**Interim Report of the Committee on**

**Administration and Public Affairs**

Steve Hadder, Chairman

FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Tallahassee, Florida

Reference

Key Number

# 400 Introduction

The Committee on Administration and Public Affairs (A&P) submits its
Interim Report for consideration by the National Conference on Weights
and Measures. This Report highlights the major items discussed and
actions proposed during the A&P Committee's 2003 Interim Meeting in
Jacksonville, FL, on January 12 -- 15, 2003. The Committee considered
communications it received prior to and during the Interim Meeting in
developing this report.

Table A identifies items by Reference Key Number, item title, and page
number. Items marked with an "I" after the reference key number are
information items. Table B lists the Appendices to the report.

#### Table A

**Index to Reference Key Items**

Reference Title of Item Page

Key No.

[400 Introduction 1](#introduction)

[401 Program Management 3](#program-management)

[401-1 I Voluntary Quality Assurance Assessment (VQAA)
3](#__RefHeading___Toc35773778)

[401-2 I Safety Information 3](#__RefHeading___Toc35773779)

[401-3 I NCWM Internet Home Page 3](#__RefHeading___Toc35773780)

[401-4 I E-Commerce 4](#__RefHeading___Toc35773787)

[402 Education 4](#__RefHeading___Toc35773788)

[402-1 I National Training Program 4](#__RefHeading___Toc35773789)

[402-2 I Associate Membership Training Funds
5](#i-associate-membership-training-funds)

[402-3 I NCWM Training 5](#__RefHeading___Toc35773791)

[402-4 I Education Sessions -- 2003 Conference
5](#i-education-sessions-2003-conference)

[403 Public Affairs 6](#public-affairs)

[403-1 I Weights and Measures Week 6](#weights-and-measures-week)

Table B

Appendix

Appendix Title Page

Appendix A AMC Training Funds Report 7

**Details of All Items**

(In Order by Reference Key Number)

# 401 Program Management

## [[[]{#_401-1__Voluntary .anchor}]{#__RefHeading___Toc35773778 .anchor}401-1 I Voluntary Quality Assurance Assessment (VQAA)](#_401-1__Voluntary)

The A&P Committee []{#_401-2__Safety .anchor}reviewed checklists
submitted for evaluation through January 2003. Reviewer evaluation
letters were prepared and will be sent to the appropriate state
directors. At this time the Committee decided not to develop further
checklists. The checklists are available on the NCWM website, and
regional associations are encouraged to place the checklists on their
websites.

## [[]{#__RefHeading___Toc35773779 .anchor}401-2 I Safety Information](#_401-2__Safety)

The NCWM Safety Liaison had not received any safety reports as of the
Interim Meeting. All safety reports submitted to the NCWM Safety Liaison
will be appended to the A&P Committee's Interim Report of NCWM
Publication 16 and, ultimately, the Report of the 88^th^ National
Conference on Weights and Measures, 2003.

The Regional Safety Liaisons are as follows:

+------------------------------------+---------------------------------+
| Western Weights and Measures       | Northeastern Weights and        |
| Association:                       | Measures Association:           |
|                                    |                                 |
| Craig Leisy                        | Michael J. Sikula               |
|                                    |                                 |
| Supervisor Weights and Measures    | Assistant Director              |
|                                    |                                 |
| Seattle Licenses and Consumer      | New York Bureau of Weights and  |
| Affairs                            | Measures                        |
|                                    |                                 |
| 805 South Dearborn Street          | Building 7A State Campus        |
|                                    |                                 |
| Seattle, WA 98134                  | Albany, NY 12235-0001           |
|                                    |                                 |
| Tel: 206-386-1129                  | Tel: 518-457-3452               |
|                                    |                                 |
| Fax: 312-386-1129                  | Fax: 518-457-2552               |
|                                    |                                 |
| Email:                             | Email:                          |
| <craig.leisy@ci.seattle.wa.us>     | [mike.sikula@agmkt.state.ny     |
|                                    | .us](mailto:msikula@nysnet.net) |
+------------------------------------+---------------------------------+
| Central Weights and Measures       | Southern Weights and Measures   |
| Association:                       | Association                     |
|                                    |                                 |
| Agatha Shields                     | Steve Hadder,                   |
|                                    | Trainer/Investigator            |
| Inspector                          |                                 |
|                                    | Florida Department of           |
| Franklin County Weights and        | Agriculture and Consumer        |
| Measures                           | Services                        |
|                                    |                                 |
| 373 S. High Street, Auditor's      | 3125 Connor Boulevard           |
| Office                             |                                 |
|                                    | Tallahassee, FL 32399-2634      |
| Columbus, OH 43215-7380            |                                 |
|                                    | Tel: 850-487-2634               |
| Tel: 614-462-7380                  |                                 |
|                                    | Fax: 850-922-6655               |
| Fax: 614-462-3111                  |                                 |
|                                    | Email:                          |
| Email:                             | <hadders@doacs.state.fl.us>     |
| <aashield@co.franklin.oh.us>       |                                 |
+------------------------------------+---------------------------------+

## [[]{#__RefHeading___Toc35773780 .anchor}401-3 I NCWM Internet Home Page](#public-affairs)

The A&P Committee will continue to use the NCWM Internet website to
disburse pertinent information to the weights and measures community. At
the Interim Meeting the Committee discussed how the NCWM website
([www.ncwm.net](http://www.ncwm.net/)) can better serve weights and
measures programs. The Committee recommends the BOD approve the
following for posting to the NCWM website:

## List the topics available in the "Members Only" section on the main page to let non-members know the benefits of membership.

## List the participants of VQAA on the NCWM Internet website to show appreciation for participation and encourage other jurisdictions to participate.

## Make forms that are available on the NCWM website interactive.

## Place the AMC application for training funds and AMC time line on the NCWM website.

## Place the results of 2002 "Surf" Day on the website under the "Members Only" section.

## Add a "New flash/hot item" section on the Home Page (including list of suggested activities) to advertise W&M Week or other important events.

## [[]{#__RefHeading___Toc35773787 .anchor}401-4 I E-Commerce](#add-a-new-flashhot-item-section-on-the-home-page-including-list-of-suggested-activities-to-advertise-wm-week-or-other-important-events.)

**Source:** WWMA A&P Committee

**Discussion:** Jerry Buendel announced the results of a study conducted
by Washington State during Weights and Measures Week 2002. Washington
inspectors visited 32 websites and found 55 violations. Washington sent
letters to the violators asking them to correct the deficiencies. In
September 2002 the sites were revisited. Eight of the sites were no
longer operational. Four items among the other sites were corrected
leaving 37 sites that took no action to make corrections. The Committee
members recommended these results be forwarded to NCWM for discussion
with Federal Trade Commission officials.

**Decision:** The A&P Committee decided that Internet violations (e.g.,
package labeling violations) are definitely a problem. With the increase
in e-commerce sales expected in the future, it is recommended that those
jurisdictions that participate in surfing for violations contact the
internet company that is in violation and the state director of the
state in which the company resides.

It is recommended that a "surf" day be conducted during Weights and
Measures Week 2003 and that the results be forwarded to the Technical
Advisor, Lynn Sebring (<lynn.sebring@nist.gov>, 100 Bureau Drive STOP
2600, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2600, or fax: 301-926-0647) in order to
compile the results for Committee review.

The Committee recommends that the results of the "surf" days be posted
on the NCWM website.

# [[[]{#_402__Education .anchor}]{#__RefHeading___Toc35773788 .anchor}402 Education](#_402__Education)

## [[]{#__RefHeading___Toc35773789 .anchor}402-1 I National Training Program](#education)

**Source:** NCWM Board of Directors

The A&P Committee met with NCWM Chairman Ross Andersen, who explained
his vision for revising the National Training Program. Mr. Andersen's
vision includes a horizontal, hierarchical approach to training,
filtering out the common elements of general information applicable to a
wide range of devices and including the most detailed information in
courses for specific devices. The Committee will work toward developing
an outline for this new training approach to provide a draft at the
88^th^ Annual Meeting in July 2003.

## 402-2 I Associate Membership Training Funds

**Source:** Southern Weights & Measures Association (SWMA)

**Recommendation:** The SWMA requested clarification of the second
bullet of the time line for request and distribution of Associate
Membership Committee (AMC) training funds as set forth in the A&P
Committee's Report to the 87^th^ National Conference on Weights and
Measures, 2002. The second bullet read as follows:

"The AMC will notify the NCWM A&P Committee of the proposed amount when
the BOD approval is given."

**Background:** At the SWMA meeting, an industry representative
questioned why it was necessary for the A&P Committee to obtain Board
approval on funds provided by the AMC for training purposes.
Furthermore, since the AMC funds may be used in a broad sense for
training purposes, a request for using the funds for other than training
should be sent directly to the AMC for consideration.

**Decision:** The A&P Committee reviewed the questioned bullet and,
based on clarification from the AMC, revised the second bullet to read
as follows:

"The AMC will notify the NCWM A&P Committee of the proposed amount after
review by the BOD."

At the Interim Meeting, the AMC notified the A&P Committee that \$10,500
was available for distribution for fiscal year 2002-2003. The NCWM A&P
Committee reviewed applications received for requests of AMC training
funds at the Interim Meeting and apportioned those requests based on
need. Official notification of the grants was made by January 31, 2003.

The A&P Committee greatly appreciates the generosity of the AMC in
making training funds available to the weights and measures community
and thanks the AMC for this significant contribution. The AMC Training
Funds Report is included in Appendix A.

## [[]{#__RefHeading___Toc35773791 .anchor}402-3 I NCWM Training](#_top)

**Source:** Western Weights & Measures Association (WWMA)

**Recommendation:** The WWMA recommended that the NCWM should establish
and maintain a database of classroom training programs completed by
individual weights and measures officials where the training used NCWM
courses (or equivalent) and NIST-certified trainers. The NCWM should
also issue certificates to individual weights and measures officials for
course completion.

**Discussion:** The WWMA A&P Committee recognized the value of formal
training for inspection staff and the credibility these programs
provide. Some jurisdictions have formal licensing programs for weights
and measures staff, while others rely on informal and less
well-documented programs. The WWMA A&P Committee recognized that NCWM is
a logical entity to provide standardized training and accreditation
programs.

**Decision:** The BOD directed the NCWM A&P Committee to develop a new
training concept. As that program is developed, the issues recommended
by the WWMA will be considered.

## 402-4 I Education Sessions -- 2003 Conference

**Source:** Central Weights & Measures Association (CWMA)

**Recommendation:** The CWMA A&P Committee proposed that a technical
session on the gas pump technology be presented at 2003 Annual Meeting
of the NCWM.

**Decision:** The NCWM A&P Committee discussed the importance of new gas
pump technology, plus other relevant issues, and makes the following
suggestions for technical sessions to the BOD, realizing that final
selection resides with the BOD:

-   New gas pump technology;

-   PEI presentation on static electricity;

-   Presentation on OIML -- the driving forces for aligning standards;
    industry concerns; regulatory concerns;

-   Presentation on changes on consumer attitudes, how shoppers are
    approaching shopping, and changes in marketing and store philosophy
    (store issues money credits to be applied to gas purchases; high-end
    shopping, etc..

# 403 Public Affairs

## 403-1 Weights and Measures Week

**Source:** Western Weights and Measures Association (WWMA)

**Recommendation:** The WWMA A&P Committee proposed three topics as
themes for Weights & Measures Week:

(1) "It's All About Confidence" -- This topic would emphasize the role
    weights and measures plays in assuring consumers and businesses can
    conduct their transactions with confidence.

(2) "Tare -- Pay For The Goods Not For The Packaging" -- This topic
    would alert consumers to be aware that they should only pay for the
    product.

(3) "Get What You [Sell]{.underline} For" -- This topic would make the
    public aware of the need for accurate measurement when dealing with
    recyclers and the role weights and measures plays in assuring scales
    are accurate.

**Discussion:** The WWMA A&P Committee recognized the value of Weights
and Measures Week in promoting consumer awareness. Weights and Measures
Week, March 1 through 7, provides members of the WWMA to publicize and
promote these consumer protection topics and the role of weights and
measures officials. Members are urged to submit topics for future
Weights and Measures Weeks to the regional and national A&P Committees.

**Discussion:** The theme for Weights and Measures Week 2003 is "Weights
& Measures: Working for Integrity in the Marketplace." In view of the
current trend of questionable business practices, this theme can inspire
public confidence in weights and measures' efforts to maintain integrity
in the marketplace. The Committee discussed some activities for W&M Week
and encourages the BOD to add these to the NCWM website.

The Committee also discussed the importance of educating children on the
effect of weights and measures in their lives and how that knowledge can
be applied in everyday situations. The A&P Committee will discuss themes
for Weights & measures Week 2004 at the Annual Meeting and will offer
several suggestions to the BOD for its consideration and final decision.

Steve Hadder, Florida, Chairman

Celeste Bennett, Michigan

Ken Deitzler, Pennsylvania

Cato Fiksdal, Los Angeles County W&M, CA

Industry Representative: Chip Kloos, Colgate-Palmolive Company

C. Gardner, Suffolk County, New York, Safety Liaison

L. Sebring, NIST Technical Advisor

**Administration and Public Affairs Committee**

# Appendix A

AMC Training Funds Report 2002-2003

  ----------------- -------------------------------- --------------------
  JURISDICTION      INTENDED USE                     AMOUNT GRANTED

  Ohio              Videos and Books for Library     \$ 450

  Hawaii            Metrologist training at NIST     \$ 800

  Massachusetts     Room rental charges, course      \$ 1,000
                    materials, and related expenses  
                    for training inspectors          

  Idaho             Inspector training on            \$ 900
                    calibration of electronic LPG    
                    meters and registers             

  Florida           Purchase of LCD Projector to     \$ 2,300
                    benefit 80 inspectors for        
                    training                         

  Washington        LPG training for 16 inspectors   \$ 1,000

  Wisconsin         Purchase training aid equipment  \$ 250
                    for W&M inspectors               

  Illinois          USDA/GIPSA training for 9        \$ 3,800
                    inspectors in livestock, vehicle 
                    & monorail scales                

  TOTAL AMC FUNDS                                    \$10,500
  GRANTED                                            
  ----------------- -------------------------------- --------------------