§ 1201.735-310 - Speeches; participation in conferences.

(a) Fees and expenses. (1) Although an employee may not accept a fee for his or her own use or benefit for making a speech, delivering a lecture, or participating in a discussion if the subject is ACTION or ACTION programs or if such services are part of the employee's official ACTION duties, the employee may suggest that the amount otherwise payable as a fee or honorarium be contributed to ACTION.

(2) When a meeting, discussion, etc., to which paragraph (a)(1) of this section refers takes place at a substantial distance from the employee's home he or she may accept reimbursement for the actual cost of transportation and necessary subsistence, or expenses, but in no case shall he or she receive any amount for personal benefit. Such reimbursements shall be reported by the employee to his or her immediate supervisors.

(3) An employee may accept fees for speeches, etc., dealing with subjects other than ACTION or ACTION programs when no official funds have been used in connection with his or her appearance and such activities do not interfere with the efficient performance of his or her duties.

(b) Racial segregation. No employee may participate for ACTION in conferences or speak for ACTION before audiences where any racial group has been segregated or excluded from the meeting, from any of the facilities or conferences, or from membership in the organization sponsoring the conference or meeting.

(1) When a request for ACTION speakers or participation is received under circumstances where segregation may be practiced, the Director of the Office of Communications shall make specific inquiry as to the practices of the organization before the request is filled.

(2) If the inviting organization shows a willingness to modify its practices for the occasion, ACTION will cooperate in such efforts.

(3) Exceptions to this paragraph may be made only by the Director, ACTION and in his or her discretion.