For Horizon alumni: Many government offices and agencies have ethics rules to prevent employees from accepting gifts (including attending free events) above a certain financial threshold. If you are a Horizon alumni who has been directly hired by a government agency, we encourage you to double-check with your office before attending Horizon retreats.
One ethics lawyer advised that former Horizon Fellows are permitted to attend free Horizon events since they are “provided by a former employer to attend a reception or similar event when other former employees have been invited to attend, the invitation and benefits are based on the former employment relationship, and it is clear that such benefits have not been offered or enhanced because of the employee's official position.” See 5 CFR § 2635.204(e)(4).
