Webinars: New pricing and registration levels

Lower Prices!  More Value!

If you haven’t attended a Webinar yet, now is the time! 
Effective July 1, NIGP is lowering the cost to participate in Webinars.

Member $75
Non-member $105

Webinars are a great way to learn from the comfort of your own office, your couch at home or even a local  coffee shop and now you can  participate for much less.

Registration has also been simplified.  Each person registers individually which creates more reliable tracking of your continuing education units and certification points. There are no more site fees, “guest” fees or site coordination.

NIGP Webinars are 90-minute workshops that focus on current, relevant topics in the procurement field.  This effective use of technology allows you to keep up with changes and the latest developments in the field while overcoming the obstacles of time out of the office and budgetary restrictions.

Why choose Webinars?

•  Convenient low training cost
•  No travel expense
•  Interactive, fun learning environment

Are you unable to attend Forum this year?  NIGP presents two workshop sessions live from Forum:

The Foundation of a Good Purchasing Program
Tuesday, July 29 at 1:45 PM (Eastern)

Building the Best RFP Review Committee
Tuesday, July 29 at 3:30 PM (Eastern)

For more information, contact Kathleen Ridgely (kridgely@nigp.org) or Paula Zazaian (pzazaian@nigp.org).

Student Members: NIGP launches knowledge community just for you

"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it."
                                                                Margaret Fuller

NIGP is pleased to announce the creation of a unique community designed specifically for student members.  This community provides a support network that includes a student list serve, mentoring connections to help find the perfect job, direct links to NIGP’s career listings, educational opportunities, and online research tools. 

The student member community is comprised of leaders from NIGP membership, NIGP Board members and academia.  The leaders are committed to developing and enhancing the student community through increasing resources and benefits.  The volunteer leaders instrumental in the development of the student community are:

Cathy Barker
University of Missouri System
Kansas City, MO
barkerca@umkc.edu

Wendy Geltch, CPPO, CPPB, A.P.P., C.P.M.
Polk Community College
Winter Haven, FL
wgeltch@polk.edu

Marcheta E. Gillespie, CPPB, C.P.M., CPM
City of Tucson
Tucson, AZ
marcheta.gillespie@tucsonaz.gov

Lora Martin, FCPA, FCPM, CPPB
Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Bartow, FL 
loralester@polk-county.net

Darin L. Matthews, CPPO, C.P.M.
METRO
Portland, OR
matthewsd@metro.dst.or.us

Clifford P. McCue, Ph. D
Public Procurement Research Center - Florida Atlantic University
Davie, FL
cmccue@fau.edu

Students receive complimentary membership to NIGP so involvement in this community is an added benefit.  If you are aware of any students who have an interest in public procurement, please refer them to NIGP Student Community.

Chapter Leaders

This is also a great resource for chapter leaders who may have students within their membership. Extend the invitation to take advantage of the added benefit of national membership to student members in your chapter.

Shaping Tomorrow

NIGP knowledge communities grew from the desire of NIGP members to connect with peers who work in areas of similar focus.  Through community-specific online discussion groups, members can reach out to one another for advice, share successful and not-so-successful experiences that provided support and a connection that is as unique as each member. 


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Education: 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.

                                      


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Forum: Join the team that makes it happen

...The Forum Quality Control Team

What is the Quality Control Team (QCT)?

The QCT is an all-volunteer group comprised of flexible, dependable professionals willing to work behind the scenes at all Forum events

What are the responsibilities of the QCT?

The QCT is divided into two groups: Special Events and Education

Special Events QCT Staff perform the following duties:

•  Assist and direct attendees during meal functions and social events
•  Report to the QCT Special Events Co-Chair for Assignments

Education QCT Staff perform the following duties:

•  Post signage for educational workshops
•  Introduce speakers
•  Distribute and collect workshop evaluations 
•  Hand out speaker gifts 
•  Check A/V Equipment

Workshop assignments are based on QCT workshop preferences, so volunteers are assured that they attend the workshop of their choice.

Why volunteer?

•  Each QCT volunteer qualifies for one recertification point for the CPPB
   and/ or CPPO designation
•  To be a part of the inner-workings of educational workshops and special events
•  To give back to the profession by donating your time and talents
•  To have fun and participate in a rewarding experience

How do I learn more about QCT?

For more information on how to be a QCT volunteer, please contact the NIGP Events Administrator, Patrice Freeman at 800-367-6447 x276 or pfreeman@nigp.org.

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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 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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Members: Get the answers you need through online discussion lists

Collaborate with fellow members online

NIGP member-exclusive interactive discussion lists are ideal for expertise sharing and remote collaboration among geographically dispersed members.  The lists feature online searchable archives and provide a gathering place for industry experts and peers from every procurement specialty to send questions, contribute, discuss and learn about various aspects of our profession.  The seven discussion lists include:

•  Chapters
   Focus:  chapter-related operations, experiences or concerns

•  Procurement Technology*
   Focus:  technology in support of procurement operations or the
   broader systems they interact with

•  K-12*
  Focus:  K-12 Education procurement experiences and questions

•  Emergency Preparedness*
   Focus:  members responsible for emergency preparedness

•  Purchissues - our most active list
   Focus:  agency regulations and best practices; individual experiences
   in the profession

•  Environmentally Preferable Purchasing*
   Focus:  expand awareness of successful green programs;
   sustainable, renewable, Earth-sensitive products and services

•  Student Members*
   Focus:  develop and support student members through increasing resources
   and mentoring connections

Join a discussion online in our Members Only section of the website or email membershipinfo@nigp.org. 


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Welcome new members: May 2008

Agency Members

Anchorage School District
Pamela Chenier
Anchorage, Alaska

Appalachian State University
Judy Ball
Boone, N.C.

City of League City
Travis Doughty
Baytown, Texas

City of Wichita Falls
Peggy Gahagan
Wichita Falls, Texas

Cook County Sheriff's Office
Alexis Herrera
Chicago, Ill.

County of Cumberland
Lynette McCulloch
Carlisle, Pa.

Department of Workforce Development
Barbara Taylor, CPPB
Indianapolis, Ind.

District of Columbia - Office of Property Management
Thanh - Thuy Nguyen
Washington, DC

District of Columbia Public Library
Wayne Minor
Washington, DC

El Paso Water Utilities - Public Service Board
Paul Carson, CPPB, C.P.M., A.P.P.
El Paso, Texas

General Services Administration - Office of Chief Acquisition Officer
Patricia Miller
Washington, DC

Guilford County Schools Purchasing
Allen Carnes
Greenboro, N.C.

Highmark
Yvette Porter
Camp Hill, Pa.

Hillsborough County Public Works
David Snyder, CPCM
Tampa, Fla.

Montana State University - Bozeman
Shawna Lanphear
Bozeman, Mont.

Oakland County Community Mental Health (OCCMHA)
Melissa Wood
Auburn Hills, Mich.

Rockdale County Public Schools
Diana Nelson
Conyers, Ga.

Tampa Sports Authority
Deltecia Jones
Tampa, Fla.

Tohono O'odham Ki:Ki Association
Darlene Rock
Sells, Ariz.

Town of Whitby
Ginny Lock
Whitby, Ontario


Individual Members

Timothy Arey
Georgetown, Ohio

Denni (Denise) Baumer, CPPB, C.P.M.
Antioch, Calif.

Wayne Casper, CPPO, C.P.M.
Huntington Beach, Calif.

Valerie Patscheck, C.P.M.
Camarillo, Calif.

C. Richard Pennington, CPPO, C.P.M.
Denver, Colo.

Cynthia White
Las Vegas, Nev.


Retired Members

Carol Huffman, CPPB
Woodbridge, Va.

Diana Johnson, CPPO
Falls Church, Va.


Faculty Members

Mary M Johnson, C.P.M., CPCM
Tampa, Fla.


Student Members

Jessica Arias
Polk City, Fla.

Tiffani Harris
Arlington, Va.

Anthony Nguyen
Newport Beach, Calif.

Zulfira Pulatova
Boise, Idaho

Sergio Ramirez
Miami, Fla.

Amanda Smith
Centreville, Va.

Daniel Stern
Toronto, Ontario

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UPPCC certifications: May 2008

California
Felix G. Sarao, CPPO
Sourcing & Contract Manager
Montebello Unified School District

Georgia
Beverly J. Bollefer, CPPO, CPPB
Purchasing Manager
White County Board of Commissioners

Uladia  Taylor, CPPO, CPPB
Assistant Director of Purchasing
DeKalb County School System

Texas
Carol  Cooper, CPPO, C.P.M.
Purchasing Administrator
City of Garland

Washington
Connie  Howe Allen, CPPO, C.P.M., A.P.P.
Financial Operations Manager
City of Redmond


New CPPBs 

Alberta
Paula K. Mah, PMAC, CPPB
Buyer
City of Edmonton

Arizona
Ana A. Wilber, CPPB
Commodity/Contracts Officer
Pima County Government - Procurement

California
Sharmila C. Chadrasekharan, CPPB
Buying Technician
Orange County Department of Child Support Services

Nancy J. Foroughi, CPPB, C.P.M.
Supervising PCS
County of Orange - Resources & Development Management

Jon D. Manning, CPPB
Buyer II
Placer County

Shery  Meschede, CPPB
Buyer II
Placer County

Joanne D. Pilgrim, J.D., CPPB
Facilities Contract Supervisor
San Diego Unified School District

Colorado
Bernadette M. Harbert, CPPB
Senior Procurement Specialist
Colorado Springs Utilities

John Q. Holmes, CPPB
Buyer
La Plata County Government

Kenneth I. Lavey, CPPB
Procurement Specialist I
El Paso County

Kathy  O'Connor, CPPB
Procurement Professional
Colorado Department of Human Services

Michelle P. Ratcliff, CPPB, C.P.M.
Procurement Agent
City of Aurora

Diana S. Wilson, CPPB
Buyer
City of Durango

Delaware
Hollylynn  Ford, CPPB
State Contract Procurement Officer 1
State of Delaware Contracting

Florida
James R. Barnhill, CPPB
Senior Buyer
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

Leigh A. Daniels, CPPB
Buyer III
St. Johns County

Laura I. Jennings, CPPB
Purchasing Manager
Agency for Workforce Innovation

Mark D. Shuman, CPPB
Technology Buyer
Pinellas County School Board

Allison A. Watson, CPPB
Senior Purchasing Agent
School District of Escambia County

Georgia
James R. Hampton, CPPB
Procurement Associate III
Gwinnett County

Kimberly A. Murphy, CPPB
Purchasing Associate II
Gwinnett County

Illinois
Sheila A. Chernis, CPPB
Executive 2
State of Illinois Procurement

Louisiana
Regina R. Walker, CPPB
Office Manager
City of Natchitoches

Michigan
Susan  Carmien, CPPB
Senior Account Clerk
City of Bay City

New York
Kelly  Belenchia, CPPB
Purchasing  Team Leader
New York York State Office of General Services

Lisa M. Cavanaugh, CPPB
Specification Technician
Albany County

Laurie  Conley, CPPB
School Purchasing Agent
East Islip School District

Dawn  Curley, CPPB
Purchasing Team Leader
New York York State Office of General Services

Kylesha  Davis, CPPB
Purchasing Officer
New York York State Office of General Services

Terry  Deere, CPPB
Purchasing Officer
New York York State Office of General Services

James J. Ferrara, CPPB
Purchasing Agent
Westchester County Bureau of Purchase and Supply

Karen  Fowler, CPPB
Purchasing Team Leader
New York York State Office of General Services

Susan  Gaddor, CPPB
Purchasing Officer
New York York State Office of General Services

Donald  Greene, CPPB
Assistant Director of Purchasing
New York York State Office of General Services

Bruce  Hallenbeck, CPPB
Assistant Director of Purchasing
New York York State Office of General Services

James  Jasiewicz, CPPB
Sr. Purchasing Agent
New York York State Office of General Services

Todd  Kayser, CPPB
Purchasing Team Leader
New York York State Office of General Services

Stephanie  Laffin, CPPB
Purchasing Officer
New York York State Office of General Services

William  Macey, CPPB
Purchasing Team Leader
New York York State Office of General Services

James  Malone, CPPB
Purchasing Officer
New York York State Office of General Services

Christopher M. Martinez, CPPB
Purchasing Officer
New York York State Office of General Services

Beth  Maus, CPPB
Calculations Clerk II
New York York State Office of General Services

Kathy  McAuley, CPPB
Purchasing Team Leader
New York York State Office of General Services

Jill  McCabe, CPPB
Purchasing Officer
New York York State Office of General Services

Donna  McNeil, CPPB
Purchasing Officer
New York York State Office of General Services

Beverly  Moore, CPPB
Purchasing Officer 1
New York York State Office of General Services

Robert  Neiles, CPPB
Purchasing Agent
New York York State Office of General Services

Edward J. Nusbaum, CPPB
Purchasing Officer 1
New York York State Office of General Services

Pamela E. O'Neill, CPPB
Specification Technician
Albany County

Marcos  Ortiz, CPPB
Purchasing Officer Trainee 1
New York York State Office of General Services

Russell  Patton, CPPB
Purchasing Officer 1
New York York State Office of General Services

Wendy  Reitzel, CPPB
Purchasing Officer
New York York State Office of General Services

Michael  Riley, CPPB
Purchasing Officer 1
New York York State Office of General Services

Diane J. Robinson, CPPB
Sr. Purchasing Agent
New York York State Office of General Services

Jennifer  Stafford, CPPB
Purchasing Officer 1 (Trainee)
New York York State Office of General Services

Ann Marie  Variano, CPPB
Deputy Purchasing Agent
Westchester County Bureau of Purchase and Supply

Gail  Weiglhofer, CPPB
Purchasing Officer
New York York State Office of General Services

Monica  Wilkes, CPPB
Assistant Director
New York York State Office of General Services

Ohio
Timothy A. Riley, CPPB
Purchasing Standards Analyst
Ohio State Printing Agency

Jeffrey A. Salyers, CPPB
Purchasing Agent
Central Ohio Transit Authority

Terry J. Spiropoulos, CPPB
Purchasing Standards Analyst
State of Ohio

Oregon
Shawna  Carter, CPPB
Buyer
City of Salem

Raul  Reyes, CPPB
Procurement & Contract Specialist
Oregon Secretary of State

Daniel R. Spero, CPPB
Contracts Specialist
Portland Development Commission

Pennsylvania
LaNee M. Benton, CPPB
Senior Buyer
Pittsburgh Board of Public Education

South Carolina
Lisa W. Ackerman, CPPB
Director of Procurement and Special Projects
Georgetown County School District

James C. Jackson, CPPB
Procurement Specialist
South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control

Anthony  Jones, CPPB
Procurement Officer
Kershaw County School District

Carol R. Lee, CPPB
Procurement Specialist II
Richland County School District One

Texas
Jennifer Hua-Ching Chiu, CPPB
Buyer
City of Sugar Land

Rebecca A. Hunter, CPPB
Buyer
City of Lewisville

Rosie Lee Raney, CPPB, CTPM
Purchaser IV
Texas Department of Transportation

Washington
Daniel P. Castro, CPPB
Fixed Assets/Disposal
Washington State Department of Transportation

Kathleen  Hilliard, CPPB
Senior Buyer
King County

Jack L. Jines, CPPB
IT Procurement and Supply Support Specialist
Washington State Department of Transportation

Patrick L. Kelley, CPPB
Senior Warehouse
City of Seattle

Rosalind D. Knox, CPPB
Contracts Specialist
Washington General Administration Purchasing & Contract Admin.

Patti J. Oquist, CPPB
Buyer
King County

Presley D. Palmer, CPPB
Buyer
City of Seattle

Patty L. Reid, CPPB
Assistant Buyer
King County

Marshall  Robinson, CPPB
Buyer III
The Evergreen State College

Larry  Stallings, CPPB
Supply Specialist II
Washington State Department of Transportation

Ann M. Wornstaff, CPPB
Senior Buyer
King County

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UPPCC: Application deadline approaching for first-computer-based exams

                       
                               
     
Application Deadline:  Monday, July 21

The first computer-based certification exams will be offered during a six-day testing window, October 20-25, 2008, exclusively at Prometric testing centers. 

Prior application and registration is required.  Individuals who do not have a valid certification application on file with the UPPCC must apply by July 21 (or by August 4 with an additional late filng fee).

Testing dates, application and registration deadlines through May 2010 examinations are available at UPPCC Exam Schedule.
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