Since 1951, The American Society for Public Administration- Michigan Capital Area Chapter (ASPA MICAP) has provided a forum for discussing relevant topics of public service and administration. Through our frequent board meetings, and newsletter, both tenured practitioners and new administrators emerging from the ranks of civil service are afforded an opportunity to network with many of mid-Michigan’s most influential political and administrative forces.
MICAP’s legacy has yet to be written, but undoubtedly when it is written it will include such notable references to our annual regional conferences and hosting a national conference in 1990.
“While we treasure old memories and accomplishments, we look forward to working with all of our members to create new and greater achievements by MICAP, as well as establishing new traditions.”
—George Orban
Former ASPA MICAP Treasurer
ASPA’s Mission
Advancing excellence in public service.
We do this in many ways, primarily through serving as the critical bridge between public administration scholarship and practitioners in the field. All of our services and programs are geared toward supporting our Society’s goal to advance the art, science, teaching and practice of public and nonprofit administration. As part of the discipline’s leading public service organization, our leadership and members:
Promote the value of joining and elevating the public service profession.
Build bridges among all who pursue public purposes at home and internationally.
Provide networking and professional development opportunities to those committed to public service values.
Achieve innovative solutions to the challenges of governance.
ASPA Code of Ethics
The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) advances the science, art, and practice of public administration. The Society affirms its responsibility to develop the spirit of responsible professionalism within its membership and to increase awareness and commitment to ethical principles and standards among all those who work in public service in all sectors. To this end, we, the members of the Society, commit ourselves to uphold the following principles:
1.Advance the Public Interest. Promote the interests of the public and put service to the public above service to oneself.
2. Uphold the Constitution and the Law. Respect and support government constitutions and laws, while seeking to improve laws and policies to promote the public good.
3. Promote democratic participation. Inform the public and encourage active engagement in governance. Be open, transparent and responsive, and respect and assist all persons in their dealings with public organizations.
4. Strengthen social equity. Treat all persons with fairness, justice, and equality and respect individual differences, rights, and freedoms. Promote affirmative action and other initiatives to reduce unfairness, injustice, and inequality in society.
5. Fully Inform and Advise. Provide accurate, honest, comprehensive, and timely information and advice to elected and appointed officials and governing board members, and to staff members in your organization.
6. Demonstrate personal integrity. Adhere to the highest standards of conduct to inspire public confidence and trust in public service.
7. Promote Ethical Organizations: Strive to attain the highest standards of ethics, stewardship, and public service in organizations that serve the public.
8. Advance Professional Excellence: Strengthen personal capabilities to act competently and ethically and encourage the professional development of others.
A separate document contains practices that serve as a guide to behavior for members of ASPA in carrying out its principles.To view the practices, click here.
Members of ASPA commit themselves to support the Code of Ethics and may be sanctioned for their failure and refusal to uphold the Code.
ASPA Code of Ethics Review Process:
As part of its commitment to advance and implement the Code of Ethics, ASPA provides a review process with four elements:
Responding to inquiries from members about ethical standards and handling ethical dilemmas
Reviewing requests for help from members who have been penalized for upholding the Code and providing support to them
Recognizing members whose actions exemplify the code
Reviewing and seeking to resolve complaints about a member whose actions may have violated the Code of Ethics
The complaints process covers only ASPA members and is confidential. Neither the person named in a complaint nor the person making the complaint are publicly identified at any time. The Ethics Committee will defer its own review of a complaint until any other bodies reviewing the actions (courts of law, legislative bodies, agencies or other organizations involved) have completed their work, and will then determine if future evaluation is required.
The review of a complaint goes through the following stages:
A complaint about an ASPA member can be submitted by a member or non-member through [email protected] or by mail to the address listed at the end of this page. Complaints must be related to actions occurring after May 1, 2016–the date the current process was initiated. Complaints must specifically reference the tenet of the Code the complainant feels has been violated.
The Ethics and Standards Implementation Committee (Ethics Committee) will receive the complaint to determine whether the action potentially violates the code. If it is deemed not to be a violation, the complaint will be dismissed with explanations to the complainant.
If it is judged that the action, if verified, is a violation of the Code, the Ethics Committee will then work with the ASPA Executive Committee to determine if further steps should be taken.
Should the Executive Committee authorize the Ethics Committee to get involved in the issue, the Ethics Committee will discuss the complaint with the member and encourage voluntary corrective action. At no point are the names of those involved disclosed to members.
This is intended to be a constructive process that helps members understand how the Code is applied to specific situations. Issues identified in complaints may be used—in generic terms—in the Ethics Committee’s educational activities to help raise awareness of ethical challenges and expectations.
Question about the review process can be sent to[email protected] or to:
ASPA Ethics Review Questions
1730 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
