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7 <br /> OC Ethnicity <br /> (J White <br /> OC Gender Identity <br /> V Male <br /> Ethics Guidelines <br /> Ethics Guidelines for Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions <br /> I agree by my signature below that, if appointed, I pledge to comply with the following ethics <br /> guidelines for advisory boards and commissions as adopted by the Orange County Board of <br /> Commissioners. <br /> • Conflict of Interest <br /> 1. During advisory board meetings, a member shall immediately disclose any potential <br /> conflict of interest and request to be excused from voting when he or she has a conflict of <br /> interest. <br /> 2. During appeal proceedings, the applicant has the right to question the interest of any <br /> voting member. The advisory board chair should consult with the County Attorney or <br /> staff attorney on any potential conflict of interest in appeal matters. <br /> 3. In determining from existing facts and circumstances whether a conflict of interest exists <br /> the determining party shall consider the facts and circumstances as would an ordinary <br /> and reasonable person exercising prudence, discretion, intelligence, and due care. <br /> • Gifts <br /> 1. An advisory board member shall not directly or indirectly ask, accept, demand, exact, <br /> solicit, seek, assign, receive, or agree to receive any gift or honorarium for the advisory <br /> board member, or for another person, in return for being influenced in the discharge of <br /> the advisory board member's official responsibilities. <br /> 2. This section shall not apply to gifts or awards authorized by Orange County Policies, <br /> Resolutions, or Ordinances. <br /> • Code of Ethics <br /> 1. Advisory board members should act with integrity and with independence from improper <br /> influence as they exercise the functions of their offices. Characteristics and behaviors <br /> that are consistent with this standard are: <br /> 1. Adhering firmly to a code of sound values. <br /> 2. Behaving consistently and with respect towards everyone with whom they interact. <br /> 3. Exhibiting trustworthiness. <br /> 4. Living as if they are on duty as appointed officials regardless of where they are or <br /> what they are doing. <br /> 5. Using their best independent judgment to pursue the common good as they see it, <br /> presenting their opinions to all in a reasonable, forthright, consistent manner. <br /> 6. Remaining incorruptible, self-governing, and not subject to improper influence, while <br /> at the same time being able to consider the opinions and ideas of others. <br /> 7. Disclosing contacts and information about issues that they receive outside of public <br /> meetings, and refraining from seeking or receiving information about quasi-judicial <br /> matters outside of the quasi-judicial proceedings themselves. <br /> 8. Treating other advisory boards and advisory board members and the public with <br /> respect, and honoring the opinions of others even when they disagree. <br /> 9. Being careful not to reach conclusions on issues until all sides have been heard. <br /> Dr. Mark J. Solomon <br />