U.S. Office of Government Ethics
1201 New York Avenue, NW.
Suite 500
Washington, DC  20005-3917



                                          November 22, 2005
                                          DO-05-020


MEMORANDUM

TO:	  Designated Agency Ethics Officials

FROM:	  Joseph E. Gangloff
          Deputy Director
          Office of Agency Programs

SUBJECT:  Agencies participate in working group forum on the
	  Ethical Implications of Emergency Response


      On November 1, 2005, the Office of Government Ethics held a working group
forum on the Ethical Implications of Emergency Response.  Twenty-eight
officials, representing 22 departments and agencies, met and formed working
groups.  These groups began composing lists of frequently asked questions on the
topics of gifts and fundraising and addressing the issue of raising ethical
awareness within and between agencies to ensure that processes are in place to
streamline ethical decision-making during an emergency.

      The next working group forum will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2005
from 9:00 am until noon in the Main Conference Room at the Office of Government
Ethics.  At this forum the working group will refine the lists of frequently
asked questions, prioritize them, and begin to craft responses.  We will also
collect the information we requested of each agency regarding agency gift
acceptance, relevant points of contact, fundraising authority, and any relevant
policies or memoranda that have been issued.

      We invite and encourage all agencies to attend the December 1, 2005 forum
on the Ethical Implications of Emergency Response, whether or not you have
previously participated.

      For more information, or to RSVP for the December 1st meeting, please
contact Cheryl Kane-Piasecki at clkanepi@oge.gov.

      We look forward to seeing you on December 1st and continuing the work
we(ve begun together.