New York Metropolitan Chapter
ASPA NEWSThe American Society for Public Administration, ASPA, is a national professional organization dedicated to better government and excellence in the public service.
Newsletter Delivery Options
We wish to give our readers the option to receive future issues of the Chapter Newsletter via e-mail delivery. If you wish to receive the newsletter as an e-mail message instead of continuing to receive a paper copy, please send an e-mail message (from your preferred e-mail address) to
mjame10644@aol.com. Please include "ASPA Newsletter Mailing" in the SUBJECT line. Use of e-mail will save the Chapter postage and printing costs and will help us be environmentally-friendly by reducing our use of paper.
Northeast Regional Conference
The New York Metropolitan Chapter ASPA hosted a very successful regional conference on October 28 – 30, 1999. Conference Chair Stephen R. Rolandi and Vice Chair Raymond Joseph, ably assisted by the members of the Conference Committee, brought over a year’s worth of planning to fruition at the John Jay College, CUNY campus.
The Conference actually kicked off at the United Nations, which hosted the Opening Plenary Session and Reception. Those who attended these events commented positively on the welcome that the UN extended to them.
Joined by The Association of Inspectors’ General and the Toronto Regional Group of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, ASPA presented a slate of panels that addressed public and nonprofit administration issues at local, state, national, and international levels.
The Opening Plenary was a Roundtable Discussion on "The Future of Public Administration." At the Breakfast Plenary on October 29th, Peter F. Vallone, the Speaker of the New York City Council, addressed the topic "Accountability and Government Ethics." During the Luncheon on October 30th, a panel spoke on "Reorganizing Local Government in Canada: The Case of Toronto." John Jay College President Gerald Lynch hosted a General Reception on October 29th at the John Jay College building on Tenth Avenue.
Mr. Joseph is coordinating an effort to post material from the Conference on a new website for general access. Material will include summary notes from the panels, papers that were presented at the Conference, and biographies and contact information for the panelists. The next Newsletter will contain more information about the website.
Annual Awards Dinner
On October 27, 1999, the Chapter held the 1999 Public Service Awards Dinner at Benvenuti Ristorante in the Hotel Pennsylvania in Midtown Manhattan. The guest speakers were Edward J. Blakely, Dean, Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy, New School University; Alfred C. Cerullo, III, President, Grand Central Partnership, and Robert Dunfey, Jr., Regional Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration.
The Chapter presented the Outstanding Leader in Public Affairs award to John Donnellan, who is the Director of the VA New York Harbor Health Care System. Mr. Donnellan is also an active member of the New York City Federal Executive Board (FEB) and serves on the Executive Committee of the FEB’s Combined Federal Campaign Charity Fundraising Program.
Harris M. Schechtman, Vice-President for Operations, MTA Bridges and Tunnels, received the award for Outstanding Public Administrator. Mr. Schechtman played a key role in the planning and implementation of the E-Zpass toll collection system.
The award for Outstanding Academic went to Howard S. Bloom, Chief Social Scientist, Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation. Before joining this organization, Dr. Bloom was a professor at the Robert F. Wagner Gradate School of Public Service at New York University.
The Outstanding Public Administrator in the Northeast Region award went to Michael G. Massiah, Director, Business/Job Opportunity, Port Authority of NY&NJ. Among his many accomplishments are the establishment and management of innovative recruitment programs including "Welfare to Work."
The Chapter presented the award for Outstanding Volunteer to Roland Nicholson, Jr. Mr. Nicholson is an attorney at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the Board Chair at The Fortune Society and the Coordinator at the Ethical Culture Society Homeless Shelter.
The Outstanding Students awards went to Kelly Anne Burke, NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and Douglas Hanau, Baruch College School of Public Affairs, CUNY. The 1999 High School Essay Contest winner was Mario Mui. Mr. Mui, a student at the Bronx High School of Science, wrote an essay entitled, "The Three S Issues: Space, Safety, and Security."
Obituary for Jack Toby
The Chapter sadly announces the sudden passing of past Chapter President Jack Toby on Saturday, November 13, 1999. Mr. Toby was a long-time and very active ASPA member with a career that spanned public service, nonprofit management, and education. He was on the Programs Committee of the 1999 Northeast Regional Conference and he presented a paper at that Conference.
Ray Joseph, the Region II Representative, gave a eulogy for Mr. Toby at a memorial service on November 16, 1999. The following is the text of that eulogy:
Anne, Members of the family, Sisters and Brothers:
I had the privilege of meeting and befriending Jack twelve years ago. We are both members of the American Society for Public Administration. In 1992, when Jack served as President of the New York Metropolitan Chapter of the Society, I was his Treasurer. Currently, I serve on the National Board of Directors of the Society and on behalf of its entire membership I am expressing deepest sympathies and sincere condolences.
As I learned of Jack’s untimely death, I began to recall a motion picture that made a great impression on me as teenager. Entitled "The Ballad of a Soldier" the movie recounted the story of a young Russian soldier during Word War II who used his first furlough to travel home to Siberia so that he may repair the rooftop of his mother’s home before the onset of the winter. On the way home he discovered how harsh the real world could be, he faced difficulties and distractions that could have lead him to abandon his plans but he persisted. Skillfully and with extraordinary kindness he overcame them. On his way home, he met a beautiful young lady whose company he truly wanted to share. But, he pursued his objective and managed to gain a place in her heart by sharing the meal rations that he had saved to bring home with those on the train who were hungry. He also gained a place in her heart by showing devotion to his mother welfare, a sure sign that he would also care for his own family, if she accepted him.
Like the soldier in the movie, Jack was devoted to Anne, his home and his entire family. He often expressed with pride and joy the accomplishments of his nieces and nephews and will relate the occasions when the family met for graduations and other events. As a professional social scientist he was totally devoted to making this world a better place to live and a more equitable society. All of us know how proud he was to have served, in Africa, as a member of the Peace Corps. In the last years of his life, we also know how proud he was to offer to high school students in the most impoverished corners of the City an opportunity to uplift them intellectually. Concerned about the quality of the work force in the public sector in the future, he inaugurated, while President of the NY Chapter of ASPA, an annual essay contest about the importance of Public Service for high school students. Two weeks ago he attended our annual dinner where this year’s contest winner was honored.
Because he was a brilliant scholar the NY Chapter of the Society depended on Jack’s insight and advice on the intellectual substance of its activities. If we had Jack’s blessings on a topic, we knew that we were OK. When we sought innovation in our programs, we called on Jack. When we planned a major event we called on Jack, and, he always responded promptly and with a keen sense of duty. Two weeks ago, at our regional conference, he chaired a discussion panel on accountability for technological debacles; a topic that is current and yet untested. Imagine that the Y2K readiness that almost every agency is claiming fails, who will be responsible for the failure? Constantly questioning the issues of the day, constantly trying to understand the world and people Jack was the brilliant social scientist whose keen analysis we, at ASPA, will miss.
Like the soldier in the movie, Jack was a most generous person. His generosity was particularly manifest in the manner that he treated those with whom he dealt with. In the last two days when I called colleagues and friends to announce his passing, aside from the shock, there was unanimity about the fact that when one talked to Jack; he paid attention to what one was saying. He listened to you and solicited your impressions. That is a rare quality. Often, we would have lunch or dinner that would turn into endless conversations about political philosophy, history, ethics and of course public administration. Knowing that I was not raised in this country, he would always express genuine interest, not curiosity, in my roots, my upbringing, and my view of the world. And, he would make an effort to understand and to remember that to which he was not accustomed to and that he had an opportunity to learn. This is a rare virtue in this City where most people do not have the time to even greet you. Always courteous, Jack would even express regrets for winning an argument.
As we celebrate Jack’s life, I hope to have added to our collective memory, another dimension of his personality. A brilliant and compassionate friend who reached each of us in a different manner but with the same kindness, Jack was that rare jewel that will not be reproduced. He lived his life on the principles that bring us very close to the image that our maker intended. Let us wipe our tears for he will always be with us. Lets us go on to serve humanity like he would want us to. At the end of his journey, let us allow him to rest in peace. Good Bye Sweet Prince!
Thank you
Members-in-Print
Northeastern University Press recently published ASPA member Eli B. Silverman’s new book NYPD Battles Crime (ISBN 1-55553-402-3 [Cloth], ISBN 1-55553-401-2 [Paper]). The book details the innovative strategies adopted in 1994 by then police commissioner William J. Bratton and the integral use of the Compstat computer program.
The author is Professor of Law, Police Science, and Criminal Justice Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Professor Silverman drew on privileged access to police documents and meetings in writing his book. His in-depth examination offers both an inside view of the NYC Police Department and a fascinating story of organizational change, innovation, and continuity.
In a review that appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Heather MacDonald wrote, " Mr. Silverman’s most engaging chapter concerns Compstat….Once the mechanism for mapping crime existed, information exploded, showing crucial correlations between, say, homicides and the drug trade."
You may contact Northeastern University Press regarding this book at: c/o CUP Services, Box 6525, Ithaca, NY 14851 or www.neu.edu/nupress.
Chapter Pre-Holiday Social Event
The Chapter hosted a gathering at the Baruch College, CUNY School of Public Affairs on November 18, 1999. Dr. Stan Altman, Dean of the School of Public Affairs, was the guest speaker. Gregg Van Ryzin, the Chapter President, had requested Dr. Altman to offer advice on improving the Chapter.
Dr. Altman addressed the topic in a broad fashion that provided good advice for both the Chapter and the individual attendees and their own organizations. He spoke about the need to move away from a "stovepipe" organizational structure to a horizontal organization that crosses functional and program lines. He illustrated his point with interesting examples from both his own career and from the book Essence of Decision-Making.
As one example from his own work, Dr. Altman said that an issue such as asthma should be viewed and acted upon in a multi-dimensional way rather than addressing it as simply either a health problem or a housing problem.
He also recommended using career intersections and social networking to get things done. He gave examples of how getting to know decision-makers personally, rather than just by their job title, can help in cutting across organizational barriers.
The Children’s Rights Conference Series
The December 3, 1999 inaugural event for this series of conferences coincides with the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This convention has been ratified by all nations in the world except the United States and Somalia. As the most rapidly and universally ratified treaty in history, the CRC has already had a remarkable impact on how children and youth are viewed and treated around the world. It is important for those who work with children’s issues in the USA to be familiar with the framework that their foreign colleagues are using in establishing policy, law, research and practice relating to children. Also, many of the topics are of central significance to the lives of children in the USA. Although primarily designed for faculty in the City University system, this conference series will offer stimulating debates for all who work with children and youth. Those working in government and non-government agencies and in advocacy for children are particularly welcome.
International and national speakers will introduce the CRC, review its progress internationally and consider its implications for the USA. This will be followed by discussion groups for dialog between all participants.
This conference series is funded by the CUNY Faculty Development Conference Program. The Inaugural Conference will be held on December 3rd, 1999 at the Concourse Level, Graduate School and University Center of CUNY, 365 Fifth Avenue, NYC. There is no registration fee but seating is limited. To register, contact Valkiria Duran at the Children’s Environmental Research Group at 212-817-1919 or e-mail
vduran@gc.cuny.edu. Additional information may be found at the website http://web.gc.cuny.edu/che/conference/index.htm. Spring conferences are scheduled for February 7th, 2000; March 6th, 2000; April 3rd, 2000 and May 1st, 2000.
WebSites of Interest
Members may wish to visit the Chapter website at http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/spa/community/aspa/ or the National ASPA website at http://www.aspanet.org. Members may also find the following sites of interest:
http://www.gcn.com (Government Computer News)
http://www.narfe.org (National Association of Retired Federal Employees)
http://www.govexec.com (Government Executive)
http://www.pfdf.org (Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management)
Welcome to New Chapter Members
The Chapter welcomes our newest members: Amy R. Borodach, Omar Fernandez, Douglas S. Hanau, Dennis W. Hasty, Rachel Heller, Patrice Iatarola, Justin Lilien, Eric J. Miller, Paul E. O’Connell, Claudina R. Osborne, Gina Pezza, Mitchelle Pierre, Rebecca Rhynhart, Caroline Roan, Shigenobu Sato, L. Christopher Standora, Beatrice E. Tomlinson, Jamal Uddin, and Bernard Wee.
Summary of September 15, 1999 Chapter Governing Board Meeting
Regional Conference
: Mr. Kirsch said that the Committee was finalizing the list of Panel Chairs and panelists. They have sent out notices to the scheduled panelists. Mr. Rolandi said that there will be a hospitality suite at the Hotel Pennsylvania. Mr. Rolandi also said that a brochure mailing was going out to 3,500 addressees.Annual Public Service Awards Dinner: Mr. Meyer said that only one nomination has been received thus far. The attendees made suggestions on additional nominees. Nominations are due by September 22, 1999. Mr. Tinker reported that he had contacted three high schools regarding the student essay contest. Ms. Goldford suggested sending an announcement of the contest to all of the School Superintendents in the five boroughs of NYC. Mr. Meyer said that complimentary Dinner tickets would be issued to the scheduled Speakers and Award Winners. Each Award Winner would also receive a complimentary ticket for one guest.
Chapter Website: Mr. Van Ryzin discussed plans to expand the Chapter website. He suggested website links, a job posting webpage, and a roundtable conference webpage.
Program Planning Committee: Mr. Justice volunteered to Chair this Committee. Paula Gerard and Chris Meyer volunteered to be Committee members. Mr. Rolandi suggested using the conference speakers and topics as a springboard for programs.
Chapter Treasurer’s Report: Mr. Justice (the Chapter Treasurer for the 1998-99 Program Year) gave the Financial Report for the Program Year ending July 31, 1999. The Chapter had assets of $3,119.52 of which $1,000 is reserved for the Scholarship Fund, leaving a net Fund Balance of $2,119.52.
Summary of October 13, 1999 Chapter Governing Board Meeting
Annual Public Service Awards Dinner
: Mr. Meyer reported that a commitment of 85 guests was made to the restaurant. He has not yet received that many registrations. Mr. Tinker said that there was one student essay contest winner. A timetable for the Awards Dinner program was established. A roster was established for introducing the award winners. Each speaker will receive an ASPA mug and a book will be given to the essay contest winner. It was suggested that a press release regarding the awards be sent to the agency of each award winner to further publicize the Awards Dinner.Regional Conference: Mr. Joseph said that the Committee was meeting on October 14, 1999 to finalize plans for the Conference. There are 135 registrations thus far. Plans for a Virtual Conference were cancelled. Randy Mastro will be a speaker at the Reception at the United Nations. The Conference received a $2,500 grant from the Transit Authority and a $1,000 grant from New York University. The Committee is now close to the $10,000 fundraising goal. Plans are being made for a website containing abstracts, papers, and biographies from the Conference panelists. Several volunteers will contact the panelists to obtain this data. Ms. Gerard reported that Cable Channel 74 may film parts of the Conference for cable broadcast.
Chapter Committees: Mr. Van Ryzin would like to decentralize the work of the Chapter Committees. He would like each committee to work as an independent unit and take initiatives. The Committees should then present these initiatives to the Governing Board for support and advice.
AmeriCorp: Mr. Joseph suggested that this program be under the aegis of the Public Service Academy Committee. Mr. Joseph said that Lehman College contacted him regarding this program
Summary of November 18, 1999 Chapter Governing Board Meeting
Programs
: The attendees discussed ideas for future program events. Ideas included: (1) Marketing the MPA at both the entry and mid-career levels, (2) The MPA in the Private Sector (for consulting, etc.) and for Elected Officials, (3) Performance Measurement Workshop, (4) the upcoming Election Cycle, (5) Professional Development, (6) Financial Planning, (7) Family Social Event, and (8) New Members Event (to meet the Board, etc.). Mr. Rolandi said that the Chapter will be celebrating its sixtieth anniversary in the Year 2000. Scheduling of the Annual Awards Dinner was discussed. Attendees decided to schedule the Dinner for October 2000 and the Annual Meeting for May 2000. Program events were scheduled for late January 2000 and late March 2000.
Attention All Members
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.
Event Calendars
NY Metro Chapter ASPA Events:
January 5, 2000: Chapter Governing Board Meeting (Baruch College, CUNY, 6:00PM)
Late January, 2000 (Date TBA): Chapter Program Event (Topic and Location TBA)
Late March, 2000 (Date TBA): Chapter Program Event (Topic and Location TBA)
Late May, 2000 (Date TBA): Chapter Annual Meeting (Location TBA)
October, 2000 (Date TBA): Chapter Annual Public Service Awards Dinner (Location TBA)
Other Regional, and National Events:
December 3, 1999 (8:30AM – 6:30PM): The Children’s Rights Conference Series Inaugural Conference (Graduate School and University Center of CUNY, New York City) (Contact: Valkiria Duran, Children’s Environments Research Group, 212-817-1919,
vduran@gc.cuny.edu, http://web.gc.cuny.edu/che/conference/index.htm). [Please see the related Article in this issue. Future Conferences in the Series scheduled for February 7, March 6, April 3, and May 1, 2000.]December 18-23, 1999: 1999 Global Trends Conference (Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Beach Resort, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) (Contact: Dr. David Moore, 315-445-4384,
www.lemoyne.edu/ABA/.January 22 – 26, 2000: Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA) (The Imperial Palace Hotel, Las Vegas, NV) (Contact: William Hunter, 561-845-4010,
www.compa.org).January 28 – 29, 2000: Public Administration Theory Conference (Florida Atlantic University, Fort Lauderdale, FL) (Contact: Dr. Khi V. Thai, 954-760-5850,
thai@fau.edu).January 30 – 31, 2000: Teaching Public Administration Conference (Florida Atlantic University, Fort Lauderdale, FL) (Contact: Dr. Lisa Zanetti, 573-884-0953).
April 1 – 4, 2000: ASPA’s 61st National Conference (Town & Country Hotel, San Diego, CA) (ASPA Web Site:
www.aspanet.org).
New York Metropolitan Chapter ASPA Governing Board
1999-2000 Chapter Officers:
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
1999-2000 Chapter Council:
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
Ex-Officio Board Members:
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
Chapter Committees:
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
Chapter Mailing Address:
New York Metropolitan Chapter ASPA
U.S. District Court Executive
500 Pearl Street, Room 820
New York City, NY 10007-1312
Chapter Web Site:
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/spa/community/aspa/
National Council/Region II Representative:
Raymond Joseph 718-361-3773
ASPA National Office:
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).