Certification Preparation Resources For New UPPCC Exams

As you know the UPPCC will offer its first computer-based CPPO and CPPB exams October 20-25.  The exams will subsequently be offered twice a year – each May and October.  To help you prepare for the certification exam process, NIGP has created a number of support tools that are immediately or soon-to-be available.

Preparation Resources

NIGP’s preparation resources specifically address the content or Body of Knowledge reflected in the UPPCC certification exams.

Our wide assortment of preparation tools are developed to support everyone’s unique learning styles and include:

•  Certification Preparation Timeline 
•  Foundation Classes 
•  LEAP Textbooks 
•  CPPO and CPPB Prep classes (available at Forum) 
•  Online Assessment Tool (coming in July)
•  Prep Webinars (coming in August)

In addition to NIGP’s preparation resources, we recommend that candidates contact a local NIGP chapter to find a hosted study group or Contact-an-NIGP-Expert  to answer specific questions on a variety of procurement subjects.  Finally, as you would prepare for any important exam, be sure to allow ample personal study time during the final weeks prior to test day.  We also suggest visiting our website in July to check out CERT PREP CENTRAL, your one-stop online resource for certification preparation.

                                      

Forum: Enter The Winner's Circle

                      

                       Saturday,  July 26 - Wednesday, July 30

Get in the race and find your way to the Winner’s Circle at NIGP's 63rd Annual Forum and Products Exposition. 

Here are just a few of the highlights:

Opening Event

Forum kicks off with "The First Lap" welcome reception on Saturday, July 26.  Come meet with old friends or make new ones.  NEW THIS YEAR - the most prestigious NIGP award will be presented during the reception.  Be sure to attend and take time to congratulate the winner of the Albert H. Hall Award.

Plenary Sessions

Plenary sessions will be held each day beginning Sunday, July 27.  Back by popular demand, Steve Gilliland, will present the keynote address Maximizing Your Potential.  Other professional speakers on the schedule include: Lenora Billings-Harris focusing on Inclusion and Diversity – The Oz Perspective; Mike Lipkin with Live Above the Line; and our closing general session speaker, Ross Shafer, with his hilarious session, Nobody Moved Your Cheese.  Don’t miss these inspiring and entertaining speakers!  Check our Website for sneak preview videos of these featured speakers!

The Social Event of A Lifetime

Sunday, July 27 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.  Whether or not you are a racing fan, this is an event not to be missed!  Enjoy fantastic southern fare and an incredible range of free activities including remote control cars, high performance karting, NASCAR simulated racing, and Xbox racing. 

Do you have a need for speed?  Experience firsthand what it is like to ride in a race car that exceeds speeds of 165 miles per hour.  Reserve your spot today for a Richard Petty Ride Along or Rookie Experience.  Tickets are available at an extra charge for these activities.  For more information on the social event and to register for Ride Along experiences, visit Forum Social Event.

Pre-Forum Seminars

•  NEW Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) and
   Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Prep Courses
   Thursday, July 24 and Friday, July 25

These new classes will prepare candidates for the CPPO and CPPB computer-based exams that begin in October 2008.  For those candidates who are eligible to test at Forum using the existing exam format, NIGP will also offer the existing CPPO and CPPB Review classes.  These review classes are only available to those who plan to test at Forum.  Seating is limited for both the reviews and UPPCC exams.  For more information on review classes contact events@nigp.org and for exam info, contact certification@uppcc.org.

•  Chapter Leadership Symposium
   Saturday, July 26

If you are a chapter leader or aspire to become one, then you don't want to miss this valuable learning opportunity.  All chapter officers are encouraged to attend.  Enroll today. For additional information, contact registrationinfo@nigp.org.

•  Contracting for Public Sector Services
   Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26

Contracting for services dominates contract spending at all levels of government in countries around the world.  This course examines the process beginning with the decision to "make or buy" through the special considerations of the services RFP, the contract award and contract administration.

Pre-Forum seminars are at an additional charge and seating is limited.  Register today for any of these opportunities.

Workshops

Workshop topics stimulate thought and make a lasting impression of your Forum experience.  To use our easy online registration system,  simply log onto the Members Only section of the NIGP website and follow the directions to edit your Forum registration profile.   

Hotel Reservations

Reserve your hotel room directly with your preferred hotel. Hotels are filling up quickly so reserve now to get into your first preference. 
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Forum: NEW Executive Leadership Series - Workshop Descriptions

A unique series for senior level professionals. 

"Driving Decisions:  A Strategic Focus on Procurement".  This Executive Leadership Series offers insight into issues that articulate the value of the profession to other stakeholders in your organization.  If you are a senior procurement professional or partner with procurement and make strategic decisions, these workshops are for you.

Track:  Organizational Leadership
Dates:  Sunday, July 27 - Monday, July 28
Facilitator:  Philip L. Lee, J.D. MPM, Results Leadership Group

Sunday, July 27

9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m
Learning to Maximize Customer Impact
Participants will explore challenges and opportunities for improving customer impact, including a discussion of strategies form the field. Themes in organizational development that emerge in this session will be an integral part throughout the two day program.

1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Negotiation and Skilled Collaboration
Participants will explore their own negotiation styles and assumptions as well as strategies and opportunities to negotiate more valuable agreements.

Monday, July 28

9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Persuasion – An Essential Leadership Tool
Arguably, traditional roles of power and authority are diminishing in leadership and management with a corresponding increase in the demand for skill in persuasion. These trends and tools for effective persuasion will be the focus of this session.

2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
The Leader as Storyteller
The ancient art of storytelling is rapidly gaining currency as an essential competency for leaders and managers. Participants will consider the reason for storytelling, the use of storytelling and specific storytelling techniques.

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Track:  Financial Leadership
Dates:  Tuesday, July 29 - Wednesday, July 30
Facilitator:  F. Wayne Hill and Charlotte J. Nash, Nashill, Inc.

Tuesday, July 29

10 a.m. to 12Noon
Finance Basics
All budgets tell a story. This session will help participants find out how the numbers in the Budget Document and financial reports can demonstrate the real priorities of an organization.  (Think funded goals versus stated goals.)

1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Financial Mysteries
The power of the purse strings is a fact of life in the public sector, with the officials and staff who hold them often seeming to have too much control.  This module will allow participants to gain an understanding of the perspective that Finance staff bring to the organization and to the decision making process.  Some of the topics to be covered include:

Wednesday, July 30

8 a.m. to 12Noon
What Lurks In The Minds Of Elected Officials?
Your organization may run like clockwork but without a clear understanding of how an elected official and his platform may impact your organization’s outcomes, you may be wasting your time.

1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Personal Action Planning
This final session will afford the participants the chance to discuss lessons learned and new found tools that offer success in leadership roles. 

Register Today.

*Agenda subject to change

Delegates choosing to register for this series will attend 24 hours of class time during the normal Forum schedule.  However, series participants will still be able to attend Forum plenary sessions, products exposition, networking and social events [ return to top ]

Upcoming Webinar: Emergency Management Series Session IV

Safety and Security Specifics for School Districts and Other Agencies
Thursday, June 12
1PM - 2:30PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline:  Friday, June 6

Course Objectives:

•  Receive a fast paced overview of
   Emergency Management Elements
•  Learn safety and security procedures and how
   to assess potential crisis threats
•  Witness a series of realistic mock crisis scenarios
•  Gain a practical application of security, safety and
   crisis management skills for purchasing professionals

                         Presented By:  Galen Davis and Darren Muci, CPPO
              
                                    
                                                Galen Davis 
                        Retired Executive Director of Safety Services           
                                 Wichita Public School System  

                                        
                                          Darren Muci, CPPO   
                                   Operations Division Director   
                                       Wichita Public Schools    

                                            Register Today


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FREE Chapter Webinar: Hosting Seminars

Tuesday, June 17
1PM - 2PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline:  Friday, June 13

Chapter-hosted NIGP seminars are a
revenue-generating resource for an increasing
number of chapters.  NIGP's new online registration
eliminates the need for large groups of volunteers to coordinate
seminars and is available at no cost to a chapter.

Sponsoring NIGP seminars at the chapter level is a collaborative effort between chapter affiliates and NIGP.  This Webinar is a FREE step-by-step training opportunity for all NIGP chapter affiliate leaders (Presidents, Vice Presidents, Professional Development (Pro-D) Chairs, Seminar Coordinators and future leaders) that clarifies the Chapter Seminar Agreement, how to host NIGP seminars and answer any questions you may have. 

Never hosted a seminar?  Then you’ll want to attend to find out just how easy
it can be.

Webinar highlights:

Advantages of hosting a seminar
     •  Educational opportunities
     •  Revenue for chapters

How to host a successful seminar
     •  Step-by-step review of the new Chapter Affiliation Agreement,
        scheduling requirements, expectations of the Seminar Coordinator, 
        and Pro-D chair, cancellation policy
     •  Incentives for hosting and unique ways to solicit participants for seminars

NIGP Support Resources
     •  Post your NIGP Chapter Event on the NIGP Website
     •  Create a NIGP Information Webpage for each Event
     •  Process all event registrations
     •  Send registration reports to the designated Chapter Seminar Coordinator
        or Chapter Representative

To attend this Webinar send an email to chapters@nigp.org with your name,
contact information, chapter role and chapter affiliation.

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PREP Knowledge Community: Prep Database Ready For Member Participation

The mission of the NIGP PREP (Procurement Response and Emergency Preparedness) Program is to provide emergency logistical support network and a partnership database that enables governments and other entities affected by an emergency to obtain needed operational support from pre-identified partners located outside the impacted area as well as quickly identify sources of supply and existing inventories.

What is PREP?

PREP is a highly organized national plan facilitated by NIGP to provide a reliable source of goods and services from one entity to another entity in case of an emergency.  These entities may include, but are not limited to, cities, counties and other public agencies.  PREP grew out of the heightened awareness of the need for careful preparation for emergency response to such situations as natural disasters, technological hazards, man-made disasters, civil emergencies, community disorders, insurgency or enemy attacks.

Participants partner with another willing participant who identifies suppliers of key items common to emergencies.  Both entities sign a Mutual Assistance Agreement outlining the methods of delivering materials and services between themselves when an emergency occurs.  The willing participant must be outside of the impacted area with a similar population and means of transportation.

Participating in PREP –  Three Levels Of Support:

Level One – Minimum Support

•  Access to the PREP Network
•  Access to information shared by the PREP Knowledge Community
•  Ability to broadcast a request for assistance message to the PREP network
   in the event of an emergency
•  Access to information on business continuity, sample bid documents for
   resources frequently needed during and after an event
•  Access to a list of suppliers and resources and assistance in connecting
   to these companies.  Other entities are also contacted within the PREP
   network to locate sources and suppliers to the impacted area

Level Two – Intermediate Support

•  Includes Level One along with the agency executing agreements
   on behalf of the partner entity

Level Three – Advanced Support

•  Includes support provided in Levels One and Two as well as providing
   staff support or other expanded agency needs.

To sign up for the Prep list serve and enroll in the PREP database visit   NIGP PREP Knowledge Community.

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LES Foundation Awards $5,000 Research Grant

The LES Professional Development Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 research grant to Dr. Joseph J. Schiele of the Oakland University, School of Business Administration, in Rochester, Michigan.

The focus of Dr. Schiele’s research is the application of Lean Thinking practices in the public sector, particularly by government purchasing departments.  An example of ‘Lean Thinking” is the reduction or elimination of inventories through Just-In-Time order-fulfillment practices.  Through this research, it is hoped that public procurement professionals will be better able to help their respective organizations improve how public funds are expended.

The research seeks to address three primary questions:

•  What is the extent of Lean Thinking adoption in public sector
   purchasing departments?
•  What are some of the major factors that either support or inhibit
   government purchasing departments attempting to apply the
   concepts of Lean Thinking?
•  What best / better practices exist as they relate to the adoption of lean thinking
   in public sector purchasing departments?

As a member of NIGP, you will have the opportunity to support Dr. Schiele’s research through an electronic survey that will be sent to you in the near future.  We encourage everyone’s participation that this research program may achieve the scope, accuracy and validity necessary to provide purchasing professionals an effective Best Practices resource.

Congratulations to Dr. Schiele and Oakland University’s School of Business Administration!  We look forward to reviewing the results of your research.

The LES Professional Development Foundation is dedicated to the ongoing development of public procurement professionals and the profession at-large.  The Foundation awards academic and continuing education scholarships and grants periodically throughout the year.  The next scholarship awards will be announced during the NIGP Recognition Luncheon on Monday, July 28, held in conjunction with the NIGP Annual Forum in Charlotte, NC.  Applications for continuing education scholarships are available from  www.nigp.org/LES.
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Top Technology Vendors Identified By Aberdeen Market Study

The Annual State of the Market Report from Aberdeen Group showcases the results of five years of research and up-to-date insight from 4,645 snap-shot survey respondents.  The report this year includes a compilation of the Top 100 Organizations that excelled at providing value to the business community.  The list includes software, hardware, and service providers.

The Report identifies that the top criteria organizations use when selecting a technology solution include:  total cost of ownership (43%), product functionality (42%), vendor stability (24%), market-specific knowledge and experience (24%), domain or industry expertise (22%), and reputation (21%). 

The top ten most influential technology companies from the Aberdeen Report include:

1.    Microsoft
2.    Oracle
3.    SAP
4.    IBM
5.    Cisco
6.    Hewlett Packard
7.    Dell
8.    Salesforce.com
9.    EMC
10.  Sun Microsystems

A complete list of the top 100 most influential technology vendors as well as  additional information can be found at  the 2008 Aberdeen Report: State of the Market. [ return to top ]

Welcome New Members: April 2008

Agency Members

Central Piedmont Community College
Sarah Helms
Charlotte, NC

City of D'Iberville
Elizabeth Giraud
D'Iberville, MS

City of Lancaster - Texas
Dawn Berry
Lancaster, TX

City of New Braunfels
Mary Quinones, CPPB
Schertz, TX

Eastern Municipal Water District
Daniel Howell, C.P.M.
Perris, CA

Gary Public Library
Sharon Daugherty
Gary, IN

Government of Yukon, Supply Services Division
David Knight
Whitehorse, YT, Canada

Kentucky Arts Council
Maraskeshia Smith
Frankfort, KY

Liberty Public School District
Jason Breit
Liberty, MO

Lovington Municipal Schools
Regina Choate
Lovington, NM

Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati
Laura Porter
Cincinnati, OH

Orange County Department of Child Support Services
Ruth Zamora
Santa Ana, CA

Park County Government
Tara Norviel
Fairplay, CO

Regina Public Library
Colleen Schommer
Regina, SK, Canada

Rogers State University
Nichole Moore
Claremore, OK

Sonoma County Junior College District
Tim Bosma
Santa Rosa, CA

Tolleson High School District
Cheryl Burt
Tolleson, AZ

University of Pennsylvania - Purchasing Services
Vira Homick, C.P.M.
Philadelphia, PA

Village Community Development District
Eva Rey
The Villages, FL

Washington State Department of Licensing
Nancy Ringstad
Olympia, WA

Individual Members

Linda Lou Britt, CPPB, CTPM
Austin, TX

Bonnie Burkett
Richmond, VA

Barbara Burns
Fort Valley, GA

Keisha Byrd
Columbia, SC

Nydia Colimon
Brooklyn, NY

Jeffrey Dansdill, CPPB
Hilo, HI

Effel Desrosiers
Windermere, FL

Karen Hamilton
Beavercreek, OH

Jeffery Horsley
Atlanta, GA

Mary-Ellen Kane
Phoenix, AZ

Jessica Milburn
Richmond, VA

Gail Rolen
Hattiesburg, MS

Kate Rotella
Waterford, CT

Scott Rust
Sioux Falls, SD

Douglas Zimmer, CPPB
Regina,SK, Canada

Student Members

Abiodun Ogunwale
Fairfax, VA

Aaron Parra
West Covina, CA

Christine Weber
Cincinnati, OH

Retired Members

Bobbie Frech, C.P.M.
Huntington Beach, CA [ return to top ]

UPPCC Certifications: April 2008

Congratulations to the following individuals for successfully completing the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) certification requirements!

New CPPOs   

 

Georgia
E. Timothy  Gibney, CPPO, C.P.M.
Assistant Commissioner, Procurement
State of Georgia Department of Administrative Services

Iowa
Mary M. Niichel-Hegwood, CPPO, CPPB
Central Services Administrator
City of Iowa City

Maryland
Bobbie  Tolston, CPPO, CPPB
Group Leader Goods and Professional Services
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC)

Oregon
Matthew D. Donley, CPPO
Procurement Analyst
Lane County School District 4J

Texas
Lou Anna  Arcia, CPPO, CPPB
Purchasing Materials Administrator
Texas Department of Transportation


New CPPBs 

California
Pearl M. Adams, CPPB
Senior Procurement Specialist
City of San Diego

Karl E. Bunch, CPPB
Buyer
San Diego Unified School District

Natalie  Ethridge, CPPB
Procurement Specialist
City of San Diego

Wayde J. Heldibridle, CPPB
Contract Administrator
City of San Diego

Mary E. Hoffmann, CPPB
Procurement Specialist
City of San Diego

Kathleen M. Martin, C.P.M., A.P.P., CPPB
District Buyer II
Union Sanitary District

John P. Mendivil, CPPB
Senior Management Analyst
City of San Diego

Frank C. Moreno, CPPB
Procurement Specialist
City of San Diego

Katherine  Molen, CPPB
Contract Specialist
San Diego Unified School District

Leslie R. Valdez, CPPB
Procurement Specialist
City of San Diego

Michael  Winterberg, CPPB
Procurement Specialists
City of San Diego

District of Columbia
Cora S. Boykin, CPPB
Contract Specialist
District of Columbia Department of Transportation

Veronica  Dhaness, CPPB
Contract Specialist
District of Columbia Office of Contracting and Procurement

Florida
Carla R. Dever, CPPB
Senior Procurement Analyst
Hillsborough County Department of Procurement Services

Patricia M. Edwards, CPPB, MBA
Sr. Procurement Specialist
Jackson Health System

Jessica J. Flathmann, CPCM, CPPB
Deputy Procurement Director
South Florida Water Management District

Andrew (Kevin) Frye, CPPB
Certified Senior Procurement Analyst
City of Tampa

Susan G. Girard, CPPB
Procurement Officer
School District of Hillsborough County

Janet L. Gleason, CPPB
Senior Purchasing Tech
South Florida Water Management District

Debra E. London, CPPB
Purchasing Agent II Tech/Construction
Broward County Board of County Commissioners

Constance S. Mangan, CPPB
Purchasing Agent II
Broward County Board of County Commissioners

Theodora E. McCorkle, C.P.M., CPPB
Purchasing Manager
City of St. Cloud

Jock  McGlathery, CPPB
Sr. Procurement Analyst
Hillsborough County Department of Procurement Services

Corey A. Murphy, CPPB
Sr. Procurement Officer
School District of Hillsborough County

Kathy  Olsen, CPPB
Procurement Officer
School District of Hillsborough County

Ashley J. Provenza, CPPB
Purchasing Agent
Polk County Sheriff's Office

Gayle L. Rice, CPPB
Buyer
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

Lu Ann  Smith, CPPB
Accountant IV
Office of the State Courts

Denise  Vasquez, CPPB
Senior Procurement Analyst
Hillsborough County Department of Procurement Services

Janice B. Vermillion, CPPB
Buyer
City of Naples

Georgia
Phyllis J. Stocker, CPPB
Contract Specialist
Georgia Department of Labor

Kathleen Watson-Scott, CPPB
Procurement Specialist
Chatham County Government

Illinois
Craig A. Holloway, CPPB
Commodity Manager
Chicago Public Schools

Pamela D. Seanior, CPPB
Contract Administrator
Chicago Public Schools

Maryland
Victoria S. Mayle, CPPB
Purchasing Analyst
Charles County Public Schools

Missouri
James E. Shatto, CPPB
Senior Buyer
University of Missouri System

North Carolina
Jessica G. Dalton, C.P.M., CPPB
Purchasing Officer
North Carolina State University

Ohio
Suzanne M. Burge, CPPB
Purchasing Manager
Ohio State University

Oklahoma
Sheilah E. Coil, CPPB
Buyer
Tulsa Public Schools ISD #1

South Carolina
Richard H. Brinkley, Jr., CPPB
Procurement Manager I
State of South Carolina

Texas
Crystal  DeBondt, CPPB
Administrative Coordinator
City of Houston Public Works

Vania  Ramaekers, CPPB
Purchasing Agent Assistant
Travis County

Cedric D. Seay, CPPB
Contract Administrator
Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Virginia
George E. Cullen, C.P.M., VCO, CPPB
Contract Administrator for Construction
Individual Member

Patricia G. Hilliard, CPPB
Purchasing Agent
City of Harrisonburg

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