WORLD-WIDE CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASOCIATION OF GENERAL SECRETARYS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Believing that public service is a public trust, I do hereby believe in and subscribe to the following principles and ethics that I affirm will govern my personal conduct and beliefs as an officer of a local government:
1. To maintain a creative and practical attitude toward local government and a deep sense of personal, professional, and social responsibility in pursuing the public good and the best interests of all the people;
2. To dedicate myself to the highest ideals of honor and personal integrity in order to merit respect and confidence in local government, my profession, and in my performance of the public trust;
3. To seek no favor or use my office for private gain. In doing so, I, or those who serve under me, shall not hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty, shall not solicit or accept any gift, commission, or other items of significant monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action, and shall not use confidential information to further personal financial interests;
4. To refrain from all activities which undermine the confidence in professional administration. As an appointed or elected official, I will treat all elected officials impartially;
5. To respect and impartially apply the governing laws of the nation and policies of the governing board;
6. To resist any diminishment of the exercise of professional ethics or responsibilities, including my ability to be forthright about presenting relevant information and options on public issues of concern to the governing body while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
7. To recognize the dignity and self-worth of each citizen at all times, and take active steps to facilitate and empower citizen intelligence and due process of the law;
8. To handle personnel matters on the basis of merit, exercising fairness and impartiality on appointments, pay adjustments, promotions, and discipline and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or handicap;
9. To keep the community informed about policy issues, provide access to relevant information, and encourage friendly and courteous public service to all;
10. To honor and use diversity in our societies as an asset, including attending to the needs of and giving dignity to our natural world and those individuals and groups who are the most vulnerable in our society; and
11. To act as a public trustee, using democratic planning for equitable and responsible management of public resources in order that current and future generations will not be diminished by current actions.