Professional Ethics Edification

Once a month the ACPE Professional Ethics Commission (PEC) posts a couple of statements from our Code of Professional Ethics for ACPE Members.  Each posting is accompanied by a brief personal reflection from a commissioner of the PEC sharing some ways this person lives these commitments*. AUGUST’S statements are:

5.    In conducting business matters, ACPE members:

Carry out administrative responsibilities in a timely and professional manner.

b. Implement sound fiscal practices, maintain accurate financial records, and protect the integrity of funds entrusted to their care.

For August & Alice Hernandez, ACPE Certified Educator, Parkland Health, comments:

Most of us like being with people more so than carrying out administrative responsibilities.  After all, we entered into this vocation for the transformational relationships that CPE often fosters.  We tend to dread transactional relationships and the associated tasks because of our passion for people.  My invitation is for us to see the faces behind the administrative responsibilities.  In other words, instead of only seeing a spreadsheet or a message that needs your attention, see the face of the person who will benefit from your completion of the spreadsheet or returned message.  If we can see our administrative responsibilities with a human face associated with it, we are more likely to carry out our responsibilities in a timely and professional manner.  I would imagine we could even do so with care and concern.

Finally, our fiscal practices can be a little more challenging to address.  There are many times that no one is looking regarding sound fiscal practices. My invitation is for you to ask, “What’s it really worth to you?”  Is fudging numbers worth the potential loss of a career and reputation?  For most of us, the answer is “no”.

In summary, there is a connection between the transformational work we do with students and the administrative responsibilities that correspond.  Our students, our CPE Centers, and colleagues depend on us (directly or indirectly) to remember their faces when these tasks present themselves.

*Every situation is unique, and any member should not act based solely on the comments in the article but to base action on an independent review of the ethical standards applicable to his/her situation.