NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

FOR OFFICE PROFESSIONALS

AND

ORGANIZATIONAL SECRETARIAL ADVISORY COUNCILS

ANNUAL REPORT – June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009

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

2008-2009 NACOP MEMBERS ...........................................................................4

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

ANNUAL MEETING, ACCOMPLISHMENTS & GOALS.............................7

SECRETARIAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM ................................................9

ORGANIZATIONAL SECRETARIAL ADVISORY COUNCILS

BELTSVILLE AREA

 Accomplishments & Goals................................................................ 10-11

 HEADQUARTERS

 Accomplishments & Goals................................................................ 12-13

 MIDSOUTH AREA

 Accomplishments & Goals................................................................ 14-15

 MIDWEST AREA

 Accomplishments & Goals................................................................ 16-17

 NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY

 Accomplishments & Goals......................................................................18

 NORTH ATLANTIC AREA

 Accomplishments & Goals......................................................................19

 NORTHERN PLAINS AREA

 Accomplishments & Goals................................................................ 20-21

 PACIFIC WEST AREA

 Accomplishments & Goals......................................................................22

 SOUTH ATLANTIC AREA

 Accomplishments & Goals................................................................ 23-24

 SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA

 Accomplishments & Goals......................................................................25

 
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Executive Summary

Overview:

The Council was hosted by the Southern Atlantic Area in Miami, Florida, the week of 

June 2-4, 2009. Council members were welcomed by Mr. Robert Heath and given a tour 

of the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station. A teambuilding session was held to 

facilitate integration of new members to the Council. This included an interactive team 

building session by Jan Lewis, AFM-ODEO. 

The Council Charter was reviewed and updated. Also reviewed and updated were the 

Council’s website, the Quick Reference Guide, the Orientation Plan, and the Resource 

Assistance list. The Council established goals for the coming year. 

The Council prepared and submitted a cost comparison for a national conference and 

training.

The Council conducted monthly conference calls to work on goals and priorities. 

Information was shared with local councils and office professionals through NACOP 

Notes and the Website.

Respectfully submitted,

Drusilla Fratesi, Senior Co-Chair

Diona Austill, Junior Co-Chair
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Members of the 2008-2009 National Advisory Council for Office Professionals

Drusilla Fratesi, MSA, Senior Co-Chair

Diona Austill, NPA, Junior Co-Chair

Patricia Berry, HQ, Ex-Officio

Cathy Lonaberger, OA, Technical Advisor

Rhonda Sampson, OCIO, Technical Advisor

Terry Brooks, NAL

Diane Koch, NAA

Barbara Hodges, SPA

Wendy Jacobs, BA

Shelia Jackson, SAA 

Sandy Groneberg, MWA

Debra Penick, PWA
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NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR OFFICE PROFESSIONALS

Former members of NSAC/NACOSP/NACOP:

KATHY ARAGON, NPA

MARIA ARCHER, NAL

BRENDA AYSENNE, MSA

BARBIE BALLENGEE, PWA

SANDRA BALL, NAL

PRUNELLA BRANISH, NAA

SHERRI BUXTON, MWA

KAY CARR, SAA

CARMELA CARRICK, HQ

CLARICE CARTER, TECHNICAL ADVISOR

PATTY COYLE, NAA

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

CODY JENSEN, NPA

VERONICA LAIRD, PWA

OLGA LEE, NPA

HEATHER LEWANDOWSKI, MWA

ANGIE MARCHETTI, HQ

ELAINE, MCGUIRE, BA

SHEILA MESSINEO, BA

LINDA NEUENHAHN, HQ

OLIVIA PEDRAZA, SPA

ROSETTA PROCTOR, HQ

JANNETTE SHUFORD-REEVES, NAL

BETTY SIGLER, NPA

MARY SILVA, NAL

FRANKEE SIMPSON, SAA
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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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2008-2009 ANNUAL REPORT

NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR

OFFICE PROFESSIONALS

ANNUAL MEETING

Date: June 2-4, 2009

Location: Miami, Florida

Host: South Atlantic Area

FY-08/09 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Work towards the 2009 Conference

Proposal and cost comparison were prepared and submitted but the decision was 

made to postpone the conference for now.

Review the NACOP website

The website was reviewed and updated throughout the year and reviewed again 

during the annual meeting.

Continue NACOP Notes

NACOP Notes was published in November and May and distributed via the 

national council to local councils and all office professionals.

Increase Awareness of NACOP through use of displays

Information was shared as to availability of small and large NACOP council 

posters. Council members were encouraged to use them for their area meetings.

Develop historical record

The historical record and pictorial directory was updated throughout the year, and

work is continuing on the timeline.

Update NACOP Brochure

The brochure has been updated and posted to the SharePoint site for use by 

members during area events.

Link to information developed by local councils

Information links distributed to all office professionals through NACOP Notes.
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Form annual report committee to ensure June to May timeframe is met.

Committee was formed and annual reports were posted to the website.

In addition to the accomplishments based on the goals, the council created a SharePoint 

site for ease in sharing information and maintaining working documents.

FY-09/10 GOALS

Keep all office professionals informed of new website links.

Area councils have developed useful and informative documents and are making 

them available to all office professionals via their local council websites.

Increase awareness of NACOP through use of displays and brochures.

Council members are to promote use of two NACOP displays (available from the 

Sr. Co-Chair) and the revised NACOP brochure available on the SharePoint site.

Provide minutes of annual meeting to Mr. Jim Bradley and Dr. Ed Knipling.

In an effort to keep the Sponsor and Administrator informed we will begin to 

distribute the annual meeting minutes to them.

Continue to review and update website and historical records.

Council members will send updates to webmaster or historian on a continual 

basis.

Update Resource Assistant’s list.

A committee was formed to review items and individuals on the list and update as 

appropriate. Post final version on website.

Submit proposal and, when approved, implement and provide National Office 

Professional Training Workshop.

Prepare cost comparison and proposal for submission through management for 

national training workshop. Upon receipt of approval, finalize plans and conduct 

workshop.

Guide local councils and encourage participation.

Discussed how local councils work and discussed ways to encourage participation 

and garner support.

Inform Sponsor on local council issues.

Prepare and submit a letter to the Sponsor explaining issues that local councils are 

incurring with participation and support.
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NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR OFFICE PROFESSIONALS

SECRETARIAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM

ARS Secretary of the Year:

Melissa Alegria

Office Automation Assistant

Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA

Beltsville Area: 

Stefanye Washington, USNA

Education & Visitors Service Unit

Mid South Area: 

Cathy Sabbatini (GS-06 and above)

Program Assistant, Natural Products Utilization Research Unit

Oxford, MS

Stacye Harrison (GS-05 and below)

Office Automation Assistant, Southern Weed Science Research Unit

Stoneville, MS

Midwest Area: 

Ann Houser (Soil Drainage Research Unit, Columbus, Ohio)

Northern Plains Area:

Joan Rosch, NPA Secretary of the Year for 2008.
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Area: Beltsville Area (BA)

Current Members:

Donell Bladen, PSI, CSGCL (Junior Co-Chair)

Mary Dailey, PSI, MPPL

Laura Denice, ANRI, Institute Office

Tina Hunter, PSI, NGRL

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

Stephanie Lahocki, BHNRC, NDL/FCML

Linda Nix, BHNRC, FCHL/FIERL (Senior Co-Chair)

Catherine Parsons, PSI, FQL

Kisha Shelton, USNA (Recorder)

2008 Accomplishments:

June 2008, BAASAC devised and distributed a survey using Survey Monkey. This was 

sent to the Beltsville Area Administrative Staff in an effort to assist the Area Office with 

issues we were having with GovTrip. The Area Office was able to gather the information 

which proved useful for their GovTrip training.

BARC Career Development Workshop held in two-part sessions. October 22, 2008 or 

October 23, 2008. Meyer’s Briggs Type Indicator was the first of two sessions and was 

presented by Kit Hoyle, HRD, AFM. 

BARC Career Development Workshop on November 19, 2008, or November 20, 2008. 

The 2nd session was presented by Kim McGregor, HRD, AFM on OPM Leadership 

Competency Framework, Career Development, and Self-Development through AgLearn. 

"Vision & FISH Philosophy", April 29, 2009. This was for the 2009 Administrative 

Office Professionals Week. “Vision” was presented by Chevon Gibson, HRD, AFM and 

“FISH Philosophy” was presented by Wendy Jacobs, PSI, and Tina Hunter, PSI/NGRL, 

along with members of BAASAC.

2009 Goals:

Keep the Website current.

Meeting with Management to discuss how BAASAC can serve in a more advisory 

capacity on new initiatives which impact employees at BARC.
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2009 Goals (Cont’d)

Give a presentation to Management and the Research Leaders on our past and present 

accomplishments, as well as our future goals.

Microsoft Office 2007 Training

2010 Administrative Professionals Day Training

GovTrip Travel Training

2008 Secretary of the Year:

Stefanye Washington, USNA

Education & Visitors Service Unit
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Area: Headquarters Advisory Council for Administrative Professionals (HACAP)

Current Members 

Mary Goleski – Chairperson (Ending term on HACAP 2009)

Claudette Shields – Chairperson (Taking over as Chairperson in April 2009)

Cathy Widner – Co-Chairperson (Ending term on HACAP 2009)

Darlene Yesudian - Webmaster

Cozette Talib – Membership Chairperson 

Claudette Shields 

Bonnie Lapelosa

Jackie Kelly 

Sharon Roberts

Colette Wood 

Marcia Herbert

Michelle Voyatzis

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.

Since our last report, we have had three additional All Hands meetings/workshops with 

all administrative professionals in AFM and Headquarters. We provided sessions for 

network and training. Training consisted of WebTA, GovTrip, SF-52’s; and Purchase 

Card Program. We also had interesting speakers on “Positive Approaches to Changing 

Times” and “Making Good Health a Way of Life.”

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; welcome letters to new employees, and holding more All Hands Meetings).

Support NACOP as needed with their tentatively scheduled conference. 

Elect new officers and recruit new members.

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:

Ann McGee, Senior Chair, Stoneville, MS

Lynda Taylor, Junior Chair, Stoneville, MS

Donna Signa, Recorder, Stoneville, MS

Sydney Beaumont, New Orleans, LA

Althea Hunt, New Orleans, LA

Kelli Greene, Lexington, KY

Peggy Tubertini, Oxford, MS

Dawn Reed, New Orleans, LA

Marlene Coley, Sponsor’s Assistant, Stoneville, MS

Tammy Dorman, Ex-Officio Member, Auburn, AL

Drusilla Fratesi, Technical Advisor, Stoneville, MS

Lucienne Savell, Webmaster, Oxford, MS

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

Accomplishments for June 2008 to May 2009:

The Mid South Area Council of Office Professionals held their annual meeting May 13 

and 14, 2008, at the USDA/ARS R.W. Harned Research Laboratory adjoining the 

Mississippi State University Campus in Starkville, MS. 

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

McGee, Senior Chair; Lynda Taylor, Junior Chair and Donna Signa, Recorder. 

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

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

2008: Kelli Greene, Lexington, KY; Althea Hunt and Dawn Reed, New Orleans, LA.

The Charter was revised and updated. The Charter was approved by all members.

Council held conference calls bi-monthly.

MSAOP information posters and brochures were updated and distributed to each location 

for display. The MSA Council’s website (http://msa.ars.usda.gov/osp) and the MSAOP 

SharePoint site were updated and maintained as needed. New links and community 

items, such as helpful sites, S.O.P., photographs, updated Charter, News Notes editions 

and conference call minutes, have been added. Basic information, such as Mission and 

Goals, Membership List, Annual Reports and NACOP information, is also available. A 

counter has been placed on the website to monitor the quantity of use.

The MSAOP News Notes has been distributed once with input from all Council 

members. 

The Annual Operating Budget was approved by the Mid South Area Director.
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Congratulatory retirement and promotion letters have been sent to appropriate 

individuals.

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

Goals for June 2008 to May 2009:

The Council will fill the two vacancies for 2008/2009. [2 vacancies filled]

The OP Training Committee through the Council recommended to the Mid South Area 

Director the implementation of the Training Outline. [Multiple planning conference calls 

held. Training Outline completed and approved by the Area Office. Additional trainings 

have been offered utilizing WebEx covering RPES & SharePoint in September 2008 and 

Agreements in April 2009. These web cast trainings were attended by 29 and 31 Office 

Professionals, respectively, at a significant savings in time and expense for travel.]

Disseminate form for scientists to provide information to the office professional for data 

entry for ARS-115 input in ARIS. [Goal was completed.]

The fall meeting was finalized for November 3-6, 2009. [Date, location and length were 

decided; cost comparison submitted for approval from Area Director and was approved.]

Establish Office Professional Advocacy Committee (OPAC) to gather information on 

office professional positions descriptions for possible upgrading and to survey Research 

Leaders concerning their support and possible service on the committee. [Committee 

was formed and several planning conference calls held. Information gathering begun and 

survey of Research Leaders was competed.]

Dr. Brennan approached Dr. King with a request to include the MSACOP in the 2009 

Leadership Meeting since the OP’s are a critical part of the Area Leadership. [This was 

completed.]

Office Professionals of the Year:

Cathy Sabbatini (GS-06 and above)

Program Assistant (Office Automation)

Natural Products Utilization Research Unit

Oxford, MS

Stacye Harrison (GS-05 and below)

Office Automation Assistant

Southern Weed Science Research Unit

Stoneville, MS
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Area: Midwest Area (MWA) 

Members of the 2008 Council included: 

Sherri Buxton, Co-Chair 

Kim Meyers, Co-Chair

Stacey Carlson

Sandy Groneberg, Ex-Officio, National Council Representative 

Ann Houser, Web Master 

Heather Lewandowski, SOP Co-Editor

Jenny Moses, Recorder/Information Coordinator 

Nancy Sanders, News Notes Editor 

Melissa Stiefel, SOP Co-Editor 

Diane Strub, PASTG Sponsor

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 secretarial and 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. The PASTG created a 

form letter to welcome secretaries to ARS, give them their mentor’s name, location, 

and contact information, and let them know how to access the PASTG website. The 

letter is also copied to the new secretary’s Research Leader. 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. 

Key Area personnel also meet with the group to provide additional specialized 

training. Four mentees were trained this year. 

Temporary Assistance Program: The PASTG temporary support program has 

continued 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. 

We continue to disseminate noteworthy news items in the PASTG News Notes to all 

office support personnel in the Midwest Area. 
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2007 marked the twelfth year of the MWA Secretary of the Year program. Ann 

Houser of the Soil Drainage Research Unit, located in Columbus, Ohio, was selected 

as the 2007 MWA Secretary of the Year and was recognized for her achievements.

Our SOP manual was converted from chapters to an A-Z listing to make it more userfriendly and easier to locate specific items which helped us accomplish goal #1 

below.

Goals 

Continue to update the Midwest Area PASTG Home Page and make it more userfriendly.

Update the SOP Manual. 

Continue quarterly newsletter. 

Work on a Foreign Visitors Brochure.

Address issues brought up at the last Leadership meeting in St. Louis, MO.

Continue Temporary Assistance Program, as needed. 

Continue to offer training to new MWA office support personnel. 

Address initiatives as directed by the MWA Senior Management Team. 

Secretary of the Year 

Ann Houser (Soil Drainage Research Unit, Columbus, Ohio)

Midwest Area Secretary of the Year 
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Area: National Agricultural Library Support Staff 

 Advisory Council (NALSSAC)

Current Members:

Vacant-Office of the Director, Technical Advisor

Vacant- Office of the Director, Chair

Sharon Middleton, Public Services Division

LaTasha Burl, Technical Services Division

Vacant- Information Systems Division

Terry Brooks, Public Services Division

Accomplishments

Updated the NAL Administrative Procedures Handbook on NAL’s Intranet. This 

handbook serves as a resource to not only the support staff but other employees at 

the Library as a Standard Operating Procedure for electronic resources, 

emergency procedures, correspondence, forms, procurement, personnel, awards, 

time and attendance, travel, and mail and is continually updated as needed.

Held quarterly working luncheons to share information with all NAL support 

staff. We invited a guest speaker that focuses on issues that are pertinent to the 

support staff (AgLearn, HRD procedures, Web Telephone Conferencing, etc.)

Goals

Development of the NALSSAC website that will link to the NAL and ARS 

websites to encourage better communication between the councils.

Continue to update the NAL Administrative Procedures Handbook on the NAL 

Intranet

Continue the quarterly working luncheons

Work with the NAL Management Team to help initiate some of the 

recommendations from the Support Staff Workforce Study, i.e., Training and 

Mentoring and Succession Planning.

Mentor new support staff as they come on board and encourage participation in 

NALSAAC.
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Area: North Atlantic Area (NAA)

Current Members

Pending formal announcement from the Area Director, the following members will be 

our new Council:

Diane Koch, Ex Officio and Technical Advisor

Karen Barry

Jenny Joseph

Teresa Silveous

Maria Dallara

Rosemary Martinjuk

Duties/responsibilities have yet to be assigned.

The charter is being reviewed and a proposal has been made (not yet approved) for the 

new Council to meet face-to-face to formalize the charter, etc. 

Accomplishments

A new proposed charter, etc., has been prepared and is being reviewed. 

Goals

The NAA COP website will be one of the first projects, followed by a mentoring 

program, orientation for new secretarial personnel, etc. We anticipate having the new 

Council up and running fully by August 1, 2009.

Secretary of the Year

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

2008 but at the current time is preparing to announce the 2009 Program.
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Area: Northern Plains Area (NPA)

Members of the 2008 Council included:

Diona Austill, Miles City, Montana – PR, Webmaster, Technical Advisor

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

Lori Dimmer, Fargo, North Dakota – Chair

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

Elaine Liddell, Manhattan, Kansas 

Marianne McCaulay, Fort Collins, Colorado - Recorder

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

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 Web site. 

Provided NACOP with information for their quarterly newsletter.

Diona Austill 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 2009 NPA Leadership 

Conference.

At the 2009 NPA Leadership the Council gave a PowerPoint presentation during the 

Administrative Breakout Session highlighting some of our accomplishments and 

goals and encouraging council participation.

The NPACOP revised the informational brochure about the Council.

The NPACOP Web site was redesigned and uploaded to the ARS web site using 

SitePublisher.

The NPACOP Quick Reference Guide was updated for NPACOP’s Web site.

In December 2008, a New Secretary Orientation was held in conjunction with the 

New Scientist Orientation.

The NPACOP met in October 2008. One council person, Lori Dimmer, finished her 

term on the council and was replaced by Kim Swanson, Fargo, ND. Susan Coombes, 

Brookings, SD, was not able to take on the duties so Elaine Liddell, Manhattan, KS, 

filled her position. Linda Parnell assumed duties as Chair, Elaine Liddell assumed the 

Welcome Packet coordinator duties, and Kim Swanson assumed the PR duties. 

Elaine Liddell maintains and distributes the Welcome Packet to new NPA secretaries. 

On behalf of our Council, Elaine calls new secretaries to welcome them after sending 
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them a Welcome Packet. Linda Parnell, Chair, follows-up with a welcome from the 

Council.

The NPACOP charter was revised and signed by council members. 

NPACOP goals and action items were reviewed and revised.

Goals

The ARS Files Management Guidebook needs updating. Hank Davis is following up 

with the OCIO council. This may be an item that our Council can initiate within the 

NPA.

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.

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. 

Increase awareness of NPACOP activities by making personal contact with all new 

NPA office professionals.

Assign a NPACOP member to serve as a mentor to each new NPA office 

professional.

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 semi-annual newsletter.

New office professional orientation will be conducted in December 2008.

Kim Swanson will periodically submit helpful “did you know” hints to all office 

professionals through e-mail.

Provide a coaster with the NPACOP logo to all office professionals. 

Secretary of the Year

This award is presented biannually. Joan Rosch has been selected Secretary of the 

Year for 2008.
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AREA: Pacific West Area (PWA)

Members of the 2008 Council included:

Stefani Morgan, Sr Co-Chair

Melanie Wilson, Jr Co-Chair

Mary Prestidge, Reference Guide Coordinator

Deb Penick, Information Coordinator, NACOP Technical Advisor

Lorraine Sonoda, Recorder

Shelby Beckner, Website Coordinator

Veronica Laird, PWA Representative

Accomplishments:

Established ARS-PWA-ALL Secretaries distribution list

Distributed SAC Information and Recruitment Packet; Contacted individual 

support employees by Council members to promote the Council’s mission, 

encourage participation and application to be a Council member. 

Sustained renovation and updating of website; Provided up-to-date, informative 

website to assist area office support personnel to enhance skills and abilities with 

current Agency processes and programs.

Reassessed Reference Guide, i.e. FAQs; additional information for foreign 

nationals

Designed a Welcome Packet which is sent to PWA new hires to introduce the 

Council and to provide initial resource assistance. 

Created and implemented an annual activity to recognize all PWA office support 

personnel during observance of Administrative Professionals Week.

Goals:

Establish monthly PWA support staff conference calls; strengthen and improve 

the knowledge and skills of all PWA office support staff through networking

Restructure OSAC website; improve communication, awareness, and skills 

among office support staff, and provide advice and recommendations on Agency 

and PWA policies

Recognize PWA office professionals on Administrative Professionals Day

Establish virtual calendar for events and action items
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Area: South Atlantic Area (SAA)

The mission of the South Atlantic Area Advisory Council for Office Professionals (SAAACOP) is to serve as a foundation of knowledge to all Office Professionals in an advisory 

capacity with input from the Deputy Area Director and the Technical Advisors. Our goals 

are to strengthen the professional bond between Office Professionals and management 

through increasing the awareness of career development programs, improve 

communication through the semi-annual newsletter, enhance training through use of the 

scholarship and mentoring program.

Council Members for 2008 are:

Debbie Roland – Chair (2/04) 2 years

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

Vacant – 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)

2008 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

Sponsorship was delegated by Area Director to Deputy Area Director

Added two new technical advisors to include a Research Leader and an 

Administrative Officer

Featured 2007 Office Professional of the Year recipient, Betty Bracey, for 

inclusion in Spring Newsletter

Completed draft of Vision and Mission Statement 

Conducted two on-site Mentoring/Training sessions

Conducted spot mentoring/coaching to 34 employees during the year

Instructed the ARIS session at Fall Quarter AO workshop 

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 “2008 Office Professional of the Year Award” – Debbie Roland, 

Dawson, Ga.

Added two new members

Updated, reviewed, and signed 2008 Charter

Updated SAA-ACOP brochure for South Atlantic Area locations

Distributed Newsletter

Scholarship application was reviewed, updated, and approved

Held conference calls to continue council business throughout the year 

Revised brochure to include new members and contact information 

Spot Awards (2) were given resulting from mentoring efforts
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GOALS: May 2009 – January 2010

Implement SAA ACOP Strategic Plan

Update Partnership in Excellence document originally implemented in 1996

Reinforce mentoring effort by follow-up survey “How Did We Do?” form with 

mentees 

Publish a list of current and former council members to serve as mentors 

Distribute welcome package to new office professional employees

Maintain a functional website on the Internet

Participate in planning 2009 Leadership Conference

Create a Presentation Board for 2009 Leadership Conference

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

2010 Office Professional’s Day 

Print brochure and distribute with travel card “Do’s and Don’ts” to all SAA office 

professionals

Establish monthly conference call schedule last Thursday of every month 

beginning in May, 2009 at 10:00 

Distribute Newsletter semi-annually 
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Area: Southern Plains Area (SPA)

Current Members

Susan Daughtry – Chair

Beverly Keller – Co-chair

Sherry Dewald – Recorder

Beth Holt – Training Coordinator

Whitney Davis – Information Coordinator

Anne Steele – Permanent Member

Ruth Treat – Permanent Member

Barbara Hodges – NACOP Representative

Accomplishments

Had a breakout session at the SPA Leadership Conference for the Office 

Professionals entitled “The OP Master Gardener Program, Cultivating the 

Management Team.”

SPA ACOP New Employee Packages were sent out to all new office professionals.

Continued sending the newsletter to all of SPA.

Held our quarterly teleconferences.

Revised the SPA ACOP Charter and obtained signatures.

Started the development of a poster to be distributed to each location.

Added a new permanent member to our Council.

Goals

1) Improve our communication with the office professionals and supervisors as well as 

our visibility by developing a calendar for the SPA of “ACOP Alerts – A 12 Step 

Program for the Office Professionals.”

2) Finalize ACOP poster and also develop brochure.

3) Continue writing and distributing the ACOP newsletter.

4) Distribute the newly developed SPA ARS-115 brochure.

5) Send out a summary of our minutes from meetings and conference calls.

6) Continue to send welcome packets to new office professional; but also do a followup with them two weeks later.

7) Improve awareness of and encourage participation in the National ACOP meeting 

to be held in March 2009 in Albuquerque, NM.

8) Put our National and SPA Display Boards up at various meeting within SPA, 

beginning with the New SY Orientation Workshop being held at the Area Office in 

October 2008.

9) Plan for an Office Professional Training in the spring of 2010.