1. GOVERNMENT/SGMP

2. HOW DO WE DESCRIBE ETHICS? According to Webster: The discipline dealing with what is good and bad with moral duty and obligation. The principle of conduct governing an individual or a group

3. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU—THE MEETING PLANNER?

4. “Anyone seeking to do business with the Federal Government is considered a Prohibited Source. Just what do we, as meeting planners, know about these sources?”

5. The Office of Government Ethics has established Standards of Conduct that apply to all US government employees. You should be familiar with your responsibilities under these regulations and Federal conflict of interest laws. All of the rules are derived from the fourteen principles of ethical conduct in Executive Order 12731.

6. If your professional behavior cannot stand up to the scrutiny of the media, or you don’t want what you are doing to be publicized on the front page of a major newspaper, DON’T DO IT! JUST SAY NO, as it is likely to be both unethical, and a conflict of interest.

7. Additional information on ethics issues is available on the United States Office of Government Ethics web site at www.usoge.gov and the DoD Standards of Conduct website at www.defenselink.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics. www.usoge.gov www.defenselink.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics Reference: Executive Order (E.O.) 11222, E.O. 12674, as modified by E.O. 12731, 3 C.F.R., 1990 Comp., pp. 306-311; 5 C.F.R. § 2635.101.

8. We must serve the workplace and The Chicago SGMP in a manner that allows growth and avoids any type of conflict. THERE CAN BE NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST. You must not use your public office (meeting planner), for personal gain. According to the Office of Government Ethics, an executive branch employee is prohibited by federal criminal statute from participating personally and substantially in a particular government matter that will affect your own financial interests.

9. Our Values and ethics as meeting planners, and in our leadership style, must be evident and demonstrated on an ongoing basis both here and in the workplace. We must remain impartial in the performance of our duties. There may be situations where we have to recluse or disqualify ourselves from participating, to prevent even the thought of unethical behavior. In addition, we need to be positive individuals, always demonstrating through our actions the value of being members of this organization. There is a need to consistently show our leadership ethics, our appreciation and respect for the people, the opportunities, and the circumstances that surround us.

10. This book, “Who are they Anyway”, showcased success through personal accountability. It gives us what these two men thought were the most important words for individuals who are desiring to adopt a personal accountability attitude that, not only demonstrates dignity and respect for others, but also for themselves.

11. The future of Chicago SGMP depends on many things, but mainly us and the values we embrace, i.e., behavior that is always ethical and above reproach, competency, equality, service, responsibility, respect, dedication, innovativeness, accountability and compassion? The list goes on. Remember that as leaders, we need to be the types of individuals others choose to follow, if we are to obtain new members and retain their membership, we have to provide a vision for the future, provide inspiration, and make them feel important and appreciated.

12. BACK TO OUR QUESTIONS? OH NO, IT IS NOT GOING TO BE THAT EASY. YOU MUST READ OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER FOR PART 2 OF ETHICS TRAINING AND FOR THE ANSWERS TO PART 1. MUCH MORE TO COME!

13. CLUE: The de minimis gift exception was modified by reducing the de minimis amount to $20 from $25 and the annual cap to $50 from $100. These modifications were intended to balance the concerns of agencies