Policy on political activities

The restrictions imposed by the law of the State of Oregon on your political activities are that “No public employee shall solicit any money, influence, service or other thing of value or otherwise promote or oppose any political committee or promote or oppose the nomination or election of a candidate, the gathering of signatures on an initiative, referendum or recall petition, the adoption of a measure or the recall of a public office holder while on the job during working hours. However, this section does not restrict the right of a public employee to express personal political views.”

It is therefore the policy of the state and of OHSU that you may engage in political activity except to the extent prohibited by state law when on the job during working hours.

Policy on contacting elected officials

All contacts on behalf of OHSU or any of its units, departments or programs with federal, state, regional and local governments, legislative delegations and public officials should be coordinated through OHSU's Office of Government Relations.  For federal, state and local matters please contact the person below:

Federal: Lindsey Capps, director of federal relations

State: Julie Hanna, director of state relations

Local: Michael Harrison, director of local and neighborhood relations 

Below are OHSU's official guidelines on contacting all elected officials

Letters, e-mail, or telephone communications

All communications (letters, e-mails, faxes, or telephone calls) by OHSU employee's acting in their capacity as an employee must be coordinated through Government Relations.  If you are unsure whether your correspondence would be considered within your official OHSU capacity, please contact Government Relations.

Face-to-face meetings in Oregon or Washington, DC

Federal

• If an OHSU employee is visiting Washington DC in their capacity as an OHSU employee and wishes to visit any federal office, he/she should e-mail the federal relations manager.  OHSU's Government Relations office will assist with scheduling, preparing advocacy materials and messaging as well as conducting any follow-up with the congressional office. Additionally, a representative from OHSU's Government Relations office may staff the OHSU employee at the meeting.
• After a visit, a staff person from OHSU's Government Relations office will e-mail the employee a form on lobbying activities. Due to new Federal ethics rules which impose stricter guidelines governing lobbying activities and the Federal Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, it is a requirement that the form be completed. Return the form to Government Relations and it will be filed appropriately.

State/local

• If an OHSU employee is planning to visit a state or local elected official in their capacity as an OHSU employee, he/she shall e-mail the respective government relations employee. OHSU's Government Relations office will assist with scheduling, preparing advocacy materials and messaging as well as conducting any follow-up with the elected official's office. Additionally, a representative from OHSU's Government Relations office may staff the OHSU employee at the meeting.

Testifying

• If an OHSU employee volunteers to testify or is asked to testify before Congress, the state legislature or any local jurisdiction on behalf of OHSU or as a content expert, the employee should contact Government Relations.  OHSU's Government Relations office will assist in preparing the testimony, providing information on hearing protocol, and provide logistical support.  

Tour invitations

• If an OHSU employee wishes to extend an invitation to a congressional, state or local elected official to tour or visit OHSU, Government Relations must be contacted.  Government Relations will assist with scheduling the tour and will also staff the tour.  Due to lobbying ethics and rules, gift-giving during tours is prohibited.