Ethic Practices in the Government
11/30/2000 

 
To:       USGS Employees
cc:       Eleanor G Fisher/OPS/USGS/DOI@USGS, Stephanie E 
          Koontz/OPS/USGS/DOI@USGS
Subject:  Ethic Practices in the Government

The holiday season is upon us.  It is that time of year when holiday 
office parties are being planned, football pools are underway, schools are 
selling wrapping paper and wreaths, and fundraising for numerous charities 
is occurring.  Although we risk sounding a bit like "The Grinch that Stole 
Christmas", we would like to give you some gentle reminders of 
governmentwide rules pertaining to some of these subjects.  For more 
detailed information pertaining to these and other topics, we encourage 
you to access the Department of the Interior's ethics website located at 
http://www.doi.gov/ethics, and the website of the Office of Government 
Ethics located at http://www.usoge.gov. 

Fundraising:  The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the only authorized 
solicitation of employees in the Federal workplace on behalf of charitable 
organizations.  In supporting CFC campaigns, employees should not engage 
in any form of gambling on government premises, such as raffles and 
lotteries, nor should they solicit gifts or contributions from local 
businesses to be awarded as prizes.  An authorized exception to the "no 
solicitation" rule is the collection of gifts-in-kind, such as food, 
clothing, and toys in public areas of government buildings.  No additional 
government resources should be expended in the support  of in-kind 
collections.   Employees should also refrain from using their government 
titles, positions, or U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) affiliations to 
promote fundraising in their private capacities (example:  wearing USGS 
shirts at PBS telethons).  5 CFR 950.102.

Gambling:  Gambling on government premises is prohibited.  This includes 
football and basketball pools. 
5 CFR 735.201

Selling and Soliciting on Government Property:  Selling and soliciting for 
personal gain (including the gain of other parties such as schools) is 
prohibited on government property.  An exception has been granted only for 
department-authorized operations such as Recreation Associations, which 
benefit departmental employees. 
43 CFR 20.504

Gifts:  In general, employees may not accept gifts which exceed $20 from a 
person or organization that is doing or seeking to do business with the 
USGS.  And gifts or contributions to gifts for supervisors are normally 
prohibited.  There are numerous exceptions to these rules at 5 CFR 
2635.201 through 304.  One of these exceptions permits employees to give 
official superiors gifts with a market value of $10 or less on infrequent 
occasions when gifts are normally exchanged.

Soliciting Contributions:  Employees may solicit voluntary contributions 
of nominal amounts from fellow employees on an occasional basis for items 
such as food and refreshments to be shared among employees.  It is 
important to note that a contribution is not voluntary unless it is made 
in an amount determined by the contributing employee.  Regulations require 
a statement that an employee may choose to contribute less, or not at all, 
to accompany any recommendation of an amount to be contributed.

Alcohol:  The use of alcoholic beverages in government buildings is 
generally prohibited, unless the head of the agency authorizes the waiver 
of this prohibition.

If you have questions about this message, please feel free to call 
Stephanie Koontz at 703-648-7422.  Please have a safe and happy holiday 
season!