December 17, 1998
                                   DO-98-035

MEMORANDUM

TO:       Designated Agency Ethics Officials, General Counsels,
          and Inspectors General

FROM:     Stephen D. Potts
          Director

SUBJECT:  New OGE Pamphlets


     Just in time for the holiday season, the Office of Government
Ethics (OGE) is releasing two new pamphlets; one dealing with gifts
from outside sources, the other discussing gifts between employees.
These pamphlets can serve both as a seasonal reminder to employees
of the rules governing the receipt of gifts, and as a resource in
fulfilling written materials training requirements. 

     The pamphlets are written in an easy-to-read, question-and-
answer format, providing a general overview of each of the two 
subparts of the Standards of Conduct while answering some of the 
most frequently asked questions concerning gifts.  The gifts from 
outside sources pamphlet provides useful examples of the 
application of several of the exceptions to the gift prohibition,
including the $20/$50 rule and the personal relationship and widely
attended gatherings exceptions.  The gifts between employees
pamphlet likewise addresses the application of the general
exceptions as well as those for special infrequent occasions and
voluntary contributions.

     Copies of both pamphlets are attached.  Please make copies and
distribute them as you deem necessary. Camera-ready copies of the
pamphlets are available from OGE by contacting Sonya Hall at 202-
208-8000, extension 1138.  The pamphlets are also located in the 
Ethics Resource Library section of the OGE Web site and may be
downloaded from page www.usoge.gov/usoge006.html#publications.   

Attachments