Ensuring Community Service Is Not Controversial

The Postal Service and its employees can contribute to the well-being of their communities through a variety of approved community service activities, such as employee food or school supply drives, under the Community Services Activities Policy (CSAP).

These activities can also help to increase the Postal Service brand value.  But, if we aren’t careful, participation might do more harm than good.

Activities must not be political or religious, sponsored by a political or religious organization, or likely to involve the Postal Service in controversy.

Keeping community services activities away from potential sources of controversy keeps the focus on the good work the Postal Service and its employees are doing in the community and the value they contribute.

Increasing the Postal Service brand value is smart business.

Contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) for guidance.

GoFundMe

The Standards of Ethical Conduct prohibit Postal Service employees from soliciting or accepting a gift from the public because of their postal positions and from misusing their postal positions for their own private gain.

Any fundraising campaign should not reference the Postal Service in any way.

GoFundMe campaigns created without reference to postal title, postal employment, or the Postal Service allow Postal Service employees to accept funds from the public without violating the ethics regulations.

And that’s smart business.

Contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) for further guidance.