RPVCCA_CC_SR_2011_08_16_05_Ethics_Program_For_Candidates_For_City_CouncilCITY OF
MEMORANDUM
RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DOUGLAS W.STERN,COUNCIL MEMBER
AUGUST 16,2011
DR.SHANKS'ETHICS PROGRAM FOR CANDIDATES FOR CITY
COUNCIL
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff to proceed with arrangements for Dr.Thomas Shanks to conduct the public
trust programs "Electing and Establishing A New Council of Trust"for Council
Candidates as well as the newly constituted City Council after the November 8,2011
Election.
DISCUSSION:
Please see attached email from Councilman Stern regarding the Candidates Ethics
Program.
ATTACHMENTS:
Email from Councilman Stern,dated August 10,2011
Proposal from Thomas E.Shanks,PH.D.
Appendix 1 Post Election 2009 Feedback Session January 9,2010
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From:Douglas Stern [mailto:douglas.w.stern@gmail.com]
Sent:Wednesday,August 10,2011 8:08 AM
To:Carolyn Lehr;Carolynn Petru;Carla Morreale
Cc:Stern Douglas
Subject:Dr.Shanks Ethics Program for Candidates for City Council
Carolyn,
I am requesting that you agendize the Candidate Ethics Program for consideration by the
full City Council,since I believe that this has been a very valuable program for the
benefit of our candidates and our residents.
Dr.Shanks has presented this program in the past,and has also worked with the full City
Council.His programs have been exceedingly beneficial.It is particularly important in
this era where we have seen a dramatic deterioration in politics as a whole throughout our
country for us to provide unbiased information to help assist our city council candidates
to run ethical campaigns.Showing them that there are ways to campaign ethically has
numerous public benefits,and no negatives.Obviously,our resident candidates are not
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politicians schooled in the methods of campaigning.They are likely to either copy what
they see around them,or obtain assistance from professional campaign handler,who are
invested in the present sad state of politics and campaigns.
They can benefit from the guidance of showing them the ethical ways to campaign,get
their message to the voters,and gain the public trust that is so critical as they perform
their public duties.Second,in the environment where we have seen such an erosion of
public confidence in local government,following the revelations from cities like Bell,
and Vernon,it is important for our candidates to work hard to earn the trust of the
residents they shall serve.This program helps them understand such a challenge and the
ways they can begin to build public trust.Third,the program helps the candidates
understand how they can ethically campaign and get their particular messages out to the
voting public,which benefits our resident voters.The public desires to fully and fairly
evaluate the candidates,and helping the candidates make their positions clear is very
important in the democratic process.The program also elevates the politics in our
community in that it provides a unique forum for the candidates to communicate in a way
that minimizes the type of negative behavior that only harms the candidates and public
trust.I think that the channel of communication that the program opened up in the last
campaign helped the candidates avoid accusations and name-calling that sometimes
happens when there is no method for addressing concerns constructively.
Every candidate remains free to conduct himself or herself in the manner each chooses.
The program obligates them to nothing.They are free to accept or reject the information
that Dr.Shanks provides.They are free to conduct their respective campaigns as they
choose.But they are also free to learn,and benefit from his vast experience and insights.
Knowledge of options and alternatives enables our candidates to strive to be better.
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Information does not stifle.It does not harm.It merely makes the candidate more aware
of better practices.That can't hurt.
I hope that when this is agendized we shall quickly indicate our unanimous support and
approval for this program,and see the fruits ofthis program in our community.
Douglas Stem
RPV City Councilman
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A PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT THE 2011-2012 PUBLIC TRUST PROGRAMS
IN THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
THOMAS E.SHANKS,PH.D.
President and Senior Consultant
August 16,2011
Right now our greatest challenge and mandate in local government is
regaining the public's trust.This will absolutely require that we not just pay
lip service to the task but actively take responsibility by providing increased
transparency,including going above and beyond what is required.Right
now we must••.remind our residents and business and community leaders
why we deserve their trust in the first place.
-Chris McKenzie (Exec.Dir.,League of California Cities,Western Cities,11/2010)
THE ETHICS COMPANY
At Our BE'stEvery Day
6241 GfNAsHELL CIRCLE
SAN JOSE,CA 95119·,2]7
(408)529·5318
df5hankso@ethle.tcompany.com
www.ethic.scompany.com
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A.INTRODUCTION TO RPV'S PUBLIC TRUST PROGRAM
Prior to the 2009 Election,the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes asked Dr.Thomas Shanks,a
public trust consultant who had previously
worked with the City on a variety of issues,to
brief City Council and City Staff on the impact
of the economic recession on public trust of
Federal,State,and local governments;to
discuss best practices for public trust
programs;and to recommend ways RPV could
build trust during and after the 2009 political
campaign.
The Council approved the 2009 RPV Public
Trust Program for Candidates and the City
Council Community of Trust Retreat.The
Program was designed as a voluntary
educational program;and was a collaborative
effort of the Council,Staff,Candidates,
members of the public,and Dr.Shanks.
Its goals were to foster transformational
leadership,public trust,and a positive City
culture which gave candidates,Council
members,and staff the tools they needed to
be at their best in service to the people of
Rancho Palos Verdes.
Feedback indicated that the Program was
effective,that the candidates conducted
issues-oriented and fair campaigns,and that
they set a high standard for personal and
professional conduct for future candidates
and campaigns.
As a result,as hoped,the newly-constituted
City Council began its work in late 2009 on a
positive note and did not lose valuable time
repairing campaign-related damage.
B.GOALS AND BENEFITS OF PROPOSED 2011~2012 PROGRAMS
Campaign for Public Trust 2011 is designed to
build public trust by focusing candidates and
other City leaders on the skills necessary to
conduct fair campaigns and to give voters the
information they need to elect a Council they
trust.The Program creates a positive political
and personal climate so the newly-constituted
City Council can begin immediately to serve the
interests of the people of Rancho Palos Verdes
without having to repair relationships damaged
by unfair campaigning by candidates or third
parties.
The January,2012 Council of Trust Retreat
introduces the newly-constituted City Council to
self-evaluation and reflection tools,as well as
techniques and best practices to build trust
among one another,the public,and City staff.
In this proposal,uCampaign for Public Trust"
refers to campaign-related activities to foster
c.PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Program proposed here has been revised
based on feedback from the 2009-2010 Program,
current research,consultant experience,and
best practices from other cities.The Program
public trust.UCouncil of Trust"refers both to the
campaign-related activities of the sitting City
Council and to the activities of the newly-
constituted City Council once the campaign is
over.
Research shows that public trust is most at risk
during political campaigns.Fair campaigns and a
City Council commitment to fostering public
trust reduce that risk and foster a positive
political culture.They also increase the quality
of information that voters receive,encourage
greater participation in voting,and encourage
more people to run for office.
This effort enables the newly-constituted City
Council to form a stronger team in a shorter
period of time,to establish a culture of respect
and collaboration with appointed officials and
City staff,and to improve Council effectiveness.
has also been adapted for today's external
environment,when public trust at its lowest
point in 50 years for all levels of government.
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The proposed Program components are:
1.Public Trust Begins with Your Campaign,a
workshop for candidates and key
volunteers.Following the Workshop,the
current Council will meet.(Proposed:
Saturday,September 10,2011)
2.**Campaign Leadership for Public Trust:
The Candidates Guide to Conducting Fair
Campaigns in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes
This is a set of printed materials providing
background,skills,and other resources for
building public trust during the Campaign
(sent by email ahead of the workshop,
discussed at the workshop)
3.**An On-line Candidate Community of
Practice,hosted on Dr.Shanks'website
where candidates can access Program
materials,resolve conflicts privately or with
assistance,and communicate with one
another.'
D.IMPORTANT,BUT VOLUNTARY
As important as this Program is,Campaign for
Public Trust 2011 is a voluntary non-partisan,
non-political educational program.This program
is consistent both with the State's mandate that
no candidate can be forced to sign the Code of
Fair Campaign Practices,and with the legal
restrictions that cities cannot spend money for
political purposes.
The consultant's role is also non-partisan and
non-political.He serves the City as facilitator,
content expert,coach,and trainer.He is a
neutral third party.He does not live,vote,or
work in Rancho Palos Verdes.He plays the
same role in three other California cities for
elections taking place in even years (e.g.,2012).
E.PROGRAM COST
The cost of this Program is $4500,plus three
airline tickets from San Jose to LAX.Dr.Shanks
has friends in the area,so there is no need for
any hotel or food costs.
4.**Early October Luncheon Session for
Candidates with Dr.Shanks to explore
additional opportunities to foster public trust
in the final month of the Campaign.
5.Election Feedback and Planning Session for
Candidates (proposed for early January)to
recognize success stories and propose ways
to improve the program for the 2013
election.
6.Establishing a Council of Trust,a facilitated
team-building session for the newly-
constituted City Council (early January)After
working together for a month,to determine
core values,develop best practices,work
through issues,and determine how to make a
public trust mindset an integral and visible
part of the Council's work.
Those programs,like RPV's Programs,do not
discuss particular campaigns,tell residents for
whom they should vote,or become involved in
any candidate's campaign strategy.RPV's
Program will be consistent with best practices
from these Programs.
Candidates will be encouraged to attend and
participate in the dialog about ways to foster
public trust.They will find the program's skills-
training useful during the campaign and
applicable to the wide range of personal and
professional situations where trust is critical.
This is the same cost as the 2009 Program,even
though the 2011 Program includes additional
components and Dr.Shanks'availability to
respond to issues as they may arise.
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As always and especially given the economic
downturn facing RPV and every city,Dr.Shanks
is open to negotiating a lower rate,consistent
with what RPV may be paying other consultants.
Dr.Shanks asks only that the rate be fair and
equitable.
F.BIOGRAPHY OF DR.THOMAS SHANKS
Thomas Shanks,Ph.D.,is President of the Ethics
Company (San Jose,CA).Dr.Shanks has
worked extensively with cities and other public
sector clients on public trust and other issues.
From 1982 to 2007,he was a full-time faculty
member and administrator at Santa Clara
University.He was the founding Chair of the
undergraduate Communication Department,
where he taught courses in ethics,public policy,
survey research,and other areas.As Senior
Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences,he oversaw a
$12 million dollar budget and a staff of 300.
From 1985-2002,he held leadership positions at
the Markkula Cent~r for Applied Ethics,including
Executive Director and Director of Business and
Public Policy Programs.With off-campus partners,
he established award-winning programs in
healthcare,education,business,government,and
technology.
Since 1998,he has been consultant to the City of
Santa Clara's comprehensive public trust program.
The League of California Cities has twice awarded
Santa Clara's campaign and election outreach
programs awards for excellence.The United
Nations lists Santa Clara as one of just two Ilbest
practice"programs in campaign ethics world-
wide.
He has consulted on public trust issues for the
Santa Clara County Library System,Medical
Association,&Early Childhood Planning Council;
the cities of Palo Alto and Atascadero;the
Charles Schwab Company and Edwards
LifeSciences;and many other clients.
In 1999,the San Jose Mercury News named him as
one of the Millennium 100,approximately 100
people over the last century who have Ilma de
Silicon Valley what it is today."
Shanks'articles about everyday ethics,leadership,
and public trust have been distributed widely
through the Internet.Heis currently working on
an article for the December issue of Western Cities
Magazine and writing a book,titled:At Our Best:
Local Governments,Ethics,and Public Trust.
He has a BA in Philosophy and Psychology from
Saint Louis University,an M.S.in Education from
Fordham University in New York City,a Master of
Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology at
Berkeley,and a Ph.D.in Communication Theory and
Research from Stanford University.He served as a
Jesuit Priest from 1977-1999.
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APPENDIX 1
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PUBLIC TRUST PROGRAM
PUBLIC TRUST BEGINS WITH YOUR CAMPAIGN
POST-ELECTION 2009 FEEDBACK SESSION
January 9,2010
8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Attending:Brian Campbell,Jim Knight,Anthony Misetich,Craig Mueller,and Paul Tetreault.
Jeff Lewis was ill and unable to attend,but he had sent his comments.Facilitator:Dr.Tom
Shanks
A.PURPOSE FOR THIS SESSION AND CANDIDATE PROGRAM
This important session gave candidates and the City the opportunity to assess
candidates'success at running honest,fair,and respectful campaigns focused
on the issues.At the pre-election workshop on August 29,candidates were
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encouraged to conduct trustworthy campaigns in order to build people's
confident reliance that their government works at all times,in public and in
private,only in the best interests of everyone in Rancho Palos Verdes.Research
has shown that public trust is at considerable risk during political campaigns.
Honorable campaigns foster public trust for a number of reasons:
•They give voters good information on which to base their voting choices
•Voters see candidates emphasizing their own qualifications or making
fair and honest comparisons with other candidates.This contributes to a
positive public perception that the candidates are trustworthy and will
be trustworthy no matter who is elected to the Council
•The new City Council can get down to business quickly because it does
not have to repair damage from a brutal campaign.
The goals of this Post-Election session were to:
•Assess how well the candidates had done at fostering public trust.
Enough time had passed since the November election to make useful
discussion possible.At the same time,the campaign was still fresh
enough in everyone's minds that the session could draw on real-world
experience and feelings.
•Send a clear message to candidates and the public that the Public Trust
Program was here to stay.Fostering public trust is a continuous
improvement process for City Councils.Unlike most City programs which
are projects with a sunset date,the Public Trust Program is a continuous
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improvement process,with no sunset date.
•Follow-up on a theme from the August 29 workshop:"You are neighbors
who are competing to serve.No matter whom the voters select,you will
still be neighbors after the election and you will have an experience of
RPV that very few people have.We come together to get your best ideas
on how to build this community and do an even better job at fostering
trust in the 2011 election."
B.METHOD
The session used the method of appreciative inquiry,a practical method which
asked participants to identify stories and examples that made them proud,
what worked well,positive values that were displayed,and who made it
happen.Participants then developed a vision and practical strategies for the
next election.Throughout the session,participants were asked the questions
listed below.They were given a few minutes at the start of each question to
jot notes,and were invited to hand in the note sheets at the end of the
session.This summary also includes what was written on those pages.
C.SUMMARV
This was the first time these candidates had run for office.While some had
some knowledge that there had been problems during the last election,no one
was very knowledgeable about the 2007 election.As a result,the Candidates
had some reluctance to attribute the positive election to the workshop they
had attended in the summer.Some were clear that the Program made a
difference;others felt that they were "ethical"to begin with and were
somewhat insulted that the Program implied that they were not.
Dr.Shanks explained that the Program was designed to bring everyone to same
level of awareness and to encourage people to act "at their best"during the
election.He noted that the signing of campaign promises was one way to bring
everyone to the same level of knowledge,not to imply that people were
unethical or had not learned what we expect adults to have learned.He also
told them that in his experience campaigns often put public trust at great risk
and the City was trying to forestall any problems with public trust as a result of
the election.
All agreed that this campaign set the bar high for the next RPV election
because it focused on issues relevant for the residents of RPV and,for the most
part,the candidates'own attributes.Candidates communicated frequently and
often about the problems they were having with each other's statements,
signs,volunteers,mailers,and consultants.One candidate identified himself
very closely with ethics and made it part of his image during the campaign.He
wanted to be everyone's second choice,if he was not their first choice,and felt
the best way to do that was to be the "ethical candidate of choice,"or at least to
do nothing that would keep people from wanting to give him their vote.
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Their biggest problems were the lack of knowledge about how to run a
campaign,the use of consultants,lack of clarity about FPPC regulations,and
the variety of campaign strategies open to them.They believed the City should
help with this knowledge,but the consultant explained that was highly unusual
for a City and not within the City's purview,because the City could not spend
public money on anything that had to do with politics.He also explained that
the FPPC ran regional workshops for candidates.He told them that some of the
suggestions below,as they related to ethics (e.g.,the ethics of slate mailers,
keeping control of consultants,etc.)could be included in the summer ethics
workshop.
They were more likely to attribute the positive election to their own
commitments to ethics,rather than to the ethics workshop.Most did
eventually agree that the workshop raised the issues with them and got them
off to a good start.
Given this,Dr.Shanks recommends that the workshop focus on public trust and
good government,rather than on "ethics"or "ethics training."It is common
today for people to bristle against "ethics training,"because they believe they
are already ethical and have no need for such training.Most people believe
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everybody else needs the training.People do not seem to have the same
problem with using the word "trust"and "trustworthy behaviors."
D.WHAT CAMPAIGN BEHAVIORS OR OTHER ACTIONS BUILT PUBLIC TRUST
DURING ELECTION 2009
1.Overall:the discovery "good ethics is good politics"
2.Signs:open up real estate to signs from all candidates
3.Very good communication by all candidates;regularly talking to each
other bye-mail,phone calls,and other personal contact (almost from
immediately after the August workshop)
4.Fixing other people's signs
5.Few or no personal attacks;no campaign promises;everything focused
on issues pertinent to residents or focused on candidates'own
attributes
6.Keeping control of one's votu nteers
7.Straightforward,positive mailers with clear identification of support
(see note about slate mailers in later section)
8.Forums attended by all candidates allowing common communication to
the public
9.Brian Campbell was complimented for the way he handled the issues
concerning signs and volunteers
10.Positive support for all candidates
11.Candidates repairing the signs of other candidates
12.Keeping your sense of humor
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E.WHAT COULD BE BETTER?
In addition to the education the candidates received for this election,the
following topics could be added:
1.Slate mailers:What are they?Where do they come for?How do citizens
read them?(It was.noted that some people were confused by these,but
those who sent them disagreed with this point.)
2.The issue of stolen signs:Have the candidates discuss ahead of time what
can be done in order to prevent signs from being stolen
3.Political Consultants:Use them or don't use them?If you use them how you keep
control of them?Explore other ways to get information about how to run a
good campaign if it's the first time you run for office (e.g.,How to Win the
Right Way is a free book available online from the Institute for Local
Government.)
4.FPPC:How does the PPC enforce its regulations?Perhaps the city can hold
an FPPC workshop.
5.Robo-calls:What are they?Are they legal during the campaign?
6.Ethics Workshop:
a.Earlier notice and earlier workshop date,
b.Give out a calendar with all of the relevant dates for the campaign
c.Give more information on running a campaign
d.Get the facts right about political party affiliation
e.Add the information listed above
f.Candidates suggested the City Council should also sign the campaign promises
F.WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR CAMPAIGNS AND PUBLIC TRUST DURING
ELECTION 2.011?
1.Fewer misleading mailers
a.Accomplish this by more education about third-party political mailers
before election
b.Education on FPPC regulations before campaigns get going
2.City should work to have a fair election.Hold the County responsible for
getting ballot statements out on time.
3.Try harder to eliminate the desire to take signs off private property.
4.Education about running a campaign including slate mailers and the FPPC.
More involvement from the City and or FPPC.
5.Perhaps a political consultant presentation
6.Forums where candidates are alerted ahead of time to the topics that will
be discussed;forum sponsors send areas of discussion ahead of time to the
candidates
7.In addition to educating the candidates,educate the public.The city should
pay for this education
8.Encourage more residents to run for office,especially women and people of
color.
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