment. Tenet 12 of the ICMA Code of Ethics and its guideline on gifts remind members to avoid soliciting money if the individual or the individual’s organization might view the contribution as a favor and expect special treatment from the member in the future. Members should exercise good judgment and refrain from soliciting funds from a business if the business has a specific issue that may be coming before the local government in the near future for action or a decision.

Members should not make direct requests of their subordinates to donate because that may create a situation in which employees feel uncomfortable or even coerced into making a donation. It is appropriate for members to provide employees with information about the cause and give them an opportunity to donate if they so choose.

In raising funds for this local government project, members should be as open and transparent about their efforts as possible. They are advised to:

Obtain governing body approval for the fund-raising effort.
Provide clear guidance and direction to staff who may be engaged in fund raising.
Publicly announce that a fund-raising campaign is under way and outline in writing the parameters of the campaign.
Regularly report on the sources and amounts of donated funds and services.

2. No, it is not a violation. Your public speeches and articles can be distributed by any candidate for office with or without your permission. The ICMA Code of Ethics does not prevent family members from running for office, although their political activities may disturb some members of the city council. You can try to minimize their concerns by talking with them about your husband’s plans and explaining your responsibility as a professional city manager to stay out of political activities. As you already told your husband, Tenet 7 of the ICMA Code of Ethics does not permit you to raise money, endorse, or make donations to candidates for elected office—even if the candidate is your husband.

3. D, all of the above. Tenet 12 of the ICMA Code of Ethics has a guideline on endorsements that reminds members not to endorse any commercial products or services. Members, however, may endorse the following as long as they do not receive any compensation: (1) books or other publications; (2) professional development or educational services provided by nonprofit membership organizations or recognized educational institutions; and (3) products or services, or both, in which the local government has a direct economic interest.

Ethics advice is a popular service provided to ICMA members. The ICMA Executive Board members who serve on the Committee on Professional Conduct review the inquiries and advice published in PM magazine. ICMA members who have questions about their obligations under the ICMA Code of Ethics are encouraged to call Martha Perego at 202/962-3668 or Elizabeth Kellar at 202/962-3611.

Learn about the benefits of joining ICMA and receiving PM magazine as part of your benefits package at http://icma.org/join. To subscribe to PM, call 202/289-ICMA (202/289-4262) or e-mail bookstoremanager@icma.org.