Ethics for Tribal Board and Council Members
Governing

Get your Governance certificate and upgrade your credentials. This class is one of the requirements to earn your Indian Country Governance Certification. Click here or call 1-800-992-4489 for details.

A moral compass is needed to travel the often-rough roads of tribal politics. Are you prepared to navigate through the maze of ethical issues that tribal government officials face today? Though the vast majority of tribal officials conduct their business with flawless ethical standards, many decisions that they make are fraught with ethical dilemmas, either real or perceived. The fact is, when it comes to ethics, appearance is everything. Public scrutiny of tribal government activities and an increased awareness of ethics laws and regulations mandate that all tribal officials be above reproach.

During this class, you’ll find out how to develop a code of ethics, from the code structure to purpose and objectives to rules and guidelines. A popular two-day workshop, it will teach you how to distinguish between legal and ethical considerations. Real-life case studies, ethical dilemmas and conflicts will be explored to help you develop a sense of what is legal, ethical or both. Self-assessment exercises will allow you to examine your organization’s current status and future needs.

We'll guide you through the process of establishing and enforcing high ethical standards in the workplace. You’ll learn how to develop an ethics code, address violations, ensure compliance and enforce the code.

Topics that will be covered include:

Introduction to Ethics Public service values Finding ethical solutions Getting a handle on ethics Anticorruption strategies Assessment Tools Diagnostic checklists: Policy Detection tools Management Elected and appointed officials Making a Code of Ethics Work Management’s responsibility Conflicts of interest Financial disclosure Use of influence Readings in Public Ethics Conformity to law Procedural fairness Ethical styles Developing a Code of Ethics Getting started Code structure Task force Purposes and objectives Interviews Rules and guidelines Who is covered by the code? Sample code Problem Solving 10-step ethics problem-solving model Putting the model into practice Sanctions for Violating the Code Losing independence Use of confidential information Privacy Act issues Real and apparent conflicts

Standards of Conduct In which tribal document are these located? Who imposes them? Sanctions for violations Sample standards Using public office for personal gain Making decisions outside of official channels 5 CFR, Part 2635 — Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch Nepotism Travel-Related Issues Appropriate conduct while on official duty Misappropriation of travel funds — examples, case studies Practical Problems Accepting gratuities/gifts What about the free lunch? Dealing with contractors Contracting with relatives Receiving benefits from federal or tribal programs Using tribal or federal property Avoiding Conflicts and Ethics Violations Identifying potential conflicts Documenting your actions What to do if in doubt What to do if you’re offered bribes or kickbacks Crossing the line — when ethical violations become violations of the law Case Studies Real-life scenarios Ethical questions