State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Addresses MassASPA Chapter
Suzanne Bump, state auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (SAO) spoke to the ASPA Massachusetts Chapter (MassASPA) saying, “Accountability is what motivates me in government. As you know, I was a legislator and a cabinet secretary. What I liked most about my service was the opportunity to fix systems that had gone off track and improve their service to the people of the Commonwealth.”

Speaking before an audience of public servants, consultants and academics, Auditor Bump stressed the value of transparency in her office. She noted that disclosing information from SAO agency audits provides valuable information to similar agencies. For example her office recently shared findings from an audit of a Massachusetts Housing Authority, giving constructive information to all state-wide Housing Agencies.

Washington, DC–In celebration of Public Service Recognition Week, ASPA chapters have been instrumental in shifting the conversation about public servants–at least for a week.

Across the country, chapters like the Greater Cincinnati Chapter, Evergreen Chapter, Greater Chicago Chapter, CenTex and many more distributed awards, solicited proclamations and held special events in honor of public servants.

As we close out another successful Public Service Recognition Week, here are some highlights of a few of events and honorees recognized by ASPA chapters.

Washington, DC–Join ASPA in New Orleans, LA, for the Society's 2013 Annual Conference, March 15-19. The conference theme will be Governance & Sustainability: Local Concerns, Global Challenges.

The capacity to responsibly sustain our global community has long term environmental, economic, social, and governance implications. The 2013 ASPA conference will address the myriad issues associated with the responsible management and stewardship of our diverse, yet interrelated resources. Management of these resources is a complex social challenge involving consideration of leadership, ethics, economics, planning, social equity, collaboration and technology, amongst other issues. This conference will consider whether we have reached or exceeded the limits of our democratic state, the governance implications of these challenges and the implications for public management and public policy.

Washington, DC–The nominations period for ASPA awards is now open. The Society would like to encourage members and non-members to nominate deserving individuals or organizations to receive one of ASPA’s awards. How fitting that the announcement comes so close to Public Service Recognition Week.

ASPA's awards program, just like its promotion of Public Service Recognition Week, is integral to our efforts to raise the profile of public service and to encourage recognition of those who commit themselves daily to the service of the public. We don't often get to say a public thank you to these individuals. The awards program and PSRW are our chance to do so.

Washington, DC–Does your local government use social media? Or have you been hearing a lot about social media and still not sure how useful it is for governments?

Then join ASPA on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, for a webinar on "The Use and Utility of Social Media in Government." Presenters will focus on the application of social media in local government and its efficacy on operations.

The webinar will present practices from the upcoming report, “The Rise of Social Government”, which is based on a survey of 108 cities and in-depth interviews with government administrators. Revealed will be social media technologies that local governments are using, how social media is managed, monitored and measured by city government staff and concrete examples of how social media is impacting government administration.

Washington, DC–The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) has released video of the key lectures from their recent national conference in Las Vegas, NV.

Those lectures and links to the video are:

Opening Plenary–Justin Johnson, deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) delivered the keynote address in place of John Berry, director of OPM who was unable to attend due to illness. Johnson currently coordinates the implementation of the Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE) pilot project at OPM. He is also responsible for OPM's High Priority Performance Goal on telework. Justin is actively involved in improving labor-management relations at OPM and across the government. He plays an ongoing role in most of Director Berry's policy initiatives.

Justin R. Johnson provided the keynote address at the 2012 Annual Conference. Johnson is deputy chief of staff in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). He spoke openly about OPM's efforts to reform hiring within the federal government and improve the process for new professionals and students to access federal jobs and opportunities.

Washington, DC–The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA/Society) welcomed their new volunteer leadership during the Society's recent national conference in Las Vegas.

Kuotsai Tom Liou, a professor at the University of Central Florida, assumed the ASPA presidency, replacing Erik Bergrud, senior director, community and government relations for Park University, who then became immediate past president. Steve Condrey, chairman of the Federal Salary Council and president of Condrey and Associates, Inc., became president-elect and Allan Rosenbaum, a professor at Florida International University, assumed his role as vice president.

Washington, DC—Five association leaders, including Antoinette Samuel, executive director of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), have been named to ASAE's 2012 Class of Fellows. The Fellows program recognizes individual accomplishments and contributions to ASAE and the association community, and is a call to service for the profession.

“The Fellows program asks leaders to continue and seek out service as authors, mentors, leaders, and speakers,” said Stacy Tetschner, CEO, National Speakers Association, and chair of ASAE’s Fellows Selection Committee. “The ASAE Fellows program is an honorary recognition bestowed upon less than one percent of ASAE’s membership representing the best of the association community. The 2012 Class of Fellows is made up of committed association leaders, and it is my pleasure to welcome them to the Fellows community.”

Washington, DC–Then-ASPA President Erik Bergrud promised to soar 855 feet from the top of the Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower during the 2012 Annual Conference in response to a challenge to create a new ASPA endowed graduate student scholarship fund. More than $1,400 was pledged prior to the conference, and members pledged additional funds during the conference.