FEAWM

Full Membership Meeting

USDA Rural Development

451 West Street, Suite 2

Amherst, Ma 01002

Thursday, October 23, 2014

10:00am

Field Tour 11:00am

Present: Oreste Varela, SBA; Ron Grzelak, SSA; Liz Dawson, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Monte Chandler, USDA-APHIS; Rob Lewis, FBI;Cathy Tenerowicz, VAMC; Joanne Guild, VAMC; Jeff Anliker, Program Director; John Collins, VAMC; Candice Christenson, VAMC; Jon Niedzielski, USDA-FSA; Mary

Grasso, USDA Rural Development

Members Regretted: Dave Mendoza, SSA; Karen Regish, USDA-NRCS;

John Desarro, ANGB

Mary Grasso, USDA Rural Development did a presentation about her agency

1. Minutes:

  • The minutes for 6/17/14 approved as corrected – motion by Cathy Tenerowicz and seconded byRob Lewis

2. Treasurers Report:

  • Treasurer’s Report given by Jeff Anliker
  • Current balance in account is $5,162.16
  • The Treasurer’s Report was approved unanimously as presented-motion by Jon Niedzielski and seconded by Rob Lewis

3. Brief Committee Updates:

Activities & Wellness:

  • Report given by Jeff Anliker
  • June 22nd picnic at Nonotuck Park, Easthampton had approximately 50 participants
  • Bowling activity is being planned for Westover in February or March, 2015
  • The committee is looking for suggestions of new activities.
  • Bus trip, a run/walk or day at Six Flags were suggested as new activities
  • Cathy Tenerowicz to email Dave in regards to Six Flags as an activity

Awards:

  • Committee report given by Ron Grzelak
  • The awards banquet will be held at the Castle of Knights in 2015
  • Online registration was suggested
  • Results from the FEAWM 2014 Employee Recognition Program feedback

form will be taken in to consideration when planning the banquet for 2015

.

Education:

  • Committee Report given by Cathy Tenerowicz.
  • The Scholarship award program was very successful, as there was an increase in the number of applicants who applied
  • Thanks to Blue Cross/Blue Shield for distributing the information
  • Three $500.00 scholarships were awarded
  • There is a need for more members to serve on the Education Committee
  • A Mid- Level Career event is being planned for the spring, 2015
  • Cathy has contacted First Command, and Kim Ainsworth to conduct thisevent which will also include USA Jobs training
  • A goal of the Education committee is to bring in enough money to cover the cost of the three $500.00 scholarships

Federal Relations:

  • Committee Report given by Ronald Grzelak
  • Ron suggested that the Federal Listening Session that was held on March 13, 2014 be held again in 2015
  • Jeff discussed the importance of promoting the FEAWM to Congressional Staff and other agencies
  • JohnCollins will hold this event in 2015, possibly in a different location
  • A chair is needed for this committee

Pay and Benefits:

  • Committee report given by Ronald Grzelak.
  • The proposal for Locality Pay for Berkshire County will be updated for presentation to the Federal Salary Council in Washington, D.C. later in 2014, as this was not approved in 2013
  • Ron suggested a letter writing campaign as a way to gain support to obtain the Locality Pay for Berkshire County

Website/Public Relations:

  • Committee report given by Jeff Anliker.
  • A chair is still needed for this committee
  • At this time Alex Sacchetti is continuing to work on the site even though he has transferred to a new position in Boston

COOP:

  • Committee update given by Candi Christenson
  • Candi is looking for committee members
  • Candi is taking suggestions for future events
  • Candi is planning a face to face activity for next year, building upon the
  • Active Shooter/Active Threat presentation that was held in 2014

4. Other Business:

  • Jeff is looking for photographs from the 2014 FEAWM Awards Banquet that can be posted on the website

5. Next Board/Committee Chair Meeting – November, 2014:

  • 11/18/14 – 10:00am -VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System – Building 2, Room 113

6. Next Full Membership Meeting: - Holiday Breakfast, December, 2014

  • 12/16/14-Bluebonnet Diner-Northampton, 8:00-10:00am.

7. Field Tour:Business Meeting was followed by atour of Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School in Hadley

The meeting adjourned at 11:20am

Recorder: Joanne Guild