# Presentation: 318913

## Ethics 2008

***NPA UPDATE***

## Public Service is a Public Trust

***Each employee has a responsibility to the U.S. government and its citizens to place loyalty to the Constitution, laws and ethical principles above private gain.***
***Each employee should respect and adhere to the established principles of ethical conduct.***

## Topics to be Reviewed

***General Principles for Federal Employees***
***Hatch Act/Political Activity***
***Lobbying***
***Financial Disclosure***
***CFC/Fundraising***
***Travel***

## General Principles for Federal Employees

***Public service is a public trust.***
***Employees should not hold financial interests that conflict with their duties.***
***Employees should not engage in financial transactions using nonpublic information.***
***Employees should put forth honest effort in the performance of their duties.***
***Employees should not make unauthorized commitments or promises.***
***Employees should not use public office for private gain.***
***Employees should not solicit or accept gifts from anyone seeking official action with the employee’s agency.***

## General Principles, cont.

***Employees should act impartially.***
***Employees should protect Federal property.***
***Employees should not engage in outside employment or activities that conflict with official duties.***
***Employees should disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption.***
***Employees should satisfy their financial obligations.***
***Employees should adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all Americans.***
***Employees should avoid actions creating the appearance that they are violating laws or ethical standards.***

## Hatch Act/Political Activity

***The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees who work in connection with federally funded programs.***
***Amendments to the Act allow employees to take an active part in political management and political campaigns.***

## Permitted Political Activities

***Be candidates in nonpartisan elections.***
***Register and vote as you choose.***
***Assist in voter registration drives.***
***Contribute money to political organizations.***
***Attend political fundraising events.***
***Attend and be active at political rallies and meetings.***
***Join and be an active member of a political party.***
***Sign nominating petitions.***
***Campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections.***
***Make campaign speeches for partisan candidates.***
***Distribute campaign literature.***

## Employees May Not

***Use official authority or influence to interfere with an election.***
***Solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before their agency.***
***Solicit or receive political contributions.***
***Be candidates in partisan elections.***
***Engage in political activity while on duty, in a government office, wearing an official uniform, or using a government vehicle.***
***Wear partisan political buttons while on duty.***

## Lobbying

***Lobbying activities are governed by the Anti-Lobbying Act (18 USC Section 1913).  ***
***Prevents employees from using appropriated funds to lobby a Federal, state, or local government official with respect to any pending or proposed legislation, resolution, appropriation, or measure.***
***Reference:***
***   ******www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/ethics/lobbying.htm***

## Employees May:

***Communicate through normal channels with Members of Congress in support of Administration or Department positions.***
***Communicate with the public through public speeches, appearances and published writings to support Administrative positions (can’t call on the public to contact legislators).***
***Communicate privately with members of the public to inform them of Administration positions and to promote those positions – but only to the extent that such communications do not violate rules listed.***

## Employees May Not:

***Engage in grass roots lobbying campaigns urging individuals to contact government officials in support or opposition to legislation.***
***Provide administrative support for the lobbying activities of private organizations.***
***Prepare editorials or other communications that will be disseminated without an accurate disclosure of the government’s role in their origin.***
***Appeal to members of the public to contact their elected representatives in support or opposition to legislative matters or proposals.***

## Personal Time

***The Anti-Lobbying Act does not prohibit employees from participating in lobbying activities while on personal time.  You may contact Congress in a personal capacity (5 USC Section 7211). Cannot use appropriated funds or resources.***
***Employees should provide a disclaimer which indicates that the views expressed do not reflect the position of the individual’s employing agency.***

## Confidential Financial Disclosure

***Financial disclosure is a mechanism to safeguard employees and agencies from conflicts of interests.***
***Certain employees above GS-15 file because it’s required by the Ethics in Government Act.***
***Employees at or below GS-15 file if involved in contracting or procurement; administering or monitoring grants, licenses, etc.; regulating or auditing any non-Federal entity; or performing other activities having an economic effect on a non-Federal entity.  Fund-holders are included.***
***Collaborators also must file.***

## What is an OGE 450?

***OGE Form 450 is the Executive Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.***
***Employees fill out the report and generally send it in to HQ by mid-February of each year.***
***Make sure you retain a photocopy for your files.***
***OGE 450A can be used when you have no changes to the last 450 you filed.***

## THANKS!!!

***The Northern Plains Area was the only Area within ARS to have all of their employee confidential financial disclosure reports filed on time.***

## CFC

***The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) occurs annually and is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the Federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations.***
***Federal agencies take an active role in encouraging employee participation in CFC.***
***Employee participation cannot be coerced.***
***Efforts to involve non-Federal organizations must not violate other ethical rules.***

## Fundraising

***Private fundraising is not permitted in official space or on government time.***
***Selling or delivery of items/products is not appropriate in the Federal workplace.***

## Travel

***Contributed Travel – you may accept travel or expenses for travel from an outside entity providing no conflict of interest is involved.  You can’t accept cash or checks made payable to the traveler.***
***Travel card – use of official travel VISA card is responsibility of traveler.  Use must be for official travel expenses only, e.g. airline, hotel, car rental.***

## Changes in USDA Ethics Office

***USDA Office of Ethics – Science Ethics Branch email:  ***
***   ***_[ethics-](mailto:ethics-science@usda.gov)__[science@usda.gov](mailto:ethics-science@usda.gov)_
***Provides service to ARS, CSREES, ERS, FS – Research and Development, NASS, and NRCS – Soil Survey & Resource Assessment; Science and Technology***

## USDA Office of Ethics – Science Ethics Branch  continued

***Sue Mutchler, Mission Area Ethics Advisor, Beltsville, MD; 301-504-1442***

## NPA Ethics Contacts

***Larry Chandler – Designated Area Ethics Advisor; 970-492-7058; ***_[larry.chandler@ars.usda.gov](mailto:larry.chandler@ars.usda.gov)_
***Louise Dalton – 970-492-7058; ***_[louise.dalton@ars.usda.gov](mailto:louise.dalton@ars.usda.gov)_

## Completion Credit

- In order to receive credit for your annual Ethics training, please click Submit and fill out the form that will follow: