The planning director is asked to participate in a charity golf tournament sponsored by a local historic preservation nonprofit. The director should:

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Participating in community activities sponsored by nonprofits is appropriate for a planning director when it’s purely civic and does not imply political endorsement or create a conflict of interest. Attending the charity golf tournament shows support for local historic preservation efforts and allows the director to engage with stakeholders and residents in a neutral, nonadvocacy setting. It demonstrates public service and community involvement without tying the official role to promoting a private viewpoint.

Declining would sideline constructive community engagement; organizing the event would place the director in a leadership role for an external organization and could raise concerns about control, influence, or impartiality; using the event to advocate private views would blur the line between public duties and personal advocacy, risking the appearance of using office to push a personal agenda. Attending strikes the right balance: participate as a member of the public, support a worthy cause, and maintain neutrality and integrity in the official capacity.