The Shared Ethics Advisory Commission

“Because we value the public’s confidence and trust in our services and its decision- makers, our character and behaviors must meet the most demanding ethical standards and demonstrate the highest levels of achievement in following this code.” – Preamble to the Shared Code of Ethics & Values

The Shared Ethics Advisory Commission is currently made up of the Cities of Crown Point, East Chicago, Gary, Hobart, Portage, Valparaiso and Whiting; the Towns of Burns Harbor, Cedar Lake, Chesterton, Dyer, Hebron, Highland, Lake Station, Lowell, Merrillville, Munster, Ogden Dunes, Schererville, St. John and Westville and the Counties of Lake, LaPorte and Porter.

All Commission participants promote ethical behavior in the workplace and have adopted the standards recognized by the Commission.

Please review the links to the left to find out more on who we are, what we stand for and how your respective community can become involved.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

The Preamble to the Shared Code of

Ethics & Values

“The proper operation of the government of our communities requires that all the official representatives be effective, independent, objective and accountable to the people they serve.”  To ensure these qualities are upheld, the communities have adopted this Code of Ethics and Values to promote and maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct in our respective communities. 

All elected and appointed officials, employees, volunteers, and others who participate in our government are required to subscribe to this Code, understand how it applies to their specific responsibilities and practice these core values in their work. 

Because we value the public’s confidence and trust in our services and its decision- makers, our character and behaviors must meet the most demanding ethical standards and demonstrate the highest levels of achievement in following this code.

What is the Shared Code?

The Shared Code of Ethics defines a core set of values and behaviors toward which we aspire.

 
The Code rests on four sets of foundation values:
  1.  HONESTY & INTEGRITY
  2.  RESPECT & CIVILITY
  3.  ACCOUNTABILITY & RESPONSIBILITY
  4.  FAIRNESS & JUSTICE
Municipalities are responsible for the practical means of aligning their own policies and procedures with these values, and to appropriately address breaches of them.
The Shared Ethics Commission does not have enforcement powers, but is designed to foster ethical behavior through education and training.

Why Should a Community Join?

Local government entities are encouraged to join and commit themselves to an ethically-based administration within their own communities and also help build an ethical culture throughout Northwest Indiana.

Membership in the Shared Ethics Advisory Commission:

       Signals to employees and constituents the high value placed  on honest and effective government 

      Provides access to training, materials and colleagues to assist  in the identification and resolution of common ethical issues  facing government leaders 

     Communicates to others that your local government intends to be part of a new generation of leadership and responsible stewardship within Northwest Indiana.

Why Should a Community Join?

Local government entities are encouraged to join and commit themselves to an ethically-based administration within their own communities and also help build an ethical culture throughout Northwest Indiana.

Membership in the Shared Ethics Advisory Commission:

       Signals to employees and constituents the high value placed  on honest and effective government 

      Provides access to training, materials and colleagues to assist  in the identification and resolution of common ethical issues  facing government leaders 

     Communicates to others that your local government intends to be part of a new generation of leadership and responsible stewardship within Northwest Indiana.

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