SW AREA NEWS |
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Southwest Area Executive Committee ChairpersonKeith Whiteneck Watonga, OK 73772-0308 580.227.2890 kaw@cebridge.net Southwest Area Alternate Executive Committee ChairpersonKevin Dale Durant, OK 74701 580.916.1470 kdale@texomaonline.com Also visit the SWA page of the NASCOE website |
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SOUTHWEST AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRS |
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Awards Terry Cater Lovington, NM 88260 505.396.4077 terrycater@yahoo.com Scholarship Negotiating Consultant |
Legislative Kevin Dale Durant, OK 580.916.1470 kdale@texomaonline.com Publicity Programs |
Benefits Membership
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The Winners of the Distinguished Service Awards for the SWA are:
Service to Community - Jim Bob Solsbery – Texas
Service to FSA/Agriculture - Tamara Thomasson – Oklahoma
Service to NASCOE - Ruxton (Rusty) Williamson – Texas
The Winners of the Extra Mile Award for the SWA are:
Krey Reimer - CED – Oklahoma
Joseph P. Wendel – Child of Member – Texas
Tracy Wilson – PT - Oklahoma
The Winner of the SWA Professional Improvement Award is:
Nancy K. Sherry – PT - Oklahoma
The Winner of the SWA Scholarship is:
Curtis Dolezal, Wilson, Ks
The Winners of the SWA Publicity Awards are:
Best Newsletter: Texas, Shell Pickett and Johnny Reynolds, Co-Editors
Best Single Issue: Texas, Shell Pickett and Johnny Reynolds, Co-Editors
Best Feature Story – Humor: Oklahoma, “Loading Cattle” Earl Reed, Author
Best Feature Story – Human Interest: Oklahoma, “The First Timers Award” Angie Bingham, Author
Best Web Site: Texas, Keith Hiser, Web Master
Congratulations to each one of you for all of your accomplishments.
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Minutes of the SW Area Rally Roll Call: State Members Others
Texas 9 6 Total 24 10 I. Keith Whiteneck, Area Executive asked Kevin Dale to serve as recording Secretary of the meeting. Keith Whiteneck asked Darin Slack to open the meeting with prayer. Keith Whiteneck provided opening comments. II. Jim Mace provided information on the J.M. Marketing products. A. Mr. Mace specifically addressed the $100 per person wellness benefit with the cancer policy. Persons who have this coverage and have proof that they have had yearly routine exams for cancer and have not submitted these claims for the $100 reimbursement, may now do so for this year and previous years. B. Mr. Mace discussed Long Term Care Coverage. Mr. Mace provides NASCOE the Mutual of Omaha policy, even though he can also can sell the John Hancock policy that the government sells. However, he refuses to do so, insisting the NASCOE Mutual of Omaha product is the best on the market. C. Long Term Care Coverage can be purchased by a NASCOE member for a parent, child, etc. III. Keith Whiteneck then began a discussion of the potential for re-organization within USDA. Mr. Whiteneck asked Darin Slack our task force member from the SW Area, as well as Bonnie Heinzman, NASCOE President and Myron Stroup, NASCOE Vice President, to comment on the issue. A. Darin Slack – the task force has identified three potential approaches for NASCOE to consider. #1 – Determine there is no need for change and work against any reorganization effort. #2 – Work for some changes such as conservation administration, acreage reporting, etc. without a wholesale re-organization of FSA. #3 – Consider merger with other USDA agencies. B. Bonnie Heinzman – The number one priority of the task force is to engage the membership. This needs to be driven from the bottom up not the top down. Please encourage the members to submit comments, or to call Bonnie. C. Myron – Consider the risks of the following: #1 of doing nothing #2 of leading a re-organization effort #3 of the future of FSA with the WTO issues, Green payment issues, etc. in other words the big world picture. Area members were then asked to comment and some of the following questions and/or comments were made. In the following remarks Q stands for a question and C for a comment. Q) In the past it was a big issue on the public scene to covert employees from CO to GS due to the perception of the government growing. Is this still a negative issue? Bonnie commented that this does not seem to be the issue that is once was. Q) What do the NASCOE leaders believe Chairman Peterson wants in this re-organization? Bonnie commented that while we do not know exactly what he wants specifically but in general we believe he wants to reduce duplication of duties and streamline services. Myron further commented that we believe he also wants to address the National office and Animal ID. How this is accomplished in terms of a general plan has not been made available. C) We need to salvage the County Committee system. If we were to be converted to GS we need to retain tenure for our employees. C) The COC could not supervise a G.S. employee without a change in the law. Q) Are we the only USDA non G.S. employees? If so would this make us more indispensable? Bonnie indicated we are the only CO non G.S. employees but there are other titles of employees within government that are non G.S. Q) Can NASCOE provide a list of all the other USDA agencies and their general function for the benefit of our membership? Bonnie indicated this would be done. Q) Where can members provide feedback on re-org? The NASCOE website www.nascoe.org has a place specifically for members to respond. Bonnie asked that everyone pass this along to the members. In closing this discussion the SW Area consensus was the following: 1. We need to do everything possible to retain the COC farmer elected system. 2. If our membership is converted to G.S. we must do so without probation and with full retained tenure. IV. Mike Mayfield, NASCOE Legislative Co-Chair then spoke to the area on the following topics. A. CAP-WIZ B. The Sick Leave Bill for FERS Flu C. The Farm Bill D. PAC V. Area Committee Reports were then presented as described. A. Terry Cater – Awards B. Johnny Reynolds – Benefits C. Kevin Dale – Legislative D. Kevin Dale – the Membership report as prepared by Sarah Falk. E. Kevin Dale – the Publicity report as prepared by Kim Wood. F. Sharon Curtis - Negotiations G. Lori Annuschat – Programs H. Laura Westerfield – Scholarships VI. Keith Whiteneck discussed the SW Area Bank Account. As of today we have $595 in the account. Each state in the area provided $.50 per member last year. A donation to the Farwell Education fund in memory of Mickey Lunsford (Kelly Lunsford’s deceased husband), were made prior to this accounting. In addition, the area will provide $150 from our account to help pay for the banquet speaker, Jim Bob Solsbery. Sean Rafferty from Kansas then made a motion that the voluntary fund be continued and that each state is encouraged to provide $.50 per member for 2008 just as they did in 2007. Billy Wayne Dennison from Texas seconded the motion and the motion carried. VII. Keith Whiteneck discussed next years Area Rally. The group also discussed ways to encourage NASCOE membership in Nevada and Arizona. Kevin Dale suggested we spend a day before the next Rally going and visiting offices in Nevada. Billy Wayne Denison suggested this be done before the next rally. The general consensus of the group was to continue having joint rallies. Shawn Rafferty made a motion that we host an All West Rally in Reno Nevada in the spring of 2009. Billy Wayne Denison seconded the motion and the motion carried. Keith will contact the Northwest area and invite them to this meeting. With no further business the meeting concluded at 11:45 A.M. Respectfully submitted Kevin Dale Recording Secretary
Southwest Area Meeting The SWA meeting was called to order by Myron Stroup, SWA Executive Committeeperson at 1:00 p.m. on April 20 at the Double Tree Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. The color guard from NORAD-USNORTHCOM posted the colors followed by the National Anthem sung by the quartet known as Unexpected Pleasure. Kevin Dale, OK led the group in prayer. Approximately 50 Rally attendees from all SWA states except Nevada and Arizona were in attendance.
Opening remarks were given
by Myron Stroup, SWA Executive Committeeperson and Keith Whiteneck,
Alternate SWA Executive Committeeperson. A brief over review of the
remarks given are:
The following Committee reports were given: · Membership Committee – Sarah Falk, KS. Sarah accepted the position of Area Chair replacing Kitra Cooper, KS who stepped down citing family conflicts. A special membership invitation could be mailed to all non-members, targeting AZ and NV. If any other state would like to have this done please send a electronic listing of either members or non-members to Sarah. · Emblems/Scholarship Committee – Keith Whiteneck for Cornell Atkinson, UT. The Area winners wee announced and a thank you was given to the Area judges for their prompt involvement in reviewing the 38 applications from the Area. Emblem sales fund the NASCOE Scholarship program. New items are always being placed on the store front so visit it frequently. · Awards – Darvin Collins TX. The Area DSA winners were announced for Service to Community, Service to FSA/Agriculture, and Service to NASCOE. Winners of the Extra Mile Award and Professional Improvement were announced. A review of the Extra mile Award was made. Also, NASCOE has available sick leave certificates for States to use. A ‘First Timers Award’ award is given at the National Convention each year. It is recommended that this concept be developed for use at the SWA rally. A Thank You was given to the Area judges for their work in judging the applications for the Area. · Publicity – Kim Wood, CO It was announced that the Area was behind in submissions and judging. Completion of this process is scheduled to meet the National deadlines. · Benefits – Kelly Lunsford NM. Kelly reviewed of what benefits items were being worked on, exclusive benefits for members, and who is eligible for benefits. Jim Mace addressed the group following this report. Jim Mace, JM Marketing · Will be contacting each State to verify non-members prior to sending a letter concerning the amount due for JM Marketing benefits · Need to provide lead time if requesting attendance to State Meetings · Open enrollment for Dental coverage will be on-line. · Negotiations Consultation – Sharon Curtis, TX NASCOE just completed there negotiating session with management. The number of items submitted by members was lower this year. Partially due to the workload offices continue to face. The items were reviewed and assigned to specific persons to research. After the process is finalized and signed by both NASCOE and Management, they will be available to the membership. · Programs – Keith Whiteneck for Becky Blehm, OK Each state is encouraged to name a person as programs chair. This helps the process by having a contact person within the state. These items are addressed with the appropriate Department Head as they are submitted. · Legislative – Kevin Dale, OK. The recent legislative conference and position paper was reviewed. A review of CapWiz participation for the Area was given and a need to improve. A review and educational discussion was made on the NASCOE PAC. Both of these items will be discussed further at the National Convention. A decision of whether these two tools or not will be made this fall. Kevin encouraged everyone to view issues with foresight, vision, and progressive ideas. Candidacy Announcements: · Bonnie Heinzmen announced candidacy for the position of NASCOE President · Mary Johnson announced candidacy for the position of NASCOE Treasurer · Shelly Odenkirk announced candidacy for the position of NASCOE Treasurer · Mary Johnson announcement candidacy for the position of NASCOE Treasurer · Keith Whiteneck announced candidacy for the position of Southwest Area Executive Committeeperson · Kevin Dale announced candidacy for the position of Southwest Area Alternate Executive Committeeperson · Myron Stroup announced candidacy for the position of NASCOE Vice President The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 pm. The meeting will reconvene at 8:30 am on Saturday April 21. The group was informed to met in the lobby at 4:30 for the trip to Cripple Creek and the evening activities. Saturday, April 21, 2007 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 am. Presentation of the colors was made by NORAD-USNORTHCOM Joint Color Guard followed by the National Anthem sung by Fort Carson’s “Harmony in Motion”. Following, the group was lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. Nadene Gaynor, President of CASCOE and Chad Hart 2007 Rally Chair welcomed the group. Leon Silkman and Landis Porter, State Committee Members spoke to the group and expressed appreciation for the work and services we provide. The following guest speakers spoke to the attendees: Steven Connelly, Deputy Administrator of Field Operations, spoke of the State Plans, IPIA reviews, recent Negotiation Consultation meeting, IT issues, and recent release of private producer information. Federal regulations were also being revised to allow producers to self-certify to signature authority and cash rent certification. Bonnie Heinzman, NASCOE Vice President, spoke of recent meeting with NACD, pending congressional legislation effecting the consolidation of county offices, working relationship with management, recent Negotiation Consultation meeting, and Performance Management Plans. Jon Starns, KACD President, spoke of the importance of NACD and FSA to work together instead of against each other. Producers do not distinguish the differences between the Agencies housed within the USDA Service Center. Allow each Agency to perform the jobs their best suited for. A question and answer period followed a short break due to the fact the guest speakers need to leaving early to catch flights home. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 for lunch to be then reconvened at 1:00 pm for completion of unfinished and new business not address the day before. Old Business: None at this time. New Business: The meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m. to the Committee breakout meetings which will start at 1:45 p.m. The attendees discussed the possibility of having an All West rally (joint with the SWA and NWA). The Southeast Area has already extended an invitation to hold another All South Rally (joint with the SWA and SEA) to be held in Savannah, GA on a date yet to be announced. After much discussion the group voted in favor of accepting the invitation from the SEA. Additional planning will continue into the possibility of holding an All West Rally. JM Marketing presented the host state for this years Rally a check for $100. CASCOE in turn donated this check to the SWA to start a SWA account. Discussion followed to the pro and cons of establishing an account and what would be some uses for the account. Some uses would be, not all inclusive, SWA awards, plaques, donation to host state, establish a first timers award, additional assistance above what assistance is received from NASCOE to Area Chairs for attending the Rally and National Convention. Discussion was held as to the funding of the account and considered a percentage of the Rally auction proceeds go towards the account and to ask states for a one time voluntary contribution of 50 cents per member to go towards establishing a usable funding level for the account. Discussion was also held regarding control and discretionary authority over the account. A motion was made and passed to establish a SWA account using the $100 donation from CASCOE; ask each state for a one time voluntary donation of 50 cents per member to fund the account; and that the Area Executive would have discretionary authority in using the account. The SWA Awards Committee report contained a recommendation to establish a Rally first-timers-award similar to what occurs at the National Convention. No action was taken and will be included under old business at the next Area Meeting to be held during the National Convention. A financial report shall be given at each Area meeting. Meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm. for the evening activities of banquet, auction, and Area Awards presentations. Back to Top
SWA EXEC REPORT Many different issues have risen since the last Board meeting in September. All the issues center on the IPIA review, aka ‘improper payment’ reviews. Employees are feeling very low, overwhelmed, and attitudes are poor. The same reasons that lead us to this point are also being applied to correct the shortfalls; insufficient resources. NASCOE continues to address these shortfalls with WDC. While in DC last week, NASCOE met with our Administrator. She is committed to completing the review of 2006 payments. I want to stress that she has gone to bat for the field office employees in the various discussions at her level. I saw the sincerity. From this point we can only move forward, complete the work and prove that our business process can be made better. I know it won’t be an easy task, but I am afraid of the outcome if we don’t. We have always been know as the ‘can do agency’. When it was said it could not be done, we did. We do not want to earn a new name, the ‘can’t do’ agency. This will allow us (NASCOE) time to provide solutions, time to convince Congress, and time to convince Management that these problems will reoccur unless the root problems are addressed. The root problems (not all inclusive):
The bigger picture impact, if we don’t complete the reviews and become better at our business processes, what will be our future? As Congress writes the next farm bill and decisions are made in assigning delivery of those services, we cannot afford to be viewed as the ‘can’t do’ agency.
Myron Stroup |
