September 30, 2010
To: CyberTax Member
From: Bonnie Speedy, National Director, AARP Tax-Aide
Subject: CyberTax 2010-40: Conflict of Interest issues reminder
With the political season in full gear through election day in November, we have been asked by the Office of General Counsel to remind volunteers about conflict of interest issues, especially those related to political activities.
As a reminder and as is stated in The AARP Tax-Aide 2010-2011 Policy Manual as well as forthcoming Local Coordinator and Counselor Digests:
Volunteers, including AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, while representing the AARP Foundation or participating in an AARP Tax-Aide activity, shall not promote products, services, or political candidates or issues nor make use of their relationship with AARP, AARP Foundation or AARP Tax-Aide for personal profit or the profit of any other individual(s). AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, while representing themselves as AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, are specifically prohibited from engaging in any legislative and/or lobbying activity.
Certain AARP activities may not be suitable for AARP Tax-Aide volunteers or for co-programming at AARP Tax-Aide sites such as advocacy and AARP membership drives.
From the Office of General Counsel:
All staff and volunteers shall consider the sensitivity of their particular situation when considering participation in political or partisan activities. After such consideration, they may, on their own time, away from AARP Foundation offices and events:
• Sign candidate petitions
• Attend candidate coffees, forums, etc.
• Contribute to parties
• Contribute to candidates
• Circulate candidate petitions
• Distribute candidate literature
• Display campaign buttons, bumper stickers, etc.
• Host candidate coffees
With respect to lobbying activities, no Board member, volunteer, or staff person may send e-mails to any legislative office from a Foundation business e-mail account; make legislative calls from a Foundation workspace; or use the Foundation’s name when engaged in personal lobbying on one’s own time.
Thanks for all that you do for the AARP Tax-Aide program and in your communities.
Leaders, please share this information with volunteers who may not receive CyberTax.
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