Yearly Archives: 2013

Defining Civic Hacking

This post is written by Jake Levitas, a civic designer, organizer and activist. How a common framework can unite new forms of engagement National Day of Civic Hacking, described by its organizers as “a national event bringing together citizens, software developers, and entrepreneurs across the nation to collaboratively create, build, and invent using publicly-released data,Read… Read more »

Thoughts on Report: Improper Management Intervention in MAS Contracts

On June 4th the GSA Office of Inspector General issued Report Number A120161/Q/6/P13003, entitled “Improper Management Intervention in Multiple Award Schedule Contracts.” The audit raises concerns regarding management intervention in the ongoing negotiation of GSA schedule contracts and the subsequent outcomes. The report raises some complex and challenging questions about the management and operation ofRead… Read more »

Behavioural Economics- Focusing on a single point can let opportunity slip by

On this rainy, Friday afternoon, I had the opportunity to attend the Tech@State: Moneyball Diplomacy event at George Washington University. One panel in particular on behavioral economics stood out. Take a look at this video (many of you may have already seen this). Count how many times they pass the ball around: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo Did youRead… Read more »

Michael Huerta: 700 NextGen Ground Radio Stations to be Ready in 2014

Federal Aviation Administration chief Michael Huerta told an industry forum Wednesday the U.S. will have all 700 ground radio stations for the automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast system deployed and in operation next year, Aviation Today reports. Woodrow Bellamy writes the nation currently has more than 500 ADS-B ground radio stations in place as part of theRead… Read more »

Finally a Rap About an Aging Water System

Andy Hohensee, 6th grader at Rosement Ridge Middle School and future Public Works director, includes the aging West Linn water system into what is sure to be the hit of the summer (on the Billboard chart for songs about municipal services.) He performed this breakout tune before City officials at a “Water Summit” this week.Read… Read more »

Why Are Millennials Wary of Working for Gov? Plus your weekend reads!

Nationally millennials make up about a third of the workforce, but in government that percentage hoovers around 8%. What can the government do to reverse the trend? Tim McManus is the Vice President for Education and Outreach at the Partnership for Public Service. He told Chris Dorobek on the DorobekINSIDER program that government needs toRead… Read more »

Stick-to-itiveness

The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are: Hard work, Stick-to-itiveness, and Common sense.1 What was I thinking creating that mission for myself and adopting the title Strategic Change Agent?2 It’s rough in the arena; the crowd cheers for your failure – to see your body marred and bloody. I’m thankful I work inRead… Read more »