Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
9 <br />ETHICS GUIDELINES FOR <br />COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS <br />I agree by my signature below that, if appointed, I pledge to comply with the following ethics guidelines for advisory <br />boards and commissions as adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. <br />A. Conflict of Interest <br />1. During advisory board meetings, a member shall immediately disclose any potential conflict of interest <br />and request to be excused from voting when he or she has a conflict of interest. <br />2. During appeal proceedings, the applicant has the right to question the interest of any voting member. <br />The advisory board chair should consult with the County Attorney or staff attorney on any potential <br />conflict of interest in appeal matters. <br />3. In determining from existing facts and circumstances whether a conflict of interest exists the <br />determining party shall consider the facts and circumstances as would an ordinary and reasonable <br />person exercising prudence, discretion, intelligence, and due care. <br />B. Gifts <br />1. An advisory board member shall not directly or indirectly ask, accept, demand, exact, solicit, seek, <br />assign, receive, or agree to receive any gift or honorarium for the advisory board member, or for <br />another person, in return for being influenced in the discharge of the advisory board member's <br />official responsibilities. <br />2. This section shall not apply to gifts or awards authorized by Orange County Policies, Resolutions, or <br />Ordinances. <br />C. Code of Ethics <br />1. Advisory board members should act with integrity and with independence from improper influence as <br />they exercise the functions of their offices. Characteristics and behaviors that are consistent with <br />this standard are: <br />a. Adhering firmly to a code of sound values. <br />b. Behaving consistently and with respect towards everyone with whom they interact. <br />c. Exhibiting trustworthiness. <br />d. Living as if they are on duty as appointed officials regardless of where they are or what they are <br />doing. <br />e. Using their best independent judgment to pursue the common good as they see it, presenting <br />their opinions to all in a reasonable, forthright, consistent manner. <br />f. Remaining incorruptible, self - governing, and not subject to improper influence, while at the <br />same time being able to consider the opinions and ideas of others. <br />g. Disclosing contacts and information about issues that they receive outside of public meetings, <br />and refraining from seeking or receiving information about quasi - judicial matters outside of <br />the quasi - judicial proceedings themselves. <br />h. Treating other advisory boards and advisory board members and the public with respect, and <br />honoring the opinions of others even when they disagree. <br />i. Being careful not to reach conclusions on issues until all sides have been heard. <br />j. Showing respect for their appointed office and not behaving in ways that reflect badly on the <br />office, the advisory board, Orange County, or the Orange County Board of Commissioners. <br />k. Recognizing that they are part of a larger group and acting accordingly. <br />