§ 6-103 Purpose – Construction.
A. The purpose of this chapter is to establish the following clear standards for the ethical conduct and behavior of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Tribal Council, Election Commission, tribal enterprise board members, and members of Tribal Government committees, commissions and boards: This chapter seeks to require accountability to the members of Wilton Rancheria by the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Tribal Council, Election Commission, and tribal committees and boards in exercising the authority vested with them.
1. The Tribal Council hereby affirms that elected officials and tribal officials hold their positions as a public trust with a fiduciary responsibility to the Tribe.
2. Elected officials and tribal officials are to conduct themselves in an honest and upright manner, with regard for the great responsibility they bear.
3. Elected officials and tribal officials should remain objective in the performance of their duties and act with the best interest of all tribal members in mind.
4. Elected officials and tribal officials should put forth an honest effort in the performance of their duties.
5. Elected officials and tribal officials should at all times act with courage, justice, and truthfulness.
6. Elected officials and tribal officials should act with a sense of responsibility and devotion to duty.
7. Elected officials and tribal officials should be honest, sincere, and dependable.
8. At all times, elected officials and tribal officials should act with dignity, restraint, politeness, and friendliness.
9. Elected officials and tribal officials should adhere to the laws of the Tribe, be patient, dignified and courteous to constituents, co-officials, and others with whom they deal in an official capacity.
10. All elected officials and tribal officials work in the public interest with a duty to place loyalty to the Constitution of Wilton Rancheria and adherence to the laws of Wilton Rancheria and ethical principles of conduct above personal and private gain.
B. It is the intention of the Tribal Council that the provisions of this chapter be given liberal interpretation in the interest of ensuring voluntary compliance with its requirements and applied in each instance, so as to accomplish its purpose of protecting the members of Wilton Rancheria from government decisions and actions resulting from, or affected by, undue influence or conflict of interests.
C. This chapter is not intended to prevent any elected official or tribal official from accepting other employment or following any pursuit that in no way interferes with the full and faithful discharge of his or her duties to the Tribe. The Tribe further recognizes that the standards of ethical conduct need to distinguish between those minor and inconsequential conflicts that are unavoidable in a free society and that elected officials and tribal officials of the Tribe may need to engage in employment, professional or commercial activities, other than official duties, in order to support themselves or their families and to maintain a continuity of professional or commercial activity, that does not conflict with any specific provision of this chapter, unless specifically provided to the contrary by the Tribe’s Constitution or other laws.
D. A copy of this chapter shall be made available at the Tribal Office for use and reference of tribal members and employees. (Res. 2021-43; Res. 2019-46; Res. 2016-36; Res. 2015-2)