EMAILS AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE?

What is social and corporate responsibility?  What is a sustainable future?  Does it tie in with the electronic age?  Yes, the electronic and Internet environment is changing every day.  But where do the difficulties rest?  This sustainable future involves relationships among business, government, public and private sectors, both individuals and groups in every dimension.  Somewhere along the path there is deceit, thievery, and irresponsibility in this Age of Electronics and Internet.

Some systems and groups have made conscious choices to attempt to destroy individuals and groups through hacking and stealing through the Internet.  They act at center stage in the lives of peoples and organizations.  They may not kill; they may not start house fires; but they ring the world with both challenges to overcome and destruction in their piracy of computers, let alone cyberspace.  Internal physical heartburn is a reality for most victims.

Google had announced in January that it was the victim of a cyber-attack.  The New York Times reported today that it appeared that the password system of Google was compromised in the attack.  Such passwords protect email accounts and business applications.  The New York Times reported that the theft was triggered by “an instant message sent to a Google employee in China who was using Microsoft’s Messenger program.” 

In the past weeks, computer hackers have targeted Windows XP and Vista according to Microsoft.  A personal experience this past week revealed the turmoil in one particular southern neighborhood; not region, but neighborhood.  Several people had their computers hacked into, particularly those using Microsoft, and they were blocked from entering into their email.

Where does one start to get “help?”  Meanwhile some 500 people received emails signed by the victim, which was pulled off the Internet address; the email said that the victim was in England and needed $2800 to get back home. Such emails went out to hundreds of people.  Those who know the victim called on the telephone frantically or text messaged from abroad, “Are you alright?”

Meanwhile a professional technical guru came in to “unhitch” the computer.  No luck.  Finally after about five days with no email, someone suggested starting a new hotmail account, but no one explained how to get into the old account.  In the links between the public and private sectors, one person telephoned an FBI friend who said to contact a detective who is involved in cyberspace piracy and breaches.

This person said call your “provider.”  The provider was not the service for the hotmail account, but the provider had a telephone number for Microsoft hotmail.  What a blessing! The Microsoft operator stayed with the victim on the telephone line for an hour, helping the latter to fill out a form to prove that the victim was the owner of the line that had been hacked into.

Lo and behold, after about six more emails to the new account, the victim was informed how to go into the new account and change the “hacked into” account.  At that moment, the deputy sheriff from the area arrived, and they found the account that was being used by the hacker, whether the person or groups were in China, Nigeria, and Europe or wherever.  The actual hacker email address was there.

Emails and a sustainable future can only be successful if the public agencies follow through on these discoveries.  If the law enforcement agency does not follow through in tracing the hacker’s identity, emails’ sustainable future becomes a broken link in this world of diversity and communication.  Are we proving that electronic and Internet piracy is part of the sustainable future? 

The public and private sectors must bear responsibility in not letting consumers drown in this barrage of thievery.  Agencies must bear responsibility, whether or not their services are free, to serve the consumer.  If necessary, then charge for such services.  People would not be hacking into systems as much if they had to pay for such free email services. 

Google, for example, has partnered with the United States National Security Agency, to thwart such cyber attacks.  Will that work?  Hackers are smart, have no integrity, no decent character, educated in thievery and crime; the sustainable future for emails is not sustainable, if email service is to be free.  The “best” things in life are not always free, and we are proving this daily in the cyberspace environment.

 Caroline S. Westerhof, Ph.D.

2010 ASPA Conference ….Dara’s Post # 6

This morning was the first day that I could sleep in and I took advantage of the time!!  Claire and I slept in and then went out to a great breakfast. It was a wonderful Conference and hard to believe that it is over.  Claire and I had a great time being roommates. She is a dear friend and our ASPA experience was made better by sharing things this year in San Jose.  We serve on BIT together and now I will have even more insight to her knowledge as we move forward with BIT plans for the 2010-2011 year. 

We packed up.  When I finally got it all together, it took one entire cart to get all the things I had out of the room. It is amazing how many things I collected while here. I will be shipping most of them later in the week. Claire and I closed out our bills and then headed off our separate ways. 

I ran into Paul Posner and sat with him as he ate breakfast. He was telling me about his plans to go on a mini-vacation after the conference. He reminisced about the years in leadership and I reminded him that he will still be called on even after his presidency.  We walked to the closing plenary where we listened to the Mayors have a conversation.

The Closing Plenary was another great closing for the conference. Last year, we ended the conference with an in depth conversation on Immigration and this year ASPA is again at the forefront of the conversation.  Chris Hoene, Director of the  National League of Cities’ Center for Research and Innovation, was the moderator for the session titled Fiscal Challenges Confronting Cities.  Mayors Mike Rotkin – Santa Cruz, CA, Ronald O. Loveridge – Riverside, CA and former Mayor Kay Barnes – Kansas City, MO all discussed the trials of being in this position of leadership during such harsh economic times.  The CA stories were extraordinary and difficult to listen too. No matter what you read or hear from the media it is NEVER as good as hearing it from the mouth of the people living it.  The situation is serious in CA and they will need some great leadership such as that in ASPA to guide them through these difficult times, but also to set the stage for the future of these towns and this country.

Mayor Barnes gave her perspective as a former leader and she was great as usual. Her insight was right on point as she assisted Kansas City when they were in the middle of their critical economic situation decades ago. Kay has been another mentor as she was one of the SIG # 3 National Council representatives.

The session ended with the changing of the ASPA leadership. Paul Posner gave an emotional goodbye speech and we all reminded him that he will not go far as he has leadership duties for the next three years.  Past President Harvey White presented the oath of leadership to the officers: Tom Liou, Vice President; Erik Bergrud, President Elect and Meredith Newman, President.  WOW!! I remember working on Meredith’s campaign in fall 2007!!! I am so happy for her!!   Now onto the 2010 – 2011 Newman term.  

Until my final entry …. Dara

2010 ASPA Conference … Dara’s Post # 5

Monday morning was my third 6:30 am start for an event beginning at 7am and it was the BEST event for me.  The morning started with a catch up on the world. You get so caught up with the conference that you forget to tune into the world. I read the complimentary New York Times that was outside my door and had a cup of coffee while I waited for the SWPA Breakfast set up. 

Once we were in the room the chaos started, but it was good work.  The screen was up and Caneka McNeil, ASPA’s Communications Specialist assisted with running the powerpoint presentation I put together to honor our members who have passed on this year. Then we had breakfast, gave out our awards and listened to our keynote speaker, Madison Nguyen, Councilwoman for the City of San Jose, District 7.

In September 2005 at the age of 33, she received 63% of the votes to become the first Vietnamese American and youngest woman to serve on the San Jose Council.  Her story of immigration as a refugee with her entire family and her trials as a farm worker, student activist and tribulations as a successful professor and now political leader were inspirational. She is AMAZING and her story is just what we needed to hear during this most difficult time in our history. Life goes on and through it all our faith will get us through. The breakfast ended with the induction of the new officers. I was able to give a few words as the incoming Chair of the SWPA Board. It was an honor to stand before this distinctive group of women and thank them for the opportunity to serve as the first African American Chair of the section.  There were many people to thank and I hope I did well by honoring them.  Now onto the hard work – the actual work as a Chair.  Follow us on Facebook and our website.

The day was quiet. My uncle, my mom’s brother was able to join me here at the hotel. He came for the SWPA breakfast and then joined me for a few hours.  Later, I attended some sessions on Health Care, City Management and Social Equity. They were all very informative and I look forward to using some of the material in my work as an Advocate back in D.C.  

This year’s Awards Ceremony was another good event. My uncle returned to watch me receive my second President Citation Award this year from Paul Posner. The award was for the work that SIG # 3, “Build the Future,” conducted with obtaining a Student Member on the National Council. It has been a pleasure working with Paul and learning about public service from such a great mentor. His leadership will last a long time through the work he has done.

The evening was full of receptions – a few included RU ‘s International Reception and a reception sponsored by USC for Chet Newland. Paul honored Chet at the awards ceremony, not only did Chet receive an award, but he was honored with having the President Citation award named after him – it will now be known as the Chet Newland award.  He has long been a voice that made sure ASPA honored its leaders, scholars and members as they should be rewarded for their great work. Chet is a dear friend and I am honored to know him.

Until my next entry….Dara

2010 ASPA Conference – Dara’s Post # 4

Well the day started at 7:00am yet again!!  But no complaints.   The Board Presidents/Chapter Chairs and President Paul Posner had a meeting. We had a meeting to discuss the plans for interaction with ASPA chapter chairs/presidents across the country.  Paul has some ideas and will work on this as Past President in the coming year.

The next meeting was the SWPA Membership meeting where we discussed the year’s work, remembered those who have passed, discussed the SWPA events, sessions and booth work as well as voted on our ballot. SWPA has several members who are presenting at this conference and SWPA has sponsored several sessions that increase the views of women. 

I attended the 2011 Leadership meeting hosted by ASPA President-Elect, Meredith Newman. I attended in the same capacity as yesterday’s meeting and will work closely with the Baltimore Chapter for the 2011 Conference. Next year’s conference theme is “Public Administration without Borders” and will be held at the Renaissance Haborplace Hotel in Baltimore, MD – March 11-15, 2011. There will be a huge international involvement as well as more exciting, informative and invigorating sessions.

The Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Award Luncheon was held directly after the Leadership meeting.  This year was the first time that the Section on Democracy and Social Justice – which I am a member of – presented an award.  The Outstanding Foster Parents Award was given to Roger and Corinne Vogel who have had over 118 foster children for the past 20 years. This year’s award recipient was Alvin Brooks a community activist from Kansas City, MO who had an outstanding and innovative career as Police Officer, Assistant City Manager and then started the Ad Hoc group against crime.  In 1990 President Bush went to Kansas City and designated him one of America’s “Thousand Points of Light”.  Mr. Brooks gave a wonderful speech about having faith and being honest about the work we do as public servants. 

In the afternoon, I attended a session titled “Implications of Health Care Reform for Public Administration”.  I worked 20 years in Healthcare Administration in multiple positions and this reform bill is of great intrigue to me as a Public Administrator. This was an exciting discussion about the new legislation and the implementation for the government, private sector as well as public servants in all fields.  Then I was off for the RU Alumni get together…

Dara Baldwin

2010 ASPA Conference – Dara’s Post # 3

The Conference officially started today! The weather has been sunny, but today the haze sets in and the rain has started. But that does not matter as we are in the Fairmont in lovely settings for our meetings, opening plenary and sessions.  The time change has been a burden, as I am three hours behind and it is affecting me in the evenings.  But I got up early today to be downstairs for the First Time Attendees Breakfast.  This is a wonderful event that Jeannie Jefferies, ASPA Membership Associate, oversees.   The entire ASPA Leadership and Toni Samuel, Executive Director of ASPA, welcomed the first time attendees.  It was yet another great introduction to our organization and the conference.

The Opening Plenary was right on target with an opening speech by ASPA President, Paul Posner, and a greeting from San Jose Mayor, Chuck Reed.  We listened to long-time ASPA member and Maxwell School MPA graduate, John Berry who is the Director of the US Office of Personnel Management. He discussed the plans of President Obama and creating a new recruitment, hiring and retention process for the US Government. Immediately upon taking office, Mr. Berry called upon ASPA and its leadership for guidance and assistance with the plan and he has used key leaders to continue with the implementation of multiple plans. He was inspiring as well as informative about his work. ASPA honored him with an award for his work.

Later in the morning, I attended Vice President Erik Bergrud’s 2012 Leadership meeting. ASPA believes in strategic planning and Erik is off to a great start.  I attended the meeting representing SWPA and National Capital Area Chapter of ASPA (VA, DC, MD).  When the conference is over, I will serve as Chair of SWPA and in June I will become President of NCAC. The meeting was well attended and Erik has good plans for our work. 

I attended the SWPA Board meeting where we honored three members who passed on this year – Marcy Crowley, Ron Gabriel and Carol Gandy, a SWPA founding member.  We also discussed the year’s business and set the slate for elections to be held at the Membership meeting on Sunday.  The new officers and board members take their positions at the annual Breakfast held Monday morning.

The Exhibit Hall opened and I went to see the SWPA booth and the Rutgers University booth –as that is my alma mater.  The gifts are always great! 

The final event of the day was the Welcome Reception which was held at the Tech Museum of Innovation, directly across the street from the Fairmont.  There was good music, good food and great fun had by all!  Until my next entry from San Jose

– Dara Baldwin

Meeting the Challenges of Urban Transportation

Ask voters if they would support a 5-cent increase in gas tax to fund transportation infrastructure, and they will say no. But over time, they will quietly absorb a 25-cent or a 50-cent increase in gas prices even though the money is benefiting a foreign country and not their own.

These issues and more were covered in a SuperSession on urban transportation Monday morning. Moderated by retired Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, the panel included transportation leaders Carl Guardino, president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group; Steve Heminger, executive director of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission; and Rod Diridon, Sr., executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute.

Mr. Heminger said that the San Francisco Bay area is typical of most other urban areas in the U.S. Its infrastructure is aging painfully, needing major rehab. Local entities will spend 80% of revenue just to maintain what’s there. But that still leaves huge shortfalls at all levels. At the same time, many U.S. urban regions are still growing, with new jobs, new homes, more freight, longer commutes and more congestion. It means that our challenge is to squeeze more productivity out of existing systems.

In the SF Bay area, planning organizations have created a Freeway Performance Initiative. Roving tow trucks now take care of minor accidents, flat tires, and stalled vehicles quickly so traffic can move again.  A high-occupancy toll network is in the works. Cities are encouraging more housing closer to jobs so pollution and long commutes are reduced. Cycling is becoming part of the transportation planning, as is transit for low income families. Expansions are planned for rail, bus, and ferry, with new transit hubs in San Francisco and San Jose.

The goal is to reduce congestion to 20 percent below today’s levels, to reduce carbon emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels, to increase fuel economy to 54 miles per gallon, to increase the area’s share of zero-emission vehicles to 55 percent, and to increase telecommuting from three to ten percent.

One positive indicator is the growing interest in U.S. high-speed rail (HSR), although we still lag far behind the rest of the world. China is well into its HSR system, almost every country in Europe is ahead of us, and even Mexico and Morocco are planning their systems. 

Regarding its concern for climate change, the U.S. is far behind most of the world, including many Third-World countries. This is one reason so many contries are building HSR – not only for faster travel, but also because it is far less polluting per passenger mile than many other transportation modes. In the U.S, we are addicted to our cars, while the rest of world relies on bikes, transit, and HSR. Even our desire for free parking is problematic because it only encourages people to drive.

But the U.S. can change its attitudes about urban transportation. For those who are skeptical, it should be noted that cigarette consumption is down more than 50 percent since 1960, and recycling in California has increased six-fold since 1989, proving that it’s possible to reform ingrained habits.

Donna Maurillo, Communications Director, Mineta Transportation Institute

ASPA is on the Move

I’m writing this post as the 70^th Annual Conference of ASPA comes to a close. The conference has been a most rewarding and exceptional experience. The commitment and participation of our members, sister organizations, and other stakeholders have made this conference rich in content.  Also, during the conference I sensed the strengthening of ASPA’s “community”. We were especially ‘spirited”!  I felt a sense of community, which was vibrant and infectious!  I have a renewed commitment to do what I can to capture and sustain this momentum. As our new ASPA President Meredith Newman expresses it —  ASPA is on the Move…….          

For me, there were many memorable experiences during the conference. However, a few stand out. For example, during the National Council meeting our new Student Director Jose Irizarry was reticent, wanting to listen and learn. However, with encouragement, he spoke – and when he did, he expertly articulated his plans for fulfilling this new role for ASPA. I sat amazed, and thought that the future of ASPA will be in great hands if we only remember to nurture the Joses within ASPA.

Another highlight for me was the Stone Lecture presentation by Richard Stillman, our PAR Editor. He took us on an intellectual journey that was a thoughtful reflection of PAR at 70. He passionately explained why PAR mattered yesterday, as it promulgated generalist administrative ideas; why PAR matters today, as it sustains our generalist profession in today’s niche-oriented landscape; and lastly, why PAR matters for the future, as the platform in the field of public administration for the expression of  “ideas”, both academic and practitioner in focus. In hearing this presentation, PAR became not just a publication, but a living legacy to honor and uphold.              

The Social Equity Luncheon provided another special experience for me. The recognition of Alvin Brooks, and his decades of public service, was inspiring. Each year I find the Social Equity Lunch (as well as all our recognition programs) speaks to me emotionally. This is because hearing about the sacrifice and achievements of those who toil each day in the service of others brings the “why” factor to our intellectual pursuits.             

Finally, I participated in Meredith Newman’s leadership meeting. The participants of this meeting were those volunteers who will serve ASPA during her term. What amazed and inspired me, was this  -  Meredith asked for those in the room to stand, as she listed various volunteer positions they held, for example chapter president, national council member, section chair, etc. I was bowled over by the number of people who stood multiple times – four or five times!!  For me, this was such a demonstrative expression of the dedication and commitment our members have to ASPA. They serve continuously, and always respond when asked to do more. And so, for 2010/11, here they were again – ready to give back to ASPA, and the field we love!

So, for me the conference was a reaffirmation, an inspiration, and a rededication to serve with vigor, and the force needed to continue to move ASPA forward!          

Toni Samuel

ASPA Executive Director

Final Thoughts on the 2010 ASPA Annual Conference

I know I’m supposed to say this, but what a great conference! Packed plenary sessions for John Berry, Paul Volcker, and Richard Stillman. Inspiring guest speakers and awardees. Last night at the receptions, I asked a few first-time attendees why they came this year. More often than not, they said that they heard about how good last year’s conference was in Miami. I think that bodes well for 2011 in Baltimore. That, and the fact that we had 1,000 attendees in San Jose – a 10% increase from last year. I can’t wait to see what the 2011 conference chairs and committee will cook-up for Baltimore. I’m getting ahead of myself…we still have a closing plenary to look forward to this morning.

Personal highlights for this year’s conference include the welcome reception at the Tech Center, the IOUSA Solutions documentary (recommended), and our staff who rose to the challenge before and during the event.

Matt Rankin

ASPA Deputy Director

A Day in the Life of an ASPA Officer

Greetings from San Jose! Yesterday, the 2010 ASPA Annual Conference went into full motion. I want to share an account of Saturday’s activities from my perspective as ASPA’s Vice President. Here’s a day in the life of an ASPA officer:

5:00 a.m. I checked my Facebook account and sent some Tweets.

6:30 a.m. I left my hotel room to find the location of the day’s first event.

7:00 a.m. ASPA held its New Member and First Time Attendees’ Orientation. Many ASPA leaders addressed the capacity audience. I ended my comments with a Gandhi quote which popped in my head after my fourth cup of coffee.

9:00 a.m. The Opening Plenary session was scheduled to start.

9:05 a.m. We’re still waiting…

10:15 a.m. OPM Director John Berry brought the audience to their feet with his impassioned concluding comments.

10:30 a.m. I dropped by a meeting of our Publications Committee and thanked them for their continued excellent service to the Society. Over the next hour, I was engaged in numerous hallway conversations.

11:30 a.m. The reality of being ASPA Vice President began to set in as I chaired the 2012 Leadership Team meeting. Spirited conversation, coffee and brownies put attendees in a positive mood. By the end of the meeting, we agree that ASPA needs to focus on its core values. We have a positive message to share with the world.

1:00 p.m. ASPA’s National Council members gather for their meeting. I was literally bouncing in my seat as I prepared to deliver my brief opening remarks – could have been the coffee, the positive energy permeating the conference or both!

4:25 p.m. The meeting concludes a little later than anticipated. My colleagues and I rush over to the conference exhibit hall for its grand opening.

6:20 p.m. A throng of conference attendees walks across the street for the Welcome Reception at San Jose’s Tech Museum of Innovation. We’re greeted by mariachi music as we enter.

9:30 p.m. Wasn’t the reception scheduled to end at 8:30? A few of us finally got the message and exited the museum. We headed out for a late dinner.

11:25 p.m. I returned to my room and set my alarm clock. Sunday meetings are scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m.

Is Higher Education Valued in Public Service?

On NPR recently, U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan talked about the value of higher education for those working in public service. Within the context of a discussion about the changes in the financial aid lending to students, Secretary Duncan noted that our public sector workers needed graduate levels of education to be fully prepared for their positions. How many public sector agencies truly value advanced degrees, though, in today’s times?

Looking back a decade or two, one realizes that prior advancement opportunities in state and local government included an education factor. To become a manager or to advance to senior leadership, a minimum of a Master’s degree was required and doctoral preparation was preferred in some specific disciplines. This was part of the professionalism of public service. Earning an advanced degree just about guaranteed that a conferee had achieved the skills and competencies required to lead the more complex government agencies of the day.

Sometime in the last decade, however, many departments and agencies devalued higher education. In some cases, supplemental payments for advanced degrees were decreased or eliminated. Degrees were no longer considered in promotions. It seemed to matter less what someone had learned and could practice changing workplace approaches, and more about how they could perform on a standardized test and how long they had warmed a seat. Advanced skills and competencies were no longer valued.

Today, that complexity is growing even more pressing, and resource allocation in a time of scarcity requires even greater advanced skills in our public sector workforce. Similarly, increased reliance on technology and public participation in issues of governance call for leadership that understands more than the basic principles and theories we may have relied upon in the field. Advances in the global community require leaders who can think critically, analyze thoroughly but without paralysis, and act inclusively to solve local, national and global problems.

Is our public sector workforce ready for this challenge? A fear stated by many who are ready to retire and pass the torch of leadership is that the upcoming generations, hired and advanced in a time when education was not in the forefront of budget-setters’ minds, is that they do not have the same education-based professional approach. They may not have the abilities required in tomorrow’s public sector organizations. While they have skills learned on the job, they have not been given the opportunity to increase their knowledge, the breadth, scope and depth that a Master’s degree or beyond will help them attain.

We cannot solve complex problems in society or meet the needs of our communities with the same degree of success without managers and leaders who have advanced degrees. As we become concerned about filling vacancies and promoting from within, it would serve our constituencies well if we considered rewarding graduate education once again. If, as Secretary Duncan has said, education is “the most pressing issue facing America,” we cheat both our workers and our communities out of skills and talent if we do not emphasize higher education advancement in our public sector institutions.

By Yvonne J. Kochanowski, DPA, MBA
yvonne.kochanowski@capella.edu