Seminar in Public Administration instilled the understanding of how established service values influenced the conduct of administrators. This course discussed the importance of neutrality, accountability, effectiveness, public service, public interest and efficiency. We then interviewed public servants to see how these values were used in their organizations.
The District Attorney for the Chattahoochee Circuit of Georgia and the (former) Director of the Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry graciously participated. In “Justice and Empowerment”, I learned how social justice motivated both leaders to pursue their respective careers. The values of accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency were specifically discussed. Both described their greatest accomplishments as those that impacted whole communities and how pinpointed systematic change was necessary to improve the delivery of public services.
From our conversations I learned that organizations are sustained by the individuals who are committed to serving the public and who understand its value. Quite often, service is more than simply providing a need. It is empowering those who are in need.
The District Attorney for the Chattahoochee Circuit of Georgia and the (former) Director of the Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry graciously participated. In “Justice and Empowerment”, I learned how social justice motivated both leaders to pursue their respective careers. The values of accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency were specifically discussed. Both described their greatest accomplishments as those that impacted whole communities and how pinpointed systematic change was necessary to improve the delivery of public services.
From our conversations I learned that organizations are sustained by the individuals who are committed to serving the public and who understand its value. Quite often, service is more than simply providing a need. It is empowering those who are in need.
Urban planning comes with much social controversy. Its practitioners deal with how municipal assets are allocated, where targeted investment occurs, and how the shape of communities change. It is therefore essential for planners to understand how their decisions impact the people they serve.
In “Ethics in Planning”, I review two articles discussing poverty and social responsibility. I then respond to eleven scenarios of ethically questionable situations. This exercise helped me build and test a public service perspective that is rooted in an established professional code of conduct from the American Institute of Certified Planners. It also illustrated how ethical dilemmas can manifest in a multitude of ways. Only through grounded moral principles can a public servant promote ethical practices that prevent abuse and effectively react when such situations arise. |