Since 1984, ASPA has promoted a commitment to high standards of ethical practice by public servants. The Code of Ethics was revised in 2013 and the Ethics and Standards Implementation Committee was established in 2014. The Code of Ethics presents the key principles that public servants should advance, and its educational and review activities support the ethical behavior of members and hold them accountable for adhering to these principles. In its current strategic plan, ASPA's first goal is to "advocate strong, effective and ethical public governance."
ASPA Code of Ethics
The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) advances the science, art and practice of public administration. The Society affirms its responsibility to develop the spirit of responsible professionalism within its membership and to increase awareness and commitment to ethical principles and standards among all those who work in public service in all sectors. To this end, we, the members of the Society, commit ourselves to uphold the following principles:
Advance the Public Interest
Promote the interests of the public and put service to the public above service to oneself.
Uphold the Constitution and the Law
Respect and support government constitutions and laws, while seeking to improve laws and policies to promote the public good.
Promote Democratic Participation
Inform the public and encourage active engagement in governance. Be open, transparent and responsive, and respect and assist all persons in their dealings with public organizations.
Strengthen Social Equity
Treat all persons with fairness, justice and equality and respect individual differences, rights and freedoms. Promote affirmative action and other initiatives to reduce unfairness, injustice and inequality in society.
Fully Inform and Advise
Provide accurate, honest, comprehensive and timely information and advice to elected and appointed officials and governing board members, and to staff members in your organization.
Demonstrate Personal Integrity
Adhere to the highest standards of conduct to inspire public confidence and trust in public service.
Promote Ethical Organizations
Strive to attain the highest standards of ethics, stewardship, and public service in organizations that serve the public.
Advance Professional Excellence
Strengthen personal capabilities to act competently and ethically and encourage the professional development of others.
Members of ASPA commit themselves to support the Code of Ethics and may be sanctioned for their failure and refusal to uphold the Code.
Ethics Review Process
As part of its commitment to advance and implement the Code of Ethics, ASPA provides a review process with four elements:
- Responding to inquiries from members about ethical standards and handling ethical dilemmas
- Reviewing requests for help from members who have been penalized for upholding the Code and providing support to them
- Recognizing members whose actions exemplify the code
- Reviewing and seeking to resolve complaints about a member whose actions may have violated the Code of Ethics
The complaints process covers only ASPA members and is confidential. Neither the person named in a complaint nor the person making the complaint are publicly identified at any time.
Complaint Stages
- 1A complaint can be submitted by a member or non-member through ethics@aspanet.org. Complaints must reference the tenet of the Code the complainant feels has been violated.
- 2The Ethics Committee will determine whether the action potentially violates the code. If not, the complaint will be dismissed with explanations.
- 3If judged a potential violation, the Ethics Committee will work with the ASPA Executive Committee to determine further steps.
- 4Should the Executive Committee authorize involvement, the Ethics Committee will discuss the complaint with the member and encourage voluntary corrective action.
Ethics Committee
The Ethics and Standards Implementation Committee was created by action of the National Council and a vote of the ASPA membership in 2014. The Committee is responsible for advancing awareness and commitment to ethical principles and practices in ASPA and promoting the importance of ethics in public service through educational and review activities.
The Committee provides advice to members in handling ethical problems, offers assistance to members who have been sanctioned by their organization for actions to advance the Code, reviews and seeks to resolve ethics complaints, and advises the Council of appropriate action to be taken when an ASPA member is found to have violated the Code.
Contact the Ethics Committee
For questions about the Code of Ethics, ethical challenges, or to submit a complaint, contact the Ethics Committee directly. Please reference the specific tenet you believe has been violated when submitting a complaint.
ethics@aspanet.orgASPA Ethics Review Questions
1320 19th St NW, Suite 501
Washington, DC 20036