Previous message Next messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same author Next by same authorPrevious page (September 2002) Back to main OGE-ETHICSINFO-L page Join or leave OGE-ETHICSINFO-L (or change settings) Reply Post a new message Search Proportional font Non-proportional font *Date:* Mon, 16 Sep 2002 10:04:24 -0400 *Reply-To:* ETHICS_MAILINGLIST ETHICS_MAILINGLIST *From:* ETHICS_MAILINGLIST ETHICS_MAILINGLIST *Subject:* Welcome Message *Content-Type:* text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Welcome Message from Director Amy Comstock I am very pleased to welcome you to this first issue of the new OGE "Ethics News and Information Mailing List". This email list service is intended to improve communication from OGE to the executive branch ethics community and other government officials who have related responsibilities. It is being established to provide timely ethics information on a regular basis to executive branch ethics officials in Washington and throughout the country. Others in the executive branch who work in ethics-related areas, such as Inspectors General and General Counsels, may also join the list. The list is not open to persons outside the federal government. We expect this service to provide you with information on a variety of topics including DAEOgrams, program review schedules, quarterly publication of advisory opinions, announcements for training courses and the annual conference, vacancy announcements, timely reminders of relevant report deadlines, publication of relevant federal register notices, appropriate policy decisions and other information that OGE deems appropriate. Additionally, OGE will post information submitted by agencies that it determines would be of interest to the ethics community. This service is intended for announcements only and will not accept comments or inquiries from subscribers. This service can help to build a more cohesive, informed ethics community. There are more than 8,500 employees throughout the country who work full or part-time in the ethics program. Timely announcements of upcoming training, reminders of due dates on the ethics calendar, information on current interpretation of ethics laws and regulations, as well as current developments in financial disclosure reporting, can help ethics officials do their job in a more professional and efficient way. I encourage you to make this service known to anyone in your agency with ethics related duties and invite them to subscribe. Persons wishing to sign up for the list may do so under the "Ethics Community Services" section of OGE's web site at www.usoge.gov. If you have any questions about this new service, please contact Barbara Mullen-Roth at bamullen@oge.gov. News and Information for Monday, September 16, 2002 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES In Friday's issue of the Federal Register, OGE published a technical amendment to its 5 C.F.R. part 2634 executive branch financial disclosure regulation governing the reporting period for incumbent SF 278 Public Financial Disclosure Reports. See 67 FR 57937-57938 (09/13/02), effective October 15, 2002. In the pertinent part of a final rule published in the Federal Register on September 4, 2002, the General Services Administration has raised "minimal value" under the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act to $285 or less for the three-year period 2002-2004. See 67 FR 56495-56496 (09/04/02). This change is retroactively effective to January 1, 2002. VIDEO TELECONFERENCING CAPABILITY OGE now has video conferencing capability. This system provides another means of conducting ethics training and facilitating meetings between OGE staff, ethics officials and others. The system includes a document camera that can be used to transmit images of letters, forms, or objects to those who are viewing the transmission. The system is available for your use. If you are interested, please contact Jim Parle at jparle@oge.gov or Danny Lowery at dlowery@oge.gov. They can also be reached by phone on 202-208-8000. Video conferencing will never replace live training but it is good to have it as an option. PROGRAM REVIEW NEWS Congratulations to the Department of the Treasury for their outstanding ethics program. A recent OGE program review in the Treasury Department headquarters, the Financial Management Service, the U.S. Mint, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms disclosed the dedication and commitment of Treasury Department ethics officials toward building strong programs within their components. Particularly noteworthy was the progress they have made in using computer technology to establish ethics Web sites, track financial disclosure reports, provide ethics training, and dispense ethics advice. Ken Schmalzbach and his staff have done a great job in getting strong support for the ethics program from the heads of the components we reviewed. OGE is just starting reviews at the Federal Aviation Administration, the Internation Trade Commission and at the African Development Foundation. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE Annual SF 278 Public Financial Disclosure forms covering calendar year 2001 for all Presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed officials were due to OGE by September 15, 2002. Annual Confidential Financial Disclosure forms (OGE 450) covering the period October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002 will be due on or before October 31, 2002. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Back to: Top of message <#TOP> | Previous page | Main OGE-ETHICSINFO-L page ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Back to the LISTSERV home page at LISTSERV.ACCESS.GPO.GOV.