Ethics Luncheons 2003 - Fall

	October 2003 Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, noon Values and ethics in a turbulent environment: An accountant’s perspective Presenter: Jerry Topp, Managing Partner, Eide Bailly, Fargo, N.D.
	Description: What are the current issues related to accounting and the recent corporate scandals? How will the new laws affect businesses and ethical behavior? Jerry Topp will discuss recent developments that have transpired in the business world involving ethical issues and accounting. Especially interesting to all businesses is the new Sarbanes Oxley law and the influence it will have on ethical behavior of corporations, accounting practices, and responsibility of organizations. Topp will discuss how their accounting organization, Eide Bailly, maintains an integrity based culture founded on stewardship — a concern with the community, the client, and the employee.
	November 2003 Business Ethics: Illusion or Necessity? Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, noon Presenter: David Rodbourne, Vice President, Center for Ethical Business Cultures, Minneapolis
	Description: Why pay attention to ethics? What can you do as a leader to create an ethical business culture? This discussion, presented by the Minneapolis-based Center for Ethical Business Cultures, discusses the necessity for leaders to build trust with all stakeholders of an organization. The presentation identifies major trends and developments that influence business and business leaders through discussions about Enron, global sweatshops, and federal prosecutions of white collar crime. Rodbourne will focus attention on developing key strategies in creating an ethical business culture.
	December 2003 When ethics and quality meet: Developing a linkage between quality assurance and ethical behavior Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, noon Presenters: Wayne Voorhees, President Paul Palmes, Quality Director Kristin Munro, Education Coordinator with Northern Pipe Products
	Description: How can a leader integrate concepts of both quality assurance and ethical behavior? Join Wayne Voorhees, President; Paul Palmes, Quality Director; and Kristin Munro Education Coordinator at Northern Pipe Products, in a conversation about the challenges and rewards of open ethical leadership. They believe great products and services are surrounded by ethical decisions. Indeed, the hallmark of lasting business success is the simple understanding that quality and ethics are like twins whose virtue is readily apparent. These three are implementing some amazing practices in their company from open book management to Ethics 101 classes. If you’re curious regarding what the net effect of a truly open work environment can be to an organization and its customers, you will not want to miss this discussion. sustainability debate as well as on practical solutions. O’Hara received her masters and doctorate degree from the University of Goettingen, Germany in agricultural economics and environmental economics. O’Hara’s interest in issues of sustainability and ethics was inspired particularly by her work as a delegate to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio in 1992.
	January 2004 The Gathering Storm: Legislation and litigation surrounding the national focus on corporate responsibility, governing boards, and board members Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, noon Presenter: Paul Richard, Attorney, MeritCare General Counsel
	Description: What are the new responsibilities of corporate and organizational board members? Many of the recent ethical problems of corporations are a result of poor governance actions — board members not taking ethical responsibility. This discussion will focus on recent legislation and litigation issues surrounding the national focus on corporate responsibility, as well as how they affect the way organizations are governed relating to board members and governing boards. Paul Richard, legal in-house General Counsel for MeritCare will talk about the changing expectations of governance and management in ensuring ethical practices and behavior.
	February 2004 Friday, Feb. 27, 2004, noon Presenter: Sabine O'Hara, Ph.D, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Concordia College
	Description: What are tensions and compatabilities between economic development and sustainability? The balance between economic growth and social and ecological sustainability is a major issue in today’s world. It raises questions about quality versus quantity that are intrinsically ethical. Dr. Sabine O’Hara will discuss the ethical issues related to economic growth and our social and ecological environment. Her discussion will focus on the underlying ethical models of the sustainability debate as well as on practical solutions. O’Hara received her masters and doctorate degree from the University of Goettingen, Germany in agricultural economics and environmental economics. O’Hara’s interest in issues of sustainability and ethics was inspired particularly by her work as a delegate to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio in 1992.