Ethics Today   

 

Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

FROM THE NEW EDITOR Rod Erakovich

IN THIS ISSUE From the New Editor 1 Thanks 2 Ethtalk: Moving Forward 3 Section/Member News 4 PA TIMES Calendar 16 ET International 17 Contact Information 21 Last Words: 22

When I decided to take on the role of Editor of Ethics Today, I received many gracious congratulatory comments, a few are listed:

Terry Rhodes: “Thank you. James has had great ideas for the newsletter and really enjoyed doing it – no pressure, though, in keeping the award winning streak alive!!” Francis Burke: “Thank you for saying 'yes.'” Terry Cooper: “Rod, you are a terrific choice for the editor of our great newsletter! Terry R. is wise to have recruited you for this important role in our section and you are generous in your willingness to serve in this way. Thanks so much for taking this on!”

Raymond Cox: “Thank you for assuming the role of editor of the Ethics Newsletter. As you know you have a high responsibility given the consistent excellence of you predecessors—Russ, Rob and Jim. I am quite confident that you are quite capable of maintaining the lofty status of the newsletter.”

Jeremy Plant: “Just wanted to extend my thanks to you for taking on the editorship of Ethics Today, and wish you good luck on it.” Prof. Sangeeta Sharma from India: “Congratulations! We hope the globe will be represented in the unbiased way; ethics has universal appeal let us move in the unprejudiced way to create a blissful World.”

Jim Heichelbech has set the standard very high in excellence in his tireless efforts as Editor of Ethics Today. His cleverness and ideas bring a unique perspective to this important newsletter. These are certainly big shoes to follow! Ethics Today is really a collaborative effort of all Ethics Section members. These congratulatory notes apply to each one of you - I only represent the Ethics Section in the editing and development of the newsletter. It is your ideas, comments and participation that are important. I look forward to working with each one of you in continuing the high traditions of excellence in Ethics Today. Now, to go have my head examined…. ☺

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

THANKS! Jim Heichelbech

ETHICS SECTION

Ethics Today is the newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics. Following is a list of Officers and Executive Committee (ExComm) members for the Section.

OFFICERS

Chair Terrel Rhodes Historian Mylon Winn Membership Chair Terry Cooper Newsletter Editor Rod Erakovich Secretary Rick Green Treasurer Steven Bobes Webmaster Dadi Einarsson

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Jennifer Alexander Evan Berman Raymond Cox Dadi Einarsson Jean-Claude Garcia-Zamor Jack Kem Emile Kolthoff Cynthia Lynch Manfred Meine Meredith Newman Jeremy Plant James Slack Russ Williams

I wanted to thank everyone for the support and praise. Rod is quite right to say that this is a collaborative effort, and Ethics Today continues to be a reflection of the enthusiasm and passion of the Section on Ethics. I thought I’d share a few thoughts as I pass the torch to Rod.

First, I have to say that I could not have imagined a better person for the job. Rod has done such great things for the Section and I’m excited to see what he can do with the newsletter.

I also want to emphasize the importance of responding to calls for contributions from Rod. News about Section members is always important, especially when we have events coming up, publications, a change in job or location, or anything at all. But there is a lot going on in the world of ethics, and it seems to me that there will be even greater demands for insight and discussion in the future. Ethics Today is the perfect vehicle for sharing works in progress or just making a statement.

On a personal note, serving as editor of Ethics Today has been a growth experience for me. I have come to understand the importance of what members of the Section on Ethics do, as I have been in contact with more people, learned about more aspects of public sector ethics, and had the opportunity to do more than I ever had before – I became truly involved in the Section.

I realize as I let Rod take over that there is always a lot of work to do for the Section and for ASPA, and that is a great thing. This has been an interesting year for us, as we build our international personality and work through internal conflicts. I have enjoyed the opportunity to help facilitate the process through Ethics Today.

And now I will turn to other tasks, such as changing diapers and figuring out how to put a crib together…

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

Ethtalk: Moving Forward

By Jim Heichelbech

Not too long ago, our Section Chair, Terry Rhodes, sent a request out to the Section through Ethtalk.

One of the issues discussed at the spring Section meetings was the idea that the Section develop guidelines for use of the listserv. I would like to pose three questions to the membership: 1) Should the Section have two list servs – one for Section news/announcements, and one for discussion topics? 2) Do you think that the Ethics listserv needs “use” guidelines? And why? 3) If so, do you have suggestions for what the guidelines should look like? The membership meeting at the spring conference, expressed support for guidelines and for the possibility of two lists – one for announcements and Section news/business, and one for discussion of topics, so that members could easily determine if they wished to receive both lists. There was also support for development of guidelines. If you have a couple moments to reply, please send thoughts on the three questions to…

For a number of reasons, I feel that it is important to move forward with this discussion and therefore decided to write a brief article summarizing the issues and talking about some of the feedback received from this request. It seems that we will not move forward until a solution is proposed and there are no objections. Hopefully, this will bring us closer to a shared understanding of where the discussion is going and why. To recap, the precipitating moment for this discussion was an Ethtalk exchange earlier in the year. For those new to the Section or not familiar with Ethtalk, it is a listserv provided for communication among members. Occasionally a comment, question or request will come through the listserv, eliciting a few responses that touch a nerve, whether on a professional or personal level. Early in 2006, a request for prayer elicited very strong negative reactions, and a heated debate followed. This debate led to a request that the discussion end and that, in the future, members refrain from making prayer requests through Ethtalk – and the message from the Section leadership was, essentially, that “all debate on this issue shall cease.” However, the decision to put an end to that particular debate was motivated in part by private communications from key Section members who wished to be left out of such debates altogether and would consider leaving the Section if the debates continue. The request from leadership, therefore, reflected two distinct concerns.

First, whether we should have a second listserv is really a question about whether we want to both retain members who have no interest in Ethtalk debates and attract members who do. The feeling was that creating a second listserv would therefore be necessary, regardless of the content of any particular debate on Ethtalk.

The request for guidelines, on the other hand, was specifically motivated by the content of the debate about requests

for prayer through Ethtalk. It is clear at this point that the official Section position is that such requests are inappropriate, but it is important that we come to some agreement about whether this would be true for a second listserve created specifically for discussion.

The need for timely deliberation and action is critical, as we need the listerv to help us maintain a balance between maximizing retention of current members and preserving our ability to attract new members.

Moving Forward Continued on Page 9

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

MEMBER/SECTION NEWS

C Four positions on thCommittee is respoof the Section. Amo

A. DetermininCouncil.

B. Approving C. Adopting p

concerns, wpracticable

D. Accepting to ASPA p

To submit nominaNominations Com

Best Ethics PaEach year faculty is prepared by a studepaper need not be wprimary focus on etshould have been ppresentation at ASPjudging the papers athe analysis or argumargument) is the mo

Prof. Dan William

Call for CEach year an individdemonstrated ethicsor have worked in tfor judging are: leadwithin an organizatior pattern of actionnonprofit service; anenhancement of peo

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A Request from Jim Bowman

I am planning on conducting another survey of the ethical attitudes of practicing managers who are ASPA members (this is actually the third such survey, the earlier ones were in 1977, 1990, and 1997; see PAR N/D '97 for the last one and cites to the previous articles). If any ET reader has ideas to enhance this project, please contact me at jbowman@fsu.edu.

Check Out the Section Web Site!

Dadi Einarsson has done amazing things with the Section website, which can be found at: http://www.aspaonline.org/ethicscommunity/ We now have a link to the updated UNPAN Ethics Today page as well. The link is on the Section webpage, or you can go to: http://www.unpan.org/autoretrieve/serial_aspa.asp?serial=Ethics%20today&content=ethicstoday&region=north%20america

Call for Contributions for: per From a Public Administration Student requested to nominate or submit an ethics paper nt in one of their public administration courses. The ritten for a course on ethics, but must have a

hical issues, dilemmas, or practices. The paper repared during the calendar year preceding the award A’s national conference. The baseline criteria for re: use of the literature, readability, and quality of ent. The last criterion (quality of the analysis or

st important in determining the final selection. Papers should be submitted to: s by email at Daniel_Williams@baruch.cuny.edu

no later than December 31, 2006.

ALL FOR NOMINATIONS

e Section Executive Committee – The Executive nsible for the overall performance and functioning ng its responsibilities will be the following:

g section dues, subject to approval by the National

Section annual programs and budget. ositions on issues of relevance to Section ith adoption based on consultation, as widely as is

, with the Section membership. donations, grants, contracts for the Section, subject olicy.

tions, please contact the Chair of the mittee, Jeremy Plant at jfp2@psu.edu

ontributions for: Ethics in Practice ual or group may be nominated in recognition of in practice. The award is open to people who work he public or nonprofit arena. The baseline criteria ership in advancing ethical standards and behavior on, profession or among the general public; an act s that exemplifies ethical behavior in public or d the impact of the ethical behavior on the ple’s lives or organizational culture. tact: Russ Carlsen, City of Palo Alto uss.Carlsen@CityofPaloAlto.org

Ethics Today  

 

Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

 ICMA Announces …

The Ethics Edge, 2nd Edition

Updated with the most current, critical thinking on ethics in government today The Ethics Edge, 2nd Edition places new emphasis on the importance of ethical leadership and provides case examples – with discussion questions – of real-world ethical dilemmas facing local government decision makers. You get practical tools design ethics management policies and programs and resolve ethical dilemmas. While ethics in government isn’t a new topic, as a public manager, you face new types of ethical challenges brought on by new technologies, government reform strategies, rising cynicism, privatization and more. The Ethics Edge, 2nd Edition will help you:

• Build the competencies to meet these new challenges • Gain confidence in your understanding of and approach to ethical issues • Recognize the ways in which your leadership around ethical dilemmas builds a better organization

In this compendium of articles at the leading edge of ethical thinking, you discover …

• The “six pillars” of character that will guide and improve the quality of ethical decisions • Stephen Covey’s principles that provide a “moral compass,” and why you need a compass as a leadership and

empowerment tool • How to use James Svara’s “ethics triangle,” a tool that incorporates three different approaches to administrative

ethics • Differences between the power-based approach and the ethics-based approach to leadership • A comparison of unethical, ethically neutral, and ethical leadership styles • The five principles that provide the foundation for development of sound, ethical leadership • How periodic ethics surveys can reveal the extent and possible consequences of unethical behavior in

organizations • Case examples to show how minor instances of deceit, incompetence, and corruption can be tolerated or

justified by organizations and how that can adversely affect organizational performance • The “four pillars” of a comprehensive ethics program and lessons learned • A case example that illustrates how a low-level ethics violation can mushroom into a highly publicized scandal

and negatively affect the careers of elected and appointed officials • Innovative procurement practices to prevent the risk of “cozy” politics when public employees compete with

private contractors • Results of a national survey of local governments on the nature, extent and delivery of ethics training • And much, much more

The Ethics Edge, 2nd Edition is edited by Jonathan P. West, professor of political science, University of Miami and Evan M. Berman, professor of public administration, Louisiana State University. See the entire table of contents and more information on the ICMA Press website at:

http://bookstore.icma.org/ethicsedge

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

ACCOUNTABILITY CASES – CALL FOR CASES Robert Schwartz and Dan Williams

We are pleased to announce the launching of Accountability Cases. This innovative series uses real-world cases to illuminate concepts inaccountability. Accountability Cases meets a long-felt need for high quality tools to be used in learning about accountability. Cases willraise issues and dilemmas by linking theoretical perspectives with tangible experiences. We invite proposals for cases from academics and practitioners who are able to provide detailed accounts of events that illuminateaccountability concepts. Please send 1-2 page proposals to Robert Schwartz (email: robsch@poli.haifa.ac.il) or to Dan Williams (email:Daniel_Williams@baruch.cuny.edu). Accountability concepts lend themselves to cases that surface difficulties and dilemmas. As such, their audience is likely to be students inacademic programs and practitioners in formal training settings. Cases will be used to illuminate theories and will be explicitly linked tothe literature. All cases will be subject to a double-blind peer review process. The American Society for Public Administration’s Center forAccountability and Performance will act as publisher for individual cases. Cases will be published individually on the web as they arefinalized. Eventually, we would like to compile completed cases in book form. We have identified ten concepts (broadly defined) around which cases might be developed. Potential authors are welcome to suggestadditional concepts. 1.Thick and thin accountability: Personal responsibility to internal moral guidelines compared with accountability todirections; 2. Politics of accountability: how apparently robust new accountability measures lead to little true accountability due tolacunae in legislation and in implementation; 3. Problem of many hands: issues in holding individuals to account when responsibility isscattered; 4. Rituals of Verification: issues of decoupling and colonization; 5. Ethics and Accountability: issues in the design andoperation of ethics accountability institutions (i.e the case of special prosecutors); 6. Audit and Accountability: uses and abuses of auditfindings; 7. Evaluation Dilemmas and Accountability: publishing program evaluation findings; 8. Accountability and Third PartyGovernance: advantages and disadvantages of downward accountability; 9. Elusive Accountability: promises and pitfalls of commissionsof inquiry and other investigations in satisfying demands for accountability; 10. Accountability for Accountability: Examining the ways inwhich ethical matters interact with accountability for performance. Case Characteristics and Format Cases must portray actual events and evolve from careful research. Information for cases might be garnered from media reports,investigations, audits, hearings and secondary sources. Often, there will be a need for authors to conduct interviews with key actors inorder to find out what exactly transpired.

1. Concept Introduction: A brief review of the relevant theory or concept, including references to important pieces in theliterature (400 – 800 words)

2. Case Introduction and Historical Context: Introduce the story, characters, issues at hand and provide a brief history ofprograms and institutions that play important roles in the case (500 – 1000 words)

3. The Story: Detailed telling of what happened with dates, quotes and dialogues in order to convey a sense of what actuallyoccurred (4000 – 8000 words)

4. Setting the Stage for Analysis: This should not be a full analysis of the concept through the story, but rather a pointing to possible questions and lines of analysis (200 – 400 words)

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

Public Integrity is looking for book reviewbook about health care, politics, educatiare looking for anything that has a conninterested in books having a 2005 copyrbooks (some of which might have earliereach me at rws@clemson.edu. PleasSubmission guidelines are below. We loo

Single book reviews should be about summarizing the main points of the boowith ethics, values, or morals. Referencimplications for public administration pwith a practitioner audience in mind. Public Integrity also publishes book revie3,500 words. After a brief introductionessay should be divided into sections wexample, a book review essay on thecommunity; and government and the pubooks. As with single reviews, the essaimplications for scholarship. The review Please contact the book review editor if y

Dr. Robert Sm Master of Publ Department of Clemson Unive 230 E. Brackett Clemson, SC 29 E-Mail: rws@c Phone: 864/65 Fax: 864/656-0

CALL FOR BOOK REVIEWS

PUBLIC INTEGRITY

s. Read a good book lately? Something of interest to our readership? For example, aon, defense, corruption, environment, leadership, budgeting, or accountability? Weection with values, ethics, or morals. Please submit your reviews! We are especiallyight date. We publish both single book reviews, as well as essays of three or morer copyright dates). Please share your reviews or proposals to do reviews! You cane, share your insights with others by writing a book review for Public Integrity!k forward to hearing from you!

PUBLIC INTEGRITY GUIDELINES

1,300 - 1,700 words. Book reviews should begin with one or two paragraphsk. Then, the main body of the review should focus on matters of the book that deale to ethics, values, morals should be made explicit. The review should close withractice and, optionally, implications for scholarship. Please try to write the review

w essays of 3-4 books with a common theme. Review essays typically are 2,500 - to the importance or new developments of the common subject matter, the reviewith headings that discuss different issues relevant to ethics, values, or morals. For theme of community-building might have these two sections: the meaning ofblic interest. Thus, book review essays do NOT sequentially discuss the differenty should close with implications for public administration practice and, optionally, should be accessible to a practitioner audience.

ou have any questions:

ith, Director ic Administration Program Political Science rsity Hall 634

lemson.edu 6-3550 691

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

To become a member of ASPA, go to:

http://www.aspanet.org/scriptcontent/Membership.cfm?section=Membership

Be sure to join the Section on Ethics! It is only $35 a year! In addition to the ASPA national and chapter memberships, which include:

• 12 issues of PA TIMES

• A Subscription to Public Administration Review

• Reduced conference rates,

• Discounts on publications, and

• Access to web site resources Ethics Section members also receive:

• A subscription to Public Integrity

• Access to the Section newsletter, Ethics Today

• Access to the Section listserv, ethtalk

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

Moving Forward, Continued from Page 3

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Recognizing the need to move forward, several members responded to Terry’s request for comments. Apart from comments from Section leaders and officers, I have decided to share quotes anonymously, so that we can focus on what was said, rather than who said it. As expected, the positions remain the same, and we must satisfy four segments within our member population. The conflict between the first two is really just a practical matter.

1. I just want news and information through the listserv, without having my inbox filled with lengthy discussion and debate. I will consider leaving the Section if it continues.

“There is so much discussion that I miss out on the news, which is actually the only reason I subscribed. I would therefore welcome a separation between news and discussion.”

2. I want to be involved in discussion and debate, in

addition to receiving news and information. I will consider leaving the Section if there is none.

“I'd like to offer some constructive criticism of this list server. When I joined, I naively expected to find discussions of ethical issues, but there are none.”

And this second segment includes two others. The conflict between these members will be more difficult to negotiate, as it involves some fundamental disagreements about what a listserv is for.

3. I want to send anything I want to the listserv, as we should encourage wide-open exchange of ideas. I will consider leaving the Section if I cannot.

4. I want limits on the sorts of content people can

send to the listserv. I will consider leaving the Section if I cannot.

An important consideration at the outset is that creating an additional listserv is relatively easy from a technological standpoint. It seems that we have agreement that we will, in fact, have two listservs, but we need to decide what they will be – we need to define them in some way – and it was agreed that we would not proceed without determining whether we need use guidelines. Creating guidelines presents a challenge for us, in part because they will work on several levels. We need to answer a few questions before we can proceed. Guidelines will:

1. Set minimum standards of conduct for all listservers

2. Define the purpose of each listserv 3. Reflect interests and concerns of participants on

each listserv There is a cost to setting guidelines. We are, by definition, limiting ourselves. It is important, therefore, that we limit ourselves in ways that make sense to all of us, and not in ways that defeat the purpose of having a listserv in the first place.

“Whether to call them use guidelines or rules, it is structure and the purpose is to control behavior. More controls reduce creativity and freedom of expression.” “I am not in favor of rules. Debate and discussion are excellent tools to make awareness of ethical practices to all members. These discussions should be collaborative and not combative.”

When we talk about minimum standards, it does appear that we are talking about fundamental rules of conduct, with which we are all quite familiar.

“We have a Code of Ethics that describes proper behavior and it seems to me that should apply. Perhaps we need to refer to it more. For example, item III 4 states: ‘Respect superiors, subordinates, colleagues and the public.’”

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

It is reasonable to expect that members of the Section on Ethics will, as a matter of course, follow minimum guidelines. And one would expect the burden of moderating a listserv based on such standards to be minimal as well, as our web master, Dadi Einarsson, explained.

“For Ethtalk then most of the time there are not many e-mails to review before they are sent on to the listserv. Usually there are 2-3 spams a day - which are deleted - and few times a week an e-mail that is posted on the listserv. From time to time there is more but nothing that is not easy to manage. I would appreciate simple guidelines as it is always helpful to have general guidance when moderating discussion forum like the Ethtalk listserv is.”

And Steve Dunphy at ASPA helped by pointing out that the need for guidelines is not unusual and that work has been ongoing.

“I have been following the listserv discussion that has been taking place about rules and policies for communicating through ASPA Listservs, specifically the Ethtalk Listserv. As moderator for many of the ASPA listservs over the past 9 months some issues and concerns have come up. A little while back, I developed some electronic communication protocols/etiquettes for listservs, broadcast email and newsletters. At some point I will post these to the ASPA web site. For now I am sending you a link to the listserv etiquette document. At some point I will be contacting all of the ASPA chapters and sections providing them with the information.”

“The etiquette, policies and protocols that have been developed comes from member feedback and best practices for electronic communication of associations and organizations like ASPA. They are meant to provide you with helpful tips and guidelines for electronic communications via listservs.” http://www.aspanet.org/ScriptContent/word/ASPACommProt-Listservs.doc

The idea of such minimal standards, in terms of “etiquette, policies and protocols,” is that we have a sense, as a community, of what is appropriate for any listserv communication.

Accordingly, Dadi foresees no problem moderating two listservs, primarily because he believes the volume will remain roughly the same.

“To me as the moderator of Ethtalk then it is easy to have 2 listservs. I would not assume that there would be increase in the amount of e-mails sent to the listservs from what is now on Ethtalk.”

However, there will be an increase in volume. Many of us have refrained from sending messages to the listserv out of respect for those who wish to keep their inboxes clear even before 2006, and we have been very quiet since February. But I, for one, will probably send ten times the number of messages I do now…and they will be longer. But channeling the e-mails should not be the job of the moderator. Everyone will know what the different listservs are for – news and discussion – and subscribers can manage their own submissions effectively. The key, therefore, is to define the listservs clearly. Fortunately, we seem to have consensus on the need for such a separation.

“As I understood the discussion, the primary purpose of the guidelines would be to help decide whether a request or question would be sent through the first or second listserv. The first listserv would be primarily informational, focusing on requests for input or announcements of interest to the section members. The second listserv would be for ‘special topics’ and/or topics which may have only limited interest to the first listserv. In other words we would ‘communicate’ via the first listserv and ‘debate’ in the second listserv.”

“I support two listserves; some members may only want section news, while others may have the interest and time to participate in listserve discussions.” “We could have two listservs, one for administrative matters, events, and the sharing of sources and methods - with the other being reserved for substantive discussions.”

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

Will this be sufficient for handling the needs of the first two segments? Will this satisfy those who only want news and information?

“So, if I post a question dealing with research I am conducting, which would be the appropriate listserv? For example, let's say I post a question about articles or books concerning a particular question. This sounds like an informational post. However, if the replies turned into a discussion of the question itself, we would have to shift over to the other listserv. Is this correct?”

The answer, I think, would be, “yes.” We will likely go through a period of adjustment, as we collectively find the line between information and discussion. But given that the concern is clearly number and length of e-mails coming through the listserv, I cannot think of any reason for even responding to information requests to the entire listserv…at all, ever. For example, I might send the following question to the news and information listserv: “Does anyone know of a good introductory text for applied ethics?” Forty of you might have an answer, but why would you need to share your answer with anyone other than the one who made the request? You all just send your responses directly to me. And if others want to read the answers, they can send a note to me and ask that I share them. Or those responding to me could copy the other listserv, where everyone loves to have their inboxes filled up! The point is that we do not need to create a “rule” to “make” us behave appropriately, as long as we have an understanding of how the two listservs will meet the needs of our members. The creation of a second listserv will do a lot of the work for us, as we can now say that the original listserv is for our first segment, those who just want news and information through the listserv, without having their inboxes filled with lengthy discussion and debate. We just need to think about them when we send messages to the first listserv.

But that is only the beginning, as we have three more segments to satisfy. And there are serious disagreements among those who enjoy lengthy discussion and debate – how lengthy and which debates? Unlike the concern about excessive messages to delete, which had been waiting beneath the surface for years, the question of what sorts of content we want coming through our listserv is relatively new and reflects a real tension. There seems to be a fundamental disagreement about the kinds of discussions we want to have through our listserv, with some interested in talking about things that help get the work of ethics done, while others want to question and dig as deeply as possible. And somewhere in between are those who understand that there are fundamental questions to be asked, but that some of them are not going to be resolved. In the meantime, we have concerns about how we treat each other in the process of figuring out where we stand.

“My problem with almost all listservs is that discussions often deteriorate into ‘flaming’ individuals. If we agree to civil discussions that address issues, I am all for open discussion. I am opposed to denigrating each other ... there is enough negative we all fight without colleagues attacking each other. It is the old axiom, ‘we can disagree without being disagreeable.’"

Disagreeing without being disagreeable is a noble aspiration, but there are enough of us who have difficulty letting issues go, and insisting that we drag the conversation out to its conclusion can only appear confrontational, aggressive, and otherwise unpleasant, despite the effort to appear civil.

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

It would appear that we have trouble disagreeing without being disagreeable.

“I objected to postings associated with religious proselytizing as an implicit objective. Others then seemed to think that there might be more limitations as well. I still object to postings that are religious proselytizing. I suppose there might be a few other issues such as unrelated business solicitation or patently inappropriate material. I assume these other ‘problem’ matters would be inappropriate on any listserv. It is my view that religious proselytizing (direct or indirect) would be, as well.” “If we exclude theocentric moral and ethical statements, observations, etc., then we must also exclude secular moral and ethical statements. Then, what is left? ASPA is not part of the so-called ‘Church/State’ dichotomy. It is a non-profit organization which represents persons who work in all aspects of the public and nonprofit sectors, including faith-based programs. Certainly our rules on what can be discussed should reflect the interests of all of our members. It should be a set of rules that invite and embrace the great diversity of moral and ethical thought.

It is important, therefore, that we remember the point of creating a second listserv – to make all members of the ASPA Section on Ethics happy. Either some or all of us need to concede something. We clearly have more work to do. One Section member provided a very clear account of the tension we are experiencing, asking us to consider our decision in terms of civility and relevance, and offered a very good suggestion, but offers a word of caution.

“It would be a mistake to make the listserv feel hostile to any member - whichever ‘side’ they are on in a given discussion/debate - and it would be wrong for anyone to inflict a subject/topic/theory/etc. on another who does not want to be so afflicted. This would fail the test of civility.”

“It would be equally a mistake to allow individuals or groups of whatever number to veto discussions of a given topic. When that happens, we end up talking about nothing, because there will be at least one veto for just about anything that is the least bit controversial …This would fail the test of relevance.

The suggestion: “Take controversial discussions off-list. I think it would be a mistake for those interested in pursuing a particular line of discussion/debate to be pushed off-list when asked to by an uninterested or offended member.”

And a word of caution: “The problem with this is that there are many, I suspect, who don't actively participate in a given discussion, but instead ‘sample’ messages to get a sense of what is being discussed. If the discussion is pushed completely off-list, then sampling would be made difficult or impossible. We end up without debate, without challenge, without controversy - those who already substantially agree with each other will be talking only to themselves. Yesterday, the discussion was about the role or place of religion in public administration ethics. Tomorrow, which topic will we exile?”

As we near the end of 2006, and look forward to the next national ASPA conference in 2007, it would be nice to have made some progress on this issue. This year in the Section on Ethics reminds me a lot of the lock-out year in the NHL. I thought I might still like hockey after it was over, but I found other things to do and haven’t watched even one game this year. I just don’t seem to care about that anymore. It seems that we are at an impasse, given that at least one member will not tolerate requests for prayer and another refuses to refrain from making such requests. How can we keep both segments happy? How can we keep them as members? Perhaps we need three listservs:

1. News and information – No debates or discussion on this list.

2. Discussion – No requests for prayer here, just interesting, inoffensive discussion.

3. Anything goes – Requests for prayer and complaints about such requests are fair game – fire away!

I, for one, will subscribe to every listserv created, whether it is one, two, three or forty. But I’m not sure I’ll remain subscribed to one listserv where nothing ever happens.

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

Second Edition of The Ethics Challenge in Public Service

The second edition of The Ethics Challenge in Public Service by ethics section members Carol W. Lewis and Stuart C.Gilman (2005) has been published by John Wiley & Sons. For more information see:

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com:8100/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0787978809.html Since it was first published in 1991, The Ethics Challenge in Public Service has become a classic text used by publicmanagers and in public management programs across the country. This second edition is filled with practical tools andtechniques for making ethical choices in the ambiguous, pressured world of public service. It explores the day-to-dayethical dilemmas managers face in their work, including what to do when rules recommend one action and compassionanother, and whether it is ethical to dissent from agency policy. This essential text explores managers’ accountability todifferent stakeholders and how to balance the often competing responsibilities. Introduction: Ethics in Public Service PART ONE: ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PUBLIC MANAGERS 1. What Is Important in Public Service? 2. Obeying and Implementing the Law 3. Serving the Public Interest 4. Taking Individual Responsibility PART TWO: TOOLS FOR PERSONAL DECISION MAKING 5. Finding Solid Ground: Ethical Standards and Reasoning 6. Resolving Ethical Dilemmas: Strategies and Tactics for Managers 7. Understanding Who and What Matters: Stakeholder Analysis PART THREE: ETHICS AND THE ORGANIZATION 8. Designing and Implementing Codes 9. Broadening the Horizon 10. Building an Ethical Agency Afterword: The Job Ahead Resource A: Chronology of Theoretical and Applied Ethics in Public Service Resource B: Selected Internet Resources Resource C: Tools for Making Ethical Decisions

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

THE PA TIMES EDITORIAL CALENDAR The PA TIMES provides an excellent opportunity for Ethics Section members to publish ethics-related articles. Consider a topic and let us know that you would like to provide an article for PA TIMES. It is another way to illustrate the active membership of the Ethics Section, its dedication to ethics in public service and the expression of our Section and individual commitments.

“The PA TIMES, monthly newspaper of the American Society for Public Administration, is currently seeking quality articles for our remaining 2006 issue. Articles must remain between 1000-1200 words, contain no references and adhere to the deadlines below. Authors need not be ASPA members. If you have any questions or would like to see our author guidelines, please contact me at cjewett@aspanet.org.”

December

Technology and Public Administration: Emerging Issues Educational Supplement: MPA: Not Just for Public Employees Anymore

Deadline: November 22, 2006

2007 PA TIMES CALENDAR COMING SOON!

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Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

This issue of ET/Internatiocome. It has been a wondeEditor, I want to add my deWelcome to our new Edito

UNITED NATI During the UN Compact La tenth (10th) principle against cIt is a major hindrance to sucorrosive on the very fabriceconomic growth, distorts ccostly for business, with thein many parts of the world. The international legal fightOrganization for EconomicForeign Public Officials in first globally-agreed instrum2005. The UN Global Compact 1responsibility for the challeglobal business community researching in the area of thknow at integrityintal@yaho

http://wwww.u

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nal is dedicated to the James Heichelbech family, including the new member to rful experience working with the Editor of Ethics Today. As the ET/International epest appreciation for Jim’s solid innovative work. The future is bright globally. r!

Fran Burke

ONS GLOBAL COMPACT: 10TH Principle/CORRUPTION

eaders Summit in June, 2004 it was announced that the UN Global Compact includes orruption. Corruption is now recognized to be one of the world’s greatest challenges. stainable development, with a disproportionate impact on poor communities and is of society. The impact on the private sector is also considerable – it impedes ompetition, and represents serious legal and reputational risks. Corruption is very extra financial burden estimated to add 10% or more to the costs of doing business

The World Bank has stated that, “bribery has become a $1 trillion industry.”

against corruption has gained momentum in more recent times through the Co-operation & Development (OECD) Convention on Combating Bribery of

International Business Transactions and through the entering into the force of the ent, The United National Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in December

0th Principles sends a strong worldwide signal that the private sector shares nges of eliminating corruption. It is also demonstrated a new willingness in the to participate in the fight against corruption. Are you or any of your colleagues e World Bank; UN Global Compact; or Transparency International. Please let me o.com

nglobalcompact/AboutTheGC/TheTenPrinciples/anti-corruption.html

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Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Internationa

WORLD BANK (WB) FIGHT OVER GLOBAL GRAFT (reported by The New York Times)

The International Herald Tribune in a NYT article noted that Paul Wolfowitz in recent months has “been negotiating with skeptical members of the [World] bank’s board of 24 executive directors from around the world on guidelines for how corruption issues are to be handled.” The issue deals with WB suspension or delay of funds until safeguards are put in. A draft set of guidelines were reviewed by the world’s finance ministers at the recent annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Singapore. The question: Should WB funds be delayed or withheld due to allegations of corrupt “bidding practices for road projects inBangladesh, kickbacks to politicians in Argentina and a program for poor workers there and the resignation of high officials in Kenya linked to projects there?” What do the Ethics Today/ International readers think? Please let us know integrityintal@yahoo.com. In addition to the Guidelines being developed, the WB with the IMF issues an annual Global Monitoring Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) subtitled “Strengthening Mutal Accountability – Aid, Trade and Governance” is published every April for the last three years. The report highlights economic growth, better quality aid, and trade reforms, as well as governance as essential elements to achieve the Millennium Development Goals targeted for the Year 2015.

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL (TI) 2006 Global Corruption Report (GCR06) The global coalition against corruption, Transparency International (TI), has issued its annual assessment of world-wide corruption reviewed country by country in the “Global Corruption Report 2006.” With over 45 countries detailed, India, China and Russia ranked lowest on those reported, and were urged to take steps to provide oversight and accountability to their governmental operations. Switzerland ranked highest followed by Sweden, Australia, Austria and Canada as most effective in barring bribery. The “Bribe Payers Index 2006” was derived from the thirty (20) largest exporting companies. This year’s GCR focuses on Corruption and Health. GCR2005 examined corruption in construction and post-conflict reconstruction. 2006 Health Experts reports on this topic are listed: Research articles featured in Part 3 of the

The Risks of corruption in different health care systems. The scale of the problem from high-level corruption in Costa Rica to counterfeit medicines in Nigeria. Health care fraud in the United States. The Costs of Corruption in hospital administration The impact of corruption at various points of the pharmaceutical chain. Anti-corruption challenges posed by the fight again HIV/AIDS.The latest corruption-related research, including studies on the links between corruption and global issues such as pollution, gender and foreign investment.

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GCR2005 include studies by:

Edward Glaeser and Raven Saks “Corruption in the United States of America.” Saadia Zahidi “Transparency and its

impact on financial fragility.” Patrick Meagher “Governance in

Bulgaria’s pharmaceutical selection and procurement systems.” Raif Lanwehr “Tax Evasion, fines

and corruption in Mozambique.”

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006International As ET/International is being printed and sent by cyberspace to all ASPA Section on Ethics members (and linked to the UN), the 12th International Anti-Corruption Conference is being held November 15 – 18, November 2006 in Guatemala City. The conference theme is “Towards a Fairer World: Why is Corruption Still Such a Huge Problem?” The Program Committee chose this theme since so many billions of people are still mired in poverty and delivery of promises yet to materialize. They felt that after two decades of research, advocacy and reform, it was time to reflect and regroup, and to look beyond traditional coalitions to seek new light, new faces and new energy. To Download the GCR2006 Report free of charge, go to www.globalcorruptionreport.orgTo Order the TI Report from your Local Bookstore, quote ISBN 0 7453 2396 0 paperback To Order past editions write to gcr@transparency.org – TI earlier editions focused on Political Corruption, Construction, and Access to Information.

******A CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITY FOR ETHICS INNOVATIONS ******

THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PROFESSIONAL INNOVATION MANAGEMENT (ISPIM)

2007 Conference; Warsaw, Poland 6/17-20/2007 Organized by ISPIM and supported by Technology Partners Foundation, this conference will bring together academics, business leaders, consultants and other professionals involved in innovation management. The conference will include dedicated academic and practitioner tracks as well as short paper presentations and workshops. Sub-Themes:

Culture and cultural differences Education & Training in innovation Competitiveness Environment & sustainable development Learning & Knowledge Management Service Innovations Open innovation, organizations and virtuality Technology, entrepreneurship and creativity

Deadlines

For Extended Abstracts or Practitioner outlines (800-1000 words): 31 December 2006 Acceptance Notification: 28 February 2007 Final Submissions & registrations: 30 April 2007 Ethics Researchers and Practitioners: This conference is being suggested because it presents a fine opportunity for ASPA Ethics members to explore and add the innovative dimension to our research and practitioner opportunities. Your ET/I editor will be attending if my paper on Ethical Innovation & Sustainable Development is accepted; colleagues, please consider.

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Decision ForInternation

Vignette International cases oGlobally are requesteare NOT ethics cases 12-20 pages long, butshort, one or two parabout cases in which are forced to make etdecisions on a real issevents or work experswiftly. The ASPA Ethics Wowell as Combating Corruption/EncouragEthics, Edition 1, hasof short, powerful casforce an immediate dThere are many Unitedecision-forcing caseseek international deforcing cases which todifficult ethics decisio Please forward to Fraat integrityintal@yah

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e’re Still Looking For Input! cing al

s

ETHICS TODAY INTERNATIONAL

READER FEEDBACK Q1 – Of Ethics International, I read: 1___All 2___Most 3___Some 4___None Q2 – Of the Conferences Section of Ethics Today International, I read: 1___All 2___Most 3___Scan Some 4___None Q3 – I have attended conferences announced in Ethics Today International

n Ethics d. These which are are agraphs managers hical ues,

iences

rkbook as

ing examples es which ecision. d States

s, but we cision-uch on ns.

n Burke oo.com.

Whistle-Blowing Experiences

Whistle-Blowing / Gentle Alternatives

Have you ever observed a colleagueor student committing a breach of research ethics? Perhaps it was as serious as a professor claiming a student’s work or a grant reviewer ‘lifting’ ideas from a proposal? Or perhaps it was as simple as a naïve student using the wrong statistic ortrolling for significance, or making a hypothesis to fit the data? Get the idea? Did you do something about it? Mindful of the delicacy ofthe situation and the usual fate of whistle-blowers, what did you do? Something subtle or collegial? Your ETI editor, Fran Burke, and Joan Sieber are seeking whistle-blowing experiences, particularly international cases. The purpose of Joan Sieber’s research is to produce an online manual describing effective and ineffective strategies, totally anonymous. If you are willing to be interviewed,please email Joan or call 510 538-5424. The story is yours to tell; nothing will be tape recorded. We seek useful details for the analysis of factors leading to success or failure and that will help to construct fictitious cases. Fran Burke, integrityintal@yahoo.com Joan Sieber Joan.sieber@csueastbay.edu

1___Yes 2___No Q4 – Which one (s)? ____________________ ____________________ Q5 – Currently I teach an International Ethics Course 1___Yes 2___No Please send responses and syllabus, if possible, to: Fran Burke integrityintal@yahoo.com

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Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006l 

Research Group Integrity of GovernaVrije Universiteit AThe research group ‘Integrity of group has become one of the introduce our work in 'Ethics T 'Integrity of Governance' is an impOrganization Science at the Vrconduct of the research groupintegrity. Which should, amon The central research question corruption) and what policies and in More specifically, our main resof governance, the content of violations), the relationship beorganizations (government, bugovernance (including the poli The research group participatePublic Administration (ASPA)Public Administration. This Eendeavour with workshops in Section in Belgium in 2005 (se Prof. Leo Huberts is strategic Lasthuizen, van Montfort, SixMaesschalck and PhD studentvan der Wal. More informatioA number of recent internatio(2005), Maesschalck's Approacchapter 'Measuring CorruptionConnors and Galtung's ‘Measuby Huberts, Van Montfort andvalues of government and busand police integrity.

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nce msterdam

Governance’ conducts multidisciplinary research on the integrity and ethics of governance. The leading research groups in this field in the Netherlands and we are grateful to be able to oday', also because we are interested in doing (more) comparative international work.

ortant part of the research program of the department of Public Administration and ije Universiteit of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The mission, as stated in the code of , is to contribute to the national and international scientific knowledge and understanding of g other things, benefit governance and society.

is: what is the content of integrity and ethics of governance, what are the causes of integrity problems (including stitutions help to protect the integrity of governance?

earch themes concern the conceptual and theoretical clarification of integrity in the context public and business integrity and integrity problems (including the causes of integrity tween leadership and integrity, differences between the ethics and values of different types of siness, non-profit) and the strategies and institutions that help to safeguard the integrity of ce).

s in various international networks, such as the Ethics section of the American Society for . Researchers co-initiated the establishment of a study group within the European Group of GPA Study Group on the Integrity and Ethics of Governance has proven to be a successful Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland and Italy and a transatlantic conference with the Ethics e www.egpa-ethics.eu and for the Leuven conference: http://soc.kuleuven.be/io/ethics/).

chair Integrity of Governance and director of the research group. De Graaf, van den Heuvel, and Wagenaar are senior researchers. Research fellows are Kolthoff, Lamboo and s and junior researchers are Heres, Peeters, van Tankeren, van der Veer, van der Vossen and n about their research projects is available on www.fsw.vu.nl/integriteit. nal publications include ‘Tractable Morality’ by de Graaf in the Journal of Business Ethics hes to ethics management in the public sector' in Public Integrity (best article 2005), the book : Exploring the Iceberg' by Huberts, Lasthuizen and Peeters in Sampford, Shacklock,

ring Corruption’ (2006) and books by Six, The trouble with trust (2005) and Rule-breaking government Doig (2006). Articles and book chapters, accepted for publication, concern for example the

iness, the content of a public official's integrity, the nature of corruption in western societies

We invite you to read more about the research group, research projects and publications (some of them are downloadable) at our website: www.fsw.vu.nl/integriteit > English).

Ethics Today   

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

COMING IN NOVEMBER 2006 FROM M.E. SHARPE

Ethics Management for Public Administrators: Building Organizations of Integrity

By Don Menzel

This practical, how to book is dedicated to building organizations of integrity. It has been written for college students contemplating careers in public service, elected and appointed officials, administrators, and career public servants in America and abroad. 1. Ethics Management 2. Constitutional and Administrative Environments 3. Tools for Ethics Managers 4. Ethics Management in American Cities and Counties 5. Federal and State Ethics Management 6. Ethics Management Internationally 7. Ethical Governance in the 21st Century Details are available at http://www.mesharpe.com/mall/resultsanew.asp?Title=Ethics+Management+for+Public+Administrators%3A+Building+Organizations+of+Integrity

Ethics Today  

 

Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

As the Ethics Section has groeasier to contact people, we w members and everyone else wremoved or corrected, please

Jeremy Plant jfp2@psu.edu Terrel Rhodes rhodes@aacu.org Ann Marie Rizzo arizzo@tnstate.edu William Solomon kingsol@bellsouth.net Robert Smith rws@clemson.edu Richard Stillman rstillman@gspa.cudenver.edu Vera Vogelsang-Coombs vera@urban.csuohio.edu Jonathan West jwest@exchange.sba.miami.edu Richard White rdw121@aol.com Russ Williams rwilliams@aspanet.org Mylon Winn mylonwinn@yahoo.com Dennis Wittmer dwittmer@du.edu John Worthley Jaworthley@aol.com

Jennifer Alexander jalex@wolf.urban.csuohio.edu Danny L. Balfour Balfourd@gvsu.edu Erik Bergrud ebergrud@swbell.net Evan Berman EvanBerman@mail.ucf.edu Steven Bobes sbobes@bellsouth.net Jim Bowman jbowman@garnet.acns.fsu.edu Fran Burke integrityintal@yahoo.com Russ Carlsen racarlsen@cityofPaloAlto.org Raymond Cox rcox@uakron.edu Larry Cobb EthicsWorks@aol.com Terry Cooper tlcooper@usc.edu Mel Dubnick dubnick@attbi.com Rod Erakovich roderakovich@comcast.net

Herb Fain herbfain@earthlink.net Ali Farazmand afarazma@fau.edu Jean-Claude Garcia-Zamor garciazamor@hotmail.com Stuart Gilman StuartGilman@w4pr@arrl.net Eleanor Glor Eleanor_Glor@hc-sc.gc.ca Rick Green rick.green@csbs.utah.edu James Heichelbech jheichelbech@mindspring.com Carole L. Jurkiewicz cljrkwcz@lsu.edu Cynthia Lynch clynch@utpa Don Menzel dmenzel1@tampabar.rr.com Manfred Meine drmmeine@troy.edu Meredith Newman newman.meredith@uis.edu Kenneth Nichols ken.nichols@umit.maine.edu Rosalind Osgood RVWO@aol.com

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

wn, the number of members who become actively involved has also grown. To make it ill now provide a consolidated list of email addresses for ExComm members, ET Boardho would like to be contacted. If you would like to have your email address added, contact Rod Erakovich (roderakovich@comcast.net).

21 

Ethics Today   

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

CITIZEWhy not E

EditorPresid

The Responsible Administrator: An Approach to Ethics for the 

Administrative Role By Terry L. Cooper 

 5th edition Now Available!

Cooper's 5th edition is the definitive text for students and practitioners who want to have a successful administrative career. Moral reasoning, as Cooper so adeptly points out, is essential in today's rapidly changing and complex global environment. Donald C. Menzel The Responsible Administrator is at once the most sophisticated and the most practical book available on public sector ethics. It is conceptually clear and jargon-free, which is extraordinary among books on administrative ethics. H. George Frederickson Remarkably effective in linking the science of what should be done with a prescriptive for how to actually do it, the 5th edition of Cooper's book keeps pace with the dynamic changes in the field, both for those who study it and those who practice it. The information presented in these pages can be found nowhere else, and it is information we cannot ethically afford to ignore. Carole L. Jurkiewicz

After a quarter century in print and five editions, it is time to name Terry Cooper’s “The Responsible Administrator” a classic, not only in the field of public service ethics, but in the broader domain of public policy and administration as well. As useful and enlightening as it waswhen first published in the Reagan era, this new edition works well for a post-9/11 public service with its strong emphasis on the design approach to ethics. Guy B. Adams

I kept hoping ADMINISTRwhether the AAdministrationendorse publicthe issue. Nevernever will. Few membersASPA took mprofessional oCommittee. Fand speak outCommittee. Fonly a certain would participinterchanging outspoken ASvehicle attract However, evenspoke out, gotRIPPLE EFFactivities was vtalked among topic, and conCommittee. Mthought, passeon the policy uWhistleblowinHealth care anvivid by these running at tha

LAST WORDS

NS S P E A K O U T! thics Section MEMBERS…

By Fran Burke

, Ethics Today International ent, Integrity International

that the two articles in PUBLIC ATION TIMES (PAT) debating merican Society for Public (ASPA) should or should not policies would fan a huge debate on happened. Perhaps in ASPA it

were vocal on the policy positions any years ago when our rganization had a Policy ew members now would speak up if we reinstated the ASPA Policy ew members would get involved; percentage of the membership ate. EthNet, Ethics wonderful discussion group, is the most PA members ever get and that s few writers, few voices.

though few members spoke up, involved, or participated, the ECT of ASPA Policy Committee ital and revitalizing. Members

themselves about the specific issue, cern of the now-deceased Policy embers, and not just a few,

d around and interchanged points nder discussion. g, Affirmative Action, Housing, d many other issues were made chats …and chat rooms were not t time!

Ethics Today   

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Newsletter of the ASPA Section on Ethics Volume 9 Number 1 Autumn 2006

Rod EFran B DannyHerberEleanoJim HeJack KCynthiRosalinWilliamRuss W

So, my point isinvigorated ouenergized its madministrative wide, regional,Locally, acrossdecided what pregion would t Of course everearlier – few mthe opportunitminimum wagvitality and parparticipating bprovides Ethichaving the opppolicy issues sucomputer abusprovide oppor This is the first oPOLICY COM Part 2 “CitizenRECOMMEN

LAST WORDS CONTINUED

simple: The now ancient ASPA Policy Committee r organization. The old ASPA Policy Committee embers. The defunct ASPA Policy Committee brought and managerial ideals, issues and ideas to our nation- statewide, and local ASPA sections and chapters. this country ASPA members discussed, debated, and olicy positions, if any, the chapter, group, section or ake forward to the National Council.

yone did not debate, discuss and decide. Remember embers get involved; few speak out. However, having

y to think and act on policies, such as early education, e, and health policy was important to ASPA energy, ticipation. In EthNet few writers, voices are ut it is read. The ripple effect is great, strong and s Section members with information, discussion. Thus, ortunity to discuss, debate and decide (or not) on ch as outsourcing government, presidential power, e, fiscal responsibility, legislative accountability would tunity for engagement by ASPA members.

f a two-part discussion supporting the reinstatement of the ASPA MITTEE. ET/I encourages response, discussion.

s ACT. Why not Section MEMBERS? + DATIONS”

Have an ethical issue you would like

to raise to the general membership?Want to let the ASPA ethicscommunity know about an event?Need ethics-related contributions fora journal or conference? Send yourcomments and requests to:

Ethics Today Rod Erakovich, Editor

roderakovich@comcast.net

ETHICS TODAY Board of Editors

rakovich, Editor urke, International Editor

Balfour t Fain r Glor ichelbech em a Lynch d Osgood Solomon illiams