| News at NBC |
NBC signs Educational Partnership Agreement with the School for Educational Evolution and Development (SEED), on May 11, 2004, before the full assembly of students who attend the nation’s first inner-city public boarding school. Chartered in 1997 by the DC Public Charter School Board, the SEED school officially opened its doors in 1998 to the first 40 students in a temporary academic and dormitory space at the Capital Children’s Museum.
Today, the SEED school serves 305 students in grades seven through twelve, who occupy two dormitories on the recently completed campus located in Southeast Washington, DC. Students choose to enroll in this unique college preparatory boarding school program for a variety of reasons. Some come because they want SEED’s rigorous school program that will push them towards college matriculation. Some enroll because their parents recognize that they are not thriving in a traditional public school environment, and others come because their families fear the negative influence of their neighborhoods or because they lack stability at home. Whatever their background, SEED students are united in their pursuit of academic excellence and the desire to become active, responsible citizens who will improve the quality of life for their families, their communities and themselves.
The academic program at SEED provides students a skills-focused, standards-based curriculum the first two years (grades seven and eight), followed by a college-preparatory curriculum the remaining four years. Students receive individualized attention to ensure they achieve their academic potential. Strong role models provide a nurturing environment 24 hours a day to achieve the schools mission to prepare the students academically and socially for success in college and in the professional world.
This new educational partnership will allow both the NBC and SEED school to explore avenues for joint programs, activities, and initiatives that enhance learning experiences and engage students in understanding the ongoing operations of their government. Students and faculty will have access to the DOI library as a research facility as well as opportunities to participate in programs and activities sponsored by the Division of Cultural Resources and Special Events and DOIU. Most importantly, the partnership provides the NBC an opportunity to foster student interest in American history, cultural and natural resources, conservation, public service, financial and business practices and give back to the community we serve.
(June 2004)
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The new U.S. Department of the Interior Museum exhibit, “For the Cranes” opened Friday, May 7, 2004, in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day 2004, and continues through August 6, 2004.
“For the Cranes” features art by children in India for an International Crane Foundation-sponsored program alerting students to the significant threats facing 11 of 15 species of cranes. The ICF promotes the global understanding of crane conservation through this program, The Children’s International Art Exchange. The United States and India are two of ten participating countries that host competitions, select works for exhibition and send them to other nations taking part in the exchange. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of International Conservation provided assistance to the Indian Program.
India is home of the Sarus Crane, and until recently, winter home to the Siberian Crane.
Many of the young artists live in Guwawhati-a small city in northeastern state of Assam. In this area, the Brahmaputra River flows through the foothills of the Himalayas. Using watercolors, tempera paints, crayons, and pastels, the students have created beautiful, sublime images. The children’s art captures the beautiful essence of the crane and its relationship to the natural environment.
The Interior Museum is part of the NBC’s Strategic Management of Human Capital Directorate, DOI University, Division of Cultural Resources and Events. For more information, contact the Interior Museum at 202-208-4743.
(May 2004)
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DOIU Launches 2004 Government-wide Forums: Judith Viorst, author of Grown Up Marriage, entertained and enlightened 70 Federal employees on Tuesday, February 10, at the American Institute of Architects building in Washington, DC. This Forum and five additional 2004 forums will be held in the Washington, DC, area. They are sponsored by thirteen Federal agencies and coordinated by the NBC’s DOIU. On March 23, Ira Chaleff, author of Courageous Follower, will look at the dynamics of the leader-follower relationship. The event will take place at the National Press Club.
On Tuesday, February 24, Jim Loehr, author of The Power of Full Engagement kicked off the Denver Forums at the Pines at the Genesee Conference Center. The second in the three-part Denver Forum series to be held on April 21 will feature Riane Eisler, author of The Power of Partnership, speaking to a general audience in the morning and a smaller executive group in the afternoon. Fifteen Federal agencies sponsor the Denver series. New agencies may purchase subscriptions for these forums by calling Susan Leonard, Chief, NBC/DOIU Cultural Resources and Events on 202-208-2654.
(March 2004)
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 Employee Created Murals Tour the United States:
A series of murals measuring forty-feetwide are on display in the Art Hallway at the USGS National Center in Northern Virginia during the winter of 2004. The murals depict mission critical activities of the Interior Department and were created by teams of employees representing the bureaus of the Interior Department. The murals premiered in Washington, DC, at the Interior Museum in the fall of 2003 and traveled to Los Angeles for exhibit at the national conference, “Joint Ventures: Partners in Stewardship” in November.
The murals are the third in a four-part series entitled “Art, Collaboration & Conservation.” The final installment of the series is titled “Art Can Serve as a Catalyst for Conservation.” It opens in May 2004 in Washington, DC, at the Interior Museum and features the exhibit “For the Birds” and a family workshop.
The Interior Museum is part of the NBC’s Strategic Management of Human Capital Directorate, DOI University, Division of Cultural Resources and Events. For more information, contact the Interior Museum at 202-208-4743.
(February 2004)
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Presidential Management Fellows Orientation: NBC’s DOI University conducted a two and a half day orientation to the Department for the prestigious 2003 Presidential Management Fellows Program. During the orientation, held on December 16-18, 2003, thirteen fellows had the privilege of hearing from keynote speaker Deputy Secretary Steven Griles as well as Assistant Secretary Lynn Scarlett, the Bureau Directors, and many other members of the Department's executive management team. They also toured the historic Main Interior Building downtown, viewing the treasure trove of artifacts and murals within. The last day of the program began with a roadtrip to the Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge Center which showcases ties to DOI's Strategic Plan in resource protection, serving communities, and recreation. The ultimate highlight of the program was a meeting and photo opportunity with Secretary Gale Norton. For more information about the programs offered by DOI University, please visit their web site.
(January 2004)
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DOI FY03 Aviation Statistics: In FY03, the Department flew 98,876 hours and experienced 4 aircraft accidents. This produced an aircraft accident rate of 4.04 (accidents per 100,000 flight hours). This is the lowest rate in 18 years. Unfortunately, the year was marred by 4 aviation-related fatalities. Overall, the historical rate continues to fall from an initial high of 18.87 in FY75 to the current historical average of 8.50. It is also interesting to note that the Department spent $123 million in FY03 to provide aviation support to bureau missions, and that 95% of those dollars were used to procure private sector aviation services.
(December 2003)
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Secretary Norton Finalizes Reform for DOI Appraisal Services |
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From right to
left, Lynn Scarlett (Assistant Secretary of Policy,
Management and Budget), Larry Finfer
(Deputy Director, Office of Policy Analysis), Tim Vigotsky (Director, NBC), Brian
Holly (Acting Chief Appraiser), and Dave Anderson (Deputy
Director, Office of Personnel Policy).
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On November 12, 2003, Secretary of the Interior, Gale A. Norton, announced that real estate appraisal
functions previously performed by various agencies within the
Department of the Interior have been consolidated in the National Business
Center.
The Office of Appraisal Services was
created through the consolidation of appraisers from the Bureau of
Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park
Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
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The goal of the Office of
Appraisal Services is to meet the highest standards of professional appraisal
practice while providing services to our client agencies in a cost effective,
timely manner. The Office will
coordinate appraisal services and functions and provide consistent appraisal
guidance throughout the Department, as well as improved efficiency in contract
management.
(November 2003)
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 Brian
Holly, MAI, is the designated Acting Chief Appraiser of the Office of Appraisal
Services. Mr. Holly is a graduate of the
University of Maryland with degrees in Geology and Soil Science. He received an MS in Urban and
Regional Planning from Johns Hopkins University. An appraiser since the mid-1980's, Brian holds the MAI designation from the
Appraisal Institute. After 15 years in private practice he began his government
career in 1999 with the U.S. Department of Justice where he served as Chief
Appraiser.
(November 2003)
NBC Supports the Troops
On November 6, 2003, the Denver office of the National Business Center held another Support the Troops event. It was attended by over 200 NBC employees and featured a moving flag ceremony by a combined service honor guard. Our special guest, US Army 1st Sgt Bruce Davis, husband of NBC employee Kathy Shauvin, spoke about his recent experience with US forces in Afghanistan where he was injured. 1st Sgt Davis reminded us all about the importance of letting the troops know that we are thinking about them and as he said, ready to “take care of them.” He received a standing ovation. The event also focused on honoring those veterans working at NBC-Denver as their names were read and the crowd was asked to remember them and all Veterans on November 11.
(November 2003)
Green Energy Buy for the Interior Complex
NBC, Division of Facilities Management Services, entered into an agreement with Pepco Energy Services, Inc., for the purchase of renewable energy for the Main and South Interior Buildings. Using energy-cost savings realized through the purchase of electricity through a GSA area-wide bulk-purchase agreement, we committed to the purchase of 469,640 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy over the next eight months. This represents approximately 5% of our electrical needs. Under the terms of the agreement, the renewable power delivered shall be 75 percent from landfill gas resources and 25 percent from wind resources and shall be Green-e certified. The surcharge for the renewable energy is $0.0115 per kWh and, with 58,705 kWh being purchased each month, will increase monthly costs $635 per month. Our long term goal, funding dependent, is to purchase 25% of our total electrical needs from renewable energy sources.
(October 2003)
Planning, Performance, and Oversight Office |
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The Planning, Performance, and Oversight Office (PPOO) was recently established within the Office of the NBC Director to better
position the NBC to respond to the President's Management Agenda, OMB budget and performance integration initiatives, and the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act and the Government Management Reform Act. PPOO has two primary functions: 1) Planning and Performance Management (PPM), which establishes policies and procedures for planning, performance, and business process re-engineering, and 2) Management Control and Audit Liaison (MCA), which establishes policies and procedures for management control reviews, management control and audit oversight, and the reporting and tracking of audit NFRs and corrective action plans.
“It would be a missed opportunity to view planning and performance as a ‘check-the-block’ exercise. Used correctly and taken to heart, it could be the basis of a ‘survival plan’ to ensure that the NBC is still here in 5 years, is satisfying its customers, and is financially sound as we all know it is capable of doing with its tremendously talented staff”, said Tony Queern, PPM Focus Leader.
(October 2003)
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