The American Society for Public Administration, ASPA, is a national professional organization dedicated to better government and excellence in the public service.

The Marble Room (2^nd Floor)

On February 17, 2000, the chapter’s council adopted a new constitution, and it is now up to the general membership to ratify the new constitution. This effort to adopt a new constitution comes in response to a request by National ASPA to all the chapters in the U.S. to adopt constitutions that are consistent with IRS requirements for ASPA’s group federal income tax exemption. We also took this opportunity to make some changes to our governing structure, which are summarized below. PLEASE VOTE ON THE NEW CONSTITUTION. A ballot and a copy of the new constitution are enclosed with this newsletter. The votes will be counted at the next council meeting on March 30, 2000.

Ensure IRS Compliance. Article XII includes sections regarding chapter activities and uses of funds that ensure our chapter’s and ASPA’s compliance with IRS requirements. As mentioned above, this is the main purpose for adopting a new constitution.

Fewer Elected Officers. The new constitution calls for only two elected officers (President and Vice President), rather than the four we have in our existing constitution (see Article III). The Treasurer and Secretary, which are elected offices under our existing constitution, would become appointed positions in the new constitution. We made this change to clarify elections and, hopefully, produce more competitive elections. In the past, the nominating committee has struggled to find candidates, in part because four were needed each year. With only two elected officers, we expect to have a better chance of finding at least two individuals to run for each office. With fewer offices and a real choice of candidates, our elections hopefully will become more focused and meaningful.

A Smaller Council. The new constitution requires only 8 elected council members, rather than the current number of 12 (see Article III). A smaller council, like fewer officers, would help make our nomination and election process more focused and meaningful. With more selectivity and competition in choosing council members and a smaller council, it is hoped also that elected members of the council would be more likely to attend meetings regularly and participate fully in the business of the chapter.

By-Laws. Much of the new constitution is based on a model constitution recommended by ASPA national. Our existing constitution includes some structures, particularly an Advisory Board, that do not appear in the model constitution. As a result, the new constitution would incorporate our Advisory Board and other such refinements in the form of by-laws, which would be developed once the new constitution is ratified and in effect. By incorporating the Advisory Board in the by-laws rather than the constitution, we create flexibility in defining the shape of the Advisory Board so that it can function more fully and effectively. While the new constitution includes a provision for by-laws (Article IX), the new by-laws themselves can be developed only after the new constitution is ratified and in effect (thus they are not included as part of the new constitution).

Please take a moment to vote on the new constitution using the paper ballot enclosed with this newsletter. If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to contact me or one of the other officers of the chapter. Thank you very much for you participation in this important vote.

Gregg Van Ryzin, PhD

NY Metro ASPA President

(212) 802-5972

The National Conference programs far exceed the goals and objectives that we established for the Conference. As promised, Visions 2000 is exciting and innovative and we want to share our excitement with you. Visions 2000 is a "must attend" learning and networking experience. There will be approximately 140 presentations including mobile workshops, pre-conference workshops, plenaries, in-conference skills building workshops, discussion groups on shared experiences, and the traditional panel presentation.

This year’s conference begins Friday with the pre-conference workshops and a conference on US/Mexican PA Initiatives. Ted Gaebler and others officially open the conference Saturday morning in a Plenary session on "Positive Outcomes -- Raising the Bar on Government Reinvention." We close the evening with a knock-down old-fashioned party. Sunday, Dr. Charles Washington will host and moderate a "no holds barred" fireside chat between Camille Cates-Barnett, Honorary 2000 Conference Chair and Partner for the Public Strategies Group and noted author, political analyst and professor, Dr. Don Kettl, LaFollette Institute of Public Affairs. Exemplary public servants who have made careers out of making a difference will be honored for their life work on Monday at the National Public Service Awards Luncheon. The Stone Lecture on Tuesday afternoon brings Harlan Cleveland, President of the World Academy of Art and Science and a public administration legend to the podium. Harlan Cleveland will honor the memory of another public administration legend, Donald C. Stone.

We take great pride in honestly saying, "the ultimate conference goals of continuous pride, performance, and purpose in government, the public sector, and cutting edge research are met with ASPA’s National Conference Visions 2000." See you in San Diego.

Audrey L. Mathews

Co-Coordinator, ASPA Conference

Myrna Mandell

Co-Coordinator, ASPA Conference

The 21^st Century will be international in scope, challenging the world to new levels of discovery, growth, cooperation, problem solving, and ultimately, peace. It will require governmental, nonprofit, and private organizations to work together to build and develop the New Cities and the new state, regional, and national governments and international organizations that are needed to meet those challenges. The New Century will force the people and nations of the world to think globally and to work in interconnected ways. To reflect this challenge and to allow the maximum participation of ASPA members and interested people, this conference will also include a 2001 Virtual Conference that will make presentations and discussions available through the Internet in an interactive format that complements the Newark activities.

The new century will require the best ideas and the most cooperation of both practitioners and academics to solve the new problems and meet the New Challenges facing public administration around the world. The 2001 ASPA Conference will bring together both academics and practitioners on panels that address the new challenges and lead to problem-solving ideas. Some panels may be focused on practice and include practitioners addressing the issues, while others may focus on theory, teaching, or research, and include academics. A majority of panels should include both academics and practitioners bringing their expertise and ideas to the table to generate solutions to 21^st Century problems.

Panel proposals may be made through the ASPA Web Site directly or by downloading the proposal form. Forms should be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to ASPA no later than July 1, 2000 for full consideration. Panel proposals received after July 1, 2000 will be considered only on a space available basis

The Chapter welcomes our newest members: Miguel Bautista, Edward J. Blakely, Kristen Coale, Robert DeFlaminis, Neil De Haan, Stacy Douglas, Jannie N. Garcia, Mariusz S. Lewicki, Rachel E. Lindsay, Philip Liu, Dina Marco, Stacey L. Murphy, Wendy Murray, Shelley R. Rice, Patrick C. Tinnesz, Lydia Velazquez, Robyn E. Vogel.

Chapter Constitution: Mr. Van Ryzin distributed copies of the model Chapter Constitution provided by National ASPA. The national organization has requested the Chapters to have the membership vote upon a new constitution before March 31, 2000. Governing Board members should submit their comments to Mr. Van Ryzin within the next ten days. There will be an open Governing Board Meeting on February 17^th at which the final draft of the proposed Chapter Constitution will be discussed and voted upon by the Governing Board. A Constitution ballot will then be mailed to the Chapter membership by March 1^st.

Treasurer’s Report: Mr. Meyer reported a Fund Balance of $3,122.33 as of December 31^st, 1999. This includes $500.00 in Conference funds and the $1,000.00 Scholarship Fund. The Fund Balance (including the Conference funds and Scholarship Fund) is $1,994.78 as of January 7^th.

Chapter Programs: Mr. Van Ryzin reported that Ms. Wolf and Mr. Tinker volunteered to work on a February program event. A link to the IPA was suggested. Ms. Gerard said that Peter Vallone may be available as a speaker for a program event in April.

Treasurer’s Report: Mr. Justice (Immediate Past Chapter Treasurer) said that he believes the Chapter can expect some profits from the Regional Conference that the Chapter hosted in October 1999. Mr. Rolandi said that the Conference Coordinators will close the books on the Conference next month and that a refund of the seed money provided by the Chapter and a small profit was expected.

Chapter Constitution: The attendees discussed the latest draft of the proposed Chapter Constitution. Changes were made to the draft and the Governing Board voted to submit the proposed Chapter Constitution, with the modifications, to the Chapter Membership for a vote. The Constitution draft and the ballot will be mailed with the next Chapter Newsletter on March 1^st. Mr. Van Ryzin will write a President’s Column for the Newsletter that will explain the changes in the Chapter Constitution.

Chapter Incorporation: Mr. Moeller said that he was preparing the paperwork for incorporating the Chapter Fund as a not-for-profit organization. The incorporation will allow the fund to receive grants and donations.

Chapter Web Site: Mr. Jameson discussed the new internet web site for the Chapter. The web site will be hosted by Homestead. This service became available to ASPA members as part of the ASPA OnLine Community. Mr. Van Ryzin will post a change-of-address notice on the old Chapter web site (hosted by Baruch College, CUNY) to direct internet users to the new web site.

Chapter Programs: Mr. Justice and Mr. Tinker discussed plans for the next two program events scheduled for mid-March and mid-April. Announcements will be prepared for publication in the next Chapter Newsletter. The next event will be a Career Event and will be scheduled for mid-day.

National ASPA Conferences: Mr. Rolandi discussed preliminary plans for the 2001 Conference which will be held in Newark, NJ. Mr. Justice said that Mel Dubnick had requested the Chapter to provide sponsorship money for a reception at the ASPA Visions 2000 Conference in San Diego. The Governing Board deferred a vote on this issue until the next Governing Board meeting since the current Fund Balance was not available.

All NY Metro Chapter Members are encouraged to attend our monthly Governing Board Meetings. If you plan to attend a meeting, please call any Chapter Officer to confirm the meeting date, time, and location. The meetings usually begin at 6:00PM. If you have an item to be placed on the Meeting Agenda, please call Gregg Van Ryzin. Please also contact Gregg if you are interested in serving on a Chapter Committee (listed below).

If you have an item of interest to report to our members (a "Member News" item or an event to be listed under "Other Regional and National Events"), please call Mike Jameson at 718-557-3733.

March 30, 2000: Chapter Governing Board Meeting (6:00PM, Baruch College, CUNY, Room TBA)

April 20, 2000 (Tentative): Chapter Program Event: NYC Term Limits and the Politics of Expertise: The Project for Transition and Leadership 2001 (Location TBA).

April 27, 2000: Chapter Governing Board Meeting (6:00PM, Baruch College, CUNY, Room TBA)

May 18, 2000: Chapter Governing Board Meeting (6:00PM, Baruch College, CUNY, Room TBA)

June 29, 2000 (Date TBA): Chapter Annual Business Meeting (Location TBA)

October, 2000 (Date TBA): Chapter Annual Public Service Awards Dinner (Location TBA)

President: Gregg Van Ryzin 212-802-5972

Exec. VP: Jonathan Justice 908-918-1788

VP/Treasurer: Chris Meyer 212-360-3187

Secretary: Timothy W. Johnson 212-367-4320

Sybil Alexander Ronda Brown

Paula Gerard Rosemary Goldford

Rhodesia Humphrey Carolyn Hubbard

Michael V. Jameson Seung-ho Lee

Rick Lepkowski Charmaine Phillips

Peter Tinker Stephanie Uhlman

Jodi Wolf

Past Chapter President: Virginia Donnelly-Brinkley

Past Chapter President: Harold Moeller

Past Chapter President: Clifford P. Kirsch

National Council Representative: Raymond Joseph

Past Chapter Treasurer: William Ciaccio

Regional Conference Chair: Stephen Rolandi

Annual Awards Dinner Chris Meyer, Chair

1999 Regional Conference Steve Rolandi, Chair

Communications Michael V. Jameson, Chair

Membership Ronda Brown, Chair

Programs Jonathan Justice, Chair

Fund Raising

Public Service Academy Peter Tinker, Chair

Scholarship Fund Jonathan Justice, Chair

New York Metropolitan Chapter ASPA

U.S. District Court Executive

500 Pearl Street, Room 820

New York City, NY 10007-1312

http://www.homestead.com/mvjnymetroaspa/index.html

1120 G Street NW, Suite #700, Washington, D.C., 20005-3885

Phone: 202-393-7878 FAX: 202-638-4952

ASPA WebSite: http://www/aspanet.org

News Items may be submitted by contacting Michael V. Jameson at 718-557-3733 (or via e-mail address: Mjame10644@aol.com).