NIGP Board Adds Budget-Conscious Forum Registration Options In 2009

In recognition of the difficult economic conditions and budgetary constraints facing public entities, the NIGP Board approved expanded registration options for NIGP’s 2009 Gateway to Excellence Forum in St. Louis, Missouri, August 22-26, 2009.

Historically, NIGP has offered only the value-based full-registration package that provides unrestricted access to all plenary, workshop and networking sessions, morning coffee breaks, and five meal functions including the Welcome Reception, Host Chapter Social Event (dinner), Awards and Recognition Luncheon, Exhibit Hall Lunch, and Presidential Banquet.  The current full-registration member fee of $675 reflects over $235 per person in direct expense related to providing meals for each Forum delegate.

For its 2009 Forum, NIGP will also offer a conference-only registration option that excludes all meal functions (except lunch in the exhibit hall) and passes along the meal-related expense savings to those choosing this registration option.  Those seeking lower cost face-to-face professional development opportunities may find this an attractive alternative, especially if they are unable to attend all meal events.  Additionally, daily registrations will continue to be offered for those who can attend one or two days of the Forum.

Conference-only delegates will have admission to the plenary, educational, and networking sessions, and the lunch in the exhibit hall on Tuesday, August 25.  Individual meal event tickets will be available for purchase in advance of the Forum.  Event tickets may be available onsite based on availability.  Conference-only delegates must purchase and present an event ticket for each meal function they wish to attend.

As the conference-only fee already includes a deep discount, there are no additional early registration discounts for conference-only attendees.  The conference-only registration option is available to both NIGP members and non-members.

2009 Forum Fees

•  Full Registration Fee - NIGP National Members:  $675
•  Full Registration Fee - Non-Members: $775
•  Conference-Only Registration Fee - NIGP National Members: $440
•  Conference-Only Registration Fee - Non-Members: $540
•  Daily Registration Fee (for a max of two days) - $150 per day

2009 Forum Fee Discounts (applies only to full-registration)

•  First-Time Registrant:  -$50 (available any time)
•  Early Registration – Fees paid by April 30, 2009:  -$50

NOTE:  There is a $50 Late Registration Penalty if Fees are not paid by July 31, 2009 (applies only to full-registration).

Registration for NIGP’s 64th Annual Conference and Products Exposition begins early 2009.

NIGP Board Adopts New Policies and Opportunities for Members

The NIGP Board of Directors completed deliberations on several key strategic programs, appointments and governance issues last week during its Fall meeting in Dulles, Virginia.

Governance Revisions

Since Spring 2007, the NIGP Board has been engaged in strategy sessions that focus on best practices in governance and leadership for not-for-profit associations.  For the Fall 2008 session, discussions centered on the key roles of the Board in setting direction, ensuring adequate resources, and providing program oversight as well as establishing clear roles and expectations for national committees as they strengthen the work of the Institute.  As a result of these discussions, the Board agreed to a conceptual framework for a future committee structure.

The cornerstone of this revised committee structure is to provide:

•  Greater, more meaningful opportunities for members to serve
   the Institute through task forces that focus on analysis of a critical topic

•  No travel will be required for members and their engagement will cover
   a shorter period of time

The conceptual framework will be converted into a new committee structure that will likely be implemented in July 2009.

Policy Revisions

The Board adopted several changes to its Board Policies including:

•  An appeals process for instructors who do not meet eligibility
   requirements

•  New Lifetime Membership category that provides complimentary
   membership to retirees who have held national membership for at
   least 15 years and are at least 63 years of age

•  Several policy changes related to revised IRS regulations for 
   not-for-profit associations

Key Strategies

The Board decided not to pursue American Council on Education (ACE) Accreditation for its education program.  While the intent of ACE accreditation is to help adults gain access to academic credit for formal courses and examinations taken outside traditional degree program, a cost/benefit analysis showed that an increased number of members are entering the profession with a bachelors or advanced degree and would not benefit from ACE credits. Further, ACE accreditation would alter the current NIGP classroom by requiring a final exam at the end of each course as well as outside assignments such as supplemental reading and projects.  Finally, there are alternative options for members to obtain college credits including challenge exams offered through CLEP (college-level examination program), military experience, academic portfolios, and an examination offered through a professional certification program such as UPPCC.  The Council may consider ACE Accreditation in the future.

The Board will spend the next few months on a revised strategic agenda that will direct the Institute in the next 3-5 years.

Key Decisions and Appointments

Forum Budget:

The Board adopted a budget and associated fee schedule for the St. Louis Forum in August 2009 that included a new conference-only fee that provides deep discounts off the full-registration package due to the elimination of meals.  Please refer to a separate article in this week’s Buy Weekly on this subject.

Deborah Casper, CPPB, Purchasing Supervisor for the City of Costa Mesa, California, was appointed by the Board to serve as one of its NIGP representatives to the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Evaluation Committee.  The Committee is coordinated by the National Purchasing Institute (NPI) and includes representatives from several collegial associations serving the public procurement profession.  Debbie’s service runs through December 2012. 

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Forum 2009: Call For Presentations

NIGP is in Search of Excellence proposals for presentations and papers to be delivered during the 64th Annual Forum in St. Louis, Missouri, August 22 - 26, 2009.

Demonstrate your professional leadership by identifying the most important topics for procurement professionals in today's ever changing environment.  This is the place to share Excellence that can help to shape our future.

This year NIGP is especiallly interested in hearing about the innovative programs you created that turned challenges into successes, supported your organization and inspired others to be the best. 

Should your presentation pass through the selection process, you will receive $50 off your Forum registration, UPPCC re-certification credit and the opportunity to help shape the future of our profession.

NIGP members have wide ranging interests and the Forum attracts attendees from all levels of government, so all submissions will be considered.  Submit your Call for Presentations today. 

Submission Deadline:  Monday, December 22. 

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GSA: Program to Support State and Local First Responders

State and local governments can now buy supplies and services to prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies under a program established by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

The Cooperative Purchasing Program allows state and local agencies to buy law enforcement, security, and first responder goods and services off a GSA contract known as Schedule 84.  The interim rule implements the Local Preparedness Acquisition Act, signed by President Bush on June 26, 2008.

“Access to Schedule 84 will help our state and local government partners make their communities safer today,” said GSA Acting Administrator Jim Williams.

The GSA Cooperative Purchasing Program was started in 2003 to allow state and local governments to procure information technology equipment, software, and services found under Schedule 70 and Consolidated Schedule contracts containing IT Special Item Numbers. Under the expanded Cooperative Purchasing Program, state and local governments can also buy total solutions for law enforcement, security, facilities management, fire, rescue, clothing, marine craft and emergency/disaster response equipment. 

As individual Schedule 84 vendors agree to participate in the program, an icon will appear next to their company name and the products/services displayed in GSA E-library and GSA Advantage!®.  In addition, state and local agencies can purchase products and services from Schedules 70 and 84 under Cooperative Purchasing from GSA Advantage!®.

For more information, visit www.gsa.gov.
(Source:  GSA #10545)


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Hurry: Only Two Days Remain To Enter Webinar Sweepstakes

NIGP celebrates National Distance Learning Week (November 10 - November 14), with a Webinar Sweepstakes.

Register for any NIGP Webinar today through November 14 and you will be automatically entered into a random drawing to win three free Webinars.  The more Webinars you register for, the more chances you have to win.

To qualify, your Webinar registration (either fax or online) must be dated today through November 14.   Members and non-members are eligible to win.  The drawing will be held on Monday, November 17 and the winner will be notified by November 19 via email.  Only the winner may redeem the three free Webinar registrations.

Upcoming Webinars include:

•  Cooperative Purchasing Benefits - The U.S. Communities Program
   November 20
•  Revisiting Specifications and Bids    
   December 16
•  A Guide to Effective Protest Management    
   December 18

Register Now. 

For more information, contact distancelearning@nigp.org.


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Upcoming Webinar: Revisiting Specifications and Bids

Tuesday, December 16
1PM to 2:30PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline:  Wednesday, December 10

Course Objectives:

•  Understand why good specifications are crucial
   to public purchasing
•  Discover how to start the process of writing
   new specifications by finding templates and 
   working with your end user
•  Learn how to improve your specifications by
   clarifying requirements and reducing bidder confusion

                                           Presented by:
                                   
                                         Eileen R. Youens
                 Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government 
        School of Government, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

                                          Register Today. 


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CHAPTER LEADERS: FREE Legal Webinar

Chapter Legal and Tax Issues
Tuesday, November 18
1PM and 2:30PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline:  Friday, November 14

This free, informative Webinar identifies key
chapter legal and tax rules that govern chapter
operations.  Attendees also have the opportunity
to ask their chapter-specific questions.

Course Objectives:

•  Knowledge of general legal issues - contracts, insurance, and
   Americans with Disabilities Act with regard to facilities and events
•  Understand the purpose of Group Tax Exemption
•  Recognize the importance of IRS Form 990 and everything
   you need to know
•  Identify essential elements of a smooth operation
•  Know the right time to contact the national office, a lawyer,
   or an accountant

Presented by:

Chip Watkins, Esq.
Legal Counsel to NIGP

If you are interested in attending, email chapters@nigp.org with your chapter affiliation, name, contact information, and chapter role.

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Member News: Discussion List Tips

Discussion lists are an excellent way to collaborate with fellow members online.

Recently there has been so much activity that members may find an increase in the number of daily emails they receive.  If you would prefer to receive only a daily summary of postings, here's how:

•  Log onto www.nigp.org using your PIN and password
•  Locate the fourth box on the left and access Knowledge Community
•  Identify the community you are a part of (NIGP now has five list serves
   for Knowledge Communities)
•  On the right of the community page, access Search Archive/
   Change Settings
•  Type your email address where indicated
•  Choose My Account and under Membership Type
   change drop down to Digest: one daily email……

Another important tip:  when you want to respond to an individual person, please copy and paste the email of the person initiating the question in the to line.  Please don’t just hit “reply” because your comments automatically go out to the several hundred persons on that list serve. 

If you have any questions on NIGP discussion lists, please email membershipinfo@nigp.org.

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