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Ethics & Transparency

Overview

Ethics and Transparency

In California, state and federal laws create a complex set of requirements that guide elected officials and agency staff in their service to their communities. ILG offers a variety of resources to help local officials and staff comply with these laws and understand the unique legal and ethical obligations of being a public servant.  

Overview

Ethics Education
AB 1234 Training

The Institute offers a number of resources to help local officials and their staff comply with California’s requirement (sometimes referred to as “AB 1234″) that local officials periodically refresh their knowledge of public service ethics laws and principles.

The purpose of this training is to alert local officials to the extensive array of laws that apply to public service, as well as the unique ethical obligations public servants have.

Overview

Promoting Ethics and Transparency

Ethics is what one ought to do–the kind of behaviors that would make the world a better place, especially if everyone engaged in them. The key question is: how does the conscientious public servant sort through competing considerations and determine “the right thing to do?” When it comes serving the public, how does one put one’s values into practice?

To determine what one ought to do, go to the root of the matter and think in terms of values. Research by the Institute for Global Ethics identifies ethical values that transcend virtually all cultures and religions. 

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.”–Warren Buffett

Overview

Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws

In California, state and federal laws create a complex set of requirements laws that guide elected officials and agency staff in their service to their communities.

As extensive and complex as these laws are, it is important to remember ethics laws only constitute minimum standards for officials’ conduct. The law is a floor for public official conduct, not a ceiling: just because a particular course of action is legal does not mean it is ethical. Download the full publication here.

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