Final Thoughts…

For my last blog entry for the PA6674 Ethics course, I would like to discuss the Code of Ethics for the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). The ASPA constructed their code of ethics in 1984 to serve as guiding principles for business, professional organizations, and public agencies. The code of ethics includes 5 broad principles, as well as 32 specific sub-principles that I would consider the “dummy’s guide” for how public servants should act. I do not mean any disrespect at all by stating this; but I am giving this list complete respect in that it really is the list of ideals that all public sector employees should read, understand, and follow.

1.    Serve the public interest.  This seems easy enough.  I mean, isn’t this the reason we are working in the public sector?  The public has entrusted us with their hard-earned tax dollars, and the least we could do as their representatives is to listen to what they want us to do with those dollars. While serving the public trust, the ASPA suggests that we should exercise authority with discretion in order to promote the public’s best interest; oppose discrimination and harassment; support the public’s right to know the public’s business;  involve citizens in policy decision making; respond to the public in a manner that is complete and easy to understand; help people when they have to work with the government; and be prepared to make decisions that are not popular. All of these prescriptive statements should be understood and carried out accordingly. As a public servant, this means putting your own ethics aside, and adopting a view of the bigger picture. You may not personally agree with a stance or topic, but if it is in the best interest of the public, and is legal (that’s important!), then you have an obligation as a servant of the public to support it.

2.    Respect the Constitution of the United States of America.  This should be not only a requirement of public servants, but also of all Americans. If you live in the United States, or work in or for the United States, it would be a good idea to read and support its rules and regulations! The ASPA recommends that public servants understand and apply legislation; do what we can to change outdated and obsolete laws; eliminate discrimination; prevent mismanagement of public funds; protect privileged information; protect the rights of whistle blowers; and promote fairness, equality, representation, responsiveness, and due process. Again, this makes sense, but it does raise the question of how do we protect whistleblowers and their rights if the basis of their dissent results in the release of privileged information?

3.    Demonstrate Personal Integrity. The ASPA suggests that we maintain honesty; give others credit for the work that they do; guard against nepotism and improper outside employment; respect all coworkers and the public you serve; take responsibility for your actions; conduct yourself in your duties without partisanship. I feel that personal integrity is the keystone to the entire code of ethics.  If one does not exhibit each of these traits, how can they be expected to accomplish the other standards? 

4.    Promote Ethical Organizations. Promotion of ethical standards must begin from the top-down.  An agency must have ethical leadership that sets an expectation of highly ethical behavior of not only themselves, but of all they members of the organization. The ASPA recommends that organizations enhance and promote open communication; teach all staff to be true to the public good at all times; hold all members accountable for their behavior; be consistent and protect against arbitrary actions; assure due process for administrative dissent; promote accountability through the use of controls; and encourage the adoption and periodic review of an organizational code of ethics.

5.    Strive for Personal Excellence. Do not stand in the way of people who have the drive and motivation to improve themselves.. Create an environment that supports education and encourages advancement, and assume responsibility to remain current on any emerging issues. I found this one interesting, as this standard really does not speak on how personal excellence helps the public, but it is still obvious in its application. Promoting education, advancement, and knowledge of emerging issues will create a healthy, competitive environment within an organization and assure that staff is providing high quality services to their constituents.

It has been my personal pleasure to share my insights with each of you this term. If you have read my blog and wondered what the background image is, I will tell you that it is an elephant.  Ethics is the elephant in my room!

Are we living as a city upon the hill?

This week, one of our assignments was to read and comment on the late President John F. Kennedy’s speech “As a City Upon a Hill”. Kennedy delivered this speech on Monday, January 9, 1961; the genesis of his presidency. He had referenced the phrase as delivered from John Winthrop’s 1630 thesis A Model of Christian Charity that was written while upon the flagship Arabella on his voyage to the brave new world that we call the United States. Winthrop explained:

“For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God, and all professors for God's sake.”

But, Winthrop was not the first to use the phrase. The derivation of As a city upon a hill originated with the parable Salt and Light delivered by Jesus during the Sermon on the mount.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

The term as a city upon a hill encourages us to understand the importance of our actions as public servants, Americans, and as human beings. Each of us is being watched and judged by somebody. It could be your parents, siblings, spouses, friends, coworkers, and managers. If you are in the public sector, then taxpayers also have an eye on your actions, and will ultimately use your actions to judge you as a servant, and as a person. Of course, in the end, you have to answer to God in our final judgment.

Back to Kennedy’s speech. It was a pleasure to read, as it speaks to the ideals that I hold dear to me: courage, judgment, integrity, and dedication. It takes courage to stand in the face of opposition to argue for what you think is right. As a public servant, it is your responsibility to define right as those things that are in the best interest of your constituency. Again, they are watching and will judge you accordingly for your

decisions. It takes solid judgment to be an effective, respective public servant. You must use judgment to look at the mistakes of the past and vow not to repeat them. While remembering the mistakes, also reminisce about the good things that happened. Take those good things, refine them, and take them into the future when judging which decisions to make, and which ones to not make. One must have the courage to make those judgments with an emphasis on integrity. Integrity is defined by “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness”. A public servant must have the integrity to employ ethical decision making in their daily service. As a servant, integrity does not mean just making the right decision, but also making the right decision that are best for the all people involved. Lastly, a public servant must have dedication. Each day, I go to work with the mindset that I am going to do my best, give 100 percent, keep my head held high, and go home with the pride of knowing that I served my public well. 

To personalize Kennedy’s words; if I exhibit courage, judgment, integrity, and dedication in my personal and professional life, I will make decisions that are best not only myself, but for my fellow man.