220 likes | 314 Views
Ethics Training for Public Officials: Local Opportunities to Make a Difference. Diane Prindeville - Bill Daniels Fellow in Ethics New Mexico State University.
E N D
Ethics Training for Public Officials:Local Opportunities to Make a Difference Diane Prindeville - Bill Daniels Fellow in Ethics New Mexico State University
Bill Daniels Teaching Business Ethics WorkshopThe Daniels Fund Ethics InitiativeThe New Mexico CAPE Program: Building Advocacy for Public Sector Ethics Dr. Diane-Michele Prindeville, Daniels Fellow NM EDGE: A Program of the NM Cooperative Extension Service NMSU Department of Government NMSU College of Business
Background • Desire to enhance ethical environment of state’s governing bodies and public agencies • Opportunity for collaboration • Shared commitment to: • Excellence through ethics education • Building leadership capacity • Developing resources for public servants • Strengthening public trust in government
Purpose Deliberate, decide on, and develop an ethics training/program based on best practices to meet the needs of elected & appointed officials and public sector employees serving the people of New Mexico.
Public Partners The New Mexico… • Association of Counties • Municipal League • Legislative Council Service • Attorney General’s Office • State Auditor, and • two State Representatives
Non-Profit Partners • NM Ethics Alliance • Institute of Public Law, UNM Law School • Internationally recognized Ethics educator and author • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) • Voices for Children
Staff • Daniels Fellowship Administrator, NMSU Business College • NM EDGE: NM Cooperative Extension Service • Daniels Fellow, NM EDGE, NMSU Government Department
Process • Review Committee Purpose & Goals • Explore Meaning of Ethics • Identify Skills/Competencies Needed • Identify/Develop Classes • Draft Curriculum/Curricula • Name for Certification • Delivery Opportunities & Schedule
Findings • Ethics is not a “holier than thou” proposition • Ethics is not black/white • Preserve the public trust • Conflict is inherent to democracy • Culture impacts decision-making
Directives • Use a Principle- or Values-based Approach • Identify Standards of Conduct • Provide a Decision-Making Process • Develop “Ethical Organizations”
The NM CAPE Program NM Certified Advocate for Public Ethics Certification = 14 classes: 11 Req’d & 3 Elective Required/Core classes • Answering the Call to Public Service • Ethics and Professionalism • Creating an Ethical Culture • Ethics and Managing Public Funds
The NM CAPE Program, cont. Required/Core classes • Ethics: Know the Law • Do the Right Thing • Walk the Talk • Dangerous Liaisons • Risky Business: Preventing and Mitigating Damage • Value Based Decision Making • Ethical Leadership
Class Descriptions Do the Right Thing • Explore the 7 Universal Values of integrity, fairness, compassion, loyalty, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness • Compare theories of ethics • Recognize ethical dilemmas and • Learn to apply ethical theories to decision making in daily life.
Class Descriptions, cont. Walk the Talk • Learn how to analyze the context and elements of ethical decision making as viewed through various perceptual filters including personal and cultural values, and • Learn how to develop and implement a personal ethics statement.
Class Descriptions, cont. Dangerous Liaisons Explore the complex and potentially illegal nature of power, sex, and money. Risky Business: Preventing & Mitigating Damage Explore the value of anticipating potential risk and developing policies and procedures to prevent and mitigate damage to your organization’s reputation, integrity, and bottom line.
The NM CAPE Program, cont. Elective Classes • Public Meetings • Leadership and the Public Trust • The Role of Research in Public Service
General Program Guidelines • Three-hour long classes • Pre- and post-tests administered • Minimum one class per year • Take different class each year • 14 classes to earn certification • Multiple delivery options
Implementation Increase Accessibility • Bring CAPE to local communities • Seek financial sponsors/scholarships • Alternative to trad’l academic programs • Values life and work experience
Implementation, cont. Create Partnerships • Share strategies and approaches • Create networks of support • “Train the Trainers”
Implementation, cont. Go Local • Build leadership capacity • Share innovative solutions • Engage community members • Facilitate public discussion
Implementation, cont. Maximize Learning Opportunities • Build ethics education networks • Involve students • Create internships • Develop ethics programs
Resources • Berman, West, & Bonczek, eds. 1998. The Ethics Edge. ICMA. • Emerson, Menkus, & Van Ness. 2011. The Public Administrator’s Companion: A Practical Guide. • Keene & Bruce. 2000. Keeping the Public Trust: The Value of Values in Government. raybruce@comcast.net • NM EDGE http://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/countycollege/ • NM House Memorial 6 www.sos.state.nm.us/2010Bills/HM6.pdf • State Ethics Commission Act www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/10%20Regular/bills/house/HB0043.pdf