NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

FOR OFFICE PROFESSIONALS

AND

ORGANIZATIONAL SECRETARIAL ADVISORY COUNCILS

ANNUAL REPORT – June 1, 2007/May 31, 2008

Prepared By

NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR OFFICE 

PROFESSIONALS

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR OFFICE PROFESSIONALS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OVERVIEW....................................3

2007-2008 NACOP MEMBERS.................................................4

FORMER MEMBERS............................................................5

2007 ANNUAL MEETING......................................................7

2006/2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS.............................................7

2007/2008 GOALS..................................................................8

SECRETARIAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM...........................10

ORGANIZATIONAL SECRETARIAL ADVISORY COUNCILS

BELTSVILLE....................................................................10

HEADQUARTER................................................................11

 

MID SOUTH AREA................................................................................13

 

MIDWEST AREA ...................................................................................16

 

NORTH ATLANTIC AREA ..................................................................18

 

NORTHERN PLAINS AREA ................................................................19

 

PACIFIC WEST AREA..........................................................................22

 

SOUTH ATLANTIC AREA ...................................................................23

SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA .................................................................25

 

2008 ANNUAL MEETING....................................................26

2007/2008 ACCOMPLISHMENTS..........................................26

2008/2009 GOALS...............................................................27 
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Executive Summary

Overview:

The Council was hosted by the Midwest Area, the week of July 23-27, 2007, at the 

National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) in Peoria, Illinois. The 

meeting was opened with a welcome by the Midwest Area Office staff and opening 

remarks by Associate Area Director Harry Danforth, Assistant Area Director Terry 

Nelson, and Deputy Area Director Diane Strub. The Council members were given a tour 

of NCAUR and an overview of the research conducted. 

At the meeting, Council members held an informal icebreaker session to welcome new 

members. The Charter and NACOP Code were reviewed and updated, along with the 

Training Guide for office professionals, the Orientation Checklist, and the Mentoring 

Guidelines, all of which were posted to the NACOP website following the meeting. The 

Council reviewed accomplishments from the previous year and established goals for the 

coming Council year.

The Council continued to conduct monthly conference calls to work on goals and 

priorities. Initial planning discussion was held regarding plans to hold a national 

conference for ARS office professionals in 2009. The NACOP exhibit was on display for 

a month at Headquarters in Washington, DC, and at the Mid South Area Leadership 

Conference. As in past years, the display generated a great deal of interest in the Council 

and its activities and resources.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Berry, Senior Co-Chair

Drusilla Fratesi, Junior Co-Chair
4

Members of the 2007-2008 National Advisory Council for Office 

Professionals

Patricia Berry, HQ, Senior Co-Chair

Drusilla Fratesi, MSA, Junior Co-Chair

Veronica Laird, PWA, Ex-Officio

Cathy Lonaberger, OA, Technical Advisor

Rhonda Sampson, OCIO, Technical Advisor

Elizabeth Jackson, NAL

Heather Lewandowski, MWA

Patty Coyle, NAA

Wendy Jacobs, BA

Shelia Jackson, SAA

Barbara Hodges, SPA

Diona Austill, NPA
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NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR OFFICE PROFESSIONALS

Former members of the 

NSAC/NACOSP/NACOP are:

KATHY ARAGON, NPA

MARIA ARCHER, NAL

BRENDA AYSENNE, MSA

SANDRA BALL, NAL

BARBIE BALLENGEE, PWA

PRUNELLA BRANISH, NAA

SHERRI BUXTON, MWA

KAY CARR, SAA

CARMELA CARRICK, HQ

CLARICE CARTER, TECHNICAL ADVISOR

JOYCE CRAIG, HQ

LOUISE DALTON, NPA

PHYLLIS DAVIS, NAA

DEBRA DUCKWORTH, SAA

TAMMY DURFEE BLAIR, PWA

BRENDA ELSTON, HQ

JANET FERST, HQ

LIBBY FOUSE, PWA

RHEA FRYAR-CALVERT, SPA

MADELINE HALL, MSA

NADINE HEIRS, BA

TERRY HENRICHS, NAL

SUE HURD, NPA

BONNIE INGRAM, MWA

MARCIA JENKINS, MWA

CORY JENSEN, NPA

OLGA LEE, NPA

ANGIE MARCHETTI, HQ

ELAINE, MCGUIRE, BA

SHEILA MESSINEO, BA

LINDA NEUENHAHN, HQ
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OLIVIA PEDRAZA, SPA

SHARON PETERSON, NPA

ROSETTA PROCTOR, HQ

JANNETTE SHUFORD-REEVES, NAL

BETTY SIGLER, NPA

MARY SILVA, NAL

FRANKEE SIMPSON, SAA

JOYCE SMITH, NAA

MICHELLE SNOWDEN, HQ

KRISTEN SOTER, BA

QUEEN SPRIGGS, HQ

ANNE STELLE, SPA

CECELIA STORTZUM, TECHNICAL ADVISOR

STEPHANIE LIVELY SULLIVAN, NAA

GENEVIEVE SWARTZBERG, MSA

KATHY TOWNSON, BA

SUE THORNBURG, NPA

RUTH TREAT, SPA

LORI WILSON-VOSS, MWA

TONI WALLS, TECHNICAL ADVISOR

SANDRA WARREN, MSA

SABRINA WHITLEY-FERRELL, SAA
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2007/2008 ANNUAL REPORT

NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR 

OFFICE PROFESSIONALS

ANNUAL MEETING

DATE: July 23-27, 2007

Location: Peoria, Illinois

Host: Midwest Area

2006/2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Mentoring Programs

Local councils were assisted in re-focusing their programs.

New Employee Orientation List

Orientation list was revised and posted on website.

Planning 2009 Conference

Planning process for the 2009 National Conference was started.

 *Conference name was decided – “Partnership for Success”

 *Two working groups for ’06 conference were established

Publicity/Hospitality Committee

Program/Agenda Committee

*Speakers for ’06 conference were chosen by Council

*Conference Agendas were designed

 *Break-out sessions and general session topics were decided

 *Menus for meals/breaks were tentatively planned

 *Site for conference was chosen

 *Non-monetary awards were voted on and chosen

Webpage

The webpage committee continued to update NACOP’s webpage to ensure the 

information shown was correct and the most current.
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Charter

Council members reviewed and discussed the Charter section by section with minor 

changes. The rotation of Council members had evolved so that in recent years there 

were as many as five new members and as few as one new member. An appendix 

containing a rotation schedule for Council positions was developed, at the Council’s 

request, and added to the charter to ensure even distribution of new members each 

year. In addition to the rotation schedule, a timeline will be maintained as a history of 

the Council and will contain the years that Council members served. A historical 

record via pictures will be maintained as well.

PR ideas to promote NACOP

Developed and implemented ideas to promote NACOP across agency.

NACOP Notes

Continued publishing our quarterly newsletter. New features (employee spotlight, 

award winners, etc) were added to enhance NACOP Notes. The publication is 

distributed to each NACOP Council member who distributed to their area.

2007/2008 GOALS

2009 Conference

 * Finalize cost comparison and submit request.

 * Publicity/Hospitality and Program/Agenda Committees established. 

 Responsibilities established and divided. 

 * Determine possible topics and speakers for general sessions and break-out sessions.

Website

* Update and maintain website to promote up-to-date information. Technical Advisor 

to assist local councils to activate inactive websites and review links.

Keep publishing and distributing NACOP Notes. 

 * Continue to evaluate for new ways to enhance and add information.

 

Update Training and Planning Guide on Website.

 * Outdated information needs to be current. Revise to include new courses and 

current methods available.

Review and update Resources Assistance List.

 * Replace retired/resigned individuals and update items to include.

Create historical record of NACOP.

 * Continue Timeline as historical record of time served by each council member and

 begin collection and categorization of pictures showing history of NACOP.
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NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR OFFICE PROFESSIONALS

SECRETARIAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM

ARS Secretary of the Year winners for 2007 were:

Julia Cypriano, Beltsville

Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Plant Sciences Institute

Althea Hunt (GS-06 and above)

Program Assistant, 

Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research

New Orleans, LA

Donna Signa (GS-05 and below)

Program Support Assistant, 

Application and Production Technology Research Unit

Stoneville, MS

Sandy Johnson - Midwest Area Secretary of the Year, 2006
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Area: Beltsville (BA)

Current Members:

Donell Bladen, PSI, CSGCL (Co-chair)

Laura Denice ANRI, Institute Office

Elizabeth Hawkins, ANRI, SASL

Tina Hunter, PSI, NGRL

Wendy Jacobs, PSI, Institute Office (NACOP Technical Advisor)

Linda Nix, BHNRC, FCHL (Senior Chair)

Kisha Shelton, USNA (Recorder)

Nichella Simms, BA, FMOD

2007 Accomplishments:

Share Point training, presented by Greg Wilson, OCIO, AFM, March 26, 2007.

"Balancing Work and Family Life", April 18, 2007. This was for the 2007 

Administrative Office Professionals Week and was a conjoined effort with our sister 

councils. The three councils that hosted this event were the National Agricultural Library 

Support Staff Advisory Council (NALSAC), the Headquarters Advisory Council for 

Administrative Professionals (HACAP), and BAASAC.

Foreign Travel training, “What Paperwork is Needed, and How to Fill it Out” presented 

by Nancy Gatdula, Travel Coordinator, BA, and Melissa Seibert, Executive Assistant, 

BA, November 27, 2007. 

Personal Property Training, presented by Chizo Irechukwu, Personal Property Section, 

December 12, 2007. As a result of a property checklist that was devised by BAASAC, 

Tracy Wilson has incorporated that list with her BA Property Policies and Procedures on 

March 3, 2008.

2008 Goals:

Update the Charter.

Keep the Website up-to-date.

Update the Resource list.

Reactivate a bi-yearly newsletter.

Leadership Development Training

Gov trip travel training

Secretary of the Year:

Julia Cypriano 

Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Plant Sciences Institute
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Area: Headquarters Advisory Council for 

 Administrative Professionals (HACAP)

Current Members

Mary Goleski - Chairperson

Cathy Widner – Co-Chairperson

Darlene Yesudian - Webmaster

Cozette Talib – Membership Chairperson 

Claudette Shields – Recorder

Marcia Herbert

Bonnie Lapelosa

Jackie Kelly 

Krystle Kerr

Collette Wood 

HACAP represents everyone in the GS-318, GS-326, and GS-303 series from the 

following areas: Office of the Administrator which includes: National Program Staff 

(NPS); Office of International Research Programs; Office of Technology Transfer;

Budget and Program Management Staff; Homeland Security; Civil Rights; Information 

Staff; Office of the Chief Information Officer; Office of Scientific Quality Review;

Legislative Office; and Administrative and Financial Management (AFM).

All administrative professionals in those series are invited and encouraged to attend all 

meetings and events sponsored by HACAP.

HACAP has a representative on the National Advisory Council for Office Professionals 

(NACOP).

Accomplishments

HACAP was reestablished in 2006. We revised the charter, changed the name, and 

increased the membership. 

Accomplishments include:

1. Surveyed administrative professionals to determine how HACAP could be of help,

i.e., training needs and to discover what would make them want to participate.

2. Participated in a joint workshop with Headquarters, , BARC and NAL

3. Updated and improved the HACAP Web site (includes links to GPO Style Manual and 

ARS Correspondence Manual). 

4. Sponsored Resume/KSA training.

5. Held All-Hands meetings with Administrative Professionals to provide them with the 
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opportunity to ask for the training they need and to get ideas regarding what resources 

would help them with their jobs.

6. Brought to the attention of management the need for specific training.

7. We are in the process of planning an Annual Workshop Meeting for June 12.

Goals

Continue to provide training and information to all administrative professionals.

Update the HACAP Web site.

Continue to try to get more people involved in HACAP (by updating the Web 

site, creating a bulletin board, and holding more All Hands Meetings).

Support NACOP as needed with their tentatively scheduled conference.

HACAP will continue its objective to serve the Office of the Administrator and Deputy 

Administrator, AFM, in an advisory capacity on new initiatives that impact AFM and 

Headquarters administrative professionals. We will encourage ongoing communication 

among administrative professionals, NACOP, and the administration, and advise the 

Office of the Administrator and Deputy Administrator, AFM, on matters relating to 

development, advancement, and recognition of Headquarters office support personnel.
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Area: Mid South Area (MSA)

Current Members:

Tammy Dorman, Senior Chair, Auburn, AL

Ann McGee, Junior Chair, Stoneville, MS

Lynda Taylor, Recorder, Stoneville, MS

Sydney Beaumont, New Orleans, LA

Janice Boyd, New Orleans, LA

Peggy Tubertini, Oxford, MS

Marlene Coley, Stoneville, MS

Donna Signa, Stoneville, MS

Linda Fulton, Ex-Officio Member, Starkville, MS 

Drusilla Fratesi, Technical Advisor, Stoneville, MS

Lucienne Savell, Webmaster, Oxford, MS

Deborah Brennan, MSACOP Sponsor, Associate Area Director, Stoneville, MS

Accomplishments for June, 2007 to May, 2008:

The Mid South Area Office Professionals (MSAOP) held their training conference May 

15-16, 2007, in Oxford, MS. Training was offered to Office Professionals in conjunction 

with the conference covering topics such as: RPES, AIMS/ARIS, Outlook Migration, 

Foreign Travel, StarWeb, Budget and ARMPS, SharePoint and Performance 

Accomplishments. The NACOP tabletop display was borrowed and exhibited the week 

prior to the conference at the Leadership Conference in New Orleans, LA and during the 

MSAOP Annual conference. The Stoneville location displayed the information in their 

lobby for about a month. The Mid South Area Office Professionals also held their annual 

meeting immediately following the NACOP Annual Conference and Training.

The following individuals were chosen for leadership positions for the Council: Tammy 

Dorman, Senior Chair; Ann McGee, Junior Chair; and Lynda Taylor, Recorder.

The Charter was revised and approved by all Council members. The following changes 

were incorporated under “Objectives”: (1) Objective seven was deleted since training is 

mentioned under number one. (2) Combined objectives six and eight. Changes will also 

be made under “Council Membership”: (1) The Senior Chair and Junior Chair will 

immediately assume their roles after being elected at the annual MSAOP meeting.

The following individuals were chosen to fill vacancies (utilizing the Vacancy 

Announcement that was drafted in 2005/06) on the MSACOP Council beginning June 1, 

2007: Donna Signa, Stoneville, MS, Peggy Tubertini, Oxford, MS, and Sydney 

Beaumont, New Orleans, LA.

Council teleconferences were held bi-monthly.
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MSAOP information posters and brochures were updated and distributed to each 

Location for display. A SharePoint site was created for the MSAOP that offers access to 

community items such as: S.O.P., Photographs, 2006 and 2007 Charter, News Notes, and 

Meeting Minutes and was utilized for a survey in the fall of 2007 to discover topics of 

interest for training. 

The Annual Operating Budget in the amount of $3,000 was approved by the Mid South 

Area Director’s office.

The MSAOP website (http://msa.ars.usda.gov/osp) has been improved and updated. Our 

Website includes the following basic information: (1) Mission and Goals, Membership 

List, Annual Reports, Helpful Links, News Notes, Charter, and MSA SOP’s, (2) Current 

Annual Report, and (3) Synopsis of NACOP Conference.

The MSAOP News Notes has been distributed semi-annually with input from all Council 

members.

Congratulatory retirement and promotion letters have been sent to appropriate 

individuals.

The mentoring program for new office professionals is continuing in the Area.

Goals for June, 2007 to May, 2008:

Four vacancies on the Council will be filled utilizing Vacancy Announcement drafted in 

2005-2006. [3 vacancies filled]

The Council will recommend to the Mid South Area office that various types of training 

be made available for office professionals at no or little charge utilizing some of FY08

budget since conference will be held in FY09. [First 2 trainings held in April, 2008, by 

web cast with 44 people attending]

Will organize annual “New Office Professional Training.” A committee (Ann McGee, 

Lynda Taylor, Janice Boyd, Lucienne Savell, Tammy Dorman, and new member) was 

appointed to plan and develop a core training outline. [Multiple planning conference calls 

held, web cast demonstrated for Council, planned and completed first web cast training] 

News Notes will continue to be published semi-annually. [Published in August, 2007 and 

March, 2008] 

Bi-monthly conference calls will continue. [Accomplished]

Our Poster, Brochure, and Roster will be updated as needed. [Accomplished]
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Website will continually be updated so that it can be utilized as an up-to-date tool for 

office professionals. [Accomplished]

The Council will start pre-planning for the next Mid South Area Office Professional 

Training Meeting (date, location, etc.). [Timeframe alignment with NACOP meeting 

reviewed]

The Mentoring Program will be evaluated on its effectiveness. [Survey completed with 

the following results: 50% for continuing the program]

Office Professionals of the Year:

Althea Hunt (GS-06 and above)

Program Assistant (Office Automation)

Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research

New Orleans, LA

Donna Signa (GS-05 and below)

Program Support Assistant

Application and Production Technology Research Unit

Stoneville, MS
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Area: Midwest Area (MWA)

Current Members

Sherri Buxton, Co-Chair

Melissa Stiefel, Co-Chair

Ginger Walker

Brittney Mernick

Karen Burianek

Nancy Sanders

Stacey Carlson

Kim Meyers

Jenny Moses, Recorder

Ann Houser, Web Master

Heather Lewandowski, Ex-Officio, Current National Council Representative

Accomplishments

The PASTG has taken a leadership role in creating and maintaining an on-line 

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manual, a compendium of approved Agency 

procedures with examples, to assist the Midwest Area administrative support staff. 

The manual is an excellent training tool for recently hired and seasoned support staff, 

as well as an invaluable resource for new, revised, and current procedures. Other ARS 

areas regularly use the MWA SOP as a reference tool and have also used it to assist 

them in developing their own manuals.

The MWA Mentoring Program: The PASTG composed a guide for mentors and 

appointed experienced mentors for new secretaries in the Area. All new MWA 

secretaries are assigned a mentor for a minimum of one year although the 

relationships usually continue beyond that time creating lasting support networks 

among MWA secretaries. All new support staff are brought into Peoria for training 

which is organized and led by the PASTG. This training was conducted in October of 

2007 and March 2008. Key Area personnel also meet with the group to provide 

additional specialized training. Six mentees were trained this year.

Temporary Assistance Program: The PASTG temporary support program was 

organized to provide support to units with secretarial vacancies. This program ensures 

that management unit offices operate smoothly when a permanent support position is 

vacated. The PASTG recruits volunteers from the secretarial team in the Area to serve 

in administrative assistance roles in the interim. This service has been recognized 

within the Area as essential to maintaining administrative workflow and research 

progress. This program was utilized in 2007 by one location. 
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We continue to disseminate noteworthy news items in the PASTG Notes to all the 

office support personnel in MWA.

2006 marked the eleventh year of the MWA Secretary of the Year program. Sandy 

Johnson of the Pre-Harvest Food Safety & Enteric Diseases Lab, Ames, Iowa was 

selected as the 2006 MWA Secretary of the Year and was recognized at the MWA 

Leadership meeting held in November 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The training scholarship program is continuing to be utilized to a great extent within 

the Midwest Area. This program provides funding for training from the Area Office 

allowing employees to benefit from training that may not be possible due to financial 

constraints within their units. The scholarship application and information is available 

on the PASTG homepage.

Goals

Continue to update the Midwest Area PASTG Home Page and SOP Manual.

Continue dissemination of noteworthy news items in the PASTG Notes.

Continue Training Scholarship Program.

Continue Temporary Assistance Program.

Continue to offer training to new MWA office support personnel.

Address initiatives as directed by the MWA Senior Management Team.

Secretary of the Year

Sandy Johnson - Midwest Area Secretary of the Year, 2006
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Area: North Atlantic Area (NAA)

Current Members

Approval from the Acting Area Director, NAA was received on the proposed 

restructuring and membership for the North Atlantic Area Council of Office

Professionals.

An email message is being prepared to send to the NAA RLs and those individuals who 

will be covered by our Council notifying them of the plan and seeking nominations for 

representatives as outlined in the proposed charter.

Once the responses are received and reviewed, the proposed members will be selected by 

the Acting Area Director. A meeting of the new Council will take place shortly thereafter 

to establish roles, responsibilities, adopt the proposed charter, etc.

Accomplishments

A new proposed charter, etc., has been prepared, reviewed, and approved. Input was also 

sought on revitalizing the Council from the administrative personnel at all NAA 

locations. The proposal was met with great enthusiasm from several volunteers. The 

process of selecting members for the Council is waiting on input from the RLs and 

administrative staff at the various locations in NAA.

Goals

Once the membership of the new Council is decided, a meeting will take place to 

establish the mission, goals, projects, etc. We anticipate having the new Council up and 

running prior to July 2008.

Secretary of the Year

The North Atlantic Area Office Staff Recognition Program did not recognize a winner for 

2007 but at the current time is preparing to announce the 2008 Program.
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AREA: NORTHERN PLAINS (NPA)

Members of the 2007 Council included:

Louise Dalton, Fort Collins, Colorado – Ex-Officio Member

Lori Dimmer, Fargo, North Dakota – Recorder

Olga Lee, Fort Collins, Colorado - Ex-Officio Member 

Jill Miller, Sidney, Montana - Webmaster 

Audrey Myers, Mandan, North Dakota – Chair 

Linda Parnell, Clay Center, Nebraska - Secretary Welcome Packet Coordinator

Sharon Peterson, Grand Forks, North Dakota - Public Relations & Technical Advisor

Accomplishments

The Resource Assistant List was updated. This listing of secretaries, who 

voluntarily serve as mentors to other secretaries in specialized areas, is included 

in the Welcome Packet and is available to everyone on our Webpage. 

Provided NACOP with information for their quarterly newsletter.

Developed a display for the NPA Leadership Conference April 2007 promoting 

NACOP & NPASAC.

Sharon Peterson assumed the Media Public Relations responsibilities. 

Representatives from the Council served on the NPA Leadership Planning

Committee and Council provided input into the Secretarial Session of the 2007 

NPA Leadership Conference.

Developed and distributed survey for feedback on the NPASAC Web site. 

Received positive feedback that will provide insight for future direction. 

The NPASAC revised the informational brochure about the Council.

The NPASAC Web site was redesigned and exists on the ARSNET Web site.

The 2007 version of the NPASAC Quick Reference Guide was updated and 

posted on the NPASAC’s Web site.

In October 2007, a New Secretary Orientation was held in conjunction with the 

New Scientist Orientation.

The NPASAC met in October 2007. One council member, Sharon Peterson, 

resigned due to separation from ARS. The vacancy was filled by Diona Austill, 
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Miles City, MT, who will serve as NACOP Representative, Webmaster, and 

Media Public Relations. Two council members, Audrey Myers and Jill Miller, 

rotated off the council. The two vacancies were filled by Marianne McCaulay, 

Fort Collins, CO, and Susan Coombes, Brookings, SD. Susan was not able to 

take on the duties so another search will be made for a new member. Lori Dimmer 

assumed duties as Chair, and Marianne as Recorder. 

Linda Parnell continued to update, revise, and distribute the Welcome Packet to 

new NPA secretaries. On behalf of our Council, Linda called new secretaries to 

welcome them after sending them a Welcome Packet. Audrey Myers, Chair, 

followed-up with a welcome from the Council.

The NPASAC was renamed to Northern Plains Area Council of Office 

Professionals (NPACOP) to better reflect our role in the current environment.

The NPACOP charter was revised and signed by council members. 

NPACOP goals and action items were reviewed and revised.

Goals

The NPASAC was renamed to Northern Plains Area Council of Office 

Professionals (NPACOP) to better reflect our role in the current environment. 

The NACOP will be informed of the name change and all resources and 

references will be modified.

A new member will be recruited to replace Susan Coombes.

The ARS Files Management Guidebook needs updating. Our NACOP 

representative will bring this to the attention of the national council for their 

action.

A standardized position description for office professionals needs to be addressed. 

Our NACOP representative will bring this to the attention of the national council 

for their action.

Recommend to area DAD method of training for gov-trip and additional training 

for AIMS. Possibly have two training sessions to enable all office professionals 

the opportunity to attend.

Research Ag-Learn training opportunities in order to make recommendations to 

NPA office professionals.

The Resource Assistant List will be updated. This listing of secretaries, who 

voluntarily serve as mentors to other secretaries in specialized areas, is included 

in the Welcome Packet and is available to everyone on our Webpage. 
21

Provide handout on changes regarding Foreign Nationals processing and AIMS. 

Update the web site as appropriate.

The web site will be changed over to Site Publisher as part of the NPA website. 

Council recommends that the front office send out an email to all NPA office 

professionals to advise them of departing and new office professionals.

Increase awareness of NPACOP activities by making personal contact with all 

new NPA secretaries.

Maintain/update office professional resources (i.e., the Quick Reference Guide, 

Brochure, and Web site) provided by the NPACOP and send a Welcome Packet to 

each new NPA office professional. 

Address requirements and requests from NACOP.

Provide NACOP with information for their quarterly newsletter.

New office professional orientation will be conducted in the Fall of 2008.

Diona Austill will periodically submit items on NPACOP activities for inclusion 

in the Northern Highlights (NPA weekly briefing).

Secretary of the Year

This award is presented biannually. The next Secretary of the Year will be 

selected in 2008.

10/31/2007
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AREA: Pacific West (PWA)

Accomplishments:

Established “Buddy System” 

Established SharePoint site 

Updated color, tri-fold brochure 

Designed CD label for future use 

Revaluated the focus and proposed distribution method of the PWA 

Office Support Handbook 

Designed PWA-OSAC magnets 

Updated the “Monthly Calendar of Forms/Tasks Due” as dates 

announced. The virtual calendar is in process due to web revisions 

Deferred OSP Teleconferences 

Expanded Website 

Distributed “Tip of the Month” in News Notes and posted to website. 

The “Tip of the Month” was incorporated into the PWANet website by 

the PWA IT Manager 

Contacted individual support employees by Council members to 

promote the Council’s mission, encourage participation and 

application to be a Council member 

Implemented Council member recognition 

PWA OSAC’s mentoring program was emulated by PWA AOs and RLs 
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AREA: South Atlantic (SAA)

The mission of the South Atlantic Area Advisory Council for Office 

Professionals (SAA-ACOP) is to serve the Office Professional, Research 

Leaders and Area Management in an advisory capacity. Our goal is to 

strengthen the professional bond between Office Professionals and 

management through improved communication, enhanced training, and 

establishment of a working mentoring and orientation program. 

Council Members for 2008 are:

Debbie Roland – Chair (2/04) 2 years

Wanda Rohrer – Co-chair (2/04) 2 years

Maribel Roldan, Mayaguez, P.R. – Webmaster (2/06) 2 years

Connie Bryant, Raleigh, NC – Recorder (2/06) 2 years 

George Lee, Miami, FL – Historian (2/05) 2 years 

Debbie Ambrose, Winter Haven, FL – Newsletter Editor (2/06) 3 years

One member (vacant) 2 years 

Shelia Jackson, Athens, GA – Technical Advisor (determined by length of 

NACOP membership)

2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

Mentoring/Orientation Program (mentored 24 including 2 from outside SAA). 

List of nominees presented for consideration. The SAA-ACOP council consists of 

eight members and the Technical Advisor. We have two vacancies at present.

Presented the “2007 Office Professional of the Year Award” – Betty Bracey, Area 

Office, Athens, Ga.

Reviewed, updated employee titles, and signed 2007 Charter

Distributed SAA-ACOP brochure to South Atlantic Area locations.

Sent Newsletter

Scholarship application was reviewed, updated, and approved.

Held conference calls to continue council business throughout the year 

Sent completed Travel Guide to Val Farmer for review with changes and was 

revised.

Prepared Travel Card Do’s and Don’ts brochure for Employees

Prepared Travel System Function Key Guide: Quick Reference Guide 

Revised brochure to include edits of new email addresses and members

GOALS: March 2008 – February 2009

Revise travel guide for office professionals to include new GovTrip program

Streamline and strengthen mentoring program
24

Strengthen welcome program of new office professionals to ARS-SAA by 

reviewing job announcements and notice in Newsletter 

Send welcome package to new office professional employees

Upload our website updates to the Internet

Participate in planning 2008 Leadership Conference

Update Presentation Board for 2008 Leadership Conference

Request for purchase and distribution of SAA ACOP lapel pins to be presented on 

2008 Office Professional’s day 

Print revised brochure and distribute with travel card do’s and don’ts to all SAA 

office professionals

Rework logo for travel guide cover page 

Establish bi-monthly conference call schedule last Thursday of every other month 

beginning in May, 2008 at 10:00 

Send Newsletter 
25

Area: Southern Plains (SPA)

Current Members

Justine M. Flowers – Chair

Susan Daughtry – Co-Chair

Beverly Keller – Recorder

Beth Holt – Training Coordinator

Susan Daughtry – Information Coordinator

Karen Wilcox – Webmaster

Anne Steele – Permanent Member

Barbara Hodges – NACOP Representative

Davee Crowell – Ex Officio

Accomplishments

Continued sending the Newsletter to RLs, CDs, etc., with 

new features highlighting an Office Professional and his/her 

impact and “Ask Smurfy” by Ruth, Area Program Analyst, to 

answer questions concerning all things ARIS.

New Employee packets were updated and sent to all new 

Office Professionals in the Southern Plains

Quarterly teleconferences were held

Training Coordinator is now responsible for the SPA ACOP 

Scrapbook

Continued to promote the Scholarship and Shadowing 

Programs

A Survey was developed and distributed to all Office 

Professionals/RL’s

to learn how the council and office professionals could 

interact more efficiently.

Mastergardner event at the SPA Leadership Conference

Goals

Continue to promote SPA ACOP!

Major revisions to the SPA ACOP website.

Update the SPA ACOP manual online

Continued distribution of the Newsletter

Add Program Analyst as a Permanent Advisory Member
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2007/2008 ANNUAL REPORT

NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR 

OFFICE PROFESSIONALS

ANNUAL MEETING

DATE: June 24-26, 2008

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Host: Site Visit

The Council met the week of June 23-27, 2008, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Albuquerque was selected for the meeting to coincide with the site selection committee 

visit to hotels for the proposed 2009 annual conference. The members were welcomed 

by Cecilia Padilla-Quillen, Director of Convention Services for the Albuquerque 

Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. New Council members were introduced and a 

teambuilding session was conducted by Phil Smith, Safety and Occupational Manager in 

the Southern Plains Area. 

Members reviewed the charter, brochure, pictorial scrapbook and website. Members 

worked on annual reports and discussed revised due dates. The Council reviewed 

accomplishments from the previous year and established goals for the coming Council 

year. Details for the proposed 2009 conference were finalized, including selection of 

dates, recommended meeting facility and hotel, preparation of a draft agenda, suggestions 

for tentative internal speakers, selection of an outside speaker, and logistical items. 

2007/2008 Accomplishments

2009 Conference

 * Cost comparison was revised. Preliminary information was submitted to sponsor 

 for review. Final request should contain figures for FY 09, so costs will be revised 

 before final submission.

 * Site visit for requested city to be combined with annual meeting for June, 2008.

 * Publicity/Hospitality and Program/Agenda Committees established. 

 Responsibilities were determined and divided between the committees. 

 * Determined preferred topics and tentative speakers for general sessions and break-

 out sessions. 
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Website

* Website was reviewed during annual meeting and during the year that followed. 

The site was updated and maintained as necessary to promote up-to-date 

information. Technical Advisor for each local council worked with members to 

connect their inactive websites and reviewed links.

Keep publishing and distributing NACOP Notes. 

 * Continued distribution of NACOP Notes, with brainstorming and evaluation for 

 new ways to enhance and add information. 

 

Update Training and Planning Guide on Website.

 * Outdated information was removed, new courses and methods for training were 

 added and contact information was made current. Newly edited version was posted 

 on website. 

Review and update Resources Assistance List.

 * List was reviewed. Items no longer relevant were removed and new items were 

 added. Individuals who were no longer with the Agency were replaced. The 

 revised list was posted on the website.

Create historical record of NACOP.

 * A new historical record through pictures was begun. Binders to maintain the 

 collection were purchased and identification and labeling of the pictures was 

 initiated. Members explored several options to utilize former members to help 

 collect pictures and help identify individuals in pictures already in the collection.

2008/2009 Goals

Work towards 2009 Conference

Finalize cost comparison and submit request

If approved, the Publicity/Hospitality and Program/Agenda Committees to carry 

out responsibilities to finalize topics, verify availability of speakers, distribute 

invitations and handle registration, prepare agenda and certificates, gather needed 

audio visual equipment, select menus, order non-monetary items, prepare name 

tags, assign breakout sessions and handle logistics for the conference.

Following meeting, committees to handle acknowledgements, letters of 

appreciation, and evaluations.

Review NACOP Website

Continue to update and maintain website to promote current information and 

assure links are active.

Continue NACOP Notes

Continue to distribute information through NACOP Notes while evaluating 

interest and relevancy.
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Increase awareness of NACOP through use of displays.

Continue to promote use of the two Council displays during area events.

Develop historical record

Organize pictures collected and identify individuals.

Update timeline to include time served by each council member.

Update NACOP brochure

Revise information on brochure and make available to office professionals.

Link to information developed by local councils (115, foreign travel, foreign visitors, 

etc.)

Develop methods to distribute information put together in quick-reference format 

by local councils.

Form Annual Report Committee to ensure June-May timeframe is met. Committee 

will be Ex-Officio, Co-Chairs plus one.