Gratuities Policy
VMRF personnel should not accept any personal favor, gratuity, or entertainment directly or indirectly from any outside source  other than allowable under the Federal Ethics rules. Federal Ethics rules apply to all VMRF employees as part of their Without Compensation Employee status with the VASDHS.   However, there are exceptions (http://www.usoge.gov/common_ethics_issues/gifts_outside_sources.aspx) to the ban on gifts from outside sources. According to these exceptions, VMRF employees may accept:

• A gift valued at $20 or less, provided that the total value of gifts from the same person is not more than $50 in a calendar year
• A gift motivated solely by a family relationship or personal friendship
• Modest refreshments (such as coffee and donuts), greeting cards, plaques and other items of little intrinsic value
• Discounts available to the public or to all Government employees, rewards and prizes connected to competitions open to the general public. 

Favors, gratuities, or entertainment bestowed upon members of the immediate families of VMRF personnel are viewed in the same light as those bestowed upon VMRF employees. Acceptance of entertainment, gifts, or favors from those who have or seek business dealings may be a source of embarrassment to VMRF and to the person involved, may affect the objective judgment of the recipient, and impair public confidence in the integrity of business relations between VMRF and industry.

 This policy is intended to be a summary of the more frequent situations of concern; however, there are other provisions of the ethics regulations pertaining to gifts, at 5 CFR 2635.204 that are applicable to VMRF employees.  For specific concerns VMRF employees and supervisors of VMRF employees are encouraged to contact the VMRF CEO. 

Board approved: September 30, 2010