NIGP Buy Weekly - 05/14/2008 (Plain Text Version)

View Graphical Version | Search back issues

Member News: Teresa Deaton-Reese Receives 2008 Governor's Public Service Achievement Award

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels presented the fourth round of Governor's Public Service Achievement Awards to 64 state employees representing 12 agencies. 

NIGP congratulates Teresa Deaton- Reese, CPPO, CPPB, Director of General Sourcing, Indiana Department of Administration, State of Indiana on receiving this prestigious award.  In 2005, the Governor launched the Public Service Achievement Award program.  It was the governor's belief then, and continues to be, that state employees who go above and beyond to improve the efficiency of state government should be recognized and rewarded.

Outstanding Achievement

Teresa took it upon herself to begin implementing the negotiated bidding aspect of the Governor's OneIndiana strategic sourcing initiative.  Since January 2007 the result of her actions have saved the state over $2 million in cost avoidance on bids that historically were never negotiated.  Two examples of the savings are $198,000 on pursuit vehicles and $970,000 on license plates.  Teresa was recognized at a ceremony on Thursday, May 8, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Congratulations Teresa! 

Penton's Government Procurement Named Official Publication of NIGP

NIGP and Penton Media yesterday announced that NIGP has selected Penton’s Government Procurement® as NIGP’s official publication.  The first print and digital issue under the new partnership agreement will be available at the NIGP Forum and Products Exposition, to be held July 26-30 in Charlotte, N.C.

The alliance will enable Government Procurement to reach a wider audience, including all of the nearly 16,000 NIGP members; total estimated circulation will be approximately 28,000.  Government Procurement and NIGP will also cooperate on development of creative concepts and added editorial coverage for the procurement community.

“This is a truly collaborative partnership to which both NIGP and Government Procurement bring distinct strengths and resources,” said John DiPaola, publisher of Government Procurement.  “Together, we can better serve the public-sector procurement community with reporting on the latest strategies, research and best practices in the sector.”
 
“This partnership elevates the relationship that NIGP and Penton have maintained for many years.  Our mutual effort will help strengthen the public procurement profession,” added Rick Grimm, CEO of NIGP.  “Through broader reach and exposure to the rich content offered in Government Procurement, practitioners at all levels of government will gain access to new resources and expertise.”

Government Procurement is a leading resource for the public purchasing market, providing access to 23,500 powerful procurement professionals. As a premier magazine specifically targeting the public sector purchasing professional, Government Procurement fosters the interchange of ideas, information, and experience pertinent to government purchasing professionals. Advertising information for Government Procurement is available at http://www.govpro.com/mediakit/.

                   
 [return to top]

Webinar: Preparation for the CPPO Oral Exam - May 22

What to Expect
Thursday, May 22
1PM - 2:30PM (Eastern)
Reservation Deadline:  Friday, May 16

Course Objectives:

•  Identify the format and physical setting of the
   CPPO oral examination process
•  Gain insight into what the examiners are looking for 
   within an answer
•  Analyze and critique role playing techniques in answering
   a typical oral exam question

                                               Presented by:
                                       
                     William E. Hertwig, Jr., CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M., A.P.P.

                                             Register Today




 [return to top]

Webinar: Avoiding the Greenwash Gremlin - June 5

Learn How to Avoid Being Fooled By
Misleading Environmental and Social Claims
Thursday, June 5
1PM - 2:30PM (Eastern)
Reservation Deadline:  Wednesday, May 28

Course Objectives:

•  Define responsible purchasing
•  Identify the six sins of greenwashing
•  Differentiate environmental standards
•  Understand how to integrate meaningful environmental
   considerations into the purchasing process


                                             Presented by:
                                      
                                               Scot Case
                 Vice President for TerraChoice Environmental Marketing

                                           Register Today 

 [return to top]

Forum: Guest Tours Enter Forum's Race

Ready, Set, Go

Saturday, July 26

Seagrove Potteries:  Visit North Carolina’s Pottery Center which includes exhibits, activities, and shopping.  Tour hours:  9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 29

U.S. National Whitewater Center:  Located on the banks of the Catawba River; the largest artificial whitewater river and official U.S. Olympic training site.  Activities include whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, climbing and a ropes course.  Tour hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Post-Forum Tour, Thursday, July 31

Biltmore House:  Visit the world-famous Biltmore House and Gardens, sample award-winning wines, see a culinary demonstration and discover gourmet foods, accessories and other treats for the palate in the wine shop.  Tour hours:  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Register Early

These tours are offered by Group Travel.  Minimum numbers are required for each tour, so if you plan to participate, register early to avoid cancellations.  Tours that have not met the minimum of 15 participants at least two weeks prior to Forum will be canceled.

Registration forms and complete information can be found at Forum Events.  For additional information on things to do in the Charlotte area, visit the Charlotte Convention and Visitor's Bureau. [return to top]

Ed Grant Receives Arkansas Traveler Certificate

NIGP's Arkansas Chapter presented speakers at their annual 2008 spring meeting with an Arkansas Traveler Certificate of thanks.  NIGP President, Ed Grant was fortunate enough to be one of the recipients.

The story of the Arkansas Traveler goes something like this:  While traveling through the Arkansas back country in the early 19th century, Colonel "Sandy" Faulkner, tired and hungry, came upon a humble squatter's cabin.  He found the occupant sitting in the doorway playing the first part of a familiar tune over and over on an old fiddle.  Faulkner stopped and asked for accommodation; the squatter offered none.  When Faulkner asked why he played the same part of the tune over and over, the squatter replied that he didn't know the rest. 

When Faulkner played "the turn of the tune", the squatter changed his mind, making the traveler royally welcome for as long as he pleased.  Arkansas Traveler expresses the state's regard for individuals whose contributions to the progress, enjoyment or well being of the State of Arkansas merit special recognition.  Arkansans have long been known for their hospitality and their love for their beautiful state.

The certificate is signed by the governor and reads,

"To All Who Shall See These Present Greetings:  Know Ye,  that the Governor of the State of Arkansas, in the name and by the authority of the people of said State, as vested in him by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Arkansas, reposing special recognition for the distinguished accomplishment, does hereby appoint and commission "Ed Grant, CFO of Cape May County, New Jersey" as an Arkansas Traveler who is hereby authorized and commissioned to serve as an Ambassador of Good Will from Arkansas to the people of other States , the people of nationals beyond the borders of the United States or wherever this Ambassador of Arkansas may hereafter travel or reside." [return to top]

Share Your Vision: 12th Annual NIGP Ethics Essay Contest

This year's NIGP Ethics essay provides an outlet for your creative solutions to situations in our professional life that may not always be as far removed from our reality as we might like.  Read through the following scenario.

As a purchasing professional, how would you deal with an organization that is trying to subvert the competitive process during budget crunch time?

NIGP invites your response to this personally challenging scenario. Your essay should be less than 1,000 words and examine how this dilemma may develop and how such a situation is best negotiated.

Submitting Your Entry

Entries are limited to five double-spaced pages or less, and must be received on or before Monday, June 16.  Send your entry to Belinda Reutter, Member Services Director, at breutter@nigp.org.  Please include your name, address, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address and  label '2008 Ethics Essay Contest'.  NIGP will publish the winning essay in NIGP publications and on the NIGP Website.  Submission of an entry indicates your permission to publish as outlined above.  Evaluation of submittals is based on originality, format, message, content, focus, clarity, and grammar.

Contest Prizes

Winners and runners-up will be announced at NIGP's Annual Forum and Products Exposition July 26-30 in Charlotte, North Carolina and notified via email as well.  The winning author will receive $250 in cash prizes, two points toward CPPO or CPPB recertification as well as qualifying points toward the National Manager and Buyer of the Year Awards.  All winning essays will also be published on the NIGP Website. 

Questions?  Contact Belinda at breutter@nigp.org or phone 800-367-6447 x231.  [return to top]

What Does It Mean To Live In A Multi-Cultural Society?

This question is worthy of serious reflection and is the subject of this year's Annual Diversity Essay Contest brought to you by NIGP and the Diversity Committee.

Submitting Your Entry

Entries must be received on or before Monday, June 16 and submitted to Erik Steffan, Staff Liaison, via email at, ESteffan@nigp.org or diversity@nigp.org.  All entries must be submitted electronically and include the author’s name, address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address.  NIGP will publish the winning essay in NIGP publications and on the NIGP Website.  Submission of an entry indicates your permission to publish as outlined above.  Members of the Diversity Committee will evaluate submittals based on originality, format, message, content, focus, clarity, and grammar.

Contest Prizes

Winners and runners-up will be announced at NIGP's Annual Forum and Products Exposition July 26-30 in Charlotte, North Carolina and notified via email as well.  The winning author will receive $250 in cash prizes, two points toward CPPO or CPPB recertification as well as qualifying points toward the National Manager and Buyer of the Year Awards.  All winning essays will also be published on the NIGP Website.

Questions?  Contact Erik via e-mail, ESteffan@nigp.org or phone 800-367-6447 x245. [return to top]

UPPCC: Do You Have a Fully Certified Agency and Want To Be Recognized At Forum?

To be included in the award announcements at the 2008 NIGP Annual Forum in Charlotte, North Carolina, the UPPCC must recieve your 2008 Fully Certified Application by Monday, June 2. 

Through its Fully Certified Agency Award program, the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) identifies organizations that have earned the distinguished and unique honor of achieving and/or maintaining a UPPCC fully certified public procurement staff.  The UPPCC believes that having a fully certified procurement staff is a significant accomplishment and a strong indicator of current trends within state and local governments. This is an annual award and interested agencies must apply each year for consideration.