Ethics

Question 1

Primary obligation of planners

Answer 1

To serve the public interest

Question 2

Overall Responsibility to the Public

Answer 2

a) We shall always be conscious of the rights of others.
b) We shall have special concern for the long-range consequences of present actions.
c) We shall pay special attention to the interrelatedness of decisions.
d) We shall provide timely, adequate, clear, and accurate information on planning issues to all affected persons and to governmental decision makers.
e) We shall give people the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the development of plans and programs that may affect them. Participation should be broad enough to include those who lack formal organization or influence.
f) We shall seek social justice by working to expand choice and opportunity for all persons, recognizing a special responsibility to plan for the needs of the disadvantaged and to promote racial and economic integration. We shall urge the alteration of policies, institutions, and decisions that oppose such needs.
g) We shall promote excellence of design and endeavor to conserve and preserve the integrity and heritage of the natural and built environment.
h) We shall deal fairly with all participants in the planning process. Those of us who are public officials or employees shall also deal evenhandedly with all planning process participants.

Question 3

Responsibility to Our Clients and Employers

Answer 3

a) We shall exercise independent professional judgment on behalf of our clients and employers.
b) We shall accept the decisions of our client or employer concerning the objectives and nature of the professional services we perform unless the course of action is illegal or plainly inconsistent with our primary obligation to the public interest.
c) We shall avoid a conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest in accepting assignments from clients or employers.

Question 4

Our Responsibility to Our Profession and Colleagues

Answer 4

a) We shall protect and enhance the integrity of our profession.
b) We shall educate the public about planning issues and their relevance to our everyday lives.
c) We shall describe and comment on the work and views of other professionals in a fair and professional manner.
d) We shall share the results of experience and research that contribute to the body of planning knowledge.
e) We shall examine the applicability of planning theories, methods, research and practice and standards to the facts and analysis of each particular situation and shall not accept the applicability of a customary solution without first establishing its appropriateness to the situation.
f) We shall contribute time and resources to the professional development of students, interns, beginning professionals, and other colleagues.
g) We shall increase the opportunities for members of underrepresented groups to become professional planners and help them advance in the profession.
h) We shall continue to enhance our professional education and training.
i) We shall systematically and critically analyze ethical issues in the practice of planning.
j) We shall contribute time and effort to groups lacking in adequate planning resources and to voluntary professional activities.

Question 5

What is formed through continuous and open debate?

Answer 5

A conscientiously attained concept of the public interest is formed through continuous and open debate.

Question 6

1. We shall not deliberately or with reckless indifference fail to provide __________ information on planning issues.

Answer 6

1. We shall not deliberately or with reckless indifference fail to provide ADEQUATE, TIMELY, CLEAR AND ACCURATE information on planning issues.

Question 7

2. We shall not accept an assignment from a client or employer when the services to be performed involve conduct that __________.

Answer 7

2. We shall not accept an assignment from a client or employer when the services to be performed involve conduct that WE KNOW TO BE ILLEGAL OR IN VIOLATION OF THESE RULES.

Question 8

3. We shall not accept an assignment from a client or employer to publicly advocate a position on a planning issue that is indistinguishably adverse to a position we publicly advocated for a previous client or employer within the past three years unless (1) we determine in good faith after consultation with other qualified professionals that __________, and (2) we __________ to our current client or employer and receive written permission to proceed with the assignment.

Answer 8

3. We shall not accept an assignment from a client or employer to publicly advocate a position on a planning issue that is indistinguishably adverse to a position we publicly advocated for a previous client or employer within the past three years unless (1) we determine in good faith after consultation with other qualified professionals that OUR CHANGE OF POSITION WILL NOT CAUSE PRESENT DETRIMENT TO OUR PREVIOUS CLIENT OR EMPLOYER, and (2) we MAKE FULL WRITTEN DISCLOSURE OF THE CONFLICT to our current client or employer and receive written permission to proceed with the assignment.

Question 9

4. We shall not, as salaried employees, __________, without having made full written disclosure to the employer who furnishes our salary and having received subsequent written permission to undertake additional employment, unless __________.

Answer 9

4. We shall not, as salaried employees, UNDERTAKE OTHER EMPLOYMENT IN PLANNING OR A RELATED PROFESSION, WHETHER OR NOT FOR PAY, without having made full written disclosure to the employer who furnishes our salary and having received subsequent written permission to undertake additional employment, unless OUR EMPLOYER HAS A WRITTEN POLICY WHICH EXPRESSLY DISPENSES WITH A NEED TO OBTAIN SUCH CONSENT.

Question 10

5. We shall not, as public officials or employees, accept from anyone other than our public employer any __________ that may be perceived as related to our public office or employment.

Answer 10

5. We shall not, as public officials or employees, accept from anyone other than our public employer any COMPENSATION, COMMISSION, REBATE, OR OTHER ADVANTAGE that may be perceived as related to our public office or employment.

Question 11

6. We shall not perform work on a project for a client or employer if, in addition to the agreed upon compensation from our client or employer, there is a possibility __________ , unless our client or employer, after full written disclosure from us, consents in writing to the arrangement.

Answer 11

6. We shall not perform work on a project for a client or employer if, in addition to the agreed upon compensation from our client or employer, there is a possibility FOR DIRECT PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL GAIN TO US, OUR FAMILY MEMBERS, OR PERSONS LIVING IN OUR HOUSEHOLD, unless our client or employer, after full written disclosure from us, consents in writing to the arrangement.

Question 12

7. We shall not use to our personal advantage, nor that of a subsequent client or employer, information __________ . Nor shall we disclose such confidential information except when __________ . Disclosure pursuant to (2) and (3) shall not be made until after we have verified the facts and issues involved and, when practicable, exhausted efforts to obtain reconsideration of the matter and have sought separate opinions on the issue from other qualified professionals employed by our client or employer.

Answer 12

7. We shall not use to our personal advantage, nor that of a subsequent client or employer, information GAINED IN A PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP THAT THE CLIENT OR EMPLOYER HAS REQUESTED BE HELD INVIOLATE OR THAT WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE AS CONFIDENTIAL BECAUSE ITS DISCLOSURE COULD RESULT IN EMBARRASSMENT OR OTHER DETRIMENT TO THE CLIENT OR EMPLOYER. Nor shall we disclose such confidential information except when (1) REQUIRED BY PROCESS OF LAW, OR (2) REQUIRED TO PREVENT A CLEAR VIOLATION OF LAW, OR (3) REQUIRED TO PREVENT A SUBSTANTIAL INJURY TO THE PUBLIC. Disclosure pursuant to (2) and (3) shall not be made until after we have verified the facts and issues involved and, when practicable, exhausted efforts to obtain reconsideration of the matter and have sought separate opinions on the issue from other qualified professionals employed by our client or employer.

Question 13

8. We shall not, as public officials or employees, engage in private communications with planning process participants __________ if such private communications are prohibited by law or by agency rules, procedures, or custom.

Answer 13

8. We shall not, as public officials or employees, engage in private communications with planning process participants IF THE DISCUSSIONS RELATE TO A MATTER OVER WHICH WE HAVE AUTHORITY TO MAKE A BINDING, FINAL DETERMINATION if such private communications are prohibited by law or by agency rules, procedures, or custom.

Question 14

9. We shall not engage in private discussions with decision makers in the planning process in any manner __________.

Answer 14

9. We shall not engage in private discussions with decision makers in the planning process in any manner PROHIBITED BY LAW OR BY AGENCY RULES, PROCEDURES, OR CUSTOM.

Question 15

10. We shall neither deliberately, nor with reckless indifference, __________ of other professionals.

Answer 15

10. We shall neither deliberately, nor with reckless indifference, MISREPRESENT THE QUALIFICATIONS, VIEWS AND FINDINGS of other professionals.

Question 16

11. We shall not solicit prospective clients or employment through __________ .

Answer 16

11. We shall not solicit prospective clients or employment through use OF FALSE OR MISLEADING CLAIMS, HARASSMENT, OR DURESS.

Question 17

12. We shall not misstate our __________ which are relevant to our professional qualifications.

Answer 17

12. We shall not misstate our EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR ANY OTHER FACTS which are relevant to our professional qualifications.

Question 18

13. We shall not sell, or offer to sell, services by __________.

Answer 18

13. We shall not sell, or offer to sell, services by STATING OR IMPLYING AN ABILITY TO INFLUENCE DECISIONS BY IMPROPER MEANS.

Question 19

14. We shall not use the power of any office to __________.

Answer 19

14. We shall not use the power of any office to SEEK OR OBTAIN A SPECIAL ADVANTAGE THAT IS NOT A MATTER OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE OR IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

Question 20

15. We shall not accept work beyond our professional competence unless the client or employer __________.

Answer 20

15. We shall not accept work beyond our professional competence unless the client or employer UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT SUCH WORK WILL BE PERFORMED BY ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL COMPETENT TO PERFORM THE WORK AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE CLIENT OR EMPLOYER.

Question 21

16. We shall not accept work for a fee, or pro bono, __________, or that is required by the circumstances of the assignment.

Answer 21

16. We shall not accept work for a fee, or pro bono, THAT WE KNOW CANNOT BE PERFORMED WITH THE PROMPTNESS REQUIRED BY THE PROSPECTIVE CLIENT, or that is required by the circumstances of the assignment.

Question 22

17. We shall not use the product of others’ efforts to __________ intended for producers of original work.

Answer 22

17. We shall not use the product of others’ efforts to SEEK PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION OR ACCLAIM intended for producers of original work.

Question 23

18. We shall not direct or coerce other professionals to __________.

Answer 23

18. We shall not direct or coerce other professionals to MAKE ANALYSES OR REACH FINDINGS NOT SUPPORTED BY AVAILABLE EVIDENCE.

Question 24

19. We shall not fail to disclose the interests of __________. Nor shall we participate in an effort to __________.

Answer 24

19. We shall not fail to disclose the interests of OUR CLIENT OR EMPLOYER WHEN PARTICIPATING IN THE PLANNING PROCESS. Nor shall we participate in an effort to CONCEAL THE TRUE INTERESTS OF OUR CLIENT OR EMPLOYER.

Question 25

20. We shall not __________ another person.

Answer 25

20. We shall not UNLAWFULLY DISCRIMINATE AGAINST another person.

Question 26

21. We shall not withhold __________ if a charge of ethical misconduct has been filed against us.

Answer 26

21. We shall not withhold COOPERATION OR INFORMATION FROM THE AICP ETHICS OFFICER OR THE AICP ETHICS COMMITTEE if a charge of ethical misconduct has been filed against us.

Question 27

22. We shall not retaliate or threaten retaliation against __________, or who is cooperating in the ethics officer's investigation of an ethics charge.

Answer 27

22. We shall not retaliate or threaten retaliation against A PERSON WHO HAS FILED A CHARGE OF ETHICAL MISCONDUCT AGAINST US OR ANOTHER PLANNER, or who is cooperating in the Ethics Officer's investigation of an ethics charge.

Question 28

23. We shall not use the threat of __________, an advantage in dealings with another planner.

Answer 28

23. We shall not use the threat of FILING AN ETHICS CHARGE IN ORDER TO GAIN, OR ATTEMPT TO GAIN, an advantage in dealings with another planner.

Question 29

24. We shall not file a __________ against another planner.

Answer 29

24. We shall not file a FRIVOLOUS CHARGE OF ETHICAL MISCONDUCT against another planner.

Question 30

25. We shall neither deliberately, nor with reckless indifference, __________, that reflects adversely on our professional fitness.

Answer 30

25. We shall neither deliberately, nor with reckless indifference, COMMIT ANY WRONGFUL ACT, WHETHER OR NOT SPECIFIED IN THE RULES OF CONDUCT, that reflects adversely on our professional fitness.

Question 31

26. We shall not fail to immediately notify the Ethics Officer by both receipted Certified And Regular First Class Mail if __________; nor immediately following __________ until our membership is reinstated by the AICP Ethics Committee pursuant to the procedures in Section E of the code.

Answer 31

26. We shall not fail to immediately notify the Ethics Officer by both receipted Certified And Regular First Class Mail if WE ARE CONVICTED OF A "SERIOUS CRIME" AS DEFINED IN SECTION E OF THE CODE; nor immediately following SUCH CONVICTION SHALL WE REPRESENT OURSELVES AS CERTIFIED PLANNERS OR MEMBERS OF AICP until our membership is reinstated by the AICP Ethics Committee pursuant to the procedures in Section E of the code.

Question 32

Is informal advice from the Ethics Officer binding upon the AICP?

Answer 32

No, but the Ethics Committee will take it into consideration if the Committee is subsequently called upon to consider a charge of misconduct against a Certified Planner who relied on the advice.

Question 33

Who issues formal Advisory Opinions?

Answer 33

The Ethics Committee

Question 34

If a member who acts in compliance with a formal Advisory Opinion is subsequently charged with misconduct, can they use the formal Advisory Opinion in their defense?

Answer 34

Yes

Question 35

What does the Annual AICP Ethics Report contain and who authors it?

Answer 35

A summary of all formal Advisory Opinions and interpretations of the Code issued during the preceding calendar year. The Ethics Officer provides this report to the Ethics Committee and AICP Commission.

Question 36

Who may file an ethics complaint against a Certified Planer?

Answer 36

Any person, whether or not an AICP member

Question 37

The __________ has ___ days to make a preliminary determination after receiving a complaint against an AICP planner.

Answer 37

The ETHICS OFFICER has THIRTY days to make a preliminary determination after receiving a complaint against an AICP planner.

Question 38

If the complaint is dismissed, the complainant has ___ days to appeal to the __________.

Answer 38

If the complaint is dismissed, the complainant has TWENTY days to appeal to the ETHICS COMMITTEE.

Question 39

If the __________ determines a violation may have occurred, the complaint must be provided to the respondent within ___ days.

Answer 39

If the ETHICS OFFICER determines a violation may have occurred, the complaint must be provided to the respondent within THIRTY days.

Question 40

The respondent has ___ days to respond to the complaint, with a ___ day possible extension.

Answer 40

The respondent has THIRTY days to respond to the complaint, with a FOURTEEN day possible extension.

Question 41

The __________ must provide the __________ response to the __________ within ___ days.

Answer 41

The ETHICS OFFICER must provide the RESPONDENT'S response to the COMPLAINANT within FOURTEEN days.

Question 42

If the __________ determines that more information is needed, both parties have ___ days to provide more information, if needed, with a ___ possible extension.

Answer 42

If the ETHICS OFFICER determines that more information is needed, both parties have FIFTEEN days to provide more information, if needed, with a FIFTEEN possible extension.

Question 43

The Ethics Officer may impose what disciplinary actions if a violation has occurred?

Answer 43

Confidential letter of admonition Public reprimand Suspension of AICP membership Expulsion from AICP

Question 44

Either party may appeal a decision of the Ethics Officer within ___ days.

Answer 44

Either party may appeal a decision of the Ethics Officer within THIRTY days.

Question 45

Who adjudicates appeals?

Answer 45

The Ethics Committee

Question 46

The Ethics Committee may take what actions on appeal?

Answer 46

(1) affirm the decision of the Ethics Officer (2) affirm the decision but impose a different remedy (3) vacate the decision of the Ethics Officer and return the case to the Ethics Officer for additional investigation, consideration of different Code sections or issues, or any other follow up (4) vacate the decision of the Ethics Officer and issue its own decision. Decisions 1, 2, and 4 are final.

Question 47

Any Certified Planner whose membership or certification is revoked may petition the Ethics Committee for reinstatement no sooner than ___ from the time of revocation.

Answer 47

Any Certified Planner whose membership or certification is revoked may petition the Ethics Committee for reinstatement no sooner than FIVE YEARS from the time of revocation.