Monthly Archives: May 2009

Transparent Calendars

I’m reposting a piece I put up today in EPA’s blog, Greenversations. Feel free to leave comments here or on Greenversations; I’ll get ’em either way, but they’ll be more public over there. Here it is: A couple of weeks ago, EPA Administrator Jackson issued a memo calling for maximum transparency in everything we do.Read… Read more »

When Stimulus Funds Don’t Stimulate

NPR’s Morning Edition had a story about the State of Michigan using part of its American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds to pay what amounted to operating expenses of the state government; pretty much to backfill spending cuts it had made. In effect, the federal program that was created to stimulate economic activityRead… Read more »

An Opportunity!

A very capable colleague and friend is looking to relocate to Mobile, AL; Pensacola, FL, Huntsville, AL. Resume posted at https://www.box.net/shared/ouvd9sjbo6. A must have on your team!

New Position as ADR Program Manager

I just accepted the position of ADR Program Manager for the Seattle Federal Executive Board. The Department of Labor has authorized for me to spend 80% of my time as ADR Program Manage. I will work with requesting agencies, matching their needs with a cadre of 75 mediators, facilitators and organizational development experts. I willRead… Read more »

Inspired Versus Required

A traveler saw two men cutting stone from a mountain and placing the blocks on carts. He asked them, “What are you doing?” One said, “Can’t you see? We’re cutting stones from this mountain.” The other man gave the traveler an understanding look and said, …”We’re building a church.” I am always screwing up; andRead… Read more »

The Honor in Bureaucracy

“It would be my honor.” I’m not sure when I first started saying that as an answer to requests, but it has become a sort of habit. Though I never say it if, in fact, I don’t mean it; meaning it has become the norm and not the exception because when people think of meRead… Read more »

Better Governing Through Online Transparency

In President Obama’s January 21st memorandum, “Transparency and Open Government”, he conveyed our nation’s rejuvenated commitment to openness and transparency by writing: “Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing. […] [Government] should harness new technologies to put information about their operations and decisions online and readily available toRead… Read more »