Northwest Area Report Orlando, FLJanuary 19-22, 2008

 Wow! What a shock! When we climbed on the plane in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the thermometer said -13. When we climbed out of the plane in Orlando it said +75. But hey, when you work for FSA you have to handle change, right? Speaking of shock - we also proved we don’t panic easily. When the lightening bolt struck just outside the hotel’s front entrance setting off all the alarms, we calmly traipsed down the stairs and into the lobby – no hysterics from the FSA bunch. An electrifying start to a meeting buzzing with activity!

The NASCOE Pre-Negotiation/Spring Board Meeting went very well. When I looked at the agenda I thought we would never get through it but with the able guidance of President Bonnie Heinzman we conquered it all.

The primary purpose of this meeting is organization and preparation of the negotiation, consultation, and program issues submitted by our membership. We had approximately 75 of these items. Each item was discussed and assigned to a two person team. These teams are composed of different combinations of officers, executives and consultants. The group decides whether each item will be negotiated, consulted, or assigned to the appropriate NASCOE committee. It is the duty of each team to research and write up their items for submission to management. Also, everyone who submitted an item will receive a letter informing them of the action being taken on that item.

Other business dealt with during our meeting:

• Farm Bill discussion. With the pressure to lower commodity payments, there could be

a major affect on traditional FSA administered programs. All FSA employees must be vigilant and active in the Farm Bill process for the benefit not just of ourselves but for the American farmer and rancher. We must keep up on NASCOE Legislative actions by visiting www.nascoe.org.

• USDA Reorganization. There has been discussion of a reorganization of USDA to eliminate duplication of efforts and for more efficient use of the budget. NASCOE wants FSA to be in the best possible position should this reorganization take place. Therefore, a Task Force will be meeting February 8-10 to research USDA as a whole, find the duplications and omission, and position FSA favorably for such a change.
• Office Closures. Seventy-four offices have been closed nationwide. Appropriation language affecting office closure has pretty much put that process on the hold. Pertinent language is – “That none of the funds made available by this Act may be used to pay the salary or expenses of any officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture to close or relocate any county or field office of the Farm Service Agency (other than a county or field office that had zero employees as of February 7, 2007), or to develop, submit, consider, or approve any plan for any such closure or relocation before enactment of an omnibus authorization law to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs for fiscal years after 2007.
• Communication. With the issuance of the “Use of Government Computers” letter NASCOE communications definitely took a hit. We have recovered somewhat in this area but still have work to do. One good thing that has come of this is that NASCOE is actively pursuing a national database of members. This database would contain the home contact information for our membership. Be looking for contact from NASCOE collecting this information.
• More Communication. Be sure to check the NASCOE website often. NASCOE has been averaging the updates to the website weekly. If you subscribe to the update notification you will receive an email each time the site is changed. This email will list the change, and then you have the option of checking it out or simply deleting the message. You need never miss important information again!
• Even More Communication. Sign up for CapWiz! It’s simple and quick. This must be done from your home email because CapWiz is used for legislative action and well as benefits notification. CapWiz will ensure your voice is heard without costing you more than a moment of your time. Check it out – www.nascoe.org.
• Reclassification. The next step in the PT Reclassification process is management’s response to NASCOE’s new position descriptions as submitted last fall. The hold up on this has been management’s desire to implement new CED classification standards prior to any PT position changes. Former NASCOE Presidents Randy Cook and David Vidrine represented you on this CED Task Force.
• Shared Management Agreement. NASCOE will be reviewing our agreement with management because, initially, shared management was to be a temporary situation. As it is still being used as a management tool, NASCOE believes it is time to take a hard look at this agreement.
• Membership. – New Membership Brochure has been printed. They may be requested from NASCOE Membership Chair Jeanne Monday.

Northwest Area

State 2006-07 Final 2007-08 to date
ID 82% 80%
MT 66% 68%
NE 76% 73%
ND 95% 94%
OR 61% 57%
SD 96% 98%
WA/AK 66% 66%
WY 67% 62%
TOTAL NWA 81% 80%

• The Northwest Area Rally will be held in Watertown, South Dakota, June 20-21, 2008. Administrator Teresa Lasseter and South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Bill Even, as well as NASCOE President Bonnie Heinzman, have been invited. Check out www.nascoetravel.com for all your reservations. The prices are competitive with Orbitz and other travel sites but NASCOE gets a royalty if you choose this site.

Special thanks to NASCOE Benefits Chair Becky Zirpel for representing the NWA well by doing an excellent job in her position. Also, many thanks to Kevin MacIntyre, the NWA Negotiating Consultant. Kevin will be working hard for you in WDC and in preparation for that visit.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Cindy Peterson
Northwest Area Executive

Committee Chairpersons

Area Executive Committeeperson	Cindy Peterson, SD
Alt. Area Executive Committeeperson	Cindy Hall, NE
AWARDS	Debbie Sweet, WA
BENEFITS	Becky Zirpel, SD
EMBLEMS	Debbie Sweet, WA
LEGISLATIVE	Paula Reed, WA
MEMBERSHIP	Jenae Prescott, ID
NEGOTIATIONS/CONSULTATION	Kevin MacIntyre, OR
PUBLICITY	Nicki Miranowski, ND
PROGRAMS	Brad Olson, ND
SCHOLARSHIP	Debbie Sweet, WA
WEBMASTER	Nicki Miranowski, ND
CAPWIZ Co-ordinator	Greg Chewakin, NE
PAC Co-ordinator	Gary Gompert, WY