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Got a Question? |
NOTE: See Committees Page for a complete listing of all National and Area Officers,
Execs and committee persons.
I would just like to highlight a few things from the Program Committee. I have kept a tally of submissions sent to Washington since October 1of last year in a word document titled “Issue-Solution-Response”. This is posted on our website and updated periodically. Please check this out for a complete list of all submitted items and the responses received from Washington. During the past year we recorded 74 items on this list. To date, all but 11 have received a response from Washington. This does not represent ALL submissions, as several received have been very similar and consolidated. In addition, this number does not include the many submissions received as Negotiation items and addressed during our spring negotiation visit in Washington or the few I was able to resolve without going to Washington.
I do not keep a tally of submitted items by state or by program. I do not keep records by state, or submit any item to DC with state or submitter identification attached because in the past there has been some negative feedback from Washington, through state offices, sometimes even back to the office of the submitter. So, when I send items in to DC, all personal and state ID information is removed. The only ID on my submissions is that this is from NASCOE and has my name attached. In our committee meetings, I have been asked to organize this list of submitted items and their corresponding response by program category and I will make every effort to do this for the next FY.
I know in many cases, the responses I have posted are far from what you want to hear. On the other hand we have had some good successes. Many items did receive a “ Great Idea, we’ll incorporate that into the next handbook amendment, or next program update”. We also received many “ Great Idea, we’ll add that to our list of enhancements” . That’s kinda like when our kids kept asking for something that we didn’t want to commit to at the time and they’d get the “We’ll see” response!! You KNOW what that meant. But in fairness to our DC staff, they fight many of the same battles we face – budget; short staffing levels, time to accomplish tasks ---such as --develop needed software enhancements. I think many of our ideas may be addressed as we migrate away from the old system 36, through the web-based program phase and finally into the proposed MIDAS environment of software and program integration. But that in itself is a very lengthy presentation and one for another time.
Coming back to our effectiveness, I truly believe we did make progress – we did cause the issuance of some notices and handbook amendments to clarify issues or create a more effective and efficient work place. We brought issues to the surface that needed to be addressed that can only be identified clearly by YOU --- those using the written guidelines and software on a daily basis. So please continue to submit items you feel are worthy of seeking clarification or would improve our efficiency and effectiveness.
The committee did articulate one recommendation to present to the Executive Committee. In short, the recommendation is for the Programs Chair to be included in ALL negotiation/consultation visits to Washington. The goal is to hopefully be able to provide members with a better response rate to their program submissions.
I’m a relative newcomer to this organization. I think this is only the 4th National Convention I’ve attended. I have always been quite content to sit in the audience, listen to the presentations and let others ask the questions of the panel during our question and answer sessions. All the time thinking how tough it must be to be up here, making presentations or fielding the questions from the floor. I was right on one score; it is tough being up here. It’s a bit intimidating and a very humbling experience; partly because you are a very intimidating and humbling audience. That’s not a bad thing! You’re here because you care, because you want to contribute, because you’re interested and because you’re looking for answers. But in addition to those qualities of intimidation and humbling that you convey just by the size of this group here today, you also convey a sense of unity and power. The unity is carried forward by you as the board of directors and by the executive committee that you elect as they press onward with the goals, the mission and the success of this organization. The power comes from the grass roots of this organization to help shape policy and to create change that enhances the effectiveness and efficiency for not only those who choose to become members, but for all employees of FSA.
I would like to end with my impressions of your officers, area execs and the executive board. Like I said earlier, I’m a newcomer having been here only a short time compared to everyone else on the executive committee. So I feel comfortable in saying this about your executive committee without the feeling that I’m patting myself on the back – because my contributions are pretty light in comparison to those of the others on the board.
One word sums it up pretty well. WOW!! I was never fully aware of the extreme level of commitment and dedication these people exhibit until I was more involved as I have been this past year as a committee chair. The time commitment and dedication these people contribute to this organization is absolutely astounding. I would like to end, not only by THANKING THEM, but also by recognizing the support behind them from their families, their co-workers and office staff that fill in when needed back in their offices and last but certainly not least, from you, the members.
Thank you .
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