March 5, 2010

Guidelines for Lobbying and Political Activity

Dear Colleagues,

Many Johns Hopkins Health System employees engage in political activity with respect to their areas of expertise. If you are engaging in political or lobbying activity for personal causes, be aware that JHHS employees are not permitted to use JHHS resources or the Johns Hopkins name, and should be clear that they are acting on their own behalf, not on behalf of JHHS. If you are engaging in political or lobbying activity for Hopkins-related purposes, be aware that this should be disclosed to and conducted in coordination with Johns Hopkins Government, Community, and Public Affairs (GCPA).

Attached are guidelines that note what may and may not be done in terms of lobbying, as well as what must be reported and to whom. Questions about whether a contact or activity constitutes lobbying and/or who is a covered executive or legislative branch official may be addressed to GCPA or the General Counsel’s Office.

Sincerely,

Joanne Pollak
Vice President and General Counsel
Johns Hopkins Medicine

Thomas S. Lewis
Interim Vice President of Government, Community and Public Affairs
Johns Hopkins University