1

AFP Congress 2009

Ethical Decision-Makingvs.

Situational Ethics

Dianne Lister, LL.B., CFREVice President

External Relations + AdvancementTrent University

2

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

3

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

4

The Three “S’s”

Scandal ►Scrutiny + Scepticism

• Public trust issues• Self-regulation vs. government regulation• Investigative reporting• Heightened accountability• Need for transparency • Multiple stakeholders

5

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”

6

7

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

8

Case Studies

# 1CDO vs. CEO/Board

9

Case Studies # 2

Unrealistic goals and undue influence

10

Case Studies # 3

Donor Relationsand the

Appearance of Impropriety

11

The Appearance of Impropriety

Definitions of Impropriety:immodesty, indecency, rudeness, incongruity, vulgarity, impudence, unseemliness, incorrectness, erroneous or unsuitable expression or act

12

Case Studies # 4

# 4 Honest Broker Tensions

13

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

14

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

15

Wrap and Questions

Thank you!

Dianne Listerdiannelister@trentu.ca

705-748-1011