LEGEND
= Met
= Not Met
= No Data Available
= FY 2000
D = Deferred
P = Progress

FY 1999 Performance Report
Appendices

Forward | Back | Table of Contents | OPM Home Page

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Appendix M4
OPM Executive Direction--White House Fellowships (WHF)

FY 1999 Performance Report
Goal & Performance Indicators Checklist

WHF Goal 1

A broad range of qualified applicants are attracted to the fellowship program in order to spread the benefits of this leadership development and public service opportunity to remarkable men and women of all backgrounds and professions throughout the U.S.

Statistical profiles of applicants and fellows

63% of this year's class is minority--the highest percentage in the history of the program.

Quality of applicant pool.

Of the 262 applicants for this year, the quality remained extremely high as measured by (1) the grades given to the applicants upon first reading of their applications during which nearly 70% received majority A-grades from their four readers; (2) the assessment of the Commission during final selection; and (3) the positive response by agencies who interviewed the 1999-2000 Fellows for work assignment placements.

WHF Goal 2

The selection process is efficient and fair.

Meet schedule for each phase of selection, as follows:

• Select 84-120 regional finalists by mid-March
• Interview regional finalists and select finalists by May 3
• Conduct final selection June 3-6
• Submit Commission's recommendations to President June 7

Not only did we meet all time lines for selection and submission of recommendations to the President in FY 1999, we also made changes to the composition of the Commission to increase diversity and thus increased fairness in the selection process. Commission involvement reached a record level in FY 1999 with all but two members attending the June selection process.

WHF Goal 3

The management of the fellowship program can be replicated by new staff in anticipation of a change in administration.

Program runs smoothly and meets deadlines.

In anticipation of a new Commission being appointed in FY 2001, the current Commission is preparing a document chronicling its history and the knowledge it has gained about overseeing the selection of Fellows and the management of the fellowship program. In FY 1999, reorganized the job descriptions of program staff to eliminate the need for a consultant and to prepare for potential staff changes. In FY 2000, the program is looking to add, and train, one more career staff member to help shepherd the program through the change of administrations.

Fellows are selected and placed in FY 1999 and FY 2000 as efficiently and effectively as in FY 1998.

The updated White House Fellows Program Manual continues to be used by departments and agencies who are assigned a White House Fellow as an effective management and communication tool. The number of agencies requesting Fellows each year is a measure of the usefulness of the work of White House Fellows. Monitoring of program alumni determines the effectiveness of the program in producing future leaders.

OTHER INITIATIVES-WHF

Increased distribution for the program's quarterly newsletter and vastly improved communication between the program and its alumni, Commissioners and friends.

Implemented a new system for alumni reading of applications. Encouraged nearly 50% of all alumni to volunteer to participate, thus achieving the goal of increasing alumni involvement in the program and relieving workload pressure on program staff.

Citizens who served as regional interviewers were more closely involved in the program and responded well to encouragement to participate in outreach activities.

Because of streamlined administrative systems, upgraded computer systems and greater use of electronic communication both internally and externally, it was easier to integrate the selection process with outreach tactics. By using a calendar-based checklist of tasks to improve efficiency in the implementation of the selection, placement and education of Fellows, more time was available for outreach.