NACS FSA NEWS June, 2003

Transcription

1 Building Rural America National Association of Credit Specialists of the USDA Farm Service Agency A Federal Managers Association Conference NACS FSA NEWS June, 2003 Content: President s Message Pages 1-2 Observations Page 3 Actions Speak Louder Than Words Page 4 Convention News Page 5 Are You Listening? Page 6 NACS Online Resolutions Page NACS-FSA CONVENTION TIME VIVA LAS VEGAS! By Betsy Senter NACS-FSA President The NACS-FSA Board and members are busy preparing for the 30 th Anniversary Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is shaping up to be one of the best we've ever had! The Convention Committee reminds me that registration was due on May 23, Send your registration in today! National Office speakers will be on hand Monday and Tuesday, June 16 and 17, to hear from you as FSA employees and NACS-FSA members! Jim Little, Carolyn Cooksie, John Williams, Doug Frago, John Nassif, Charlie Cantrell and many others have been invited. All members should be thinking of innovative ways to improve program delivery and submitting them as resolutions. Resolutions have long been the "heart and soul" of NACS. Check out the web site and make sure your concerns have been submitted in the form of a resolution. Oh yes, a resolution not only has a problem listed but a suggested solution! So use your innovative side to come up with a way to improve programs and program delivery! State leaders from across the country continue to work on the "1165 plans". Concerns have been voiced to me and other NACS board members. Continue to keep us informed as we move through this process. Plans are being submitted first to KC-Human Resources and then to WDC for review and approval by upper management.

2 I was involved in a teleconference briefing on May 22, 2003, by James Newby and Mike Nerd on the Field Office Review and Restructuring Task Force established by Secretary Veneman. The criteria that will be used to identify the 200 offices that are to be closed have been developed. During the 2003 budget negotiations with OMB, the USDA agreed to close 200 offices. USDA and OMB agreed to four basic criteria: Offices slated for closure as part of the 1994 reorganization that have not yet been closed. Service Centers with only one agency (stand alone offices). Sites with three or fewer persons. Sites located within 25 radial miles or a driving time less then 60 minutes to a Service Center. In addition, other overarching state criteria, being developed by the Task Force and used by the State Food and Agriculture Committees (SFAC), will consist of productivity/cost and diversity of clientele. All criteria will be weighted. A top concern to OMB is the offices that were not closed under the 1994 Madigan Plan. Mr. Newby emphasized that there is not a "list" at this point. They plan to send the results of their work to the State FACs by the end of the month. They expect that there will be shifts in offices that may be targeted from 1994 due to changes in customers, etc. Offices located within Tribal areas will be excluded but will be included on the list for information purposes. Weighted criteria will be used for selection of offices. A maximum of 800 points is possible and this would indicate an office would not be justified. In other words, lots of points are not good! 200 points would be given if driving time to a neighboring office is 30 minutes or less. 100 points if 30 to 60 minutes driving time and zero over 60 minutes. If there are 3 people or less, 100 points would be assigned and if a stand alone office is present 100 points would be added. The balance of the 400 points would be assigned by the state based on productivity and diversity of the client base. We will continue to monitor this and provide news on this task force to members as it becomes available. As we wind down towards the end of another year, it is easy to get philosophical. I would leave you this month with a couple of quotes which may give you something to think about. I have been honored to be your President this past year! I appreciate all the words of encouragement from the board and all NACS-FSA members! "My interest is in the future, because I am going to spend the rest of my life there." - Charles F. Kettering "When it's all over, it's not who you were, It's whether you made a difference." --- Author Unknown (Thanks Montana!) 2

3 Observations Robin Hampton, Past President When Mike asked me to write this newsletter article, I ed him back and asked him if he was sure he wanted more verbiage from me. He said to tell the membership about my observations. Well- it s hard to summarize what I have learned from being active in NACS and NCACS for fifteen years. I can tell you without a doubt that my involvement has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my career and that I would recommend to anyone to become involved with the association. You will meet people from across the United States that have the same interests and concerns as you and are willing to make personal sacrifices for the agency and the agriculture community that they serve. The folks that are active in the association have an interest in seeing the agency improve the manner in which it does business for the benefit of their coworkers and the farming public. I know that if I never went to another NACS convention, I have friends across the U.S. that share the same fears and concerns about agriculture as I- but I will go. I will go to see new friends and coworkers become involved in NACS and submit solutions to problems to better the way we do business. I will go to see old friends to see what trouble they have stirred up since the last convention. I will go to learn more about the direction the agency is heading and to hear the National Office speakers. I will go to ask questions so I can be better prepared to do my job. I will go to answer questions like How was convention? I will go to be around members who have been active in the association for years, have made significant contributions and still remain involved. I will go to honor those who have given so much of themselves for the betterment of the Association and its members. I will go this year to celebrate the thirtieth birthday of NACS. I remember being in Seattle, WA in 1990 for my second convention (Asheville, NC was the first one but I didn t have a clue what was going on since we were the host) and wondered what would happen that week. Who would be elected President? Who is this fellow Norbert Soltwedel? It certainly wasn t a good southern name that I could pronounce. Then there was this soft-spoken fellow from Montana named Clayton Ketcham. What about GS 12 pay for hard working County Supervisors doing both farm loans and rural housing? Can you appreciate where NACS is today without knowing where we have been and how we got here? There will be an awards luncheon on Tuesday, June 17 th at this year s convention to honor Past Presidents and Blood, Sweat and Tears Award Winners. Please congratulate these folks and thank them for their efforts on behalf of NACS- FSA and NACS-RD. Truly NACS would not be what it is today without them. Will you go? 3

4 Actions Speak Louder Than Words By Bill Mahanay, Vice President Ralph Waldo Emerson an American author, poet, and philosopher once said, "What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." Have you experienced situations when an individual said one thing, but his or her actions sent an entirely different message? Did you hear the message sent by the individual s actions while finding it difficult to believe the words that were spoken? Will your actions and your words be communicating a consistent message as the association and FSA move forward in addressing issues of concern? Are you concerned about centralized loan servicing, selling loans, contracting out essential support services, maintaining effective programs and services, human capital issues, or the agency s 1165 classification decision? Will your actions portray the same degree of concern that your friends, family and coworkers hear you speak of? As individuals, the aforementioned issues may appear to be insurmountable. In working together, a group of individuals may pool their resources and attain greater degrees of success with less demand on each individual. If you are not yet a member of such a group, I would ask that you become a supportive member of NACS FSA, FMA and/or NASE. If you are a member, I would ask that you increase your level of involvement to assure that your actions accurately portray your thoughts. Following are a few steps that members can take to increase their level of involvement in NACS: 1. Prepare and submit suggestions proposing positive methods for resolving concerns. "Resolutions" may be submitted electronically through the NACS web site or in hard copy through State Presidents, committee members, Zone Representatives or others. 2. Prepare and submit a committee survey sheet seeking a national committee position. The committee survey may be obtained by accessing the table of contents in the State President s guide on the NACS web site. It must be submitted to Zone Representatives at or prior to the annual convention in June. 3. Volunteer to serve on a task force that is of interest to you. NACS FSA President, Betsy Senter is currently seeking members for 1165 classification task force duties. 4. Attend NACS State, Zone, and National meetings to participate in making decisions and resolving concerns. I hope to see each of you at the NACS annual convention in June of Attend FMA mid year and national meetings to participate in the decision making process and assist in resolving concerns. 6. Become involved in the political process. Visit, call and write your Senators and Representatives. Personalize and submit FMA action letters to keep legislators informed about our concerns. Encourage friends and family to offer their support with calls and letters to legislators. 7. Pursue a leadership position at the state or national level. Many of you have outstanding leadership skills and will help secure a bright future for the organization. Now is the time to advance your involvement and accept the challenges of a leadership position. Actions do speak loader than words. Let us see your thoughts in the actions taken during the weeks, months and years ahead. Speak to us! 4

5 NACS RD, NACS FSA, NASP, NASE NATIONAL CONVENTION The 2003 National Convention Committee has been extremely busy so it must be getting close to happy 30 th Birthday to NACS and 25 th to NASP/NASE in Las Vegas, Nevada. The birthday party aka the 2003 National Convention will be held on June 15-19, 2003 at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd, (The Strip) Las Vegas, NV Early registration, prior to May 23 rd, is $100, guest registration is $90, and child registration is $60. The 2003 National Convention Registration Form and all kinds of valuable information can be found on the Convention Website: This year's National Convention is unique. Not only is this the first time more than one state is sponsoring the National Convention, the Convention Committee has also invited Past Presidents, founding mothers and fathers, Honorary Members, and past award winners. Do any of you remember these names Ray Turknett, Harold Kennedy, David Wilson, Ney Williamson, Bill Mahanay, Roy Millegan, James R. Berry, Sharon Maitland, and Bev Wilde. Well, they have already registered. If you want to meet NACS, NASP, and NASE history, come to the Convention. There are several activities of interest. Sunday, June 15 th, there will be a birthday party in the hospitality room, an optional Hoover Dam tour, and an optional Las Vegas at night tour. On Monday night, June 16 th, there will be a tour of the Fremont Street Experience, which is included in the registration fee. On Tuesday, June 17 th, we are having an all Associations awards luncheon to honor past presidents, past awards winners, and our founding mothers and fathers. Also, on June 17 th, there is an optional daytime tour to the Wet N Wild Water Park and another Las Vegas at Night tour. On Wednesday, June 18 th, there is an optional Circus Circus Adventuredome tour during the day and the annual banquet/dance that night. The dance will be held at the TOP of the RIV with a beautiful view of the Strip. For those that want to stay an extra day, Thursday, June 19 th, the Convention Committee has planned an optional tour of the Hoover Dam. There will be plenty of fun things to do for the entire family at this year's National Convention. If you have any questions, please check out our Convention Website or contact Wayne , wayne.dunlap@or.usda.gov or Donna x11, donna.birk@ut.usda.gov. Hope to see all of you there. Signs & Easels are not permitted No tape banners, signs, etc. taped to the walls - Please do not bring gifts for door prizes Airport shuttle cost is aprox. $7.50 round trip using the same Shuttle Company An adult must accompany their children for optional daytime activities Please stay at the Riviera during convention. Make your hotel reservations by calling , register under National Association of Credit Specialist prior to 5/23/03. 1 st night lodging paid in advance. We look forward to seeing you in June and having a great convention! 5

6 Are You Listening? By Mike Priest, NACS Secretary I read this article recently and thought it would be worth sharing. It will be helpful in speaking with all people, but I believe it is a timely article considering the convention will have a good turn out of National Office speakers this year. One of the most popular events at the convention is the National Office speaker panel, which allows attendees to get answers to questions directly from the experts. I would encourage the members who will not be able to attend the convention to send questions they may have to their state delegates or their zone representatives. Active Listening Tips Make up your mind to listen and concentrate on what is being said. Active listening is trying to understand what the speaker s message really means. Remember that the speaker has the right to express his own thoughts and opinions, whether or not you agree with them. Avoid anticipating or assuming what the speaker is going to say, and then tuning out. Check out your understanding by using reflection statements to confirm whether you understand the speaker. You should restate, in your own words, what you understand has been said. Ask open ended, non-confrontational questions (no one likes to feel they are being interrogated). Invite the speaker to tell more about their concerns, expectations and interests. Listen between the lines. Try to pick up the speaker s feelings. A speaker does not always put everything that is important into words. Observe the speakers body language. Ask yourself, What is the speaker getting at?, What point is he trying to make?, What point has he already made?. Restrain your emotions. Pause and consider before replying or leaping over the counter and attacking the speaker. Be open minded and receptive, regardless of the speaker. Listen, beginning to end. Take notes on complex issues. Betsy and Bill have encouraged you in their articles to submit resolutions using the NACS-FSA web site. This article was in a previous newsletter and I thought it would be helpful to use it again. NACS Online Resolution System By Everett Purrington NACS has developed an online resolution system to provide a single place for members to submit resolutions and allow other members to view and comment on them throughout the year. This is being done to involve more members in the process and obtain differing points of view. 6

7 Submit a Resolution: There are three ways to submit a resolution to NACS online: 1. Access the online resolution page from the Main NACS Web Page by clicking on the "Online Resolutions" link at the top. When the Resolution page comes up, click the link Submit a Resolution and then complete the form, be sure to click the Submit Resolution button at the bottom. OR 2. Sign up as a user on the system by going to the resolution page (as in step one) and clicking on the "Sign up to use the system" link. This allows you to then log on, add and edit your own resolutions until the Committee "takes ownership" at which point you would no longer be able to edit it. OR 3. Submit your resolution directly to the committee or a committee member via . Viewing Resolutions: Once the resolution has been submitted, all members will be able to view and comment on them. The only exception is the legislative resolutions. These are not viewable until the Legislative Committee reviews and accepts them. To view the resolutions, access the online resolution page from the Main NACS Web Page by clicking on the "Online Resolutions" link at the top. When the Resolution page comes up, click the link to view resolutions and then select the appropriate year and committee you want to view. Alternatively, if you signed up for a login, you can login and search for the resolutions you wish to view by clicking the View link. When you search in this method be sure to enter the year, i.e for new resolutions. This will show you only new resolutions and not all 2002 and Please note that the following fields will not be visible by the general public: Date Submitted, Submitted by, , and Year. These fields are only viewable with an administrative login permission, which only the committees will have. This was done to reduce the load time on the web page and protect the privacy of those submitting resolutions. If the resolution has not been reviewed and accepted by the committee a disclaimer will print in red with each resolution stating "NOTE: This resolution has not been reviewed nor accepted by NACS. It is presented here for discussion" That is not to say that you cannot continue to discuss it even after the committee accepts it but is just a disclaimer that NACS has not endorsed the resolution at this time. Next to this disclaimer is a link to a bulletin board where members may discuss the resolutions. When posting messages you need to use the Resolution ID# for easy cross-reference. Comments: A bulletin board has been set up for each respective committee's resolutions. This will allow members to post and read comments about the resolutions. We are hopeful that the membership will take advantage of this opportunity and thus facilitate open discussion about the resolutions. To post or read comments, access the online resolution page from the Main NACS Web Page by clicking on the "Online Resolutions" link at the top. When the Resolution page comes up, click the link Read and or enter comments on Resolutions. This will take you to a page listing each committee. Select the link for the committee resolutions you wish to comment on. The next page to come up will be the comments, in reverse date order. At the top of this page is a link to Submit Comments, select this link and complete the form to post your comments, be sure to click the Submit Comments button when done. 7