HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Ethics 2016 Training Recommendation
To: Board of Ethics
Cc: Chris Kukulski
Subject: Recommendation for the City’s 2016 Annual
Ethics Training
From the office of:
City Management
Robin Crough, Executive Assistant
January 29, 16
City staff would like to recommend the following as the City of Bozeman’s 2016 Annual Ethics Training, as
required by the City Charter (Section 7.01(b)).
For City staff:
After consultation with a representative of the HPO Ethics Team and the Human Resources Manager, we felt the appropriate next step would be to help clarify “Big E” and “Little e” ethics. It is for staff to be able to differentiate
actual ethics concerns from non-ethics issues. After consultation with Betsy Webb, she agreed that in-person, scenario-based training to help clarify “what is ethics” would be appropriate education for staff. Relevant
scenarios would be in part determined by past City of Bozeman situations (I will confer with key staff), revamped by Betsy in order to maintain confidentiality as well as provide maximum relevance for general staff.
Logistically, we are looking at completing all trainings in the fall of 2016 in order to have all staff completed by
the time of submission of the 2016 Annual Ethics Report in December 2016. Betsy felt on hour would be appropriate to cover three scenarios (likely one involving the gift policy, one involving a Big E situation, one
involving a Little e situation). Betsy’s recommendation for group size is up to 30, necessitating scheduling approximately 10-15 meetings across all staff. In order to diffuse a significant time commitment for Betsy, we are
proposing a “Train the Trainer” situation, where Betsy would train MPA students in MSU’s fall 2016 Ethics course to assist with the trainings. This would both strengthen our relationship with MSU and provide students with a
unique opportunity. City of Bozeman HR will schedule all staff into the meetings over the summer months.
For boards:
The HPO Team, HR, and Betsy all agreed that a separate training for board members would be appropriate this year. Either Betsy or Dan Clark of MSU’s Local Government Center will coordinate the training. We propose
handful of nightly sessions for board members to attend, trained by Betsy or Dan Clark. The board training would be coordinated and tracked by the City Clerk’s office.
Please consider this recommendation, and provide any guidance, recommendations, and changes as we move
forward with coordinating the 2016 Annual Ethics Training.
Thank you, Robin Crough