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GWIPP – Graduate Women In
Public Policy Newsletter We plant seeds that will flower as
results in our lives, so best to remove the weeds of anger, avarice, envy
and doubt, that peace and abundance may manifest for all. In this edition…
Dear GWIPP Members and Alumnae, So it’s that time of year again and the world has suddenly become one big holiday spirit, with holiday music playing everywhere and Christmas trees springing up around town. There are even outdoor ice-skating rinks replacing outdoor courtyards... despite the unusually non-winter weather we’ve been having (wasn’t the city covered in snow at this time last year???). So it’s that jolly time when we’re supposed to reflect on what is important to us and be grateful for all our blessings, right? Well… in addition to being happy to be healthy and have food on my plate, there is something a bit more esoteric that I am constantly reminded of: the value of memory. During this time of appreciating what we have in life, I am overwhelmed by the many wonderful memories that continually dance around in my mind. Memories of loved ones. Images of friends helping me in a time of need. My mother taking care of me when I was sick as a girl. My first true love. Support from colleagues. Succeeding in grad school. Founding an organization for graduate school women. Starting a career and having infinite possibilities in front of me. That is the true essence of living – keeping in mind that life is full of moments that will be with us forever. And the greatest thing of all is that while the past is our eternal companion, we are forming new memories with every moment that passes. Graduating from a Master's Degree program. Starting a job. Making new professional acquaintances, while striving to hold on to old friends. Moving up, yet calming down and becoming comfortable with the little things. The power of memory is unique and we should be grateful for the infinite pool of moments that will remain with us forever. And the memories that we cherish so much are also shared with others. So... during this holiday season, do not forget to remember. That is something we can all be grateful for and with which we can never go astray. Maha Armush
GWIPP is seeking Alumnae for
interviews with students. Alumna Interview with Merriam Norris, MPP, 2003 A graduate of the MSPP program, Merriam Norris now works in NOAA Research as a Program Analyst in Legislative Analysis. She enthusiastically states, “I like that I am helping scientists to communicate their environmental research to Congress and to constituent groups. NOAA Research scientists conduct important research to measure climate change, track air quality, predict severe storms, study environmental impacts on coral reefs, and explore the oceans. Many scientists need help communicating their research to external audiences and putting their work in terms that the general public can understand. If Congress understands the importance of these research programs, they are more willing to appropriate the funds the scientists need to keep their programs healthy.” Excited to be on the forefront of legislative action where the ability to make a difference is tangible, Ms. Norris is “enmeshed in the process of hearings and Hill briefings.” This requires her to stay current on what is said in the papers and news productions as well as entertainment media, such as the movie “Day After Tomorrow,” which prompted a Congressional hearing on NOAAs abrupt climate change research. Citing the Schaefer Intern Program as a valuable way to make connections, she enjoys her current position, which she earned through the experience. She believes her job is a good fit for MSPP policy students with environmental specializations. A day-to-day schedule of Ms. Norris’ events is variable, including tracking and analyzing legislation from scientific and policy perspectives, preparing officials for Hill briefings, writing and editing testimony, and preparing answers to Congressional inquiries. Eventually, she wishes to move into NOAA Legislative Affairs where she could directly interact with Congressional members and their staff. Nostalgic of her experience at UMD, Ms. Norris states, “I do miss MSPP! The two years I spent at MSPP were very rewarding. MSPP is full of great people and knowledgeable, helpful professors. I miss my former classmates and wish I saw them more often.” Married to Brian Norris, the couple has a cat named Bear and dog named Rowdy that provide them with, “lots of love and affection.” They are expecting to be parents in June? Allison Albert ’06, Environmental Policy
Many of us choose to attend the Maryland School of Public Policy because of the school’s emphasis on public service. For some of us that translated into government or nonprofit sector jobs, others have chosen to live out that ideal by volunteering for local charities, serving as mentors or participating on foundation boards among other things. We are looking for future articles on public service and how you work to make your community a better place – whether it be through a formal job or a volunteer position. Please contact Courtney Workman, Alumnae Relations Chair, at Courtney.Workman@opm.gov or by phone at (410) 381-0809 if you can share your story with us. Sarah Latterner, MPP, 2003 Sarah is currently employed as a Capital City Fellow with the District of Columbia I have always been very active in my community; working with others is in my heart and soul, and I believe one of the main reasons for my place here on this Earth. My past service involvement has ranged from volunteering for a soup kitchen in high school in DC, to serving on the Board of Habitat for Humanity in college at Vanderbilt University, to organizing a group of UMD graduate students to paint a mural for a local DC Parks and Recreation Center. My interest and dedication for serving low-income and at-risk communities spilled over to my career interests and educational pursuits. While studying social policy at Maryland’s School of Public Policy, I remained as a Grants Writer for an anti-hunger nonprofit organization (Capital Area Food Bank), whom I had worked for from 1998-2001 as a coordinator of an after school feeding program for children at-risk of hunger. My current position as a Capital City Fellow in DC Government does not allow me to pursue my passion in life on a full-time basis, but I have managed to find other outlets. Besides tutoring on a weekly basis, I have started working with a small nonprofit startup organization in the Columbia Heights area of DC. During my time at the Food Bank I came in contact with plenty of wonderful people serving their communities with little or no funding, no 501(c) 3 tax exemption status, no strategic plan for the future, and no marketing strategy. But what they did have is people in need, and they were doing all they could to help them with the resources they had available. I started seriously thinking that rather than pursuing a dream of starting my own nonprofit organization, my local contacts, as well as my skills in grant writing, strategic planning and organizational development could be of use to develop and “grow” small “Mom and Pop” nonprofits. So, when a friend put me in contact with Tony Simmons, a trainer who has been running a small after-school boxing/fitness gym for at-risk youth, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to help. Mr. Simmons has been working with children, including his own, for nearly twenty years, and has just recently decided that it is time to “grow” his organization, Lime Lite Fitness, into something bigger and better. Unfortunately he does not have the background or resources to do so. Since working with him this summer we have applied for the 501(c) 3 tax exemption status with the IRS and we are currently waiting on approval so I can help write grants and solicit money from individual, corporate and foundation donors. The organization is currently holding monthly Board of Directors meetings (and recruiting new members), discussing their vision and mission, as well as short-term and long-term goals. I made an informational brochure for Lime Lite and business cards for Tony so he can begin to seriously market his gym to potential financial supporters as well as youth. And finally, we are working with a local bar and grill to have a small fundraiser during a weekday happy hour (See information below). The proceeds will help support a holiday party for the youth and parents, and purchase Lime Lite Fitness sweatshirts for the program’s participants. I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience and I hope in the future to be able to open my own nonprofit consulting firm to help “grow” more organizations like Lime Lite Fitness.
If you are interested in attending the Lime Lite Fitness Happy Hour or in getting more information about the organization, please contact Sarah at sarah_latterner@yahoo.com.
Please note that Spring 2005 classes start January 26. There will be not be a GWIPP Regular meeting held over the winter break. During this time, the officers will be contacted, should the need arise for an Executive Meeting. GWIPP Speaker: Delegate Tawanna Gaines
Maryland School of Public Policy Alumni Happy Hour
"Homeland Security for the World: A Discussion of the UN High Level Panel Report on Threats, Challenges, and Change" featuring Ms. Gillian Sorensen, Senior Adviser, UN Foundation”
Carolyn Chuhta, GWIPP President, serves as the GWIPP representative in monthly Dean/Student meetings to improve the Maryland School of Public Policy. She will use this column to let students and alumnae alike learn about the ongoing changes at MSPP. If you have a concern that you would like transmitted to the Deans, please contact Carolyn at cachuhta@presidency.com. The student leaders of MSPP met again in mid-November with Interim Dean Galston and other administrators. Items on the agenda included registration and advisor concerns, implementation of a student survey, website renovation outlook, and review of the strategic plan. Registration and advisers: First year students had expressed confusion about course requirements, the registration process, and finding an advisor. This concern has great implications not only on how students arrange their academic plan while at MSPP, but also how they can connect with the faculty and develop those relationships as a resource. This problem was resolved by suggesting students direct their academic questions to the chair of their specialization. An email has also been sent by Dean Powers to the first year students that discusses this process more thoroughly. In the future, we hope this process will be much clearer and smoother for new students and that the student-faculty relationship within the school will become stronger. Student survey: To better understand the characteristics and needs of the MSPP student population, a survey was designed by the Policy Student Government Association (PSGA) in collaboration with administrators. This survey included such topics as influencing factors in the decision to choose MSPP, academic offerings (e.g. faculty diversity, quality of classes, academic advisor), available resources (e.g. career and alumni services, speakers and conferences, access to administration), and student activities. Website: Again we raised concerns about the status of the MSPP website renovation. We pointed out several inaccuracies to illustrate our main worry that prospective students and potential faculty/staff candidates would receive erroneous information or a lackluster impression. At this point, the redesign of the website has been outsourced and will be completed in 6-8 weeks, while the text of the website is continually being updated. Also, a freelance writer has been hired and will be conducting email or phone interviews with students to develop a “student’s perspective” component. Strategic plan: Crystal Calarusse held a meeting with students and reported her findings to the Strategic Planning Committee. Despite poor student attendance at this meeting, she has collected a wide range of concerns from students through email and informal discussions. PSGA has committed to working more closely with Crystal to produce a stronger student presence at future meetings and events. I would also like to add that we have had some recent successes. The Fall Open House had a very impressive turnout and favorable feedback from participants, due in large part to the efforts of MSPP students. Kay Stewart put in many hours helping to organize the event with the Student Affairs staff and Jocelyn Lewis coordinated a group of student volunteers who served as ambassadors. It was great to see such enthusiasm and dedication to the school! Also, GWIPP and PSGA both pulled off well-attended events on the same night! At GWIPP’s potluck dinner, new faces and familiar friends shared a delicious meal and celebrated December birthdays. Then, many went on to the Bowling Night sponsored by PSGA. First and second year students, as well some alumni, enjoyed the retro sport! The December meeting with the Dean was cancelled. I look forward to reporting more on the progress that students are making at MSPP. Carolyn Chuhta
Publications Competitive Sourcing: What Happens to Federal
Employees? Competitive sourcing is the competing of the federal government’s commercial activities between government and private sector providers. To date, the impact on federal employees has been subject to speculation based largely on anecdotal evidence, with the exception of limited studies by RAND and the Government Accountability Office. As a result, many federal agencies are reticent to undertake such initiatives because employees and their unions are fearful of losing federal jobs. But what actually happens to federal employees? To understand the actual impact, Gansler and Lucyschn examined all A-76 competitions conducted by the Department of Defense (DoD) from 1994 through the first quarter of 2004. Analyzing data on almost 1,200 competitions, they draw a number of significant conclusions. Available online at: www.businessofgovernment.org/pdfs/GanslerLucyReport.pdf
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