Federal Managers Association Shares Hot Topics and Annual Convention News

Written by FEDmanager on 21 February 2012. Posted in This Week on FEDtalk

In just a few weeks, the Federal Managers Association (FMA) will welcome its members into town for its annual convention. Highlights of the convention include a keynote address by Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, visits to Congressional offices, and training seminars on key topics for federal managers.

This week on FEDtalk, host Bill Bransford will speak with FMA president Patricia Niehaus, Executive Director Todd Wells, and Government Affairs Director Jessie Klement to learn more about the annual convention and the biggest issues facing federal managers in 2012. The FMA guests will also be joined by two of the presenters for the training seminars to get a preview of their courses. Casey Wilson of Management Concepts will share seven quick fixes for managing performance and Jason Milton of Gallup will talk about improving employee productivity and well-being through healthier workplace relationships.

The radio show airs this Friday, Feb. 24, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. Click here on Friday to listen or tune in to 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area.

Join the conversation! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. your questions or call in during the show by dialing 1-877-936-9333 (toll free).

FEDtalk® is a live radio talk show produced by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., bringing you the insider's perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.

Have Some Fun Courtesy of GEICO!

Being a federal employee has its benefits, and GEICO is making it that much easier to love being a federal employee by bringing feds discounted Nationals tickets and the 2012 Funniest Fed Competition.

Join the Nationals on select dates for a $10.00 Nats Bucks food credit for attendees with a federal employee ID, courtesy of GEICO. (Limited to the first 150 who show their work ID at the GEICO Racing Presidents Photo Station Area).

PURCHASE NATS TICKETS

And for a few laughs, join GEICO at the 2012 Funniest Fed Competition, a series of comedy shows where federal employees and members of the military perform original standup routines in front of live, voting audiences in an effort to nab the title of "D.C.'s Funniest Federal Employee."

PURCHASE FUNNIEST FED TICKETS

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More than 48,000 Apply

Federal Long Term Care Partners has released the results of the 2011 Open Season for the Federal Long Term Insurance Program (FLTCIP), Long Term Care Partners recently said, which has been heralded “a complete success.” More than 45,000 individuals were approved for enrollment during the 2011 FLTCIP Open Season, bringing FLTCIP’s total enrollment to more than 270,000, an increase of 20 percent.

The majority of 2011 applicants ultimately opted for one of FLTCIP’s pre-packaged plans. The most popular plans were those with a Daily Benefit Amount of $150 or $200 per day and a Benefit Period of three years – a good match for the average national cost and duration of long term care services, Long Term Care said.

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Senate Passes Whistleblower Protection Bill

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved last week the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2011 (S.743), which would strengthen protections for government whistleblowers.

The legislation was introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia.

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Reliance on Charge not Contained in Notice of Proposed Removal Constitutes Due Process Violation, Board Rules

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No matter your opinion of Napoleon Bonaparte, he was, without question, one of the best motivational leaders in the last 500 years. After destroying his army in Russia and being exiled to Elba he was able to raise a new army that threatened European Nobility for a second time. Even his enemies admired his ability to see beyond the moment and inspire the minds of those who would follow him. When Lord Wellington was asked who the best general of all time was, he responded, “undeniably, Napoleon Bonaparte.” To this day, we are still influenced by his genius in small and large ways. The suit coats men and women put on every day have buttons at the end of their sleeves. This superfluous item of fashion, invented by Napoleon, was designed to prevent troops from wiping their nose with their sleeve. And yet this minor invention of hygiene remains with us today. But our greatest lesson from Napoleon Bonaparte was his skill in leadership, a word not yet invented.

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A 101 on Retirement Benefits and Insurance Options for Federal Employees

With all the talk on the Hill and at the Office of Personnel Management on federal workers’ insurance and retirement benefits options, it could be hard to understand how the different initiatives or legislative proposals will affect federal employees.

This Friday, host Bill Bransford will be joined by Joan Melanson from Long Term Care Partners and federal retirement benefits specialist James Marshall for an in-depth look at and breakdown of the various retirement and insurance options out there for federal employees.

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