AACE Board Releases Revision to Canons of Ethics Revision for Public Comment
April 21, 2011
The AACE International Board has released for public comment a proposed revised version of its Canons of Ethics. The Board received a recommendation from the Ethics Task Force at its meetings April 8-9 in Montreal, Canada. The recommendations from the task force will be available for comment at the AACE website discussion forum until June 1, 2011. The Ethics Task Force will review comments and recommend any changes to its proposal for consideration by the Board at the June 2011 meeting scheduled to be held in Anaheim, CA in conjunction with the Annual Meeting. If approved by the Board, the new Canons of Ethics would become effective January 1, 2012 as members renew for next year.
John Livengood, Chair of the Ethics Task Force, reported that while most of the Canons of Ethics remained unchanged, the Task Force regrouped the Canons of Ethics provisions into a more logical structure, eliminated some vague language and broadened some of the descriptions to be more inclusive of current practices. The Task Force also added language to specifically prohibit candidates for AACE International certifications to seek information about examination questions and included language that places an affirmative responsibility on members to report violations of the Canons of Ethics and cooperate with the Ethics Committee in any subsequent investigations. Livengood was joined on the Task Force by Region 4 Director Duane Meyer, Vice President: Administration Alexia Nalewaik and Executive Director Dennis Stork.
"While the proposed revised Canons of Ethics builds upon our existing code, the new provisions reflect a heightened awareness of the importance of ethics and the responsibilities of our members and those seeking our certifications to maintain professional integrity," commented Livengood.
In addition to the proposed changes in the Canons of Ethics, the Board of Directors approved the creation of a permanent Ethics Committee and Ethics Appeal Panel to address ethics complaints filed against members or individual holding an AACE certification that are subject to the Canons of Ethics. It is anticipated that the committee and appeals panel will be appointed by incoming President Mike Nosbisch and approved by the Board of Directors by the fall of 2011. One of the first items of business for the new Ethics Committee will be to finalize the ethics complaint and appeals process that has been drafted by the Ethics Task Force. The Ethics Committee will also be responsible for creating greater awareness about professional ethics within the organization through articles in the Cost Engineering journal, sessions at future Annual Meetings and other communication methods. The Ethics Committee will be empowered to administer private and public sanctions to members or those holding an AACE International certification. When the ethical transgression warrants and has been proven, the Ethics Committee will be empowered to expel a member or remove certification status. Livengood noted that a comprehensive process to assure a fair and well-defined due process will be available to protect member and stakeholder interests while also assuring that the public and practice is protected from unethical behavior.
To review the proposed new version of the Canons of Ethics or to comment, please visit the AACE Forums. (Note: You must have a username/password to access the Forums. This document is open for review and comment until June 1, 2011, and may be found in our forum "Canons of Ethics". If you haven't already done so, you need to register for a free Forum account before you can gain access. Simply click on "Register" in the top right-hand corner).
The AACE International Board has released for public comment a proposed revised version of its Canons of Ethics. The Board received a recommendation from the Ethics Task Force at its meetings April 8-9 in Montreal, Canada. The recommendations from the task force will be available for comment at the AACE website discussion forum until June 1, 2011. The Ethics Task Force will review comments and recommend any changes to its proposal for consideration by the Board at the June 2011 meeting scheduled to be held in Anaheim, CA in conjunction with the Annual Meeting. If approved by the Board, the new Canons of Ethics would become effective January 1, 2012 as members renew for next year.
