Re: CHP "...standards for ethical conduct..."

["Ron L. Kathren" <rkathren@beta.tricity.wsu.edu>]

I support the United States of America and the State of Washington even 
though I did not vote for all those who now hold elective office.  I even 
try to get laws changed, but obey those on the books even if I do not 
agree with them.  I pay my taxes and complain a lot about government 
waste and inefficiency.  I am convinced that such behavior is ethical and 
clearly consistent with the democracy in which we live.  

Drawing the parallel, according to its the charter and bylaws, the AAHP is
a similarly participatory democratic organization.  The officers and 
directors are elected directly by the members (no electoral college here, 
or political party nominating process), who also must approve by vote 
changes to the bylaws.  If the membership does not approve, the bylaws 
don't get changed.  And the members can vote in new officers; nominations 
are permitted by the members.  Once again, democracy in action.  
Disobeying a canon of ethics is analagous to disobeying a law or 
regulation.  And, you have a say in the establishment of the canons of 
ethics.

Finally, I honestly can't tell whether you are serious or pulling my leg. 
If the former, I suggest you seek a leadership role -- eg run for AAHP
office or otherwise get active in the body; if the latter, pull on both
legs -- I could stand a few more inches (oops I mean tens of millimeters)! 


Ron Kathren


On Sun, 15 Oct 1995, Rich Oesterling wrote:

> On Sat, 14 Oct 1995, Ron L. Kathren wrote:
> 
> > If the purposes of the AAHP include promulgation and enforcement of 
> > ethical standards of practice (which is in fact the case) then supporting 
> > the purposes and activities of the Academy would seem to further the 
> > concept and implementation of ethical practice.
> > 
> > Ron Kathren
> > 
> 
> To reiterate, article I.A states:
> 
> "The CHP shall support the purposes and activities of the American 
> Academy of Health Physics (or the Academy)."
> 
> In this regulations and standards bound profession, the operative word is 
> "shall".  In order to comply with this requirement, one *must* perform 
> the identified action.  Thus, if one accepts this statement as 
> representing "ethical" conduct, then the following few examples would be 
> "unethical":
> 
> *  Writing a letter to the _HPS Newsletter_ criticizing the AAHP for, 
> say, its inaction on licensure.
> 
> *  Sponsoring or, worse, running as a write-in candidate for AAHP office.
> 
> *  Voting against, or even failing to vote for, a proposal made by the AAHP.
> 
> The last item would be moot, anyway.  Since the AAHP already has the 
> support, by individual signatures, of all its membership, there would be no 
> need for voting.
> 
> Cheers!
> 
>  ********************************
> *      Rich Oesterling, CHP      *
> *     ogr@twinpeak.inel.gov      *
> *    #include <disclaimer.h>     *
> *  Get Really Warped - Get Unix  *
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>