On May 14, at the beginning of the 60-minute webinar: ICMA Members Discussion Forum: What Political Neutrality Means Today, Lee Feldman, chair of the ICMA Committee on Professional Conduct, polled the 128-ICMA-member audience on questions relevant to Tenet 7 of the ICMA Code of Ethics.

Here are the results of the poll:

Why begin a discussion about the values of the ICMA Code of Ethics with Tenet 7?  Because applying the principle of political neutrality is difficult and generates the most ethics inquiries to the CPC.  

In addition to considering the questions posed in the web chat, consider whether it is okay for a member to: 

1. Contribute to a PAC supporting a local ballot measure?
2. Attend the mayor’s victory party?
3. Sign a petition for a candidate for his/her elected body? 
4. Attend the national convention for a political party?
5. Have his/her spouse write a check from a joint checking account to a candidate running for governor? 
6. Attend a debate or forum for candidates?
7. Register to vote in closed primaries? 
8. Attend a local party fundraiser if someone else pays for the ticket?

These are just a few of the many questions posed by members. What do you think? Tell us whether Tenet 7 and the guidelines are fine as written or should be revised. Use the social media site, powered by our strategic partner Granicus, at icma.granicusideas.com, which will take you to the discussion about political neutrality and where we will capture your feedback. The discussion area will close on June 22.  

To review the webinar in its entirety, visit the archive of the recording. Changes to the guidelines, if any, would be made by the ICMA Executive Board at its meeting at the ICMA Annual Conference in Boston.