In This Issue:

• An Update on ASPA’s Ethics Code Implementation
• Public Service Recognition Week Starts this Sunday!
• ASPA Section on Procurement in Formation
• Webinars, BookTalks and Student Series on the Horizon
• ASPA Annual Conference Resources Online Now
• ASPA Central Virginia Chapter Event Today, April 28
• Zambia Society for Public Administration International Conference Invitation and Call for Papers
• Georgia State Leadership Training, May 11-13, Announces Guest Speakers, Registration Deadline
• 2016 Northeastern Conference on Public Administration Call for Proposals
• Palgrave Call for Papers
• PAR Update
• New on PA TIMES Online
• New on the ASPA Blog
• Career Resources

An Update on ASPA’s Ethics Code Implementation

Earlier this year, ASPA leadership shared with you steps the National Council was taking to implement ASPA’s Code of Ethics. These steps included a procedure for reviewing complaints about possible violations of the code and an annual statement that members would make, agreeing to abide by the review procedure. Implementation was scheduled to begin on May 1.

This approach generated thoughtful responses from our members. Some voiced strong support for it, others disagreed with it and still others felt they needed greater education and consultation about the process and its implications. The steps the council took were designed to be positive and constructive, keeping with ASPA’s continued development as a professional association. At the same time, we know our members’ perspectives and viewpoints are critical to everything we do.

At its meeting last month, the council suspended the complaint procedure for two reasons. First, the bylaws now provide for a peer review process that covers receiving, reviewing and resolving complaints. Second, the Committee on Ethics—which members overwhelmingly approved as a standing committee—will play a constructive role on ethics issues going forward. It will answer members’ questions about the code and help them understand how to deal with challenging ethical situations. In addition, the council eliminated the annual membership statement requiring that members abide by the review process.

In taking this action, the council agreed to consider later this year whether modifications to this approach are needed. And, it will review the Ethics Committee’s work and consider changes or enhancements in March 2018. Taken together, we are confident that this multi-faceted approach will enable us to meaningfully advance the code and celebrate those whose actions exemplify its spirit.

For more information, click here.

Public Service Recognition Week Starts this Sunday!

Welcome to Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW): a very special week during which we thank the public servants in our lives for everything they do for the good of society. Organized by the Public Employees Roundtable, PSRW is celebrated across the country honoring all forms of public servants through awards banquets, sporting events, breakfasts, dinners, proclamations, media attention and more.

We hope ASPA members are all planning to honor the public servants our discipline serves through one or more events in your area. You can see ASPA’s Chapter/Section calendar online here for just some of the events being planned. In particular:

• Central Virginia Chapter
  Sunday, May 1 | Noon | The Diamond
  The Central Virginia Chapter is organizing an outing to the Flying Squirrels, the Richmond Minor League Baseball team.
• Central Pennsylvania Chapter
  Monday, May 2 | 6 p.m. | Dixon University Center
  This awards ceremony features a keynote from Sanjay Pandey on public service motivation and special remarks from ASPA executive director Bill Shields.
• Rhode Island Chapter
  Wednesday, May 4 | 9 a.m. | Bristol Campus of Roger Williams University
  Rhode Island's 7th Annual Public Service and Leadership Conference: Helping People in Crisis features a keynote address from ASPA president Susan Gooden and presentations from ASPA executive director Bill Shields and vice president Janice Lachance.
• Sacramento Chapter
  Wednesday, May 4 | 5:30 p.m. | Sterling Hotel
  The 34th Annual Sacramento ASPA Chapter Awards Dinner will honor public servants with awards presentations.
• Hampton Roads Chapter
  Thursday, May 5 | 11 a.m. | Holiday Inn Select Norfolk
  The 2016 Hampton Roads Awards Luncheon will honor public servants and include presenting numerous chapter awards.
• CenTex Chapter
  Thursday, May 19 | 7 p.m. | Plum Creek Golf Course Banquet Room
  The CenTex Chapter will celebrate PSRW with its 2016 Awards Banquet, featuring keynote speakers, awards presentations and a dinner.
• Metro Louisville Chapter and Western Kentucky University MPA Program
  Saturday, May 22 | 2 p.m. | Covington Woods Park
  Join the metro Louisville chapter and Western Kentucky University’s MPA program for a picnic in the park to celebrate public service!

ASPA would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the thousands of current and future public servants who are members of the Society. Your hard work and dedicated service has an impact and we thank you for your efforts.

Having an event not already on ASPA’s calendar? Let us know! Send a note to ASPA communications chief Karen Garrett so she can make sure it’s on our list!

ASPA Section on Procurement in Formation

ASPA has almost 30 topic-based Sections across its membership, discussing everything from emergency management to technology in government and more. Members are now forming a new Section focused on procurement and contract management. Do you support this effort? If so, click here!

This new Section will enable practitioners and scholars alike to exchange information, collaborate on research and help connect procurement practitioners with other public servants. But there must be at least 80 ASPA members supporting it before it can launch.

Sign the online document and help get this new Section off the ground! Your support does not commit you to membership in the Section. Interested ASPA members can join the Section for a minimal annual fee of $10 after it is formed and will receive a free electronic membership in the Journal of Public Procurement, the new Section’s official journal. You can read the proposed bylaws for this new Section here.

Thank you to the proposed Section’s organizing committee members who have put tremendous time and effort into this undertaking:

• Sawsan A. Abutabenjeh, Miami University of Ohio
• Mohamad G. Alkadry, Florida International University
• Maria Aristigueta, University of Delaware
• Trevor Brown, Ohio State University
• Ana-Maria Dimand, Florida International University
• Stephen Gordon, Universal Public Procurement Certification Council
• Lawrence Martin, University of Central Florida
• Clifford P. McCue, Florida Atlantic University
• Rene G. Rendon, U.S. Naval Post Graduate School
• Alexandru Roman, California State University, San Bernardino
• Evelyn Trammell, Florida International University

Webinars, BookTalks and Student Series on the Horizon

ASPA's professional development webinars are ongoing throughout the year. Averaging 75 attendees per webinar and free to ASPA members, these e-learning opportunities provide you with valuable insights and information at your fingertips. Here's a quick look at upcoming opportunities. Make sure you register today for the topics of most interest and visit our website to take a look at all upcoming webinars and BookTalks.


Student Series: From the Proposal to the Follow-Up: Getting Involved in SECoPA, NECOPA and MPAC
Tuesday, May 3, 1 p.m.
Presenters:
Stephen Kleinschmit, Assistant Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration, Western Michigan University
Bing Ran, Associate Professor, School of Public Affairs, Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg
Phin Xaypangna, Mecklenburg County Government, Learning and Development Services
Angela Kline (Moderator), ASPA National Council Student Representative and Ph.D. Student, University of Delaware

This webinar will feature representatives from each of the three public administration conferences: the Southeast Conference of Public Administration, the Northeast Conference of Public Administration and the Midwest Public Administration Conference. In addition to describing the theme and submission guidelines for upcoming events, panelists will highlight opportunities for students and young professionals at this year's MPAC, NECOPA and SECoPA.




ASPA/SPPM Webinar: Implementing Performance Measurement Initiatives—Local and Global Perspectives
Thursday, May 5, 1 p.m.
Presenters:
Marc Holzer, Founding Dean, School of Public Affairs and Administration, and Board of Governors Distinguished Professor of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers University-Newark
Prajapati Trivedi, Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor of Public Policy, Indian School of Business
Michael Ward, Co-Founder, Collins Center Government Analytics Program

The use of performance measurement enables public organizations to provide services with improved efficiency, as well as increasing transparency and accountability toward citizen stakeholders. Much of the emphasis has focused on developing appropriate performance measures, with less emphasis on implementing performance measures in public and nonprofit organizations. Implementation issues need to be considered from the start of the performance measurement process.




BookTalk: Pulled Over: How Police Stops Define Race and Citizenship
Thursday, May 12, 1 p.m.
Presenter:
Steven Maynard-Moody, Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration, University of Kansas

In sheer numbers, no form of government control comes close to the police stop. Each year, 12 percent of drivers in the United States are stopped by the police and the figure is almost double among racial minorities. Police stops are among the most recognizable and frequently criticized incidences of racial profiling but, while numerous studies have shown minorities are pulled over at higher rates, none have examined how police stops have come to be both encouraged and institutionalized. Pulled Over offers practical recommendations on how reforms can protect the rights of citizens and still effectively combat crime.

ASPA Annual Conference Resources Online Now

Resources from ASPA's 2016 Annual Conference are now online! Non-attendees, you can access these too:

• Photo Gallery: Almost 1,000 photos showcasing events that took place throughout the five-day conference are online. Browse through the collection and enjoy this visual catalog of the premier public administration gathering of the year. Photos are all watermarked; if you would like clean versions of any of them, email ASPA communications chief Karen Garrett!
  
  
• Conference Speeches: Three of the conference’s lectures are now available for you to listen to. Each lasting between 30 and 40 minutes, these are vital resources for you to review and contemplate. Access speeches from Ron Sims, John DiIulio and Fran Berry now.
  
  
• Student and New Professionals Summit Presentations: This year’s conference featured a full day of presentations and workshops geared toward ASPA’s Student and Young Professional members. You can find the presentations that accompanied those workshops on ASPA’s website where you can download them and refer to them at any time.
  
  

ASPA Central Virginia Chapter Event Today, April 28

Join the Central Virginia Chapter and expert panelists for Beyond the Budget: The Impact of the 2016 Legislative Budget on Local and State Governments, April 28 at 5 p.m. in the State Capitol Building. This will be an engaging analysis of the 2016 legislative budget, its contents and the potential impact on state agencies, local government and nonprofits. Panelists will include former Senator Walter Stosch, former chairman, Senate Finance Committee; April Kees, legislative analyst, Senate Finance Committee; and Shane Caudill, director, eVA, Virginia Department of General Services.

Following the panel discussion, join the Central Virginia Chapter members and colleagues for a social hour! More information is online.

Zambia Society for Public Administration International Conference Invitation and Call for Papers

The Zambian Society for Public Administration (ZSPA) will host the International Conference on Sustainable Development and a Master class on Strategy Innovation and Organizational Leadership, June 16-18, 2016, in Lusaka. The conference brings together leading, researchers, scholars and practitioners to exchange and share experiences about all aspects of sustainable development.

ZSPA is issuing a call for papers related to conference tracks and Master class tracks. Paper proposals and conference registrations are due Friday, April 30. More information is online.

Georgia State Leadership Training, May 11-13, Announces Guest Speakers, Registration Deadline

Ambassador Andrew Young, a civil rights leader and former mayor of Atlanta, and Anthony “Tony” A. Williams, a two-term mayor of Washington, D.C., will be guest speakers for Georgia State’s Center for State and Local Finance’s leadership training, May 11-13 at Georgia State’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies in Atlanta.

Young, 84, served as Atlanta mayor from 1982-1990, during which he was instrumental in bringing the Centennial Olympic Games to Atlanta in 1996. Williams served as D.C. mayor from 1999-2007; prior to that, he was the chief financial officer. He is widely credited with turning around the District's budget troubles and attracting new investments.

Both Young and Williams will share critical lessons learned while working in the public sector, as well as their personal leadership styles. There also will be time for questions. The deadline to register is May 4.

2016 Northeastern Conference on Public Administration Call for Proposals

The 2016 Northeastern Conference on Public Administration (NECOPA), taking place Nov. 11-13 in Harrisburg, has announced its call for proposed papers, panels and posters. The theme of the conference, which is hosted by Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs, will be Public Administration in the Era of Collaboration. Please submit your proposal (250 words) as an email attachment together with a title, biographical sketch and contact information. Submissions should be sent to conference Chair Dr. Bing Ran. All proposals must be submitted by June 1, 2016. Visit the NECOPA website and follow NECOPA on Facebook for updates and more information.

Palgrave Call for Papers

Humanity is at a crossroads in its history, precariously poised between mastery and extinction. The fast developing array of human enhancement therapies and technologies (e.g., genetic engineering, information technology, regenerative medicine, robotics and nanotechnology) are increasingly impacting our lives and our future.

The Palgrave Studies in the Future of Humanity and its Successors series brings together research from a variety of fields to consider the economic, ethical, legal, political, psychological, religious, social and other implications of cutting-edge science and technology. The series as a whole does not advocate any particular position on these matters. Rather, it provides a forum for experts to wrestle with the far-reaching implications of the enhancement technologies of our day.

The series is edited by Calvin Mercer (Professor of Religion, East Carolina University) and Steve Fuller (Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick, UK). For more information please contact Phil Getz, Editor, Religion and Philosophy.

PAR Update


Public Administration Review has released its 2016 May/June Table of Contents. The issue includes Perspectives, Evidence in Public Administration, Theory to Practice, Book Reviews and more. Articles in the issue include:

• Plato’s Sunlight: Duty and Expertise in Today's Public Service
• Bridging the Divide between Evidence and Policy in Public Sector Decision Making: A Practitioner's Perspective
• Regulatory Transformation: Lessons from Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Managerial Experience and Organizational Performance: A 15-Year Panel Study of Local Assessors

Click here for more detailed information about this upcoming issue!

New on PA Times Online

New on the ASPA Blog


Looking for interesting commentary on news events and contemporary issues? Check out the ASPA Blog, which features a collection of authors writing on everyday life from the eyes of a public manager, student or young professional.

Featured recently on the Blog:

First, Do No Harm

A New Way to Look at Government

Career Resources


Find your next career opportunity at publicservicecareers.org. This online job board is the perfect resource for making a career change or landing your first job in the public sector. It lists dozens of positions in academia, government and the nonprofit sector. Below are examples of current listings.

Assistant Professor of Homeland Security – Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA

Performance Analyst II – City and County of San Francisco, CA

Development Manager – Alliance for Safety and Justice, Oakland, CA