Code of Ethics.(Dear Reader)(Music Teachers National Association)

At the Annual Meeting of the MTNA membership at our 2004 National Conference on March 30, a revised MTNA Code of Ethics was recommended by the Board of Directors and adopted by the members. This new Code was drafted by a task force appointed by MTNA President Phyllis I. Pieffer, NCTM. It was chaired by Board member Sigrid Luther, NCTM, with members Suzanne Guy, NCTM; Chiu-Tze Lin; Mary Ellen Moore, NCTM; William Vessels; and President-elect Paul Stewart, NCTM. This revised Code is a significant step toward MTNA's commitment to cultivating and encouraging the right practices and behaviors among our members in the strongest possible ways.

Most associations have some sort of code of ethics that sets out minimum standards for honesty and reasonable practices and policies as a means of self-regulation. Will Rogers summed up the ideal when he said: "Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip."

Unfortunately, some people do not live up to this high standard. They believe that the maximum required in their profession is to obey the law. So long as they don't break any laws, they feel justified in any action, regardless of the ethics involved.

I am reminded of the story of the fisherman, who after fishing for crappie all day and not getting so much as a bite, went back to the shore, loaded up his boat, and began the drive home. Before reaching home, he stopped at a grocery store advertising fresh fish.

"Throw me a dozen of the biggest fish you have," he said to the woman at the counter.

"Throw them? Why?" she asked.

"Because I'm going to catch them. I may be a lousy fisherman, but I'm not a liar."