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Government and The Media Explored at Reinvention Revolution III Conference
Larry Grossman, former President of NBC News and PBS and author of "The Electronic Democracy: Reshaping Democracy in the Information Age" is just one of many featured speakers at next week’s Reinvention Revolution III conference in Washington, D.C. (April 20-22). The April 22nd panel, "Government and Media in the Internet Era" will address how to successfully communicate government’s message to the media.
It’s not too late to register and one-day conference registration is available at a reduced rate. For immediate Reinvention Revolution information, check out the official conference website at www.govexec.com/reinvent/rrc. Should you have any questions, feel free to call Susanna Williams, Conference Registrar, at (202) 797-6024.
OPM Offers New Tools for Year 2000 Conversion
Two new tools to help agencies implement the Year 2000 computer conversion are now available from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The first is the waiver of dual compensation reductions, making it easier to re-employ retirees who have the programming skills and systems knowledge agencies may need. These waivers enable agencies to re-employ federal retirees (civilian and military) without the reduction required in retiree’s salary or military annuity. OPM Director Janice R. Lachance has determined that the Year 2000 conversion is an unusual circumstance, and has guaranteed that OPM will respond in within one business day to agency requests for delegated dual compensation waiver authority.
OPM’s second tool is the use of premium pay to attract and retain employees in emergency situations. OPM is encouraging agencies to exercise their authority in the case of any employee who performs emergency work resolve a direct threat to property (including monetary errors or costs) in connection with updating computer systems to prevent malfunction, erroneous computations, or other potential Year 2000 problems. For further information on these two incentives, please contact OPM’s Warren Asher at (202) 606-1800.
One-Stop Web Site for Teaching/Learning Resources Launched
Hundreds of federal resources for teaching and learning can now be found at one web site: "Federal Resources for Educational Excellence" (FREE). Found at www.ed.gov/free, the site offers a treasure trove of historical documents, scientific experiments, mathematical challenges, famous paintings, and other tools for teachers and students.
More than 35 federal agencies have collaborated for nearly a year on this effort," Riley said. "Their work –this web site-offers a glimpse of how government can use technology to serve citizens in ways barely dreamed of a decade ago." The FREE site was developed in response to a directive issued by President Clinton a year ago to help make compelling online resources available in every school.
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