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Adopted: Fall 1994

Code of Ethics

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Make every effort to improve the professional knowledge of administration and parliamentary procedure and the competence of subordinates.
6. Serve every member of the legislature, regardless of party with dignity and respect.
7. Be aware of the obligation to the constituency of legislators and provide them with the mechanisms enabling them to feel that legislators do care.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Resist any encroachment on responsibilities, believing one should be free to carry out administrative policies without interference.
11. Avoid persona aggrandizement or profit secured by confidential information or by misuse of public time.
12. Handle all matters of personnel on the basis of merit so that fairness and impartiality govern decisions pertaining to appointments, pay, promotions and discipline.