Ethics Of Community Ethics: The ASPA Code Of Ethics

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The Nonprofit Sector The nonprofit sector advances the community interests through its services and provides opportunities for individuals to assemble and partake in mutual activities that benefit society (Heckman, 2012). According to the Internal Revenue Service [IRS] (2015), the 501(c) (3) status of nonprofit organizations prohibits direct or indirect participation in or intervening in a political campaign either on behalf or opposition of any candidate for elective public office. In essence, the nonprofit sector cannot endorse, donate money, or resources to candidates as well as rate candidates on issues affecting the nonprofit (Internal Revenue Service, 2015). The violation of the prohibition results in a loss of tax-exempt status …show more content…

An ethical servant, according to the Code, adheres to the principles stated and promotes the practices supported by the ASPA. Theresa LePore, a public administrator, was a member of the ASPA, thus, LePore must comply with the principles and practices of the organization. The ASPA Code of Ethics states two main principles that are fundamental to the service of public administrators. The first item considers the advancement of public interest. In other words, the promotion of the interests and service of the public rather than the interest and service of oneself (American Society for Public Administration, 2013). The second item asserts the importance of upholding the Constitution and the Law. In essence, practitioners respect and support the government constitutions and laws, while seeking to improve laws and policies promoting the public good (American Society for Public Administration, …show more content…

However, LePore actions to appease the public interest inadvertently caused inattention to legal interest of state law, resulting in the failure in being prepared to make an unpopular decision and responding to the public in a clear and easy manner of understanding (Montgomery, 1996). As a result, the butterfly ballot case demonstrated the necessity of a balance between the public interest as well as the legal interests of the

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