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AFP Congress 2009
Ethical Decision-Makingvs.
Situational Ethics
Dianne Lister, LL.B., CFREVice President
External Relations + AdvancementTrent University
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Workshop Agenda
1. Welcome - Your Interests and Concerns2. Today’s Climate and Pressure Points3. Case Studies• CDO vs. CEO/Board• Unrealistic goals and Undue influence• Donor Relations/Appearance of impropriety• Honest broker tensions4. Q &A and Wrap
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Today’s Climate
• Off-loading of services from government to NFP sector
• Societal needs growing • Insufficient resources/core funding• Increased competition for private $$• New and innovative social enterprises• Fiduciary and ethical responsibilities
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The Three “S’s”
Scandal ►Scrutiny + Scepticism
• Public trust issues• Self-regulation vs. government regulation• Investigative reporting• Heightened accountability• Need for transparency • Multiple stakeholders
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What’s different now?
• Complex relations with partners; outside our competency?
• Unprecedented revenue generation expectations; fewer resources
• Personal stress levels up• “feel handcuffed, unfocussed and worried”
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The risk of situational ethics
“Once integrity goes the rest
is a piece of cake”
J.R. Ewing(Larry Hagman)
From 1978 CBS hit series, Dallas
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Case Studies
# 1CDO vs. CEO/Board
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Case Studies # 2
Unrealistic goals and undue influence
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Case Studies # 3
Donor Relationsand the
Appearance of Impropriety
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The Appearance of Impropriety
Definitions of Impropriety:immodesty, indecency, rudeness, incongruity, vulgarity, impudence, unseemliness, incorrectness, erroneous or unsuitable expression or act
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Case Studies # 4
# 4 Honest Broker Tensions
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How to Practice Ethical Decision-Making
• Meditation, relaxation, exercise • Take your pulse; ask others about your
leadership choices• Professional coaching; mentor others• Listen to the voice and the guts• Case studies in safe places• Use AFP/other codes + resources as
training materials for PD workshops
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How to Practice Ethical Decision-Making
• Adopt Donor Bill of Rights/IC Code at Board level and train on a regular basis
• Remember ► uphold public trust and protect your personal and institutional reputations