1. Realities of Government Ethics and A Guide to Responsible Decision-Making Prepared by: Nevada Commission on Ethics

2. “Always do right - - this will gratify some and astonish the rest.” ~ Mark Twain, February 1901

3. GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOVERNMENT WORK How does this expression make you feel when you hear it? What can WE do to change the negativity associated with this expression?

4. Nevada Commission on Ethics Created to prevent public officers and employees from using their position for personal or financial gain Issues advisory opinions about the conduct of public officers Investigates complaints about the conduct of public officers

5. Ethics: 1. A set of principles of right conduct. 2. A theory or a system of moral values. 3. The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession. American Heritage College Dictionary, Third Edition

6. Moral: 1. Of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior. 2. Expressing or teaching a conception of right behavior. 3. Conforming to a standard of right behavior. 4. Sanctioned by or operative on one’s conscience or ethical judgment. 5. Capable of right and wrong action. Miriam-Webster.com

7. Integrity: 1. Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values. 2. An unimpaired condition. Miriam-Webster.com

8. Trust: 1. Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. 2. A charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship. 3. Something committed or entrusted to one to be use or cared for in the interest of another. 4. Responsible charge or office. Miriam-Webster.com

9. I know what I have done, and Your Honor knows what I have done… Somewhere between my ambition and my ideals, I lost my ethical compass. -- Jeb Stuart Macgruder

10. Creating ethical conflicts Self-dealing Accepting gifts or benefits Influence peddling Using property for private advantage Using confidential information Outside employment Post-employment conduct

11. Common ethics rationalizations If it’s necessary, it’s ethical. If it’s legal and permissible, it must be proper. I was just doing it for you. I’m just fighting fire with fire. It doesn’t hurt anyone. It can’t be wrong if everyone is doing it. It’s okay if I don’t gain personally. I’ve got it coming. I can still be objective. It is just one cigar, box of candy, lunch, etc.

12. Five steps for ethical decision making 1. Clarify the situation. 2. Evaluate the facts. 3. Discuss with an objective, disinterested party (i.e. agency/board counsel) 4. Choose your best ethical option. 5. Implement your decision. 6. Review and modify, if necessary.

13. The Ethical Checklist Would I be embarrassed to read about this action in the newspaper? What would happen if everybody did this? How would I like it if someone did this to me? How would I feel if my mother knew or if my children were observing me? Would the proposed course of action build/preserve the general public’s confidence in government or your leadership?

14. If we are strong, our strength will speak for itself. If we are are weak, words will be of no help. -- John F. Kennedy

15. Nevada Commission on Ethics 3476 Executive Pointe Way, Suite 10 Carson City, NV 89706 775.687.5469 775.687.1279 (fax) 2030 East Flamingo Road, Suite 125 Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.486.7250 702.486.7252 (fax) http://ethics.nv.gov ncoe@ethics.nv.gov