April 2000

FROM THE PRESIDENT…

I know this might be a sensitive topic in some companies, but it seems to me that we are seeing less and less support for the professional development activities of our members. Many companies are no longer paying membership fees in professional organizations. Other companies are no longer allowing their employees to participate in professional organizations during working hours. Still other companies are no longer establishing training budgets for their professional employees.

The effect of this trend is two-fold. First, when companies stop putting an emphasis on the professional development of their employees, then the employees feel that their employer is not willing to invest in their professional development, and therefore does not consider them worthy of that investment. This can become a morale issue, as well as an employee retention issue. Second, continuous education is necessary to remain current in the contracts and procurement field. We work in a heavily regulated environment. This ultimately can become a government or regulatory compliance issue.

For those of you responsible for the management or supervision of contracts and procurement staff, please try to remember the importance of professional development activities; not only to increase and enhance knowledge and skills, but to demonstrate to your staff that they are important and that their professional development is important to the company.

For those of you in staff contracts or procurement positions, please try to impart to your managers and supervisors that professional development activities have value to both the employee and the company.

And for all our members, please share your ideas on increasing the perceived value of professional development activities on our web site Discussion Forum.

As noted below, we have canceled the Chapter National Education Seminar due to very low registration. Instead, we will have a luncheon meeting on that same date (April 4, 2000) at the Garden Plaza. Dr. Mike Criss, one of the scheduled NES presenters, will be our speaker. Elise Roske, CPCM

NCMA MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Where: Garden Plaza Hotel

When: April 4, 2000

Registration and Networking 11:30 to 11:45 Meeting begins promptly at 11:45 a.m.

Cost: $10 Members, $12 Non-Members

Topic: What's ahead for the Contracting Professional

Speaker: Dr. Mike Criss, Compliance Manager, Bechtel National

Menu: Tossed Salad w/ Assorted Dressings Chicken Amandine Blended Wild Rice Mandarin Glazed Baby Carrots Assorted Dinner Rolls & butter Chef's Choice of Dessert Coffee, Iced Tea & Water

RSVP: Call Vicki Dyer at 483-9332.

NOTE: Please make reservations by 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 31

About the Speaker...

Dr. Criss is a Compliance Manager with Bechtel National in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He is responsible for developing the government compliance program for Bechtel Systems and Infrastructure, the Bechtel government company. Dr. Criss has over 20 years experience in government contracting in both the government and private sectors. He regularly provides training seminars on various aspects of government contracting to people from every functional area in Bechtel. Dr. Criss is a CPCM and a C.P.M. He is the past Treasurer for the St. Louis Chapter and is currently the CPCM Chair for the East Tennessee Chapter. He has a BS in Business Administration from the College of Great Falls, Montana, an MS in Procurement Management from Webster University, and a DBA from Nova Southeastern University. In addition to working as a contract professional, Dr. Criss has taught many university level courses in business. He belongs to the National Contract Management Association (1982), National Association of Purchasing Managers (1980), and the Academy of Management. For recreation, Dr. Criss performs in and conducts musical groups in the East Tennessee area.

NES...

The East Tennessee Chapter National Education Seminar formerly scheduled for April 4, 2000, has been cancelled due to low registration. All registration fees will be returned to those who had already registered.

Education...

We had a very informative March workshop with Wendy Bryant about "The Latest Legal Issues in Government Procurement". We wanted to offer Ms. Bryant a special "thank you" for taking her time to conduct a great workshop.

Karen Shears and Darlene Ahlers

Calendar of Events........

April 4, 2000 NCMA Membership Meeting

April 19, 2000 NCMA Board Meeting

Newsletter....

If you know any of the following members, please have them check their e-mail address listed in the NCMA membership. We are currently experiencing difficulties mailing the newsletters to the following addresses.
Lorie Baker-Wallace, lorie.baker-wallace@jacobs.com
Debra Hickman, debra.hickman@jacobs.com
Kathryn E. McMillian, mcmillanke@ornl.gov
Timothy Stone, tjston@bechtel.com
Daniel Sweet, dan.sweet@jacobs.com
Clark Wilkinson, wilkersoncd@mkf.ornl.gov
Please send the correct address to baylesscd@oro.doe.gov

Connie Bayless