[nfbmi-talk] Off Topic - Related to Services to Blind Citizens

[Terry D. Eagle]

The following was shared with me by a blind graduate student in public
administration, musing many state administrators could learn much from this
Code of Ethics best practices.  I agree and suggest a similar code of ethics
should be required to be signed by all state administrators and employees,
if and when they swear the oath of their office and position.  Were I a
state administrator, I would hold myself and my team of professionals to
such a standard and accountability.  This should be Standard Operating
Procedure for government.

 

 

This Code of Ethics is from the Michigan Local Government Manager's
Association (MLGMA).

 

Code of Ethics

To further these objectives, certain principles, as enforced by the Rules of
Procedure, shall govern the conduct of every member of ICMA, who shall: 

 

1   Be dedicated to the concepts of effective and democratic local
government by responsible elected officials and believe that professional
general management is essential to the achievement of this objective. 

 

2   Affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by government and
maintain a constructive, creative, and practical attitude toward local
government affairs and a deep sense of social responsibility as a trusted
public servant. 

 

3         Be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all
public and personal relationships in order that the member may merit the
respect and confidence of the elected officials, of other officials and
employees, and of the public. 

 

4         Recognize that the chief function of local government at all times
is to serve the best interests of all the people. 

 

5         Submit policy proposals to elected officials; provide them with
facts and advice on matters of policy as a basis for making decisions and
setting community goals; and uphold and implement local government policies
adopted by elected officials. 

 

6            Recognize that elected representatives of the people are
entitled to the credit for the establishment of local government policies;
responsibility for policy execution rests with the members. 

 

7   Refrain from all political activities which undermine public confidence
in professional administrators. Refrain from participation in the election
of the members of the employing legislative body. 

 

8   Make it a duty continually to improve the member's professional ability
and to develop the competence of associates in the use of management
techniques.

 

9   Keep the community informed on local government affairs; encourage
communication between the citizens and all local government officers;
emphasize friendly and courteous service to the public; and seek to improve
the quality and image of public service. 

 

10   Resist any encroachment on professional responsibilities, believing the
member should be free to carry out official policies without interference,
and handle each problem without discrimination on the basis of principle and
justice. 

 

11   Handle all matters of personnel on the basis of merit so that fairness
and impartiality govern a member's decisions pertaining to appointments, pay
adjustments, promotions, and discipline. 

 

12   Seek no favor; believe that personal aggrandizement or profit secured
by confidential information or by misuse of public time is dishonest. 

 

 

The Code of Ethics contain guidelines for many of the ethical standards.

 

The ICMA Code of Ethics was adopted by the membership in 1924, and most
recently amended in May 1998. The Guidelines for the Code were adopted by
the ICMA Executive Board in 1972, and most recently revised in July 1998. 

 

The purposes of ICMA are to enhance the quality of local government and to
support and assist professional local administrators in the United States
and other countries.