| The Purposes of the
American
Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries is to strengthen the
effectiveness and efficiency of American State Legislatures, and thereby
protect the freedoms of our people.
To Further these objectives, certain ethical principles
shall govern the conduct of every member of the Society who shall:
- Be dedicated to the concepts of effective and democratic state government
by responsible elected officials and believe that professional general
management of legislatures is essential to the achievement of these
objectives.
- Affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by the legislature
and maintain a constructive, creative and practical attitude toward
legislative affairs and a deep sense of social responsibility as a trusted
public servant.
- Dedicate oneself to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all
public and personal relationships in a way that merits the respect and
confidence of the legislators and legislative leaders and of the public
which one serves.
- Be instilled with a deep sense of pride in the knowledge of the privilege
to be a part of a great social experiment in the governing of man.
- Make every effort to improve the professional knowledge of administration
and parliamentary procedure and the competence of subordinates.
- Serve every member of the legislature, regardless of party with dignity
and respect.
- Be aware of the obligation to the constituency of legislators and
provide them with the mechanisms enabling them to feel that legislators
do care.
- Keep the legislature informed on legislative affairs, encourage communication
between citizens and legislators, emphasize friendly and courteous service
to the public and seek to improve the quality and image of the legislature.
- Resist interfering with legislation, avoid lobbying and abstain from
taking any gift or anything of value to influence legislation or legislators
or the purchase of supplies or the hiring or promotion of personnel.
- Resist any encroachment on responsibilities, believing one should
be free to carry out administrative policies without interference.
- Avoid persona aggrandizement or profit secured by confidential information
or by misuse of public time.
- Handle all matters of personnel on the basis of merit so that fairness
and impartiality govern decisions pertaining to appointments, pay, promotions
and discipline.
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