SGAC Guidelines for Professional Conduct
A key objective of the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) is to champion professional and ethical standards in government relations. SGAC as an organization does not take positions on matters of public policy, but through its members seeks to enhance policy-makers' knowledge of various business perspectives. The State Government Affairs Council believes that effective government depends on the greatest possible participation of those being governed.
Professional Conduct Guidelines
We believe government affairs professionals should uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior. In that regard, SGAC expects its members to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Members will comply with both the letter and the spirit of all applicable laws regarding lobbying, campaign finance, political activities and business-government relations.
- Members will represent the interests of their employer or client in an honest, open fashion, avoiding the intentional dissemination of false or misleading information to clients or employers, public officials, the media or professional colleagues.
- Members will treat all involved in the governmental process with full respect and dignity.
- Members will avoid conflicts of interest and where conflict is unavoidable, will communicate the facts fully and freely to those affected.
- Members will strive to increase public understanding of the role of advocacy in a representation democracy through individual and collective educational efforts.
- Members will continue to pursue professional development through formal education, meetings and seminars, and any other means available to acquire enough knowledge to fairly present a balanced point of view.
- Members will respect and abide by the applicable rules, regulations and practices of national and regional organizations of state government officials.
SGAC Anti-Harassment Policy
The State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) is committed to hosting successful conferences and events for all participants, including but not limited to SGAC members, private sector attendees, legislators, legislative staff, government representatives, speakers, SGAC staff members, SGAC Board members, and guests.
SGAC is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all participants regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity disability, age, religion, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. SGAC will not tolerate harassment or unacceptable behavior of any type at our conferences and events.
Unacceptable behavior includes but is not limited to: harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form; physical or verbal abuse; disruption of presentations at sessions or meeting events; inappropriate verbal comments; inappropriate use of images in meeting spaces or in presentations; and threatening or stalking any participant.
If you experience, witness, or learn of any incidents of harassment or unacceptable behavior, we ask that you contact Elizabeth Loudy, SGAC Executive Director, or an SGAC officer, so that we can take appropriate action.
SGAC reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate to respond to all incidents of harassment and / or unacceptable behavior including but not limited to, immediate removal from the meeting or event without warning or refund, and SGAC reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future event.
SGAC is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all participants regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity disability, age, religion, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. SGAC will not tolerate harassment or unacceptable behavior of any type at our conferences and events.
Unacceptable behavior includes but is not limited to: harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form; physical or verbal abuse; disruption of presentations at sessions or meeting events; inappropriate verbal comments; inappropriate use of images in meeting spaces or in presentations; and threatening or stalking any participant.
If you experience, witness, or learn of any incidents of harassment or unacceptable behavior, we ask that you contact Elizabeth Loudy, SGAC Executive Director, or an SGAC officer, so that we can take appropriate action.
SGAC reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate to respond to all incidents of harassment and / or unacceptable behavior including but not limited to, immediate removal from the meeting or event without warning or refund, and SGAC reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future event.
Statement on Inclusion
The State Government Affairs Council is the premier national association for multi-state government affairs professionals, providing its members with opportunities for networking and professional development. Our Board of Directors, staff and members unite in the common purpose of creating an atmosphere of belonging, respect and integrity so that all members of the SGAC community can succeed. We condemn all forms of discrimination including systemic racial discrimination against Black people and other people of color.
As an integral part of the state government affairs community, we are committed to facilitating critical discussions between state legislative leaders and our members to discuss the issues facing our nation. We support the inclusion of all voices and perspectives at the table.
SGAC's strength comes from supporting and learning from each other. At SGAC we are listening, learning, and building an environment that encourages diverse perspectives in all conversations. We will be intentional in our efforts to better support inclusion within our programming, our leadership, and our community.
As an integral part of the state government affairs community, we are committed to facilitating critical discussions between state legislative leaders and our members to discuss the issues facing our nation. We support the inclusion of all voices and perspectives at the table.
SGAC's strength comes from supporting and learning from each other. At SGAC we are listening, learning, and building an environment that encourages diverse perspectives in all conversations. We will be intentional in our efforts to better support inclusion within our programming, our leadership, and our community.
