Solicitation of Funds (a.k.a. "Sponsorship") for Educational Events
Principles of ethical conduct for DoD Employees in the Executive Branch (includes all military personnel and DoD/Service civilians) generally prohibit "on-duty" solicitation. This includes both direct and indirect solicitation of funds from commercial interests by military physicians - especially if their purpose is personal gain but even if the funds are to support educational events. See 5 Code of Federal Regulations Sec. 2635.101 et. seq., which provides in pertinent part: "An employee shall not, except as specifically permitted in sec. 2635. 201, solicit or accept any gift or other item of monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by the employee's agency, or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee's duties."
HJF has authority to "encourage the participation of the medical. dental, nursing, veterinary, and other biomedical sciences in the work of the Foundation for the mutual benefit of military and civilian medicine" - pursuant to section 178 of title 10, U.S. Code. This does not, though, provide any authority for USU personnel - military or civilian - to solicit.
Questions in this area can and should be referred to Ethics Counsel in the Office of General Counsel, as consequences for even unintended violations can be serious.
Contact Information
4301 Jones Bridge Road,
Bldg E, CHE
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Second Floor, Room 2017
Voice: Comm (301) 295-0962
DSN 295-0962
Toll Free: 1-800-772-1728
continuingeducation@usuhs.mil