Music Store/Band Director Ethics Question

[Kevin Miller]

I tried posting this question on a popular Texas BBS, but it got taken down. Maybe some band director types on our BBS could answer this.

If a music store takes a director to a convention as their "guest", a convention such as Midwest where significant travel and expense is involved, could that possibly be construed as a bribe?

[Three Valves]

Were any contributions to the Director's foundation involved??

[Watchman]

No. The director could easily take the trip and upon returning to Texas do business elsewhere. It would kind of be a $@#% move, but he could do it.

Instead of the term bribe, I'd say the store was "lobbying" the director. They were probably hoping that if they showed him special attention he would give them his business.

Another less nefarious possibility is that this director has already driven thousands and thousands of dollars to this store. Perhaps the trip is a "reward" for being a good customer.

Your post on the other forum was probably removed because this guy didn't do anything illegal and you are just stirring the pot.

[Watchman]

Were any contributions to the Director's foundation involved??

Here's another example of someone trying to stir the pot

[Three Valves]

Stir the pot??

Maybe.

Isn't it remarkable, however, the standards to which we hold Public School Band Directors and their lavish $1,800.00 junkets??

[Three Valves]

WOW!!

How can I get in on this Band Director action??

I never knew!!

[Dan Schultz]

As a 'twist'.... might the cost/value of such a trip be considered as income?

[Three Valves]

As a 'twist'.... might the cost/value of such a trip be considered as income?

If I were a Big Shot influence peddler, I'd 1099 my bribe-ees!!

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-1099-MISC,- ... us-Income-" target="_blank

[modelerdc]

I believe it's very important to avoid conflicts of interest, whether real or even the appearance of same. At the same time it's very desirable to have a good working relationship with those vendors who can impact your program. If a number of directors are a "guest" and there's no quid pro quo, ok. But don't cross over the line into accepting any personal compensation or favors even if nothing is asked in return. The better vendors understand that your educational dollars will go to where they can do the most good for your program, and they will respect that. A good relationship is based on mutual benefit, go with the vendors that best match their business model with your program's needs.
As for the specific case in question I don't know enough to judge. I have both seen and heard of situations where directors received personal favors and/or compensation for doing business with a vendor. Often this involves the receipt of personal merchandise, including expensive instruments, to directors, and supervisors, which are then never invoiced. If the ethics question isn't enough to dissuade someone, the possibility of any financial irregularity becoming a career altering event should be carefully considered.

[Watchman]

All this talk about "ethics"....seems a little silly when we're talking about music stores here.

These are businesses that think it's OK to charge a person over a thousand dollars on a piece of junk instrument they got from China for a few hundred. The angriest I've ever seen parents get is when they try and sell their son/daughter's student instrument back to the music store, only to be told it's worth about $50. This after they've spent, in some cases, a ton in rental payments, maintenance, all the usual music store crap.

Of course the store won't tell them their cost on a new flute is about $200. Why should they pay anything for a crummy used flute?

[hup_d_dup]

What is the value to the school of having the director attend the convention? Maybe the the school should pay.

What is the value to the director of attending the convention. Maybe the director should pay.

Maybe the school and director should split the cost, if they both benefit.

The store shouldn't be a part of this conversation.

How many of us want to use the drugs supplied by a doctor who receives junkets to the Caribbean paid for by the pharmaceuticals? There is something going on here that doesn't involve the best interest of patients.

Our senator here in New Jersey got free trips to the Dominican Republic from his friend who is the highest paid ophthamologist in the US. $21 million/year in medicare payments. Senator Menendez is under investigation but he says there was no quid pro quo.

Hup

[ScottM]

I worked in an job where I came in contact with a lot of vendors who we used for services. The company had a policy of refusing gifts that I let them know about to make life easier.
I did take an occasional meal, but I bought one for them sometimes too.
My thought would be to keep any such gifts to be a nominal amount and be occasional, then you don't have an issue.
Years ago I worked as a music educator and was offered an instrument for personal use for practically free. I told the dealer it wasn't proper. They apologized and found out later that they worked hard on my account since they figured out I wasn't for sale..
Scott M

[Uncle Buck]

I once worked for the Fort Worth Independent School District. Large district, lots of schools, and a district-wide policy that band directors, on instrument-rental night or on any written materials about equipment, were required to include at least three different vendors.

Maybe there are areas where three vendors aren't available or practical, but IMHO a policy like that should be the expectation, not the exception.