NIGP Buy Weekly - 04/02/2008 (Plain Text Version)

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NIGP Seeks Representative to the UPPCC Governing Board

Application Deadline:  Friday, April 18, 2008

NIGP is seeking qualified leaders who are interested in serving as a NIGP representative to the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC)’s Governing Board effective upon appointment and through December 31, 2009.  This representative will replace Rick Berry, CPPO who resigned his position due to increased workloads at his public entity.  This is one of three NIGP representatives to the UPPCC; Norma Hall and Darin Matthews also represent NIGP on the Governing Board.

The Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) is the governing body that makes policy decisions and oversees the implementation and administration of the Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) and Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) professional certification programs for public purchasing officials.  The Governing Board’s responsibilities include certification eligibility requirements, examination design, validation, administration, grading, and awarding of the certifications.  The Governing Board is comprised of three representatives from NIGP, three representatives from the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), one Canadian central government official, and one United States federal government official.

Eligible candidates must be a national member of NIGP and a CPPO whose certification is in good standing.

To learn more about the UPPCC Governing Board, visit UPPCC
.  Individuals appointed to the UPPCC Governing Board are required to execute the UPPCC Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality StatementPersons interested in applying for this position should complete the Application as a NIGP Representative to Auxiliary Organizations.

The application must be received in the NIGP National Office in Herndon, Virginia, via mail, e-mail or fax, by no later than Friday, April 18, 2008.  After the deadline has passed, the NIGP Nominating Committee will recommend a slate of candidates to the NIGP Board of Directors.  Direct any questions to Juanita Sims, Executive Assistant, at 800-367-6447 x243. 

 

Forum: Details on Social Event and Other Exciting Activities

Are you ready to find your way to the winner’s circle? 

NIGP’s 63rd Annual Forum and Products Exposition
Charlotte, North Carolina
July 26-30

Workshops

Workshop topics have been announced! 
Pre-registration is not required but is recommended so that appropriate space can be allocated for popular workshops.  Register for workshops using 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.  You can edit your profile at any time. 

Social Event

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 amount of free activities including remote control cars, high performance karting, NASCAR simulated racing, and Xbox racing. 

Do you have a need for speed? If so, here is the opportunity of a lifetime —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.  This is an unbelievable experience, just ask your host committee co-chair, Chris Payne, or NIGP Events Director, Carrie Rawn, who have both experienced this exhilarating ride-along.  For more information on the social event, and to register for Ride Along experiences visit Forum Social Event.

Pre-Forum Seminars

The new Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) and Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Prep Courses will debut at Forum.  These new classes will prepare candidates for the CPPO and CPPB computer-based exams beginning 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

Pre-Forum Activities

Chapter Leadership Symposium
Saturday, July 26
Contracting for Public Sector Services
Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 - a two-day NIGP advanced seminar

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

Early Bird Registration

Register and pay by Wednesday, April 30 to receive $50 off your Forum registration fee
.  Also, first-time Forum attendees receive an additional $50 off their registration fees.  Register now to receive the maximum discounts available!  Standard registration rates begin Thursday, May 1. 

Register online today using your Visa, MasterCard or American Express to receive your early bird discount and immediate confirmation.  A print and fax form are also available. 

Hotel Reservations

New this year - reserve your hotel room directly with your preferred hotel. Hotels are filling up quickly so register early to get into your first preference. 

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Shaping the Future: A Public Procurement Career Kit

NIGP recognizes the importance of growing the public procurement profession.  To help shape the future of our profession, NIGP has created a Career in Public Procurement Information Kit targeted to students and academia. 

The student career kit contains a multi-media presentation offering an overview introduction to the profession, video testimony from current practitioners in the field, flyers for posting to increase awareness of the public procurement profession, and an invitation for university students to take advantage of the networking, research and financial aid tools made possible by NIGP.

The career kit features NIGP members who speak about the rewarding opportunities and benefits of a career in public procurement which include the ability to:

•  Influence the community and the world
•  Maximize the value of taxpayer dollars
•  Reflect the highest ethical principles

Highlights from the kit and video downloads can be found at www.nigp.org/goprocareers.   Videos can also be viewed on the You Tube Website.  If you would like to receive a kit for your agency, email membershipinfo@nigp.org or call 800-367-6447 x231.  




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Upcoming Webinar: Responsible Green Purchasing

Top Ten Tricks of the Trade
Tuesday, April 29
1PM - 2:30PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline:  Wednesday, April 9

Course Objectives:

• 
Define responsible purchasing
•  Identify the ten most successful strategies being used to
   implement responsible purchasing programs
• 
Cite relevant examples of others’ use of the strategies
• 
Understand how to apply the strategies within their own organization
• 
Know where to locate additional information

                                           Presented by:
                                    
                                            
Scot Case
                        Vice President, Terra Choice Marketing

                                        Register Today 

 
 

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Green is on the Scene: NIGP's Creates New Green Knowledge Community

NIGP's Green Knowledge Community brings together subject matter experts and practitioners to develop, disseminate and promote information and resources for and about policy development, environmentally preferable products, and social and economic responsibility in public procurement.

The community works to raise awareness and inspire others to think, learn, develop and promote their own environmentally and socially thoughtful programs.

Green Knowledge Community Leaders include:

Thomas Appleby, CPPO, CPPB, C.I.M.
Regional Municipality of York
Newmarket, ON

Jeffrey Baer, CPPO, CPPB
City of Portland
Portland, OR

Rocky Brannan, CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M.
City of Yuma
Yuma, AZ

Scot Case
Terra Choice Marketing
Reading, PA

Kitty Gilespie
Olympia, WA

Matt Kittell
Center for a New American Dream
Takoma Park, MD

Connie Kuranko
U.S. Communities
Walnut Creek, CA

Nancy Locke
City of Seattle
Seattle, WA

Chris O'Brien
New American Dream/Responsible Sourcing
Purchasing Network
Takoma Park, MD

Joe Sandoval
County of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

For more information or to join, visit Green Knowledge Community or call Faye Jackson at 800-367-6447. 
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Johnson County Hosts Green Vendor Fair

The Board of County Commissioners of Johnson County, Kansas, proclaimed March as National Purchasing Month.   

(
Purchasing Manager, John Mahin, CPPO, CPPB accepts the proclamation from Annabeth Surbaugh, County Board Chair).

In conjunction with National Purchasing Month, Johnson County Purchasing held their first  “Green” Vendor Fair. 

In the interest of educating and informing county staff and citizenry, a number of term contract vendors were invited to exhibit their products and services.  The participating vendors were asked to exhibit with a focus on sustainability.  The vendors were given the opportunity to inform both county employees and the public about what their firms were doing to address sustainability through their products and services.  They were asked to showcase their green product lines and sustainable services and to emphasize their commitment to sustainability. 

In addition to contract vendors, Purchasing also invited County Environmental and Transit Department staff members to feature their internal programs on household hazardous waste disposal, ozone reduction and public transportation ridership. 

The "Green" Vendor Fair was a tremendous success and feedback from both attendees and exhibitors was excellent.  The Purchasing Division of Johnson County is already planning a bigger and better "Green" Fair for Purchasing Month 2009.
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Chapters: NIGP Awards Program Wants To Recognize You

NIGP chapters play an essential role in the achievement of the Institute's goals and objectives. Chapters organize a multitude of professional and social programs, conduct membership recruitment and retention drives, support activities that strive to advance the procurement profession, and market NIGP as the international authoritative body on public procurement.

The annual Chapter Awards Program provides NIGP with the opportunity to recognize the valuable contributions of outstanding chapter individuals and chapters as they strive to enrich, educate, and enlighten the NIGP membership while improving recognition of NIGP and the procurement profession.

NIGP is accepting submissions to the annual Chapter Awards Program which includes the following:

Chapter of the Year Award - recognizes chapter performance on a calendar year in these categories:

•  Large Chapter Category (201 + members)
•  Medium Chapter Category (81-200 members)
•  Small Chapter Category (less than 80 members)

Buyer of the Year Award - recognizes individual performance during a two-year calendar period.

Manager of the Year Award -recognizes individual performance during a two-year calendar period.

The goal of these awards is the ability to:

• 
Recognize achievements
•  Clarify and encourage desired activities and behavior
•  Encourage effort and innovation

All submissions and supporting documentation must be received by Wednesday, April 30. Chapter awards are administered by the Chapter Relations Committee and presented at the Awards ceremony at Forum. Contact chapters@nigp.org with your award submission questions.


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Essay Contest: Special Opportunities for NIGP Code Users

Periscope Holdings, Inc. announces the second annual NIGP Code Essay Contest

Periscope Holdings, Inc. is proud to announce the second annual NIGP Code Essay Contest, giving voice to the many agencies that successfully employ the Code to improve agency effectiveness and demonstrate value back to their communities.

This contest is your opportunity to share your agency’s success, realized through the use of the Code.  The top two submissions will receive a substantial credit* applied to their NIGP Forum registration.

The essay focus is:  

      How has the NIGP Code enhanced your organization’s efforts
      for strategic sourcing?

Essays should be a maximum of two pages. Submissions must be received no later than Wednesday, April 30 in an electronic format that includes the author's name, agency name, address, e-mail, and phone number.  Send your entry via e-mail to john@nigp.com
.  Should you wish to submit a hard copy essay, mail your submission, along with a CD containing the document file to:  Periscope Holdings, Inc., 211 East Seventh Street, 11th Floor, Austin, Texas, 78701, Attention:  Essay Contest.

Any questions regarding the essay contest should be directed to John Walters, President of NIGP Code Services, john@nigp.com or call 800-757-6064.

A select panel of NIGP Code users and non-users will judge the essays based on originality, message/content, focus, clarity, and grammar.

Winners of the essay contest will be notified by mail and recognized in Periscope and NIGP publications, published on the NIGP.com and NIGP.org Websites, and announced at Forum.

Submission indicates your permission to publish as outlined above.

* The winning author will receive a credit of up to $625, which will be applied to their NIGP Annual Forum Registration Fee.  The runner-up will receive a partial credit of up to $312.50, which will be applied to their NIGP Annual Forum Registration Fee.
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Public Interest Associations To Create National Performance Management Advisory Commission

Representatives of nine leading state and local public interest associations have joined forces to set up a commission charged with creating a national principles-based framework for public sector performance measurement and management.

The organizations are the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO); National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO); Council of State Governments (CSG); Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA); International City/County Management Association (ICMA); National Association of Counties (NACo); National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers (NASACT); National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL); and the National League of Cities (NLC).

Although performance management has increasingly become a standard practice among state and local governments, there is no commonly accepted framework or set of guidelines.  The framework is intended to assist governments in designing new performance measurement and management systems and assessing their existing systems.  The Advisory Commission will not prescribe specific measures or a specific system.  Rather, the framework is intended to be flexible and adaptable to the unique and diverse environments of state and local government while providing a common frame of reference and leading practices.


The Commission will be made up of elected and appointed public officials representing the sponsoring organizations as well as leaders in the field from management, research organizations, and academia.  The Commission is expected to complete its work within the next two years, during which it will identify critical issues, solicit feedback from government practitioners and other interested parties, and then provide a public review draft and a final version of the framework.

For more information visit National Performance Management or email akinney@gfoa.org.

This information was reprinted from a press release written by Mike Mucha, Consultant/Analyst, Governmental Finance Officer's Association. 


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