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ICMA Code Of Ethics With Guidelines Keep far JOUr fll_. The ICMA Code ofEthlcs was adopted by the ICMA member>blp In 1924, and most recently amended by the member>blp In May 1998. The Guidelines for the Code were adopted by the ICMA Executive Board in 1972, and most recently revised in September 2002. The mission of leMA is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional local government management worldwide. To further this mission, certain principles. as enforced by the Rules of Procedure. shall. govern the conduct of every member of lCMA. who shaH: 1. Be dedicated to the concepts of effective and democratic local government by responsible elected otfidals and beUeve that professional genend 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, c;reative, and practical attitude tOY/ani local government affairs and a deep sense of social responsibility as a trusted public servant. GUIMUNE ADVICE ro DmCIALS OF 0raEa Loc.u. GoVERNMENTS. When members advise and respond to inquiries from elected or appointed officials of other local governments. they should inform the administrators of those communities. 3. Be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in aD public and personal relationships in order that the member may merit the respect and confidence of the elected ot1iclaIs, of other offi.daIs and employees, and of the public. GUIMUNES PlIBUC CONfiDE:NCB. .Members should conduct themselves so $ to maintain public confidence io their profession, their local govenunent, and in their performance Qf the public trust. IMPRESSION OF INflUENCE. Members should conduct their Qfficial and personal affairs in such a manner as tQ give the dear Impression that they cannot be improperly tnfl.uenced in the performance Qf their official duties. APPOINTMENT COMMITMENT. Members who accept an appointment to a position should not fail to report for that position. Thls does not preclude the POSSibility Qf a member considering several Qffers or seeking several positions at the !WlIIle time, but once a bona fide offer of a position has been accepted, that commitment should be honored. Oral acceptance of an employment oller is considered binding unless the emplQyer makes fundamental changes in terms of employment. CUOENfIALS. An application for employment or for leMA's Voluntary Credentialing Program should be complete and accurate as to aU pertinent details of educatiQn, experience, and personal history. Members should recognize that both omissiom and inaccuracies must be avoided. PROFESSIONAL REsPECT. Members seeking a management position shouk:l. show professional respect for persom formerly holding the position or for Qthers who might be applying for the S8J1le position. Professional respect does not preclude honest differences of opinion; it does preclude attacking a person's motives or integrity in order tD be appointed to a position. CONFIDENTIALITY. Members should not discuss or divulge iofonnation with anyone about pending or completed ethics cases, except as specifically authorized by the Rules of Procedure for Enrorcement of the Code of Ethics. SEEKING ~. Members should not seek employment for a position having an incwnbent administrator who has not resigned or been officially informed that his or her services are to be terminated. 4. Recognize that the chief fWlCtion of local government at all times is to serve the best interests of all of the people. GUIMUNE LENGTH OF SElMCE. A minimum of two years generally is considered necessary in order to render a professional service to the local government. A short tenure sbouk:l. be the exception rather than a recurring experience.. However, under special circumStances, it may be in the best interests of the local government and the member to separate in a shorter time. Examples of such circum$tances would include refusal of the appointing authority to honor conunitments concerning conditlons of employment, a vote of no confidence in the member, or severe personal problems. It is the responsibility of an applicant for a position to ascertain conditions of employment. Inadequately detennining terms of emplnyment prior to arrival does not Justify premature termination. 5. Submit polley proposals to elected Qffici.a1s; provide them with facts and advice on matters of policy 85 a basis for making decisions and setting community goals; and uphold and implement local government policies adopted by elected officials. GUIDEUNE CoNfliCTING ROI.ES. Members who serve multiple rolesnworking as both city attorney and city rrumager for the same community. for example--should avoid participating in matters that create the appearance of a conflict of interest. They should disclose the potential conflict to the gov&ning body so that other opinions may be solicited. 6. Recognize that elected n!presentatives of the people are entitled to the credit for the establishment oflocal government policies; responsfllUity for policy execution rests with the members. 7. Refrain from aU political activities which undermine public confidence in professional administrators_ Refrain from participation in the election of the members of the employing legislative body. GUIMUNES WCTlONS OF THE GovEamNc BoDY. Members should maintain a reputation for serving equally and tmpartiaUy aD members of the governing body of the local government they serve, regardless of party. To this end, they should not engage in active partidpation in the election campaign on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for the g<wernJng body. EuxnONS OF Eucrm ExF.ct.rnVEs. Members should not engage in the election campaign of any candidate for mayor or elected county executive. RUNNING FOR OillCE. Members shaD not run for elected otfice or become involved in political activities related to running for elected office. They shall not seek political endorsements, financial contributions or engage in other campaign activities. ELECTIONS. Members share with their fellow ci1:i2Ens the right and respOJL'libtllty to vote and to voice their opiniQn on public issues. However, in order not to impair their effectiveness on behalf of the local governments they serve, they shall not participate in political