Code of Ethics

Quality of life is important to individuals. For this reason, many communities have invested s

This code of professional ethics for the field of Parks, Recreation and Leisure services is proposed to the Louisiana Recreation and Parks Association in order to promote and maintain high standards of public service and conduct among its officers and members. As such, membership in the association can be deemed a badge of ethical conduct; the Parks, Recreation and Leisure industry may be justly regarded as a profession; the public can have increasing confidence in the field’s integrity; and the practice of Parks, Recreation and Leisure services will best serve the public interest.

Code of Professional Ethics and Guidelines

1. Be dedicated to the concept of providing quality leisure services and facilities to the public citizenry in the State.

2. Be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships in order that the member may merit the respect and confidence of fellow members and of the public.

Guidelines

Public Confidence - Members should conduct themselves so as to maintain public confidence in their profession, in their employer, and in their performance of the public trust.  

Impression of Influence - Members should conduct their official and personal affairs in such a manner as to give the clear impression that they cannot be improperly influenced in the performance of their official duties.  

Credentials - An application of nomination for office should be complete and accurate as to all pertinent details of education, experience, and personal history. Members should recognize that both omissions and inaccuracies must be avoided.

Professional Respect - Members should show professional respect for fellow members and professionals. Professional respect does not preclude honest difference of opinion; it does preclude attacking a person’s motive or integrity.  

Service as an Officer - Strive to the best of the member’s ability to carry out the duties of the office of trust and responsibility to which the member’s professional associates have elected him or her. Uphold the constitution and by­laws of the Louisiana Recreation and Park Association, and endeavor at all times to fulfill the highest personal and professional standards of which the member is capable.

3. Submit policy proposals to elected officials; provide them with facts and advice on matters of policy as a basis for making decisions and setting goals for the association and its membership; support policy adopted by the Louisiana Recreation and Park Association and the NRPA Board of Trustees.

4. Make it a duty to continually improve the member’s professional ability and develop the competence of the profession.

5. Keep the community informed on trends and legislation concerning the Park’s Recreation and Leisure field; encourage communication between the public and the association; and seek to improve the quality and image of the profession.

6. Seek no favor; believe that personal benefits or profit secured by confidential information is dishonest.

Guidelines

Privilege - Any privilege or benefit negotiated for the association should not be used for the exclusive personal benefit of any members and other individuals.

Members involved in private enterprise should not use their membership privileges and status to further their personal business interests. This would not apply to members who are registered solely as corporate members.

Gifts - Members should not directly or indirectly solicit any gifts or accept or receive any gift, whether it be money, services, loans, travel, entertainment, hospitality, promises, or any other form, under the following circumstances:

(1) it could reasonably be inferred or expected that the gift was intended to influence them in the performance of their duties in the association; or

(2) the gift was intended to serve as a reward for any official action on their part.

It is important that the prohibition of unsolicited gifts be limited to circumstances related to improper influence. The guideline is not intended to isolate members from normal social practices where gifts among friends, associates, and relatives are appropriate for certain occasions.  

Representation: Members should not represent the association or any outside interest affecting the association before any agency, whether public, private, or commercial, except with the authorization of or at the direction of the association.

Confidential Information: Members should not disclose to others, or sue to further their exclusive personal interest, confidential information acquired by them in the course of their membership in the association.