Having your title as court clerk listed by your name on a letter being sent by a local charity organization that is soliciting toys for disadvantaged children is proper or improper?

Having your title as court clerk listed by your name on a letter being sent by a local charity organization that is soliciting toys for disadvantaged children is proper or improper?

• A. Proper
• B. Cannot be determined
• C. Improper
• D. Depends

Answer: (C)

Using your court clerk title on a letter from a private charity creates the appearance that the court or you in an official capacity endorses or supports that fundraising effort. That blurs the line between official duties and private charitable activity, which can raise concerns about impartiality, misuse of position, or suggesting government involvement where there is none. The proper approach is to keep fundraising separate from official duties: do not sign or list your official title on private charity communications, and if you wish to support the cause, do so personally or have the charity use its own materials and letterhead. So, this is improper.

Using your court clerk title on a letter from a private charity creates the appearance that the court or you in an official capacity endorses or supports that fundraising effort. That blurs the line between official duties and private charitable activity, which can raise concerns about impartiality, misuse of position, or suggesting government involvement where there is none. The proper approach is to keep fundraising separate from official duties: do not sign or list your official title on private charity communications, and if you wish to support the cause, do so personally or have the charity use its own materials and letterhead. So, this is improper.