Happy Birthday ASPA!

Greetings ASPA Family Members,

This is L. Dara Baldwin, from Washington, D.C. here at the 70th ASPA Annual Conference in sunny but windy Miami.  We had another fabulous day of interesting sessions, workshops and events.  Yesterday was Monday, March 23, 2009 and my day started with the Annual Section for Women in Public Administration’s (SWPA) Breakfast.  It was as in all the other years a fabulous event where the women of our field gathered together for fellowship and presenting awards to those in our field honoring their great work. Our speaker this year was Patricia Ireland the longest-serving president of the National Organization for Women (NOW) from 1991-2001. Ms. Ireland currently resides in Miami, FL. A hallmark of her work has been to forge stronger links among the feminist, antipoverty, civil rights, disability and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movements.  She currently practices labor law and is working on her second book to follow her 1996 political autobiography What Women Want.  Ms. Ireland began her speech with an assessment of the professional backgrounds of the room asking who were of the government, academic and non-profit sector.  She commended us for working in such an important area of our community.  Ms. Ireland discussed how working in the area of increasing diversity was difficult and not always rewarding, but worth every minute.  She talked about how sometimes we create programs that we think are going to assist a group and it may do the opposite.  Ms. Ireland talked about being on the forefront of this work and still many years later working on the same issues but with a larger force of people and better processes.  She encouraged us to continue to move forward in our work.  The program ended with the induction of the new Board.  It is an honor to be the first African American Woman Vice-Chair of SWPA.  Please visit the SWPA website for full details of our event at: www.swpanet.org.

Then I attended one of the most exciting panels I have seen at an ASPA Conference based on “the most important issue” of our time – the United States economy/fiscal health.  The moderator was ASPA’s first Senior Executive Advisor Dr. Donna Shalala President of the University of Miami and past U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Clinton Administration. The panelists were David Walker President and CEO of The Peter G. Peterson Foundation and Former Comptroller of the Government Accountability of the United States – who presented his “Fiscal Wake-Up Tour” information.  Robert L. Bixby who is the Executive Director of The Concord Coalition who is Mr. Walker’s partner in the tour presenting economy data.  Andrew G. Biggs who is the Resident Scholar of American Enterprise Institute presented information on the issue of health care and the economy.  The final panelist was Isabel Sawhill who is the Senior Fellow at the Economic Studies Program at the Brookings Institute, presented the elements of a budget comprise.  It was a two hour session where the panelists presented great information about the United States fiscal problems and gave solutions with a clear message that we are destroying the fiscal health of the next two generations.  Dr. Shalala then lead a question and answer between she and the panel in a Socratic format. She gave them the synopsis that each of them just received a phone call from President Obama’s office requesting that they present a 30 minute presentation about this issue, what solutions would you provide?  She asked a few other questions and then there was time for audience questions.  It was by far a most invigorating, educational and interactive event!!  Dr. Shalala was an excellent senior advisor and has completed her term here at the Conference. I would like to personally thank her for her wonderful dedication to our organization.   ASPA’s next senior advisor will be Mr. David Walker.  Mr. Walker is passionate about his new work of educating the public about our fiscal and government public management problems.  I look forward to watching him in action!! If you have not watched his documentary “I.O.U.S.A.”  you are missing out on a true educational experience that is imperative in this time of economic crisis.

After this session, I volunteered at the ASPA booth in our exhibit hall and answered member questions while I wrote yesterday’s blog.  I had the opportunity to speak with a young lady named Brandy who is from Miami and this was her first ASPA Conference. Brandy agreed to send a blog on her experience, so look for her posting. 

The day ended with our annual ASPA Awards program. I strongly recommend that you attend this event when you join us at our next conference. This is the time where we recognize the outstanding work of our members for work that is important to society! It is a time to give honor to those who have worked in the areas of publishing, service, membership enhancement and service to the organization in a leadership role.  I attended my first awards ceremony at my first conference in 2003 because one of my professors was receiving an award, but I made a commitment to attend always.  In the past seven years I have met people who have become dear friends and it is so beautiful to watch them receive the much deserved accolades!! This year I actually received one of those awards. President Don Klingner presented me with a Presidential Citation Award for my work as a Co-Chair of Finance. It was a true surprise when I received the email informing me of this honor prior to coming to Miami and a wonderfully humbling experience walking up on that stage to accept this award.  I must say that I share that award with all of my wonderful ASPA mentors and the best committee ever!!  (THANK YOU)

The day ended with one of the most important meetings of the conference the Membership Annual Meeting. This is where the president, the executive director, the finance committee, the endowment and the Board of Insurance Trust present their annual report to the ASPA body.  The accomplishments of the organization, the fiscal health and the future plans are all presented to the membership.

Then the night of University receptions began!!! Thank you to my alma mater, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ SPAA  for the International reception held in honor of our International attendees. On my way to the reception, I met Ken from Canada who promised to blog!!!  Thank you to USC for your great reception it was wonderful.  Happy Birthday to ASPA – 70 years of wonderful work!!!  There were two large cakes and a champagne toast!!!!  Then we ended with a dance party where the music was great and the dancing even better!!!  I hope to see this in San Jose in 2010!!!

Signing off from ASPA’s Annual Conference here in sunny MiamiJJJ

Student to New Professional Summit Workshop

This event was my absolute favorite because it was active and engaging. I was excited to see first-time attendees and MPA students from different parts of the country. Jose, two other colleagues, and I attended the workshop. We actively participated in creating our own ten commandments of professional development like treating others the way you would like to be treated, planning effectively and taking action cautiously, and how actions are consistent with our values.

The conference was informative for me, in regards to my completion of MPA and my executive responsibility to the MPA Student Association at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I left with the afterthought from the facilitator that once we complete our MPA degrees, and venture off into the professional world, we will receive little guidance, so the most important strategy to obtain is to create your job and market yourself. I felt comfortable in an environment where people in the room were at the same level as I am currently in. I am still in the process of achieving my MPA degree and what better way than to gain the experience of networking and professional development. I enjoyed this workshop very much and would utilize the knowledge that I’ve obtained in this workshop.

Aaron M. Huertas

Vice-President & Treasurer

MPA Student Association

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Applied Practice Workshops: Web 2.0 – Everything You Always Wanted to Know… and More

OMG, this workshop was a WEB 2.0 101 workshop.  This workshop was very informative to those unfamiliar with online social networking and communications.  The facilitator, Andrew Krzmarzick, was able to explain how to podcast, blog, use RSS feeds, streamline news reading, and many other WEB 2.0 essentials.   By the responses from the audience, it was clear that his explanation was clearly delivered to the very diverse audience in the workshop. 

What was special about this workshop was that he explained to us how we can use these technologies in government and public service.  In fact, ASPA is using this now to bring to you this blog.  Other postings are available on myspace, facebook, linkedin, and govloop.  It’s amazing how these social networking sites, used largely for entertainment, can be used to deliver public services and information free of charge to anyone with an internet connection or mobile device.  I look forward to learning more about this now.

 

Jose Luis Irizarry, MPA

President, MPA Student Association

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Jirizarry@jjay.cuny.edu

 

 

 

First Time Attendee Experience

As a first time attendee and international delegate (Canadian) to the conference I must admit I was quite impressed.  I don’t recall ever attending a conference with such a high caliber of professional and academic experience.  The sessions were informative and enlightening.  I particularly was intrigued with President Klinger’s comments during the opening plenary.  It was rejuvenating to leave the conference with a stronger commitment to public service than when I arrived.  To all who helped to make this a great success, job well done.  I will definitely be returning next year.

 

Ken Hill

Mayor

Russell Township

A Day in the Life of Dara at the Annual Conference

Greetings ASPA Family Members,

This is L. Dara Baldwin, from Washington, D.C. here at the70th ASPA Annual Conference in sunny but windy Miami.  We had another fabulous day of interesting sessions, workshops and events.   My day started early in the morning with Leadership Team meetings for both the 2011 & 2012 teams.  Then I headed to the Section for Women in Public Administration’s (SWPA) annual members meeting, where we voted on our new Board members, discussed our accomplishments for the year and discussed the two panels sponsored by our section happening here at the conference.  We also exhibited our Facebook page for all to join.  We discussed and marketed our annual breakfast to be held on Monday (today).  It was a good meeting and I am excited about being the Vice-Chair of SWPA.

This year’s Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Award Luncheon was a true honor to her memory with an exciting program and a good meal.  The place was filled to capacity with a wonderful mixture of the ASPA society.  Jim Nordin ASPA National Council member, and husband of the late Gloria Hobson Nordin was present and introduced this year’s award recipient, Ms. Claudia Stravato.  Ms. Stravato is the Chief Executive Officer for the Planned Parenthood of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle. She also teaches in the Political Science Department at West Texas A&M University.  She has held positions as Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor’s office in the Texas Senate, Deputy Comptroller for the State Comptroller of Public Accounts and Campaign Director for Bob Bullock Campaign.  She has received numerous awards such as “Women Making a Difference in the Texas Panhandle.”  Ms. Stravato was a WONDERFUL speaker who spoke about the importance of public service and the need to have integrity when working for the public.  She let us know that she felt that if more people were yelling out the truth in the past eight years instead of leaking little pieces to the public we may not be in the situation we are currently trying to survive. She also let us know that it will take multiple generations before we recuperate from the last eight years.  Ms. Stravata was honest, passionate and quite witty with her delivery. She had a standing room only applauds when completed.

Later in the day, Ros Alic-Batson and I conducted the SWPA sponsored workshop titled “Women Elected Officials”.  It was a professional development interactive workshop, where the discussion focused on encouraging young women to run for public office.  The first part of the program was based on “the challenge” and the second part of the program was about “the opportunity”.  The data on US women elected to office is startling. There is a complete disconnect between the US population of women, who are 50.9% and the number of women holding office which is 11%.  We had an impressive panel of Floridian women elected to State, County and Local positions, who discussed, advised and encouraged our participants about running for office.  Look for this event again next year in San Jose, CA.

Signing off from the 70^th ASPA Annual Conference in SUNNY MIAMIJJ

A Few Major Highlights of the ASPA Conference

The 2009 ASPA Annual Conference has really taken off.  We have offered a variety of sessions and workshops that focus on various areas of public administration.  So far, the major highlights of the conference have been the Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Luncheon and the Welcome Reception. 

 

Claudia Stravato was the honoree for the Social Equity Luncheon.  Stravato offered a dynamic speech on her experiences working with public servants who are not concerned with advancing the needs of their communities.  She also gave attendees a different perspective on the responsibilities of public administrators.  Stravato is the true definition of social equity and an example of true leadership. 

 

The second major highlight of the conference was the Welcome Reception at Jungle Island.  Buses were available to take members to the location.  As soon as we exited the bus, staff members of Jungle Island greeted attendees with a smile.  The reception was held in an indoor/outdoor facility and, there was plenty of food and mojitos for all attendees to partake in.  My favorite part of the reception was being able to view and hold the animals.  Some of the animals included a baby alligator, baby kangaroo, and parrot.  Also, a youth singing group performed and had a powerful message about harmony.  To end the night, ASPA members danced to Latin music. 

 

Miami has been a great location for the ASPA conference and ASPA staff looks forward to ending the conference with a bang!

 

Caneka McNeil

ASPA Communications Specialist

Student and New Professional Summit: Making the Transition from Student to New Professional

 This was a workshop to die for.  My only recommendation is that ASPA repeat this more than once at each conference and perhaps that ASPA provide a follow up workshop, a part two if you will, on the following day. 

These panelists provided great tips to students and new professionals on getting a job in the international market, federal government, a nonprofit organization, and understanding the concept of social enterprise.  Of the several tips provided at this event, the following tips caught my attention:

• Find a school where you can find internship and volunteer experiences related to your career of choice
• Network
• Try not to compete with others for employment and just try to prepare yourself for the job you want
• Learn something about fundraising and grants if you are looking for work in the not for profit sector
• Keep up to date with the topics and new developments in your field
• Continually attend seminars, roundtables, and discussions related to your field
• To obtain federal employment join an internship program such as the Federal Career Intern Program
• Learn and use the KSAs
• Never give up

There was so much more covered at this workshop.  You really had to be there to truly get the information being offered by the panelists.  I really hope this helps those who were not able to make it to the conference and I hope that you guys voice your recommendation to ASPA National to offer more of these sessions at the conference.

 

Truly Yours,

Jose Luis Irizarry, MPA

President, MPA Student Association

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Jirizarry@jjay.cuny.edu

Greetings from Sunny Miami

Greetings Fellow ASPA Members,

 

This is L. Dara Baldwin from Washington, DC.  I have been a member of ASPA since 2003 and this is my seventh annual conference.  It has been a wonderful event from the moment I arrived in beautiful Miami. The hospitality of the Sothern Florida Chapter has been terrific.  Our opening plenary was yesterday and the conference has officially begun. WOW!!!  What a wonderful mixture of academic and practitioner sessions!!!

 

It has been great to see my dear friends here in Miami and to meet and make new friends.  I am a Rutgers University MPA graduate and the Rutgers community is here as usual in “full” strength with our booth in the Exhibit Hall and multiple presenters on panels and involved in sessions. This year has been a great experience for me. I served as Co-Chair of ASPA Finance and SIG # 3 – “Build the Future” Vice-Chair.  Now we are here giving our reports and creating new goals for the coming year.

 

The other part of the ASPA Conference experience is the social gatherings such as the Welcome Reception. This year the Southern Florida Chapter did a fabulous jobJJ We had a blast at the Jungle Island with great food, music, entertainment and wonderful secret tropical “drinks”!  We had a wonderful speech from Miami’s Mayor Carlos Albarez who commended the ASPA community for all their hard work in the public sector and encouraged us to continue moving forward with this most important work called public administration. Then we were entertained by a youth group from Miami called Voices United!! They sang and danced about bringing peace to their community and being positive about their lives. Some people enjoyed the animals that were part of the background entertainment called Jungle Island. I was not one of themJ I stood back and observed from afarJJ

 

This was a wonderful social outlet after a full day of meetings and sessions. Many of the ASPA family “cut the floor” with a rhythmic energetic DJ. Now, I did participate in those activitiesJJ  We even did the “electric slide”!!

 

My pictures have been downloaded for your review. While you look at these photos, know that we are thinking about you through our hard work to continue the tradition of ASPA.  Also, I hope my photos assist you with making the decision to join us at next year’s annual conference, April 9 – 13, 2010 in San Jose, CA – “Invigorating Public Service for Change”. 

 

Signing off from the ASPA Conference and SUNNY MIAMI,

 

L. Dara Baldwin

 

 

ASPA 2009 Conference: Strategic Imperative Group 1

This was a great meeting.  The group here was very inviting to everyone, including students.  This group needs to address who does ASPA need to appeal  to, what are its assets, what segments of the market are not reached out to, and how ways to  creatively use our assets to increase and retain memberships.  This all fell under their Membership Initiatives.

 

These discussions are very similar to the discussions we have been holding in the MPA Student Association at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  In essence, we have the same goals of increasing membership, member participation, and retaining members by providing services that are beneficial and of interest to them.  This also coincides with the research the MPA Student Association conducted on chapter strategies for the new diversity where we tried to identify what do new members and young professionals want from ASPA Chapters.  This research will be presented on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 9:45AM in Gardenia B.

 

What I found most interesting was that they welcomed ideas, assistance, and support from everyone.  I, as a new professional, was slightly taken aback when asked “would I like to work on a committee.”  This showed me that I too can be a real part of ASPA.  Additionally, the committee also provided everyone with a detailed outline of their previous, current, and future plans.

 

 

By: Jose Luis Irizarry, MPA

President, MPA Student Association

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Jirizarry@jjay.cuny.edu

Governance, Leadership and Council-Manager Government Reform

For students, earning their MPA’s, this event was fantastic.  The research presented at this event really focused on the City Manager vs. The Executive Mayor. The major conclusion was that the smaller the population, budget, and problems are, the better a strong council oriented system would work.  However, as the population, budget, and complexity of the problems increase, a strong executive mayor system is best.  Many reasons for this were identified in the workshop. But the most impressive one was the simplest one, that as problems and responsibilities increase, the people want to hold one person accountable and not a group of nine or so members, who can continually blame one another for what went wrong without ever identifying what they could have done wrong.  This workshop reinforced many of the lessons learned in Organization Theory and Culture courses in MPA programs.  As a new professional, this workshop helped me to connect the theories.

 

 

By: Jose Luis Irizarry, MPA

President, MPA Student Association

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Jirizarry@jjay.cuny.edu