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FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F (3)
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Americorps
Series/Staff Member:
General Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
24234
FolderID:
Folder Title:
Weekly Reports
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S
66
1
2
2
NATIONAL SERVICE TASKS
May 3, 1994
Joel:
1) Re-write job description
2) Finalize DC summer program
3) Finalize Chicago summer program
4) Obtain letters of support
5) Call Mark Feldman at Corporation about private money, ext, 293
6) Write letter requesting detail of Donna Hynes
7) Write draft technical assistance plan
Katherine:
1) Write performance plan
2) Supervise thank yous and lunch
3) Set up Youth Environmental Service meeting with Joel, FS, SCS,
and Shay Bilchick, 514-4637, of Attorney General Reno's Office
4) Coordinate recruitment operations; obtain staff from ASCS
5) Coordinate sending of proposal copies
Ron:
1) Finalize budget and legal information with OBPA and OGC
2) Write performance plan
3) Write budget for technical assistance application
4) Create budget for recruitment plan design and printing
5) Finalize administrative functions for Summer
NATIONAL SERVICE TASKS
April 23, 1994
Joel:
1) Fianlize Forest Serrvice budget
2) Finish writing and editing application
3) Follow-up on with ASCS
4) Folow-up with Tom Elias of ARS at 245-4539
5) Follow-up with Michael Scott of EPA at 260-5982
6) Follow-up on Summer of Service
7) Call Patricia John at RIC, 301-504-5372
8) Draft Espy letter to Eli
9) Speak with Espy about DC; call Louisa Williams, 703-815-0827,
703-815-0830 at Ann White's suggestion; Larry Yarger 205-1290
10) Finalize 800 line
11) Call Bill Boyer at SCS at 720-2472
12) Call Dan Danahue at 703-695-0421 (MS, CA bases)
13) Call Mark Feldman at Corporation about private money, ext,
293
Katherine:
1) Edit enviornmental proposals
2) Supervise sneding proposals to state commissions
3) Follow up with VISTA; can they pledge 5 volunteers for each
anti-hunger site to act as crew leaders?
4) Send Interior proposals to Sue Kemnitzer and follow-up
5) Set up Youth Environmental Service meeting with Joel, FS, SCS,
and Shay Bilchick, 514-4637, of Attorney General Reno's Office
6) Have the following people review paper drafts of application:
Bill Wasserman
Sally Katt
Ed Poe
Dennis Carrol
Lisa Woll (anti-hunger)
Andrew Moore (environmtal)
Larry Bryant (rural)
Carrol Powell
Angela Courtney
Steve Mullen
Mike Alexander
Nina Tracy (environmental)
Adam Gollodner
Ron:
1) Finmalize budget information with OBPA and OGC
2) Create binders for apllications
3) Create page for application introduction laying out USDA -
Corporation funds ratio for each of three teams
3) Finalize centralized USDA budgets and administrative proposals
-- include plan for suppiort staff and multitudinous travel
4) Obtain prices for four year-end publications and obtain budget
from agency public affairs offices
5) Work with Design Divsion to create updated map
6) Include farmersm markets in hunger porojects such as LA
Ellen:
1) Focusing on editing and completing environmnetal
2) Collect data for rural development teams
3) Collect all original signatures
4) Fax enviornmental applications to Bruce Ward, American Hiking
Society, 703-255-9304, fax 703-255-9308
5) Make charts or graphs for rural development problems
Donna Hynes:
1) Complete anti-huner applications
2) Determine long-term FNS role and staffing
3) Send edited apllications to groups for comments
4) Make charts or graphs for hunger problems
Bruce Henderson:
1) Help with any tasks needed to submit application
2) Write plan for groups obtaining recruitment materials
3) Finalize recruitment materials, including TV and radio scripts
for the Secretary
4) Draft national media plans
5) Work with agency public affairs personnel to draft local media
plans
6) Call Katie Tierney at Corporation about Clinton Footage, 606-
5000, ext. 184.
File
NATIONAL SERVICE TASKS:
Week of September 12, 1994
All Staff
Take at least a few moments to savor our triumph on behalf of America.
Joel
1) Finalize FmHA/RDA issue
2) Work with Katherine to implement launch media plan
3) Revise site visit plan
4) Contact Leahy's office about Vermont FS budget
5) Draft responses to Controlled correspondence
6) Convene evaluation task force
7) Follow-up with Norm Reid of RDA computers
8) Finalize Regional Facilitators
9) Write memo to Terry Russell on Tracy Munza
10) Ask Ali about interview with the Secretary
11) Write memo to Ellen Haas about FY95 budgets
12) Write memo to the Secretary about Rural Development Summit
13) Finish listing county sites
14) Compile Congressional District list for all sites
15) Create sample September and October workplan
16) respond to NASC conference
17) Send site information to Quillen
18) Respond to EZ/EC application inquiries
19) Send Keith Hughes' resume to Susan Stroud
2
Katherine
1) Get press release approved by the Cage; ask Martha or Tom to inform Kim that
Espy has already approved quotes
2) Edit and format state press releases
3) Ensure that Lisa is making calls to Maine
4) Broadcast national release to national spectrafax list
5) Work with Nina, Jim Borland, Lisa, Martha, and Carol to send state-specific lists
to state- specific media lists
6) Work with Nina, Lisa, and Julie to make follow-up calls
7) Work with Brenda to places stories on radio newsline
8) Work with Brenda to conduct interviews for radio documentary
9) Work with Garth to place VNR on Thursday satellite
10) Draft op-ed
11) Obtain information from agencies about remaining kick-off events
12) Start uniform and stationary printing
13) Obtain clips and videotapes from launch events
14) Send large information packet -- including service learning info -- to: Eric Clarke,
3542 Park Place, NW, Washington, DC 20010
15) Work to obtain copies of training tapes from the Corporation
16) Follow-up with Congressmen Menendez's office
17) Follow-up with OGC on nepotism and gift policy
18) Follow-up with Rick Weiland in Senator Daschle's office
3
Ron
1) Work to transfer money from Corporation
2) Follow-up on FSIS money
3) Transferring remaining FNS money to anti-hunger groups
4) Send decision memo to Cage
5) Obtain use of FTS 2000
Donna
1) Work with Ron to transfer final FNS money
2) Obtain revised community service objectives from each site
3) Work with Katherine to obtain newsclips and videos from launch
Jim
1) Obtain additional information for memo to OGC
2)send information to the field
3) Obtain community service objectives for each site
Dave
1) Obtain additional information for memo to OGC
2) Work with Joel to convene evaluation group
3) Obtain community service objectives for each site
Denise
1) Update media lists
2) Create master list of 800 line
3) Work on Joel's travel schedule
(File)
weekty
AmeriCorps/USDA Weekly Report
November 11, 1994
RPPORTS
Significant Accomplishments This Week
1) All Forest Service AmeriCorps sites, except Vermont and New Hampshire, begin
operation.
2) Forest Service formally begins process for accepting internal proposals for FY96
programs.
3) The Herald-Whig, a newspaper is West-Central Illinois, ran a highly favorable
article on our local program, with the headline "I want to Serve."
4) The Daily Courier, a newspaper in Grants Pass, Oregon, ran a highly favorable
article on our local program, with the headline, "First AmeriCorps worker to focus
on water, sewer plans."
Major Tasks for Upcoming Week
1) Submit final objectives, maps, and budgets to the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
2) Send quarterly reporting requirements to the field.
3) Send memo to the field "10 Things You Can Do to Promote AmeriCorps
identify."
4) Send specific list of duties to regional facilitators.
5) Respond to proposed regulations of CNCS.
6) Send revised operations and Members manuals to the field.
7) Order uniforms for Members and staff.
8) Set training meetings for regional facilitators.
9) Follow-up on survey of electronic communications and other capabilities and
needs at each site.
10) Order stationary and note cards.
11) Follow-up on FY96 budget process.
12) Distribute scanned logos to the field. MAC-Pagemaker 5.0
13) Set detailed site visit schedule.
14) Update media plans nationally and by media market for EZ/EC and quarterly
reports.
15) Begin obtaining surplus equipment from the field.
16) Follow-up on FNS application process.
17) Respond to training plan provided by Bill Caldwell.
18) Create newsletter/communications guidelines
19) Develop firefighting/pay problem guidelines
20) Develop evaluation survey
Key Media Contacts
1) The Chicago Tribune has inquired about AmeriCorps programs in DC.
Key Intergovernmental Contacts
1) No major intergovernmental contacts this week.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) No major Congressional contacts this week.
2 Rivers
XHACHMENT # 2
fifilite
RURAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM
NAME
CITY
AGE
EDUCATION
SEX
1.
Star McDaniels
Pearl
48
S.C.
F
2.
Robert Gillespy
S'field
41
M.S.
M
3. Phillip Beemer
Pittsfield
43
S.C.
M
4. Chad Denison
Pittsfield
22
S.C.
M
5. Mike Miller
Nebo
42
A.D.
M
Average Age 39
P.L./ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM
1.
Jamie Totsch
Clayton
18
H.S.
M
2.
Susan Ruble
Griggsville
25
S.C.
F
3. Gary Smothers
Pittsfield
34
H.S.
M
4. Scott Jones
Kampsville
23
H.S.
M
.
5.
Rachel Elledge
Pittsfield
20
H.S.
F
6. Lee Ann McDaniels
Pittsfield
33
S.C.
F
?.
Hart Bryan
P. Hill
20
H.S.
M
8. Joe Daniels
P, Hill
19
H.S.
M
9. Larry Warcup
J'ville
45
H.S.
M
Average Age 26
S.C. = Some College
A.D. = Associate Degree
H.S. = High School
M.S. = Masters Degree
(File)
10 male
4
Female
RD
-Illinois
12/94
08:13
2026900639
BAP DIVISION
USDA NAT SER OFF
009
/12/94
06:33
605 353 1742
SCS HURON SD
BAP VIVIDION Lamd
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1994
PLAINSMAN
Public Invitation to:
AmeriCorps
National Service Program
Kickoff
Monday, September 12, 1994 - 10 a.m.
Campbell Park (6th & Dakota Ave. S.), Huron, SD
(inclement weather: Huron Univ. Auditorium, Fine Arts Bldg. 949 Ohio SW)
25 North & South Dakota AmeriCorps Members
are being sworn-in to give service toward
protecting the environment and rebuilding rural
America. The President's new AmeriCorps is
portrayed as a "domestic Peace Corps."
CHERICAT
Getting Things Done for America
A
AmeriCorps/Team USDA
Soil Conservation Service
Programs and services are available on a nondiscriminatory basis.
to?
an?
na
TO -
AmeriCorps/USDA Weekly Report
October 28, 1994
Significant Accomplishments This Week
1) USDA hosted the first-ever meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation
for National and Community Service (CNCS).
2) CNCS CEO Eli Segal visited USDA AmeriCorps members in lowa.
3) USDA received its first official transfer of funds from CNCS.
4) The Forest Service and the Soil Conservation Service began their official
competitions processes to create the USDA AmeriCorps application for FY96.
4) USDA signed the cooperative agreement with the Corporation for National and
Community Service formally transferring AmeriCorps funds to USDA.
Major Tasks for Upcoming Week
1) Submit final objectives, maps, and budgets to the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
2) Revise operations and Members manuals and distribute to the field.
3) Order tee-shirts for Members and staff.
4) Hold conference calls with new and old regional facilitators.
5) Conduct survey of electronic communications and other capabilities and needs
at each site.
6) Order stationary and note cards.
7) Follow-up on FY96 budget process.
8) Follow-up on Farm Bill process.
9) Set-up Congressional and Intergovernmental Briefing Schedule
10) Distribute scanned logos to the field. MAC-Pagemaker 5.0
11) Obtain clarification on quarterly reporting requirements.
12) Set detailed site visit schedule.
13) Update media plans nationally and by media market.
14) Begin obtaining surplus equipment from the field.
15) Follow-up on FNS application process.
16) Fax list of programs to Bill Caldwell, 402-472-5557
17) Create newsletter/communications guidelines
18) Write memo on mentoring
19) Follow-up on immunization
20) Follow-up on Randy's problem with GSA vehicles
21) Develop NCCC firefighting/pay problem
22) Develop evaluation survey
Key Media Contacts
1) The Los Angeles Daily News ran a story about the USDA Anti-Hunger Corps.
Key Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Provided information to the Maryland Commission on National Service.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Congressman Bill Richardson wrote to Under Secretary Nash requesting that
AmeriCorps Members in his district be used to reduce the FmHA backlog.
AmeriCorps/USDA Weekly Report
October 21, 1994
Significant Accomplishments This Week
1) Corporation for National and Community Service CEO Eli Segal, Senator Pat
Leahy, Senator James Jeffords, and USDA Director of national Service Joel Berg
visited AmeriCorps site and also met with Anti-hunger Team and Environmental
Team project managers in Vermont. Event was widely covered by the Vermont
media.
2) USDA Director of National Service Joel Berg visited USDA AmeriCorps site
throughout California.
3) USDA Rural Development Team Members sponsored by FmHA, FS, RDA, and
SCS completed training programs in South Carolina and West Virginia.
4) USDA signed the cooperative agreement with the Corporation for National and
Community Service formally transferring AmeriCorps funds to USDA.
Major Tasks for Upcoming Week
1) Submit final objectives and site map to the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
2) Revise operations and Members manuals and distribute to the field.
3) Order tee-shirts for Members and staff.
4) Hold conference calls with new and old regional facilitators.
5) Conduct survey of electronic communications and other capabilities and needs
at each site.
6) Order stationary and note cards.
7) Follow-up on FY96 budget process.
8) Follow-up on Farm Bill process.
9) Set-up Congressional and Intergovernmental Briefing Schedule
10) Distribute scanned logos to the field.
11) Obtain clarification on quarterly reporting requirements.
12) Set detailed site visit schedule.
13) Set preliminary process for 1996 time-line.
14) Update media plans nationally and by media market.
15) Begin obtaining surplus equipment from the field.
Key Media Contacts
1) USDA Director of National Service Joel Berg conducted an interview with main
television station in the Yuma/EI Centro media market.
2) The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the East St. Louis Journal, and the Illinois Agri-
News ran positive stories on the USDA AmeriCorps project in East St. Louis and
Belleville, Illinois. The Belleville News-Democrat ran a negative story, based on
incorrect information about the program; we are in the process of correcting the
record.
Key Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Joel Berg met briefly with staff from the Vermont Commission on national
Service.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Joel Berg discussed the Vermont program with Senators Jeffords and Leahy.
2) Provided information to the Office of Senator Conrad.
Fill
USDA/AMERICORPS
Report for Week Ending Friday July 1
Major Accomplishments for This Week
1) Secretary Espy visited the USDA Summer of Safety program in Chicago and
publicly promoted President Clinton's AmeriCorps national service initiative. Secretary
Espy performed service alongside the participants, helping remove glass from a yard
in the Madden Park public housing development. He also met with the socio-
economic mix of fifty participants, crew leaders, the project manager, and the project
sponsors.
2) The Secretary's visit was covered widely -- and overwhelmingly positively -- by the
Chicago media. In an article entitled: "AmeriCorps Recruits Sweep into City," the
Chicago Tribune reported: "Espy swept up piles of broken glass at the Madden Park
housing development Tuesday to underscore the Clinton administration's resolve to
improve conditions for America's poor. ~ The administration is going to clean up
America,' Espy said, pushing a broom over an asphalt basketball court... The
agriculture Secretary arrived to give a pep talk and promote Clinton's AmeriCorps, a
domestic national service program.
3) Members of the AmeriCorps/USDA Management Team met with the project
manager and crew leaders from the Summer of Safety Project in order to begin the
Department's ongoing evaluation of all programs in operation. The meeting resulted
in an agreement to provide facilitators and additional technical assistance to the
project, and provided the Department with valuable experience in building Total
Quality management and continuous improvement into the program design of each
AmeriCorps project.
4) Final details were worked-out on the special summer national service program that
USDA is running in conjunction with the DC Service Corps and the government of the
District of Columbia. The program will start on Tuesday, July 5.
5) Recruitment guidelines, including a suggested recruitment plan outline and a draft
press release, were distributed to all project managers in the field.
6) The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service agreed to provide funds to train all
AmeriCorps/USDA managers and participants in the basic principles of food safety.
7) USDA Director of National Service Joel Berg met with the Chairperson of the
National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, Tony Perez, to discuss long-
term strategies through which federal agencies can help AmeriCorps expand.
2
8) The USDA 800 line for AmeriCorps recruitment received over 200 calls this week
from around the country.
Major Tasks for the Week Ahead
1) USDA Office of national Service finalizes logistics and payment for training of staff
to be held in the DC area during the week of August 8.
2) Agencies obtain revised FY94 and FY95 budgets from each project site.
3) Agencies obtain draft recruitment plans from each project site.
4) Send strategic plan for pre-September 19 planning to all project managers and
relevant field staff.
5) Write rough draft of administrative and programmatic handbooks for project
managers.
6) Agencies finalize Rural Development Team site clusters and place on a map of the
U.S.
7) Agencies finalize agency commitments to providing Regional Rural Development
Team Coordinators.
8) Set-up event in which Secretary Espy and Mayor Kelly jointly visit DC summer
national service program.
9) Arrange meetings with key agency personnel to discuss FY96 budget requests.
10) Reach agreement on application form for potential participants.
11) Spur on inter-agency meeting with OMB, GSA, OPM, and National Performance
Review.
12) Begin design work on USDA recruitment exhibit and tee-shirts.
3
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Updated opffices of Senators Hollings and Harkin about USDA projects to be run
in their states.
Key Media Contacts
1) Contacted all major media outlets in Chicago regarding Secretary's trip. Will report
next week on the extent of the coverage. Provided information to the Public lands
Newsletter.
USDA OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON
Staff Meeting, Week of August 2, 1993
I. REPORTS AND ASSIGNMENTS BY JOEL
A. This Week's Activities
1) Spur on Combined Federal Campaign Fundraising (Dottie and all staff)
2) Comments on draft strategic plan (All)
4) Set-up informal interest group meetings (Anita, Dottie)
5) Provide mailing lists for data entry (Dottie, Sally)
B. National Service Update
1) Create travel and oversight plan for flood relief projects (Joel, Katherine)
2) Update action plans (Katherine)
3) Meet with Assistant Secretary Lyons (Joel, Katherine)
C. Visitor Center
1) Develop action plan (Joel, Anita)
58-41
D. 800 Number
1) Follow up with Susan Conley to develop pilot proposal (Joel)
II. REPORTS FROM STAFF
/ Can kill Date
OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON
DATE
PROJECT/ACTIVITY/ISSUE(S)
TASK(S)
ACTION/STATUS/BENEFIT
NEXT STEP
Joel Berg
5/17-21
Drafted memo for Ali explanation
of Public Liaison functions and
requests for help from the agencies.
Compiled updated job descriptions
from the Public Liaison staff.
updated
Completed draft memo to Secretary
Espy on Summer of Service proposals
and long-tern national service proposals.
weekly
Submitted proposal of four subject area
weekly fax updates.
Finalized first OPA summer intern.
Sam Thornton
5/17-21
Met with Phil Hudson - USDA Graduate
School.
Met with Ali Webb.
Program on the African American Children
w/Secretary Espy and Governor of Florida
Traveling to Dallas Texas on the FSIS
Regional Food Safety Hearing.
C:\WP51\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
2
Sally Katt
5/17-21
Worked on the preparation for the Commission
on Infant Mortality meeting.
Reviewed Joel's work statement for OPL and
made additional suggestions for the document.
Worked on Van Ness Career Shadowing Day which
will take place May 27.
Prepared a memo for Joel outlining plans for
increasing activities with Van Ness.
Anita Middleton
5/17-21
Set up African American Infant Mortality
Consortium.
Set up briefings for the Illinois, Alabama,
Water Resource Congress, Florida Farm Bureau,
and Empowerment Conference in Lansing, Michigan.
Fielded random calls for Dottie and Sally.
Worked on a speaker to go to Lansing, Michigan
for Non-partisan Empowerment conference.
Confirmations on Chinese Delegation briefing.
Mailed out the Secretary Espy picture.
Kathryn Gibney
5-17-21
Served as liaison for members of the National Service
Working Group, fielding calls and faxing necessary
information.
C:\WP51\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
3
5-17-21
Organized the completion and submission of three
concept proposals for long-term USDA/National
Service program.
Completed one-page summaries of seven of the 33 Summer
of Service proposals submitted to the White House
for pilot program.
Edited two of three concept proposals.
Attended House Committee on Education and Labor
hearing on National Service.
Wrote report on hearing and faxed to members of the
National Service Working Group.
Organized effort to have Department-level person
testify at final National Service hearing in Senate
on June 8.
C:\WP51\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
MAY 24 - 28
KATHERINE GIBNEY
- Continued communication with members of the National Service Working Group,
updating them on status of concept proposals, status of the bill in Congress
- Organized interdepartmental meeting (Interior, EPA) with representatives of
National Service
- Attended National Service hearing in the House
- Began organizing trip for members of National Service Working Group to D.C.
Service Corps
- Wrote memo for Joel to supervisors of members of Working Group, updating them
on work of the group, advising them of future plans, and thanking them for the
contributions of their employees
- Edited final draft of three concept proposals for National Service Programs at
USDA
OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON
DATE
PROJECT/ACTIVITY/ISSUE(S)
TASK(S)
ACTION/STATUS/BENEFIT
NEXT STEP
JOEL BERG
5/31-6/4
Met with representatives from the Interior
Department and EPA to discuss joint national
service initiatives.
Prepared briefing materials for the Secretary
on national service.
Revised memo on public liaison from Ali to
the agencies.
SAM THORNTON
5/31-6/4
Met with Mary Goode with Personnel.
Attended a meeting with Ron Blackley.
Attended the Madison Parish Extension
Service in Tallulah, LA.
ANITA MIDDLETON
5/31-6/4
Scheduled a briefing for Japanese visitor
and interpreter.
Scheduled briefing for Young Cattlemen's
Council.
Fielded calls for Dottie and myself.
Confirmed York Area Chamber of Commerce
briefing.
C:\WP31\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
2
Scheduled briefing for WIFE - Women
involved in Farm Economics.
Worked on briefing for Farm Women's Forum.
Read and began my orientation on UN conference
on women.
SALLY KATT
5/31-6/4
Sally wrote an invitation to the event from
the Secretary, presentation by the Ethanol
Producers and Consumers organization on June 8
presentation and tasting.
Met with a group, chaired by Joel, of representatives
of EPA and Interior on national service. Suggested
to the EPA contact a possible project with Extension
Service and is putting the EPA representative
together with Sue Fisher the Deputy Administrator of
Extension.
Worked with Mrs. Brown of Van Ness on getting a full
listing of USDA personnel who have worked with the
school during the year.
Talked to Bill Wasserman to get an update on the
planning for the Hunger Forum.
Attended part of the W.O. Atwater Centennial Symposium
which drew leading nutritionists from across the country.
KATHERINE GIBNEY
5/31-6/4
Faxed final draft of concept proposals to all National
Service Working Group members.
Met with National Service representatives from Interior
and EPA and prepared follow-up memorandum on the
C:\WP51\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
3
National Service Trust Act.
Began organizing field trip to existing service project
in Washington area.
Met with Joel and Chief of Staff Ron Blackley.
Organized visits for Joel to existing Forest Service
projects in Los Angeles while he is in California
June 8 11.
Continued monitoring the progress of the National
Service Trust Act in Congress through telephone and
fax.
Assisted in arranging for Espy to testify on National
Service at a June 8 Senate Committee hearing (gathering
materials, writing memo, telephone conversations).
Continued communication with members of the USDA/
National Service Working Group about proposals,
Congressional activity, possible field trip, and Espy's
planned appearance before Congress.
C:\WP51\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON
DATE
PROJECT/ACTIVITY/ISSUE(S)
TASK(S)
ACTION/STATUS/BENEFIT
NEXT STEP
JOEL BERG
6/7 6/11
Prepared Secretary's testimony and
briefing materials for Senate national
service meeting.
Represented the Secretary at meat
inspection hearing in Oakland.
Met with USDA regional public affairs
from San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Visited Opportunity LA urban gardening,
fire-fighting, recreation area, and
urban forestry sites.
SAM THORTON
6/7 6/11
Attend the Ethenol Conference
Met with Pamela Carter with
Facilities Management
Met with Ms. Anderson with
The African American
Attend the Bethune-DuBois Fund
hold at the Watergate Bldg.
Attend the orientation seminar
held for all schedule "C".
Worked on the Vistor's Information
Center.
C:\WP51\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
2
Managed day to day operations of
Public Liaison staff.
Held work meetings with consumer
groups.
Worked on Diversity Media Plan.
Provided White house with information
on National Service Program.
DOTTIE CLICK
6/7 6/11
Spoke with a staffer at Meridian
International (MI), Hospitality and
Information Services, about 2 Mongolian
Families (Diplomats) that are going to be
traveling across the United States this
summer and wishing to stay on farms. It
was decided that MI would contact some state
organizations for help in finding appropriate
families for the Mongolians to visit.
Obtained Deputy Rominger's testimony on
negligible risk in pesticides and provided
interest groups with copies.
Took request from the American Dietetic Association
requesting that OPL add them to our Ag Fax mailing list.
Worked on speakers and logistics for several upcoming
briefings.
Briefings for June 14-18, 1993
June 14, 1993, 9:00 a.m., Room 108-A, National Association
of Meat Purveyors.
June 15, 1993, 11:00 a.m., Room 102-East, Mr. Jean-Francois
Collin, Deputy Director for Livestock, Ministry of
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Agriculture, France, will meet with Dennis Kaplan, OBPA,
about USDA's budget.
June 15, 1993, 1:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m., 202-B, Postsecondary
Agricultural Student Organization (7 National Officers),
will be meeting with Deputy Rominger in his office. There
will also be a photo op.
June 17, 1993, 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Room 104-A, Illinois
Farm Bureau.
SALLY KATT
6/7 6/11
Handled the presentation for the Ethanol Producers and
Consumers group.
Attended the volunteer recognition ceremony at Van
Ness and received a certificate for 5 years of
work with Van Ness.
ANITA MIDDLETON
6/7 6/11
Worked on Women Involved in Farm Economics
briefing.
Agricultural Women's Leadership Network
briefing.
National Cotton Council briefing.
Young Cattlemen's Council
Agrican American Farmers Georgia Farmers
tour.
Farm Credit Bank of Columbia, SC in
Daytona Beach, Florida.
American Agriculture Women
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Texas Ag. Lifetime Leadership Briefing
International Dairy Foods Assn. Reception
on patio.
Chinese Ag. Visitors Briefing scheduled.
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WEEKLY ACTIVITIES FOR KATHERINE GIBNEY
JUNE 7 - JUNE 11, 1993
1. Assisted in preparations for Espy's testifying before Senate
committee: worked with Senate committee staff, wrote two press
releases, proofed testimony, handled reproduction of 50 copies of
press release and testimony for hearing.
2. Attended Senate hearing on national service.
3. Faxed copies of press release and testimony to members of USA
Working Group.
4. Worked with news staff of number of printed media aboutt Espy
testimony and faxed copies of press release and testimony to them.
5. Worked with USDA Public Affairs people in San Francisco and
Angeles National Forest in finalizing arrangements for Joel's
schedule to visit service projects in the area.
OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON
DATE
PROJECT/ACTIVITY/ISSUE(S)
TASK(S)
ACTION/STATUS/BENEFIT
NEXT STEP
JOEL BERG
5/24-28
Expanded and edited long-range national
service proposals.
Began process of creating plan for,
outreach to minority media.
Visited ARS facilities in Beltsville.
Aided FSIS in constituency briefing on
meat inspection.
SAM THORNTON
5/24-28
Met with Mary Goode, Office of Personnel,
about the summer interns.
Met with Brenda Leath, Director of the
National Consortium for African American
Children
Met with Sandi Brewster-Walker and Joel Berg
on reassignment.
Met with Sandi Brewster-Walker and Joel Berg
on the Visitor Center.
Met with Mark Harrison, General Board of Church
and Society of the United Ministry also with
Ronald Jackson, Policy Advisor.
Had to speak at the Core Kelly Magnet School.
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ANITA MIDDLETON
5/24-28
The National Park Service schedule for 1993
for mall events.
Hosted Florida Farm Bureau.
Arranged the USDA representative to address Water
Resources Congress.
Worked on Alabama Cotton - Poultry on-site briefing.
Scheduled the briefing for Cotton Leadership Council.
Handled the Farm Credit Bank of Columbia, S.C.
briefing.
Handled the Smithsonian-Festival of American Folk Life.
SALLY KATT
5/24-28
Attended the Public Voice Food Policy conference on
Monday and Tuesday.
Reviewed twelve chapters of the upcoming 1993 Yearbook
on Nutrition for the Dietary Guidance Working Group.
Attended the meetings of the Dietary Guidance Working
Group and the Human Nutrition Coordinating Committee.
DOTTIE CLICK
5/24-28
Made arrangements for a June 11 Brown Bag Luncheon for
all OPA employees and others who are interested in learning
more about the International Affairs area and the latest
developments therein. It will be held in Room 107-A.
Someone from the International Affairs and Commodity Programs
area will be doing the presentation. There will also be an
opportunity for those in the audience to ask questions.
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I have been working with the Agricultural Women's Leadership
Network on their upcoming visit to Washington. They will
have a reception in the USDA Patio and Bob Nash will
welcome our guests.
The American Agri-Women's group has contacted me about help
in obtaining a speaker for one of their sessions at USDA.
Steve Kinsella has kindly accepted and the group has told
me they are extremely pleased that the Secretary's Press
Secretary will be meeting with them.
Met with the Kansas Farm Bureau (KFBF) Director of Governmental
Relations on Wednesday to discuss some upcoming meetings KFBF
is planning for the DC area this Fall.
Provided the Food Marketing Institute and the American Farm
Bureau Federation information relating to the Food Safety
Offensives on Thursday.
Worked on arrangements for the upcoming Watermelon Feast in
the USDA Patio. The organization is pleased that we are
working toward a Presidential Proclamation.
Have been tracking the progress of the Mushroom Proclamation
for the American Mushroom Institute.
Prepared a memo to Friends of Agriculture asking them to
respond to questions regarding the Daily Ag Fax. Am now
waiting on word from Sandi Brewster-Walker re the legality
of doing this.
Rewrote my job description.
Helped an employee of ASCS Peanut Division locate a Russian
delegation that is in Washington this week in meetings regarding
a $40 million set aside for peanuts. After several calls I
obtained the needed information from the General Sales Manager's
office in FAS.
Talked with the Illinois Farm Bureau Legislative Director
regarding arrangements for an upcoming visit to the Department.
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Made arrangements for Joel Berg, Sam Thornton, and Dottie Click
to meet with Under Secretary for International Affairs and
Commodity Programs Gene Moos to talk about what OPL does and
how the International Affairs and Commodity Programs and OPL
can do to work together most efficiently.
Made arrangement for Joel Berg, Sam Thornton, Dottie Click,
and Sally Katt to meet with Assistant Secretary for Marketing
and Inspection Service Gene Branstool to discuss the OPL
operation and how Marketing and Inspection Services can work
most effectively together.
Provided our Director of Public Liaison with information
on the various USDA Photo ID's.
Contacted the National Cotton Council regarding background
information on their organization and materials on their
"hottest" issues.
Worked on arrangements for upcoming annual State FFA
President's meeting here in Washington. The organization
represents 401,000 FFA members nationwide. The highlights
of the trip usually are visits with the Secretaries of
Agriculture and Education. I am working with Jackie on
the Secretary's availability.
Worked on upcoming National Association of Meat Purveyors'
meeting at USDA.
MEETINGS FOR WEEK OF MAY 31
June 2, Room 5521 South, 1:30 p.m. Jim Vertrees (works in
Gene Moos' office) will be briefing 13 representatives
from the Planning Commission of the Peoples Republic of
China on American Agricultural Policies.
June 7, Room 104-A, 3:00 p.m. Steve Kinsella will be
meeting with a coalition of 50 farm women's organization
and individuals that represent 50,000 farm, ranch, and
agri-business women from across the country (American
Agri-Women).
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U.S. Department of Agriculture
DRAFT
Office of Public Affairs
Deputy Director and Director of Public Liaison
ES- 0301
I. Introduction
The mission of the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) is to plan, formulate, direct,
and coordinate the Department's intergovernmental affairs and public liaison
activities; and to plan, organize, implement, and coordinate the Department's public
affairs, policies, programs, and activities.
The incumbent of this, position serves as Deputy Director, OPA, and in this
capacity shares responsibility for planning, organizing, directing, reviewing and
coordinating the functions of this office.
The mission of the Office of Public Liaison is to coordinate all the Department's
interactions with outside interest groups and individuals. The office should:
*
Serve as a serious and respected link between the Secretary and interest groups.
*
Create a system in which groups believe their concerns are considered by and
acted upon by the Department.
*
Act as a public liaison consultant to all USDA agencies and offices to help them
develop and implement a written strategy for public outreach.
* Track and coordinate interactions between interest groups and USDA agencies.
*
Chair regular meetings with public liaison representatives from each USDA agency
and office.
*
Expand the number and type of interest groups with whom the Department
interacts.
*
Provide outside groups with a constant, yet targeted, flow of information about
USDA programs and initiatives.
*
Provide all USDA agencies with updated and accurate information about the
concerns of vital constituencies.
*
Coordinate interactions with the African-American, Hispanic, Jewish, and other
ethnic and minority group media.
*
Run the Department's employee volunteer programs and incorporate the
Department into the President's national service initiatives.
*
Revamp our visitor center and tour operations in order to have a positive and
memorable impact upon the countless number of citizens who walk by our offices.
The incumbent of this office also serves as Director of Public Liaison and is
responsible for planning, organizing, directing, reviewing, and coordinating the
functions and operations of the Office.
2
II. Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent shares full responsibility for the following:
1) Provides advise and counsel on public affairs matters to the Secretary of
Agriculture.
2) Participates with the Secretary in establishing communication policy and in
planning, developing, and directing the activities of the department related to public
affairs.
3) Helps manage the information activities of agencies within USDA, both in their
Washington-area offices and their field offices throughout the country. Coordinates
and leads information campaigns between and among agency offices. Establishes
policies and program priorities for agency information activities. develops and
implements a quality control program to eliminate overlap and redundancy and to
provide an uniform and economical USDA-wide information program.
4) Provides overall direction and coordination of the public affairs programs and
activities of the Department.
5) Assesses and evaluates agency information programs for technical excellence and
efficiency. Appraises the accomplishments and deficiencies of current activities and
establishes goals and directions for existing and proposed public affairs programs.
6) Coordinates with and secures the cooperation of national leaders of commercial,
nutrition, industrial, farm organizations, and other non-governmental agencies
in meeting the goals of the Secretary and the Department.
7) Maintains cooperative agreements with federal and state officials and other official
bodies, representing the Department in matters relating to the planning and execution
of public affairs activities in the Department and its agencies and the integration of
those activities into the most effective information programs for national and
international audiences.
8) Confers with and advises the Deputy Secretary, the Under and Assistant
Secretaries, general Officers, USDA agency administrators and other officials on
gaining acceptance of USDA policies and programs. These conferences are for either
advising them of the Secretary's proposals or for obtaining their suggestions on and
recommendations on communications policy.
3
9) Participates with the Secretary in meetings and conferences, and, when
designated, serves as the Secretary's aide, intermediary or agent at news
conferences, or at meetings with other federal agencies, agricultural groups, trade
organizations and the like. When designated, accompanies the Secretary on his/her
travels, and arranges press conferences with the national and local print and
electronic media.
10) Speaks publicly on behalf of the Administration, the Secretary, and the
Department.
11) As required, represents the Department by acting and speaking for the Secretary,
at conferences for the Secretary, at conferênces of delegations or missions to other
countries, which have been called to study and discuss high-level agricultural
problems. Such conferences often result in proposed courses of action that are of
utmost importance and great concern to the United States and the world food and
agricultural situation.
12) Presents USDA program decisions and actions to members of Congress and the
public.
13) Represents the Secretary on Departmental committees which originate or discuss
policies and programs which will affect U.S. agriculture and which must be
acceptable to the public to be effective. Makes recommendations or suggestions on
public information approaches on behalf of the Secretary.
14) Clears all Congressional testimony presented on behalf of the Department. Upon
request, reviews testimony from other governmental departments and agencies.
15) Upon request, provides talking points and other briefing materials for the White
House and other governmental agencies.
16) Provides speeches, talking points, and briefing materials for the Secretary.
17) Operates the USDA visitor center and all USDA visitor activities.
18) Manages USDA interactions with minority and ethnic group media.
19) Runs regular meetings with publican liaison representatives from all USDA
agencies and offices.
20) Coordinates all USDA employees volunteer activities.
21) Leads the Department's efforts incorporate into new national service initiatives.
4
III. Responsibility for the Work of Others
Is fully responsible for building and managing a culturally diverse work force at all
levels, establishing and communicating annual equal opportunity and civil rights
expectations, promoting the advancement of employees through effective career
counselling, and affords all employees equal access to developmental training and
work assignments.
Responsible for implementing the Secretary's policy in Equal Employment Opportunity
and Civil Rights. Provides equal opportunity in employment for all subordinates,
applicants, and hires; prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color,
religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual/orientation, or handicap condition; and
promotes a full realization of equal employment through continuous affirmative
actions within the work environment. When employees under the direct supervision
of the incumbent have been assigned specific EEO or Civil Rights functions and
responsibilities, the incumbent is responsible for assuring adequate time, resources,
and support for the accomplishment of these duties.
IV. Scope and Effect of Work
V. Mental Demands
VI. Personal Work Contacts
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS STATUS REPORT
DATE
PROJECT/ACTIVITY/ISSUE(S)
TASK(S)
ACTION/STATUS/BENEFIT
NEXT SIEP
5/31/93
JIM PACE, GEORGE HOLCOMB, AND CHRYS WILSON
1. Chrys Wilson on board as Assistant
Chrys Wilson is welcomed as the newest member
Deputy Director of Intergovernmental
of the Intergovernmental Affairs team. This week
Engineering
Affairs meets with National
Chrys met with the Chief of Staff for White House
Association of Counties.
Intergovernmental Affairs, Loretta Avent, and Washington
based representatives of the National Association of
Counties to discuss the ways in which the Intergovernmental
Affairs offices of this new administration can help them.
2. Director receives honorary fellowship
Jim has been named by the American Indian Support
from the American Indian Science and
Society, Inc. (AISSI) as recipient of an honorary
Engineering
Society (AISES)
membership to the AISES Sequoyah Fellowship Program.
Mr. Robert French, President and Chairman of the Board
of AISSI has notified Jim that he will be receiving
this prestigious award "in recognition of his many
outstanding contributions to the American Indian Community."
Mr. Pace will be receiving the Sequoyah medal and a
lifetime membership to AISES.
3. Farmers Home Administration
George obtained information from Intertribal Agriculture
Status: Awaiting
Stay in
V. Emma Lamebull
Council (IAC) to effect that FmHA is trying to collect
more info. from FmHA.
touch
mortgage money from Sioux borrower's widow, Emma
Lamebull, of Montana. Husband had been paying on debt
regularly until he died. She is ready for battle to
keep from giving up her home and farm. Also has other
land rented out, and Interior Dept. may be collecting
for her. Apparently FmHA is asking Interior to
collect money for FmHA. IAC plans to take case
before Senate hearing. George asked FmHA for
more facts in case.
4. Coeur 'Alene Tribal Problems
Checking with ASCS Acting DASCO, George learned
Status: Need
Keep
that ASCS has yet to inform Tribe about status.
more info from
digging
Tribe can't collect CRP (Conservation Retirement
ASCS.
Program) money until it gets farm into compliance.
Tribe contends Colorado River Tribe case conflicts
with ASCS ruling in this case.
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5. Indian info.
At Jim's suggestion, George faxed USDA news releases
Benefit: Help
None
re breakfasts and WIC that he sent to Intertribal
keep them informed.
Agriculture Council (IAC) to National Association
of Food Distribution
Program on Indian Reservations.
6. Metlakatla Timber Sales
Jim has been working with the Forest Service and
Status: Alaska OGC
Metlakatla Tribe in Alaska in resolving a Timber
decision pending
sale contract bid dispute.
7. Native Am. Working Group (NAWG)
Next meeting of NAWG scheduled for June 22 in
Status: Quarterly
Send
Williamsburg Room.
meeting.
invites
8. Indian farm management.
Following up inquiry from Klamath Tribe of Oregon,
Benefit: Expand
Check
George hunted farm managers' organization, finding
info sources to
with
Am. Scty. of Farm Mgrs. & Rural Appraisers (AFM-ARA).
Indian managers.
AFM-ARA
Jim suggests they be included in USDA program at
coming fall meeting of IAC (in Florida).
9. Goats
Co-author Harriet Jensen of factsheets on Angora Goats
Benefit: USDA gets
Ask ES
and Cashmere Goats wrote to George to report favorable
more data out for
to let
feedback from CSRS publication of latter, adding that
"Alternative Ag."
agents
"Extension Agents do not seem to be aware" of them and
entrepreneurs.
know
get lots of calls from people seeking help, and
not finding much out there." Jim passed along
letter to H. Kerr, Director of Office for Small-Scale
Agriculture (OSSA), CSRS.
10. Shiitake Mushrooms
George altered some pages on manuscript as result
Benefit: See
Await
of ARS suggestions, cleared it with Dennis in
preceding.
pub.
Publishing, sent it on to OSSA for next step
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in publication process.
11. Ag. Statistics
SES Candidate George A. Hanuschak, Chief of NASS
Status: Beginning
Await
Survey Technology Branch, and NAWG member Larry
of 9-month project.
next
Beard of NASS met with Jim and George to discuss
contact
plans for pilot project to obtain Indian ag. data.
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ECONOMIC ACTION PROGRAMS
Goal
Help America invest its forest-based resources to support sustainable community development
goals
Program Description
The "Economic Action Programs framework includes a set of programs aimed at investing in America's future
by focusing on the needs of the overall community as well as its business sector. Help is provided by
channeling technical and financial assistance to local communities, organizations, and businesses directly
or through partner organizations.
The programs contribute by helping communities diversify and strengthen their local economies through a
whole range of forest-based resources: cultural and historic; wildlife, fishing, and recreation; timber and
non-timber special forest products; minerals and geology; scenic; and human. Together, they focus on
integrating economic development and environmental protection concerns; and provide a way to address
a range of pressing needs including:
Organizing diverse community interests for resource-based economic development and conservation
Fostering high value-added processing
Spawning innovation through special products and alternative services
Enhancing productivity of existing manufacturing and services
Strengthening the marketing of commodity and amenity resources
Improving information and promoting technology transfer
Improving local human capital.
The 3 major program components are as follows.
Rural Community Assistance
Targeted specifically to rural areas, this program component focuses on helping the whole community
capitalize on available local human and natural resources to improve the quality of life and the social
and economic situation. Assistance is provided in helping communities organize, plan, and implement
actions that are community based, comprehensive in approach, and accomplished through partner-
ships.
Forest Products Conservation and Recycling
This component encourages and facilitates the wise, more efficient use of forest resources to enhance
economic development and promote better stewardship of the forest resource. Emphasis is on
stimulating public and private sector innovation. Specific opportunities include new uses for wood and
other forest-based resources through recycling and value-added secondary manufacturing, and
alternative goods and services.
Market Development and Expansion
This component provides a significant opportunity to strengthen local and regional economies through
the creation of domestic and international markets for renewable and non-renewable forest resources.
This is done by providing technical and financial assistance targeting wood use in transportation and
expanding markets for forest products.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOREST-BASED ACTIVITIES
Economic development is influenced by all forest-related activities associated with available commodity
and amenity resources. By wisely using timber, minerals, wildlife, fishing, recreation, and other forest-based
resources, rural economies can be diversified and strengthened. The following strategies provide the
basis for developing joint projects involving the Forest Service and other public and private entities concerned
about sustainable development through resource conservation and management. The strategies were
identified in research conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce as being key to "recoupling" natural
resource assets with economic development efforts. Examples of projects are provided to demonstrate
the possibilities.
STRATEGY: HELP COMMUNITIES ORGANIZE FOR RESOURCE-BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AND CONSERVATION
Projects: (1) Bring together landowners and producers to work with local/regional economic development
specialists to develop common visions about the future and study feasibility of diversification based upon
wise use of various forest resources (2) Help form cooperative ventures to produce and/or market available
products and services
STRATEGY: TARGET VALUE-ADDED PROCESSING
Projects: (1) Convert existing facilities, including "old growth" mills, into secondary processing plants (2)
Develop forest industry parks to vertically integrate small primary and secondary manufacturing facilities
at the same location
STRATEGY: PROMOTE ALTERNATIVE GOODS AND SERVICES FROM FOREST RESOURCES
Projects: (1) Promote development of small businesses based upon special forest products (e.g.,
mushrooms, wreaths, pine straw) and services (e.g., game farms, recreation fees, interpretation) (2)Promote
development based upon use and interpretation of cultural, historical, and amenity resources
STRATEGY: ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY
Projects: (1) Develop businesses based upon use of trim ends and other mill waste (2) Use computer-aided
methods for increasing efficiency in secondary processing
STRATEGY: STRENGTHEN MARKETING
Projects: (1) Work with States/regions to promote communities and attractions along designated scenic
highways and byways using signs, interpretive programs and other means of providing public information
(2) Work with timber, minerals, and other resource-based industries to collectively market products of
small-scale producers
STRATEGY: PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Projects: (1) Focus on recycling to help solve municipal solid waste problems associated with wood/forest
waste, and create small businesses to handle and recycle the waste (2) Work with States and local
communities to promote fabrication and installation of modern timber bridges
STRATEGY: IMPROVE LOCAL HUMAN CAPITAL
Projects: (1) Work with employers to help train employees on use of new machines and technologies (2)
Work with high schools and community colleges on vocational training programs which expose students
to other resource areas and new technologies
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT FOREST-RELATED ECONOMIC ACTION PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Rural development is not altogether a new task for the Forest Service (FS). The agency's resources--human,
technical, natural, and financial-contribute significantly to rural America in a variety of ways. The FS's
contribution, however, is being strengthened through more focused and coordinated efforts as called for
in the agency's strategy titled "Working Together for Rural America."
Many examples of FS involvement are provided in the appendix of the strategy document. The strategy
emphasizes a total FS effort in which the agency carries out its rural development responsibilities through
existing programs such as cooperative forestry, research, recreation, wildlife and fishing, timber, minerals,
land management planning, technology transfer and others. The following examples demonstrate the
breadth of current FS efforts to foster rural development through the wise use of all forest resources.
CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES: Using Rural Development funding available in FY 1990,
Region 10 (Alaska) supported a project in Klawock to replace an aging totem pole and demonstrate totem
carving to students. The totem served as the basis for renewed efforts by the community to develop a
local totem park and museum complex as an additional attraction for tourism. The celebration and blessing
of the totem pole were completed in June 1991 with about 1000 people in attendance.
HUMAN RESOURCES: In Idaho, the FS is working with several State and local agencies, a State college,
and community organizations in the Clearwater Valley on attracting retirees for tourism development and
relocation purposes. A workshop has been held, and workbook will be available for use by others. A
Rural Development seminar was held for citizens of counties in West Virginia and Ohio. Topics included
business planning, recreation and tourism opportunities, and secondary manufacturing of forest products.
TIMBER RESOURCES: A variety of efforts are underway to make better use of timber resources for
various rural development purposes. Since FY 1989, the FS has been implementing a Timber Bridge
Initiative through which modern design and construction techniques are being demonstrated. Demonstration
bridges (primarily highway) are being cost-shared and installed nationwide, and workshops are being
held to build understanding among bridge designers, transportation planners, and economic development
specialists--to name a few. Also, twelve counties in Ohio which comprise the Crossroads Resource
Conservation and Development Area have launched a marketing campaign to promote better utilization
of low-grade hardwoods. A brochure will be distributed which will list woodcrafters and vendors who
utilize hardwoods in their businesses.
WILDLIFE, FISHING AND RECREATION: The FS is collaborating with the Bureau of Land Management
and the Sport Fishing Institute on a a study of how rural communities or areas can diversify their local
economies nationwide based upon wildlife, fishing and related outdoor recreation. Case studies of
communities in five states are included in the project. In addition, a project is underway in Montana (Region
1) to work with State and local interests around the Choteau area to identify options and foster economic
diversification based upon these resources.
MINERALS AND GEOLOGY: Efforts are being made to foster rural development through minerals and
geology resources in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner. A national workshop was held in
October 1991 to foster better understanding of the potential within the building stone industry and to
integrate building stone operations with other activities such as recreation, mineral showcasing, and
interpretation. It is hoped that efforts underway in Minnesota on the Superior National Forest will serve as
an example to other areas of the country.
ALTERNATIVE FOREST RESOURCES: The FS is currently developing a guidebook on the rural
development opportunities associated with a whole range of special forest products such as mushrooms,
berries, and floral and landscape products. Region 6 also helped organize a Special Forest Products
Conference to develop understanding about the opportunities in the Pacific Northwest.
SCENIC RESOURCES: Through efforts related to the designation of scenic highways, the FS is working
with a variety of public and private entities. In Colorado and Utah, special efforts are being made to integrate
scenic highways with the economic development needs of local communities and the State.
File
AmeriCorps/USDA Weekly Report
September 9, 1994
Significant Accomplishments This Week
1) Deputy Secretary Rominger will represent President Clinton
and Secretary Espy at AmeriCorps launch event in Maine on Monday.
2) USDA AmeriCorps Members and staff will participate in launch
events on Monday in over half a dozen states.
3) Approximately 500 out of USDA's 1,200 AmeriCorps Members will
begin work this week.
4) USDA finalized its cooperative agreement with the Corporation
for National and Community Service.
5) The Food and Nutrition Service transferred its first funds to
the Office of Communications, which in turn transferred the first
funds to the Interfaith Hunger Coalition of Los Angeles, which is
running a AmeriCorps/USDA anti-hunger program.
6) FmHA and RDA AmeriCorps sites finalized.
7) Revisions completed in staff operations manual, AmeriCorps
Member manual, and Member agreement.
Major Tasks for Upcoming Week
1) Participate in launch activities and distribute media
materials about USDA AmeriCorps projects nationally.
2) Finalize community service objectives for each site.
3) Distribute memorandums on liability and fundraising
restrictions.
4) Conduct survey of electronic communications capabilities at
each site.
Key Media Contacts
1) Provided information to States News Service in Louisiana.
Key Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Governor Lawton Chiles of Florida wrote to secretary Espy
requesting that Florida sites be included in the Rural
Development team.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Senator Bob Graham wrote to Secretary Espy to forward a letter
from the Florida Association of nonprofit organizations regarding
potential Rural development team projects in Florida.
2) Responded to a request from Senator Daschle's office to
clarify the nature of the USDA AmeriCorps projects being
implemented in South Dakota.
File
USDA/AMERICORPS
Report for Week Ending Friday, August 12
Major Accomplishments for This Week
1) Held training program in Washington area for over 225 USDA employees and
members of partner organizations who will be running AmeriCorps/USDA program this
September. The training program was attended by Deputy Special Assistant to the
President Rick Allen, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Leahy, and USDA
Assistant Secretary Wardell Townsend.
2) As part of the AmeriCorps/USDA training, approximately 200 USDA employees
worked alongside the DC Service Corps and the Montgomery County Conservation
Corps to perform anti-hunger and environmental service work.
3) Distributed comprehensive operations manual -- 80 pages in length -- to
AmeriCorps/USDA staff.
Major Tasks for the Week Ahead
1) Finalize launch dates for all AmeriCorps/USDA project sites.
2) Revise budgets, community service objectives, and project manager names for each
site.
3) Draft cooperative agreement for funding with the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
4) Conclude selection of Rural Development Team Regional Facilitator positions.
5) Clarify RDA and FmHA funding issues.
6) Convene evaluation working group.
7) Send names for CNCS 800 recruitment line to field offices.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Senator Leahy attended and spoke at AmeriCorps/USDA staff training.
2) A member of Senator Daschle's staff attended AmeriCorps/USDA staff training.
2
Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Representatives from the Governor's National Service offices in both Vermont and
Maryland spoke at the AmeriCorps/USDA staff training.
Key Media Contacts
1) Provided information and photographs to Vermont newspapers and radio stations
regarding Senator Leahy's appearance at staff training.
2) Provided information to LA Times regarding USDA/AmeriCorps anti-hunger program
in Los Angeles.
AmeriCorps/USDA Weekly Report
September 16, 1994
Significant Accomplishments This Week
1) Secretary Espy discussed AmeriCorps in multiple workshops this week
sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus.
2) Secretary Espy provided television and radio interviews explaining the
AmeriCorps launch.
3) Deputy Secretary Rominger represented President Clinton and Secretary Espy at
the AmeriCorps launch event in Maine on Monday.
4) Rural Development Administration Administrator-Designate Dayton Williams
represented the Administration at the AmeriCorps launch in West Virginia.
5) USDA AmeriCorps Members and staff participated by satellite in the President's
AmeriCorps launch event in over a dozen states.
6) Approximately 500 out of USDA's 1,200 AmeriCorps Members started actual
service work this week.
7) FhMA and RDA funding issues resolved so that both agencies can continue their
recruitment efforts.
Major Tasks for Upcoming Week
1) Community service and community building objectives to be submitted from
SCS, FS, RDA, FmHA, and FNS to the USDA Director of National Service.
2) Create written policies for liability insurance, fundraising, nepotism, journal
requirements, and workplans.
3) Finalize Rural Development Team Regional Facilitators for each of the 11
regions.
4) Hold regional conference calls regarding Rural Development Team recruitment.
5) Conduct survey of electronic communications capabilities at each site.
6) Finalize lists and maps of Rural Development Teams, list Congressional Districts,
and provide these lists to Governors, state commissions, and Congresspeople.
7) Schedule site visits.
8) Provide written materials for joint EPA/USDA technical assistance project.
9) Obtain Office of General Counsel approval for Member agreements for FmHA
and RDA.
10) Finish production of AmeriCorps radio documentary to be sent to radio stations
nationwide.
Key Media Contacts
1) Sent an advisory on September 9 and a press release on September 12 to the
USDA national media list explaining USDA involvement in the President's launch
activities.
2) Sent an advisory to major media outlets in Maine announcing Deputy Secretary
Rominger's trip.
3) Sent 11 different state-specific releases to targeted media lists in 11 targeted
states.
4) Placed audio clips from President Clinton and Secretary Espy regarding
AmeriCorps on the USDA radio newsline on September 12.
5) According to our reports from the filed, USDA launch activities were covered
widely -- and positively -- by television and radio stations and newspapers
throughout the country.
Key Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Coordinated with many state commissions on national and community service
regarding launch activities.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) A staff member from the House Appropriations subcommittee on Agriculture
requested information on AmeriCorps from the USDA Office of Budget and
Program Analysis.
2) Congresswoman Jolene Unsoeld's office requested information on AmeriCorps
projects in Washington State.
Bonnie Winslow- NPS
New Pregan
National Service Tasks
Tim Stone
Week of June 13, 1994
705-1313 705-
Joel
1) Finish press release materials
Blent But ts
2) Check with Forest Service about Golden Eagle passport,
Katherine Allen, 703-235-8855
N&I
2019
3) Follow-up with Mark Geade on Forest Service budget, 720-7173
4) Write clarification on team management structures
recruitment
6) Work with Kathryn to outline media plan
5) Begin writing guidebook for project managers, N including
7) Write decision memo for the Secretary
8) Write new explanation of plan
9) Finalize USDA logo
V Y-H State Fail
10) Call Gina Sinone, Ext. 276
11) call Susan Stroud, ext. 172 X
12) Call Paul at Voice of America in Chicago, 312-353-4552
13) Call Sylvia Hostie, Congressional Affairs, X 279
606-4938
14) Call Christian Hendrix at NASC, 737-6272
Ilfluice
15) Call David Sears at ERS 219-0541
16) Call Bob Cole about Jim's role, 720-2565
Hacaj
17) Follow-up on Secretary's trips to Chicago and DC
Kathryn
X279
1) Finalize printing order and provide project addresses
2) Follow-up on public affairs task force, Jim Benson is SCS
contact at 720-5974
3) Implement recruitment plan
4) Meet with Evie White about recruitment
Frily
David spurs MPMO Noon
Ron
1) With both Kathryns to follow-up on Forest Service funding for
recruitment activities
2) Finalize DC and Chicago budgets and administrative processes
2) Work with OPBA to obtain Center for National Service overhead
money
3) Work out plan for operating funds pre-October 1
4) Propose 1996 budget
5) Follow-up on 800 line, Internet connection, and application on
Internet
6) Hold meeting of administrative task force
7) Send draft application to OMB
Denise
1) Continue calling stations about PSA
2) Obtain mailing list and Congressional Districts from agencies
3) Kelp Kathryn on recruitment plan
Donna
1) Obtain Congressional District list for hunger
2) Send information to anti-hunger groups and non-profits
3) Edit press releases
4) plan trips to sites
5) Work on other FNS policy changes
Jim
1) Decide on FMHA and RDA rural development clusters
2) Work out procedures for FMHA and RDA administration of rural
development
3) Work out procedures for contacting state directors June 21
Paula
1) Provide comments of mission statement, vision statement, and
application
2) Match Congressional districts to sites
3) Provide list of rural development clusters
4) Provide guidance for DC projects
Checry
Kathryn Allen
1) Work to get printing approved
2) Provide list of Congressional districts
3) Help finalize place and dates for training
S(S
Cara
I
Q vis +
OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON
DATE
PROJECT/ACTIVITY/ISSUE(S)
TASK(S)
ACTION/STATUS/BENEFIT
NEXT STEP
JOEL BERG
7/19-23
Consulted with FEMA and the Farm Bureau to make
recommendations on USDA employee responses to the
flooding.
Worked with the White House and the Commission on
National and Community Service to incorporate youth
service efforts into flood relief.
Provided input on interest group participation in the
Secretary's farm income forum.
Solicited ideas for re-vamping our visitor center and
starting a Department tour.
Met with Sam, Leslie, and Phil about expanding our
minority outreach plan.
Met with a vendor about starting an 800-line.
Chaired meeting of task force on Rural development Corps.
Attended meeting of task force on Empowerment and Anti-Hunger
Corps.
SAM THORNTON
7/19-23
Met with Mary Goode with Personnel.
Meeting with Dan Case and Claud Gifford.
Meeting with Helen Haas.
C:\WP51\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
2
ANITA MIDDLETON
7/19-23
Worked on USDA employee participation in
flood relief fund.
Hosted Mid-American Dairymen tour of USDA.
Hosted Russian Agriculture Experts briefing.
Called Interest Groups about Espy tape on flood
relief sources.
Hosted Cotton Council Women's Commission.
Scheduled briefing for Ag. Div. of Bureau of
Census.
SALLY KATT
7/19-23
Flood activity-video promotion. Arranged for callouts
to major agricultural groups in the affected states.
Contacted Farm Bureau which distributed information about
the flood video nationally. Also arranged with PBS to
put out a notice to all stations in the system on the
availability of the video.
Worked on the categorizing and update of OPL mailing
lists. Met with Katherine Hill to discuss imputing
of lists into the date base.
Sent certificates of thanks from Van Ness to tutors
who were not able to make the school thank you
ceremony. Last week a memo went forward from Ali
to the Secretary asking for a time for a reception
for Van Ness tutors. So far we have heard nothing.
DOTTIE CLICK
7/19-23
Provided my Director and Deputy with a copy of a Forest
C:\WP31\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
3
Service proposal to recruit African American youth from
Southeast Missouri into the second minority natural
resources mentoring program that will begin in the summer
of 1994 to my Director and Deputy.
Obtained information for Joel on the Forest Service Donation
Centers and also on the FEMA Donations and Volunteers telephone
numbers.
Received from the American Farm Bureau Federation and passed
along to Joel and Sam information on the Iowa Farm Bureau's
efforts to help flood victims and also a copy of a AFBF
Newsline interview between Mike Orso, AFBF, and Deputy
Rominger regarding disaster relief.
I have been working on arrangements for several Ohio FFA
Officers to be briefed here at the Department in August.
They called to cancel their plans, saying that they are
going to the Midwest to volunteer their assistance to
disaster victims instead of coming to Washington, DC.
Provided Sparks Commodities with a copy of Secretary Espy's
July 15 statement before the Senate Committee on Banking.
Worked on putting together the proposed Secretary's
Memorandum To All Employees asking for donations for the
flood and rain disaster victims and the transmittal memo to
OGC for its clearance. Also worked on the OGC memorandum
to OPM asking for permission to send the Secretary's
Memorandum. Wrote the memorandum transmitting these materials
to the Secretary for signature.
Worked on Farming and Agri-business mailing lists and also
on the FAX list. With Andy's help, deleted old names and
added new ones. However, there is still much information
that needs to go into the FAX machine on my groups, as
well as on the conservation and environmental, consumer
and nutrition, African American, rural development, and
Hispanic groups.
C:\WP51\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
4
MEETINGS NEXT WEEK
Wednesday, July 28
FFA State Presidents, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Jefferson Auditorium, with
Deputy Secretary Rominger--Photo Op and Remarks.
Brown Bag Luncheon, 12:00 noon, 107-A, guest speaker is Randy Weber.
7/19/-23/93
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
(BARBARA ROBINSON & JOYCE PERSON)
1. Telephone assistance
Handled 1,096 phone inquiries; average holding
time was 26 seconds per call
2. Visitors to Center
Provided information and/or publications to 105 visitors
C:\WP51\DOCS\ITRM.RPT
USDA/AMERICORPS
Report for Week Ending September 2, 1994
Major Accomplishments for This Week
Finalized preparations for September 12 launch.
Participants in Summer national service project in the District of Columbia graduated
at a ceremony attended by ARS Administrator Dr. Essex Finney.
Completed AmeriCorps member handbook.
Transferred first funds to an AmeriCorps project; signed cooperative agreement and
arranged wire transfer to Los Angeles Interfaith Hunger Coalition.
Major Tasks for the Week Ahead
1) Finalize budgets and cooperative agreement with the Corporation for national and
Community Service (CNCS).
2) Resolve FmHA/RDA funding issues.
3) Submit to CNCS revised community service objectives for each site.
4) Submit to CNCS revised maps for Rural Development Team sites.
5) Finalize plans for September 12 launch.
6) Draft Member agreement and training plans.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Discussed concerns over New Jersey SCS project with Congressman Menendez's
staff.
Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Provide information to state national service commission in Arkansas.
Key Media Contacts
1) Provided information on Los Angeles anti-hunger program to the Los Angeles
Times.
Fill
To be done between now and Sept. 12:
Who
What
Interagency
Select Nature of Action Codes
Admin Specialists
Dave W to
}
Accounting Codes
Workers Compensation
coordinate
Child care
get Dave of
Lou, Jim,
Cooperative Agreements between USDA and
& Dave W
Corporation
a
Dave W
New Member orientation kit
ours
Dave G
Examples of workplans to field
get of our copier
Paula
Member Agreements
Jim or
Reprint or simplify brochure
Dave W
Manual Group:
Bill
Checklist of forms
Joel
Chapter on Fund Raising (guidelines)
Loú
Chapter on 3rd party contractors
Dave G
Chapter on Evaluation
Bill
Form for performance appraisal
Dee
Questions from training course
Dee
Maintain master manual
Don
Revise Safety chapter
Wayne
Other issues to put in manual
Workers Compensation
Child care "how to"
Child care - is it treated as taxable income)
Can AmeriCorps members have other employment?
Define "Participant" in glossary
Are physicals required; who pays?
More info on safety
Explain Liability issue
Can seasonals be hired (pg. 37)
MEDIA AVAILABILITY FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY JIM LYONS ON
File
NATIONAL SERVICE
(3:00-4:00PM CENTRAL TIME)
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
A
Time: 3:00-3:15
Contact:
Catherine Murphy
(713)220-7491
(713)220-7171 *back-up number
Environmental Reporter:
Bill Dawson (He will be doing the interview)
(713)220-7491
(713)220-7171 *back-up number
Fax: 220-6806
CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER-TIMES
Time: 3:20-3:35
Contact:
Tom Whitehurst & Debra Wilkens
(512)886-3662
(512)884-2011 *back-up
Environmental Reporter:
Vaughn Haggerty
(512)886-3683
(512)884-2011
Fax: 886-3732
GALVESTON DAILY NEWS
Time: 3:40-3:55
Contact/Reporter:
Maggie Sieger
(409)744-3611 ext. 235 or ext 233(back-up)
Fax 740-3421
Li Sa ( 0 Julie
clips
USDA/AMERICORPS
Report for Week Ending Friday, August 26
Major Accomplishments for This Week
Explained AmeriCorps and USDA involvement in lengthy, 15 minute-segment on news
show on JJKM radio in Chicago.
Made final prepartions to sign Departmental cooperative agreement with the
Corporation for National and Community Service.
Continued preperations for September 12 launnch events.
Major Tasks for the Week Ahead
1) Finalize cooperative agreement with CNCS.
2) Transfer first funds for Los Angeles anti-hunger site.
3) Finalize revised community service objectives for each site.
4) Write press releases and sites for September 12 launch.
5) Finalize Secretary'sa and sub-cabinet's role in September 12 launch.
6) Conclude selection of Rural Development Team Regional Facilitator positions.
7) Resolve RDA and FmHA funding issues.
8) Convene evaluation working group.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Provided information to Congressman Guttierrez' office about projects in Illinois.
Intergovernmental Contacts
1) The Arizona Commission on National Service requested information on our projects.
Key Media Contacts
Explained AmeriCorps and USDA involvement in lengthy, 15 minute-segment on news
show on JJKM radio in Chicago.
Fill
USDA/AMERICORPS
Report for Week Ending Friday July 8
Major Accomplishments for This Week
1) Conducted final grant negotiations with the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
2) Completed cooperative agreements necessary for starting special summer national
service program in the District of Columbia.
3) The Soil Conservation Service submitted final cluster site locations for the Rural
Development Team.
4) Recruitment brochures and posters were printed and distributed to all 42 service
sites throughout the country.
5) Toll-free 800 line has received total of over 500 calls.
Major Tasks for the Week Ahead
1) USDA Office of national Service finalizes payment for training of staff to be held
in the DC area during the week of August 8.
2) Agencies obtain revised FY94 and FY95 budgets from each project site.
3) Agencies continue to obtain draft recruitment plans from each project site.
4) Edit strategic plan for pre-September 19 planning and send to all project managers
and relevant field staff.
5) Write rough draft of administrative and programmatic handbooks for project
managers.
6) Agencies finalize Rural Development Team site clusters and place on a map of the
U.S.
7) Agencies finalize agency commitments to providing Regional Rural Development
Team Coordinators.
2
8) Finalize event in which Secretary Espy and Mayor Kelly jointly visit DC summer
national service program.
9) Arrange meetings with key agency personnel to discuss FY96 budget requests.
10) Reach agreement on application form for potential participants.
11) Spur on inter-agency meeting with OMB, GSA, OPM, and National Performance
Review.
12) Supervise design work on USDA recruitment exhibit and tee-shirts.
13) Mail recruitment brochures to those who called 800 line.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Responded to request for information from the office Senator Gregg.
2) Drafted letters in response to letters from Senator Leahy and from Congressman
Bob Smith and from Congressman Bob Franks.
Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Responded to requests for information from the State Commissions on National and
Community Service in Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, and Washington.
Key Media Contacts
1) Joel Berg conducted interview with a radio station in Northeast Kansas regarding
Kansas AmeriCorps program.
2) Columbus Dispatch ran a story on our Ohio AmeriCorps project.
AmeriCorps/USDA Weekly Report
December 9, 1994
Significant Accomplishments This Week
1) USDA Director of National Service Joel Berg visited the USDA AmeriCorps
Environmental Team project, sponsored by the National Resources Conservation
Service, in and around Atlanta, including Congressman Gingrich's district.
2) The Dalles Daily Chronicle in Oregon ran a highly positive story on the
Northwest Service Academy a USDA-affiliated program, headlined "Clinton project
benefits college."
3) The Lansing State Journal Michigan ran a highly positive story on one of our
Michigan rural development programs entitled "AmeriCorps workers to help
Michigan farmers."
4) Held a conference call with all the USDA AmeriCorps regional and state
facilitators.
5) The Forest Service held a national conference to finalize projects for next year.
Major Tasks for Upcoming Week
1) Submit final objectives, maps, and budgets to the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
2) NRCS finalizes plans in Indiana and Oklahoma, finishes recruitment, obtains final
objectives, and obtains final workplans and objectives.
3) All agencies obtain revised objectives and workplans from the field.
4) FNS finalizes DC objectives and edits other objectives.
5) Forest Service matches rural development objectives with specific sites.
6) All agencies finalize next year's funding process.
7) Send revised operations and Members manuals to the field.
8) Order uniforms for Members and staff.
9) Set January meeting for regional facilitators.
11) Follow-up with ERS on evaluation plan.
12) Follow-up on survey of electronic communications and other capabilities and
needs at each site.
13) Order stationary and note cards.
14) Distribute scanned logos to the field in MAC-Pagemaker 5.0
15) Update media plans nationally and by media market for EZ/EC and quarterly
reports.
16) Distribute newsletter/communications guidelines
17) Develop fire fighting/pay problem guidelines
18) Start weekly newsletter on projects.
Key Media Contacts
1) No major media contacts this week.
Key Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Provided information to Chair the of the New Hampshire Commission on
National and Community Service.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) No major Congressional contacts this week.
12/08/94 16:19
-->12027204614
ECM Pg. 02/04
AMERICORP WEEKLY UPDATE
November 28 through December 7, 1994
Janice Syverson, Minnesota
To date none of the project managers have contacted me with any input
for this weekly report. I have not been contacted by Michael Price,
NRCS State Coordinator, in regards to this report either. I talked with
a couple of the project managers and they said they Knew nothing about
it. Have the project managers been informed of this?
I'm not getting any response from the State Coordinator, or the Project
Director for Cloquet cluster when I send Email. The members at Cloquet
seem to be doing well with their projects, however, when it comes time
to do a monthly project and sometimes the weekly conference call we are
not "getting things done". The other three clusters in the state are
ready for their third monthly project while Cloquet has yet to have its
first. I did go to Cloquet the first month just to do a site visit and
see what their project was all about. Everything needs to be cleared
through the Project Director and I'm not sure why they are getting
nowhere on these. Ten forestry members are to meet with this cluster
and this has finally been ironed out as for the distance problem. I
will be contacting these forestry members next week, as they are all
training this week, to let them know what we need to be doing each
month, I was hoping Cloquet would have a cluster meeting set up SO we
would be able to get together soon.
Cluster Members feedback:
PHOTOGOPY
PRESERVATION
Thief River Falls/Twin Valley Clusters:
TRF-Ag Waste Mgmt
Planning a nutrient management training day to inform farmers
of ways to cut fertilizer costs to improve water quality.
One member worked with a farmer working up a plan for his Ag
Waste. They did a survey and are working on a cover letter to
explain this survey so project can be implemented. Met with the
Watershed District to tell about their project and how it
relates to what the districts are doing SO they work together to
improve the water quality. The livestock producers list is
completed for contacts for the management plans. They are
working on a display for Crookston Winter Shows on Waste
Utilization. They've done a News Release to describe the
benefit for Animal Waste Utilization for local farmers. These
members are coordinating the monthly cluster project for Dec.
16th. We will be doing a "Cabins for Critters" day at the
Agassiz Wildlife Refuge. Coffee and hot chocolate have been
donated for the members, and are working on trying to get some
volunteers.
TRF-Trails
Dean the trails project member has been out with the Chicken
Pox.
12/08/94 16:20
-->12027204614
BCM rg. 00/04
TV, Crookston, Red Lake Falls, Warren, & McIntosh -
PHOTOCOPY
Conservation Outreach Members
PRESERVATION
Sent letters to local businesses on crop residue. They've had
two meetings with the supervisors for more guidance on the Crop
Residue Alliance. They are hoping to do a tillage demonstration
in August. They will talk to farm dealers to see if they will
put on a demonstration. The first meeting they felt was very non
productive, however, after the meeting on the 5th they felt more
organized and felt they had received more direction from their
Project Managers. The living snowfence part of their project is
in the works. They've set up a meeting with MN/DOT to try get
the county to help cost share on the high priority roads. They
have also contacted highway dept. and will be contacting the
land owners who own the land along the high priority roads to
try talk them into planting these snowfences. Two members in TV
have been working with the "Give Water a Hand" project. Two local
high school girls are working on this and we had planned to do
this as a monthly project in the spring. Found out this needs
to be done sooner and are now planning to help with this the
last week of Dec. maybe the 28th or 29th if it gets organized.
They are not sure if they will use this as a weekly cluster
meeting or a second community project for this month. Members
are working towards a monthly project for April called
Envírothon, District in Twin Valley has volunteered to help
out in any way they can such as printing any fliers. One member
will be helping do a wildlife presentation at this.
The Ag Enviromental Learning Center has also asked if the
members could help with a project in May to lay tree beds
and help clear a trail.
Trails and Tourism Members:
Very close to having their video for the trail done. Hope to
finish on Friday, they also will be receiving video from the two
TV stations from their ground breaking and also their team
building rope exercise. Plan to put this all on one tape and
then will send a copy to Nat. Office. Are setting up computer
DOS system to do graphics for work on their brochures. Did a
habitat inventory along trail and took pictures for possible use
in brochures. Are working on a pre-brochure to hand out at our
monthly community project in Jan. Will be helping with a
snowmobile race, Contacted the IRS for a tax emption status to
qualify for grants for the Citizens Advisory Committee for ART.
Have set up a meeting with Star City council on Dec. 14 to
discuss possible items to work on for tourism for town of
Mahnomen. Working on a fact sheet for the 1995 NACD Nat.
Conv. which is due back to Nat. Office by the 19th.
Members from these two clusters plan to do a wally-ball and swim
afternoon for their weekly meeting on the 20th. They did a team
building exercise on a ropes course and they all enjoyed this very
much. Local TV station did coverage on this.
12/08/94 16:21
-->12027204614
ECM Pg. 04/04
PHOTOCOPY
PROTERVATION
Rochester/Lewiston Cluster
One member said she had been to a Citizens Committee Meeting
with 30 members present. Working on applying for funding for the
programs, to see what they felt would be realistic things to
try accomplish.
Two members working with the WQIP sign up, this will last 2 weeks,
and are hoping 35-40 people will sign up. They have funding to
work with 30 people. They've been answering lots of questions
about WQIP. They had an interview with the Daily News. Have
been doing soil training so can do soil testing. Studying soil
loss equation and have been practicing on this.
The other member had been to a two day Grazing Conference and felt
she received a lot of great information for pasture management.
She had met with AmeriCorps members from Iowa which were working
on same e of project and they are hoping to work together on
their pro, ects.
The cluster worked with the supervisors on the quarterly review. They
had received a copy of the radio interview tape from their last
community project, I told them they should make a copy and send to Nat.
Office with the quarterly review.. Their community project for this
month we will be going to the Salvation Army on the 22nd to be Toy Shop
Escorts from 9 to noon. Then back to the office to watch a video on
their projects and a short meeting.
Cloquet Cluster
We discussed monthly project at length but nothing is really set up
for Dec. yet. They do have a Jan. project set up where we will be
learning how to use snowshoes. They've finished their newsletter
and was sent out to about 4000 land owners in the Nemadji River
Basi One member went to a seminar on the capabilities of the GIS
computer Art View program and is going to another meeting to see
what on this program could be used on their project. The district
may purchase this program if they feel It will be of value. It's
suppose to give summary data of sec. of land, like how much land,
what Kind of trees and the age of the trees, which will tell the
land owners when the trees will be harvested, etc. The supervisor
sat in on our conference call and he felt this program would be very
beneficial to the project the members are working on. A letter was
sent to the highway engineers on the road side erosion findings
they found. Next week they will be out checking sediment in the
harbor to see if more sedementation dams are needed. The members in
this cluster don't really do a weekly "spirit building" activity.
They meet once a week for a staff meeting to plan their agenda for
the following two weeks and that seems to be it.
All members in the State said they are keeping their journals up to
date.
06/01/95 13:48
-->12027204614
ECM Pg. 02/03
AMERICORP WEEKLY UPDATE
May 25 through June 1, 1995
Janice Syverson, Minnesota
Cluster Members and Project Managers feedback:
Thief River Falls/Twin Valley Clusters:
TRF-Ag Waste Mgmt
Helped with a hazardous waste clean-up. Gathering more information
for the nutrient management plans.
Thief River Falls/Twin Valley - Trails
TRF - Moved into the area office as the RDC is being moved. Mounting
and pressing native vegetation species. Organizing for the trails
day on Sat.
TV - Putting up flyers for the National Trails Day. Finished
painting the information booth they were working on. One member is
working on a transect survey.
Twin Valley, Crookston, Red Lake Falls, Warren, & McIntosh -
Conservation Outreach Members
TV - - Met with two conservationists to get started on the transect
survey for Mahnomen and Norman County. Worked up the travel route
they will take, and then started the survey.
Crookston - Worked some more on the discovery trunks, hope to have
the puppet show ready for the local fairs. Worked more on the
Outdoor Wildlife Learning site.
RLF - Helped with a Household Hazardous Waste cleanup.
Mc - - Helped plant about 430 spruce trees near Fertile. Went to
local school with a representative from recycling center to try get
recycling started at the school.
Warren - Helped with a Household Hazardous Waste cleanup. Made up
more copies of the list of trees and shrubs for conservation.
Rochester/Lewiston Cluster:
Pasture Mgmt. Project Worked on grazing plans. Helped out with
roadside survey.
White Water Project Financial work for the Joint Powers Board.
Attended Citizens Advisory Planning Meeting. Seeking Grants.
Whitewater River Watershed Project Checking residue on the fields.
Out doing a roadside tillage transect survey. Doing more contour
06/01/95 13:49
-->12027204614
ECM Pg. 03/03
lines. Planning for June's community service project.
Cloquet Cluster:
Nemadji River Basin Project
Did 8 big mailing of a Newsletter. Adding more attributes to their
maps with the GIS. Did a facilitator training day in preparation for
the conference next week. Prepared for the MN Soil & Water
Conservation Society Foresters who are taking a tour of the area
today.
Comments from our State AmeriCorps Coordinator
Graduation ceremonies for Minnesota NRCS AmeriCorps members are being
planned along with North and South DaRota's NRCS AmeriCorps members on
August 2, 1995. We are planning to have the ceremony in Brookings,
South Dakota. The eight USFS AmeriCorps members in Minnesota have also
been invited to participate in this ceremony. If all AmeriCorps
members can attend (some will have completed their 1700 hour
committeents before August 2), forty-five USDA AmeriCorps members will
participate in this ceremony. Joel Berg will be invited to participate
in the ceremony.
Fill
USDA/AMERICORPS
Report for Week Ending Friday July 15
Major Accomplishments for This Week
1) Provided the Corporation for National and Community Service with an updated
inventory of USDA AmeriCorps, community service, and employee volunteer programs
2) Prepared for Secretary Espy to join with DC Mayor Kelly next Thursday in visiting
to visit a special summer national service program USDA is running jointly with the
government of the District of Columbia
3) Finalized preparations for AmeriCorps/USDA staff training to be held in the DC area
during the week of August 8
4) Continued to finalize cluster site locations for Rural Development Team
5) Continued to received recruitment calls from around the country on our 800 line
6) SCS, FmHA, and RDA continued process of naming Rural Development team sites.
Major Tasks for the Week Ahead
1) Finalizing administrative handbook
2) Agencies obtain revised FY94 and FY95 budgets from each project site.
3) Agencies collect remaining recruitment plans from each site
4) Agencies finalize Rural Development Team site clusters and place on a map of the
U.S.
5) Agencies finalize names of Regional Rural Development Team Facilitators.
6) Arrange meetings with key agency personnel to discuss FY96 budget requests.
7) Mail recruitment brochures to those who called 800 line.
2
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Spoke to Tracy Crowley of Senator Bumpers staff about the impact of AmeriCorps
funding on rural development team projects in Arkansas.
2) Spoke with Doug O'Brien of the Senate Agriculture Committee about Senator
Leahy's possible participation in our staff training.
3) Drafted cover letters to be sent to all members of Congress along with information
packet on all USDA AmeriCorps programs.
Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Responded to requests for information from the State Commissions on National and
Community Service in Colorado and South Dakota.
Key Media Contacts
1) Provided information about our Chicago Summer of Safety program to an
independent documentary producer making a film on innovative crime-fighting
approaches.
USDA/AMERICORPS
Report for Week Ending Friday, August 12
Major Accomplishments for This Week
1) Held training program in Washington area for over 225 USDA employees and
members of partner organizations who will be running AmeriCorps/USDA program this
September. The training program was attended by Deputy Special Assistant to the
President Rick Allen, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Leahy, and USDA
Assistant Secretary Wardell Townsend.
2) As part of the AmeriCorps/USDA training, approximately 200 USDA employees
worked alongside the DC Service Corps and the Montgomery County Conservation
Corps to perform anti-hunger and environmental service work.
3) Distributed comprehensive operations manual -- 80 pages in length -- to
AmeriCorps/USDA staff.
Major Tasks for the Week Ahead
1) Finalize launch dates for all AmeriCorps/USDA project sites.
2) Revise budgets, community service objectives, and project manager names for each
site.
3) Draft cooperative agreement for funding with the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
4) Conclude selection of Rural Development Team Regional Facilitator positions.
5) Clarify RDA and FmHA funding issues.
6) Convene evaluation working group.
7) Send names for CNCS 800 recruitment line to field offices.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Senator Leahy attended and spoke at AmeriCorps/USDA staff training.
2) A member of Senator Daschle's staff attended AmeriCorps/USDA staff training.
2
Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Representatives from the Governor's National Service offices in both Vermont and
Maryland spoke at the AmeriCorps/USDA staff training.
Key Media Contacts
1) Provided information and photographs to Vermont newspapers and radio stations
regarding Senator Leahy's appearance at staff training.
2) Provided information to LA Times regarding USDA/AmeriCorps anti-hunger program
in Los Angeles.
USDA/AMERICORPS
Report for Week Ending Friday, August 4
Major Accomplishments for This Week
1) Met with Eli Segal, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service,
to finalize DC anti-hunger grant
2) Key staff attended training sponsored by the Corporation for National and
Community Service
3) Completed operations manual handbook for the AmeriCorps/USDA program
4) Made final preparations for AmeriCorps/USDA staff training to be held in the DC
area during the week of August 8
Major Tasks for the Week Ahead
1) Hold training program for over 200 USDA employees from around the country
2) Employees in training session will perform community service alongside the
Montgomery County Conservation Corps and the DC Service Corps
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Worked with Senator Mitchell's office to help resolve SCS AmeriCorps funding
problem in Maine
2) Confirmed Senator Leahy's and Congressman de la Garza's attendance at USDA
staff training
Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Provided information to Kansas and Vermont Commission on National Service
Key Media Contacts
1) Public service announcements featuring Secretary Espy continued to run in major
media markets throughout the country
AmeriCorps Working Group Meeting
August 22, 1994
1) Update on recruitment
2) Update on September 12 Launch
3) Revisions in operations manual
4) Discussion on Rural Development Team Regional Facilitators
5) Discussion of Rural Development Team Cluster site
6) Discussion of updated community service objectives
USDA/AMERICORPS
Report for Week Ending Friday, August 12
Major Accomplishments for This Week
Recruitment efforts expanded with the goal of having at least 600 (half) of the 1,200
AmeriCorps/USDA Members ready to attend the launch on September 12.
Major Tasks for the Week Ahead
1) Submit revised Departmental and agency budgets to the Corporation for National
and Community Service.
2) Prepare Departmental and agency cooperative agreements.
3) Obtain revised community servioce objectives for each site.
4) Plan press releases and sites for September 12 launch.
5) Finalize Secretary Espy's role in September 12 launch.
6) Conclude selection of Rural Development Team Regional Facilitator positions.
7) Resolve clarify RDA and FmHA funding issues.
8) Convene evaluation working group.
7) Send additional names for CNCS 800 recruitment line to field offices.
Key Congressional Contacts
1) Senator Leahy' staff called me to express concern over funding
Vermont Forest Service project.
2) Senator Johnston's staff called to obtain information on AmeriCoprs projects in
Louisiana.
3) Congressman Menendez wrote to Secretary Espy over hios concerns over the sate-
up of our New Jersey program.
2
Intergovernmental Contacts
1) Providing continuing information to varioous state national service commissions.
Key Media Contacts
1) Approved FMHA/RDA local press releases at multiple sites.