SERVING WITH OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS May a Federal employee be…

       SERVING WITH OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS
May a Federal employee be active in a         How could an employee's activities in a
non-Federal organization, such as a           non-Federal organization conflict with the
professional society, industry                employee's Government position?
association, or civic group?                   P In most situations the employee may
P Yes, under most circumstances.              not work on anything as an agency
                                              employee in which the organization is
Under what circumstances would activity       before the agency, such as:
in a non-Federal organization pose a            R recommending or approving staff to
problem?                                      attend the organization's conference;
 P When the organization has                    R work on or assign a project or task
agreements, contracts, issues, projects,      involving the organization; or
or other matters before the employee's          R attend an organization conference on
office and the employee holds a position      Government time or submit a paper to the
or is "actively involved" with the            organization from the agency (or direct a
organization in a "private capacity."         subordinate to do so).

What does it mean for an employee to be       Are there any exceptions?
"actively involved" in a non-Federal           P Yes. If the needs of the agency
organization in a "private capacity?"         outweigh appearance concerns an
 P "Actively involved" means that the         exception may be available. The
employee is doing more than merely            employee should contact the Ethics Law
paying dues or attending meetings, such       and Programs Division in such cases.
as working on projects for the
organization.                                 Are there any limits on private activities
 P "Private capacity" means that activities   with a non-Federal organization?
for the organization are performed on          P Yes. A Federal employee may not:
personal time and not as part of                R use his or her agency title or affiliation
Government duties, a performance plan,        in organization materials, or
or under a supervisor's direction.              R disclose nonpublic Government
                                              information.

  Ethics Law and Programs Division, Office of the Assistant General Counsel for
             Administration, United States Department of Commerce
             202-482-5384 ­ ethicsdivision@doc.gov ­ January 2, 2008

                       A WORD ABOUT ETHICS