2007 NASCOE NATIONAL CONVENTION Notes

NASCOE National Convention

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Myrtle Beach, SC

Call to Order: Dan Root, President, Welcomed everyone and recognized all speakers, NASCOE Execs and Committee Chairs, Retired employees

Invocation: Johnny Jenerette, CED, Horry Co, SC

Presentation of Colors: Aynor High School, SC ROTC Color Guard

Pledge of Allegiance: Mable Robertson, CED Edgefield/Saluda Co, SC

National Anthem: Bryan Rogers, PT, Marion Co, SC

Roll Call and Seating of Delegates: Darlene Schouten read delegates and the list was approved.

            South Carolina gave a presentation and a welcome to everyone.

            702 members present.

Convention Agenda Review:  No changes were recommended.

First Timer’s Packet:Herb Sorley:  Gave out packets and explained the rules.  The idea of the packet is to help new attendees get acquainted with everyone. He encouraged everyone to have fun with it.

Mayor of Myrtle Beach,John Rhodes: Welcomed everyone to the number 2 family resort area in the nation. Tourism is the number one industry in the state.  Recently re-developed a local Air Force Base.  He discussed how important it is to adapt to change.

South Carolina, SED, Ken Rentiers:  Welcomed everyone and hoped they all enjoyed the southern hospitality.  This state is rich in history and agriculture.  South Carolina used to produce a large percentage of rice grown in the country, but that has lessened over time.  SC is very diverse in agriculture and there are many festivals in honor of ag.  There are many major horse events including significant horse races.

SC State Committee Chair. Larry Yonce:  Myrtle Beach is the playground of South Carolina.  He introduced the state committee.  South Carolina is second in peach production, but that has been cut in half over the last 20 years.  Weather is a major factor in this situation.  He discussed the changes in agriculture and the need for the farm bill to keep in step with these changes.  Discussed the unbalance of ag exports.

Membership Awards: Frank Bender: Presented 40, 45 and 100% awards to individuals and counties that achieved that level of membership.

FSA Administrator,  Teresa Lasseter:  Welcomed everyone to South Carolina and to the south.  She discussed being sick while working for FSA and how much of a benefit having sick was in her case.  We need to support our employee organizations.  She works closely with the NASCOE leadership.  She discussed the following:

·        Improper Payments: We have a much better report than last year.  CRP, DCP, LDP and MILC are within an acceptable range for payments.  Loans, disaster and NAP need improvement, but are much better than last year. This is a direct result of the hard work of the county office employees.  There are many issues that still need to be addressed.

·        Deceased Farmer Payments: many payments are correct, but the documentation has been lacking.  We must be sure to review and document any payments in this area.

·        Misuse of Government Equipment and time: this has come to light recently and there is a review now under way.  No reports will be issued until an investigation is done. She reminded everyone of the proper use of the computer and all government equipment.

·        Privacy: We must be very careful with data and if there is any time the agency is at risk, it must be reported.

·        Office restructuring:  This was one of the main reasons she came back to the agency and she felt that she could have a positive affect.  However, we must be aware of the changes in agriculture and FSA has to evolve appropriately.  We must stay focused on the job of administering programs as accurately and efficiently as we can.  We do not need as many offices as we did in the 1930’s, but we need to have better equipped offices to do the job.  Offices that have no employees need to be closed to do justice to the taxpayers. She has been an advocate of not cutting COF employees.  We need to use our resources more effectively.  We need to make some changes.  There is legislative proposed that will halt office closures for now. She encouraged everyone who supports this position to think about how handicapped management will be if faced with the situation.

·        COF visits: She and her staff visited Dan Root’s office and she feels strongly that Washington DC staff needs to do such visits in order to understand the needs of the offices.  Management is committed to providing better IT equipment so the COF can work more efficiently.

·        Disaster: Software and handbooks are being developed. National training is scheduled for September.

·        Farm Bill: This will be discussed more in detail later.

·        It is very important to take care of yourselves.  Be sure to take time to rest and relax.  She commends everyone for attending this convention and she encouraged everyone to have fun during this week.

Formal Signing of Labor Management Agreement: Signed by Teresa Lasseter and Dan Root.

PAC:  Gene from South Dakota, member of RASCOE, spoke on the importance of supporting the Political Action Committee and the benefit of having the PAC.

RASCOE- Clara Ruth Saint, President:   Brings greetings from all RASCOE members.  Thanks NASCOE for sharing the convention.  RASCOE’s purpose is to work for benefits in conjunction with NASCOE. She wants all to encourage all retired members to join.  Regular and Associate dues are $10. 

NAFEC- Dennis Kuhlengel, President:  He discussed change and how it affects everyone.  We must understand change before we overreact.  Membership continues to increase.  The CED is the link to the COC and it is important to get information on NAFEC to the COC.  Office restructuring: many states have plans in effect and NAFEC is working with COC’s to ensure the plans are done in the best manner.  He congratulated all employees on their good work and as a farmer, he truly appreciates everyone and their dedication.

NADD- Steve Pratt, President:  It is important that all associations work together and this has been a goal of the officers of the different employee associations and our common goal is to work for America’s farmers.  They are dealing with CCC-770’s on Farm Loan Programs.  They are trying to get District Director orientation programs lined up.  There is discussion regarding the District Director grade 13 classification.   “You can get a lot done if you don’t care who gets the credit.”  The farmer reaps the rewards of what we do.

NACS-Michael Gibbs, President:  He announced all the new officers for NACS.  He discussed farm bill and discussed the elimination of term limits. NACS also wants funding limits raised and wants jobs to be classified as inheritably governmental.  This prevents some types of contracting out. Territories are getting too large and producers cannot get good service.  There may be some expansion to the Pigford vs Venenman law suit and this may cause more claims to be filed.  There could be another 65,000 claims that could be filed in addition to the 88,000 already filed.

NACE: Nancy Fuchs, President:  This organization is for support staff.  Their mission is to promote the betterment of FSA, improve program delivery for farmers and to improve good working relations with other employee organizations.

JM Marketing-James Mace, President:

Dental Plan.  If you fill out an application here at the convention, the plan goes into force on September 1, otherwise it will be become effective October 1.  JM Marketing has paid out over $28 million in benefits for NASCOE members over the last 18 years.

Long Term Care: There are 9 states where this is not available.  There are packets available and can be turned in now.  This is an excellent program in price and benefits. 

Enrollment: 38% of employees are enrolled in some type of program with JM Marketing and this can be done by payroll deduction.  JM Marketing donated $9714 to NASCOE. $288 and $240 were also donated from proceeds of non-members.  Part of the money is used for the scholarship fund and the rest is for NASCOE use.

Bids for 2009 Convention:  Tennessee gave a presentation for the bid to be in Gatlinburg, TN.

2008 Convention: Omaha, NE:  The Nebraska delegation gave a presentation for the 2008 convention.

Budget Performance Management System (BPMS) and Activity Reporting System-Heidi Ware, Chief of Administrative  Expense Branch, Bob McGrath, Agricultural Program Analyst, Vicki Larson, Section Head of Co Budget and Work Measurement Staff

            Heidi Ware: She gave a presentation that will also be available on the FSA website.  As the pieces of the plan are developed, it is tied to the Strategic Plan.  BPSM ties a lot of data together. FSA will use software tool called EPO.  Activity reporting will differ from old work measurement system.  The new system will reduce the number of items that will be concentrated on.  There will not be 180 work items in the new system as was in the old system.  There are pilot states participating.  Some data is coming through the system and the feedback has been positive.  This is tied to the time and attendance system that will be in effect for all USDA agencies.  Activity information is captured and reported through the 20 digit accounting code. The last 6 digits contain activity reporting data.  Employees will report the work on their T&A.

            Vicki Larson: She discussed how the reporting system works and it will look at programs and activities.  She discussed the matrix developed to capture workload.  There are 5 major program area blocks. Actual programs are listed down the bar with the code numbers.  There will be an Activity Dictionary that will help identify which activity you need to select.  The Dictionary and Matrix are being adjusted as the Pilot counties report needs or shortfalls of the system.   A daily scratch sheet is a tool to help record your activities.  You can use your daily calendar for the same purpose. She discussed how we will access the time sheet and how we will actually fill out the time sheet.

            Bob McGrath: Discussed how the time manager functions will work. You must select the favorites before you can use them for the time sheet.  You must be sure to check the right type of employee on the list and pick the project code.  You will select the activity and the type of work that you do. The entire training for BPMS training is available on the FSA intranet website.  He reviewed how the system will work on the timesheets.  Must remember to hit save after each entry.  You will send the timesheet to the timekeeper and no changes can be made at that time until the timekeeper reviews the time sheet. This will not be fully implemented until the testing shows it is fully functional.

Adjourn for the afternoon: Committee and Area Meetings to follow.

Respectfully submitted,

Deb Esselman-Baird