UPDATED: 9/12/2008

PMF Orientation and Training Program Overview

A unique opportunity for:

• Career development and personal growth;
• Exploring leadership and management approaches; and
• Networking with other Fellows.

Summary

Congratulations on your appointment as a Class of 2008 Presidential Management Fellow!

We are delighted you will be joining us for the Class of 2008 PMF Orientation and Training Program, "Your Leadership Journey: Adventures in Public Service."  The PMF Orientation will prepare you with the interpersonal and team skills research shows are critical to career success.  The Orientation focuses on your "Leadership Journey" with three overall objectives:

• Increase self-awareness
• Build strong teamwork skills
• Increase commitment to Public Service

In keeping with our motto of Answering the Call to Leadership, the following competencies will be covered throughout the Orientation:

• Flexibility
• Conflict Management
• Team Building
• Problem Solving
• Political Savvy
• Interpersonal Skills
• Public Service Motivation

Dates
To accommodate varying schedules, the PMF Program has three orientation sessions.  You may register for only one session; however, if room is available and at least 48-hour notice is given, you may re-schedule to another session.  The three sessions are scheduled for:

Session 1:  October 14-16, 2008 (Tuesday - Thursday)
Session 2:  November 12-14, 2008 (Wednesday - Friday)
Session 3:  January 21-23, 2009 (Wednesday - Friday)

Check-in for Orientation is from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the first day of each session, with the Program starting promptly at 9:30 a.m.  A continental breakfast will be served during check-in.

Late arrivals or early departures are not permitted.  Fellows must be in full attendance all three days to receive the certificate of completion of 24 training hours.  Each session will conclude no later than 4:00 p.m. on day three.

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Location
All sessions are held at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Eastern Management Development Center (EMDC) in Shepherdstown, WV.  The EMDC is a self-contained, executive and management residential training facility located approximately 70 miles from downtown Washington, DC.  Travel to the Center via automobile takes approximately two-hours from Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD.  Information about the EMDC and complete driving directions can be found at www.leadership.opm.gov/Locations/emdc/index.aspx.  The nearest airport to Shepherdstown, WV is Washington Dulles International Airport, in Dulles, VA.  The airport code is IAD.

During the training program, all Fellows are expected to stay at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center (www.clarionshepherdstown.com), which is connected to the EMDC.  The Clarion Hotel has ample free parking.

Fellows Eligibility to Participate
To attend the PMF Class of 2008 Orientation and Training Program, Fellows must be from the PMF Class of 2007 or Class of 2008, onboard with an agency, and OPM must have received the appointment reimbursement fee from the Fellow's appointing agency.

Participation by Agency PMF Coordinators
Agency PMF Coordinators are welcome to attend any of the sessions with their Fellows.  Coordinators are responsible for their travel and per diem costs.  Coordinators may follow the same registration procedures as Fellows, but select the "Coordinator" option on the online registration form and use their personal contact information when filling out the Agency PMF Coordinator and supervisor sections.

Training Credit
Fellows receive credit for 24 hours of training for participation in the program.  These 24 training hours count towards the Fellow's annual 80 hours of formal classroom training requirement.  Fellows are expected to engage in learning activities lasting through the early evenings.  Due to the intense nature of the activities, Fellows should not expect to complete work assignments during the three day period.

Group Activities
Please note many of the group activities involve loud sounds, physical activities, and/or outdoor sessions.  The activities can be adjusted to accommodate Fellows' needs.  Fellows requiring special accommodations should notify the PMF Program Office of their needs in the comments section of the online registration.

Pre-Coursework
You will be sent pre-coursework and/or an online pre-assessment to be completed approximately two weeks prior to attending your registered session.  The pre-coursework/self-assessment will be sent to your work email address. 

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Program and Travel Costs
The Fellow's agency is responsible for covering and/or reimbursing:

• Travel/transportation (POV mileage, rental car, shuttle, airfare, etc.)
• Lodging, and
• Per Diem expenses.

Tuition for the PMF Orientation and Training Program is included in the appointment reimbursement fee.  Travel, lodging, and per diem expenses are not included in the appointment reimbursement fee.

Typically most Fellows arrive day 1 and check out on day 3.  At check-out from the Clarion Hotel on the 3^rd day of orientation, each Fellow will be charged $284 for:

• Lodging:  $174.00 (Two nights at $87.00 per night.)
• Meals:  $110 (Meals and Incidental Expenses (MI&E) for three days)

Fellows must pay lodging and meal expenses directly to the Clarion Hotel by using either a credit card or cash -- no personal checks are accepted.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Fellows should request "actual expenses" on their travel authorization as the hotel charge exceeds the government rate.  All lodging is tax exempt.  Fellows will not be required to provide a tax exempt certificate upon check-in.  Rates are higher than the GSA government rate because of contractual requirements between the Clarion Hotel and the training center.

The Fellow's agency is NOT responsible for covering incidentals at the hotel, including:

• Phone charges exceeding the daily GSA approved rate
• Restaurant charges exceeding the $110 MI&E
• Additional Guests (e.g., spouse)

For more information on an agency's travel authorization, travel voucher, and reimbursement policies, Fellows should contact their Agency PMF Coordinator, supervisor, or travel administrative staff.  See additional information below under “Lodging”.

Transportation
The PMF Program Office highly recommends Fellows contact other Fellows in their agency to arrange carpool rides to orientation.  Agency PMF Coordinators may be able to assist with facilitating carpools.

EMDC is approximately 2 hours from the Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD metropolitan areas.  The PMF Orientation does not begin until 9:30 a.m.  Due to the relatively close proximity of EMDC to the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Fellows stationed in the DC/Baltimore area should not need to travel to EMDC the night before the program begins.  We intentionally delay the start of the program until 9:30 a.m. to allow time for Fellows to travel to EMDC the morning of the program.

Shuttle Service
A shuttle service between Dulles Airport and EMDC is available for $78.75 each way for the October and November sessions and $82.68 each way for the January session.  The fee is included on the Fellow's hotel bill.  Fellows planning to use the shuttle service should ensure these expenses are included on their travel orders.  Shuttle service is available at 7:00 p.m. the evening before day one of the registered sessions or at 7:30 a.m. the morning of day one.  The return shuttle to Dulles Airport departs EMDC at 4:00 p.m. on day three (the last day of the session).  The shuttle service takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes one way.

Fellows with shuttle reservations meet the van at the "Arrivals Level, Door 7".  Please go up the ramp from the baggage claim towards the passenger pick-up area; do not go down to ground transportation.  Each shuttle passenger must provide a valid photo I.D. and an approved trip itinerary or travel orders to the driver.  Any passenger who does not produce these documents cannot board the shuttle.

Reservations for the shuttle service are made during the online reservation.  Fellows wishing to register for the shuttle service after submitting their online registration should contact the EMDC Clarion Hotel Liaison, Ms. Angie Kutcher, at 304-870-7021.  Fellows wishing to cancel a shuttle reservation should also contact Ms. Kutcher.  Please note, a 48-hour cancellation notice is required to avoid shuttle service charges.

Lodging
Fellows are automatically registered for a single-occupancy room for two nights at the Clarion Hotel when the PMF Program Office confirms their registration.  A separate hotel confirmation will not be sent.  If needed, Fellows may request additional nights during the online registration form.  Additional nights are $80 per night (based on GSA lodging rates for FY09).  Fellows requesting additional nights (e.g., checking in the night before or staying an additional night) should consult their supervisor and/or administrative staff for approval and proper adjustment in travel orders.

There is an additional lodging charge of $20 per night per guest for additional guests (e.g., spouse) that will appear on the hotel bill.  The additional expense is typically not reimbursed by the Fellow's agency.

The Clarion Hotel offers a fitness center (www.clarionfitnesscenter.com) free of charge to orientation participants.  Attendees are encouraged to bring fitness clothes for wellness activities such as running, aerobics, and basketball.

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Meals
Meals begin with a continental breakfast on day one and end with an afternoon snack on day three.  A banquet dinner is planned for one of the nights and Fellows will be required to provide their banquet meal choice in the online registration.  Also, Fellows should specify any medical or dietary needs (such as kosher meals, medications, etc.) during the online registration process.  The full MI&E of $110 covers all meals and will appear on a participant's hotel statement upon check-out.

Dress Code
The dress code is business casual.  The PMF Program Office expects Fellows will conduct themselves in a positive and professional manner reflective of their agency's commitment to public service.  Depending on the season and any possible outdoor activities, Fellows may want to bring appropriate outerwear for their comfort.

Networking Opportunities
Many past participants report the connections they make at the PMF Orientation are the most valuable aspect of the training.  The connections Fellows make now will inspire and sustain them throughout their Federal careers.  The training is specifically designed to facilitate networking to help Fellows connect with one another.  Fellows are encouraged to bring business cards to exchange during these networking opportunities.

Cancellations
Cancellations are strongly discouraged as it may be difficult to reschedule for another session and last minute cancellations may prevent waitlisted Fellows from attending.  To prevent a cancellation fee, the Clarion Hotel requires at least 48 hours notice of cancellation for a hotel room and/or shuttle service.

Registration Instructions
Before Fellows may register for a session, they must have approval from both their Agency PMF Coordinator and supervisor.  Upon submission of the online registration an acknowledgment email is sent to the Fellow, the Fellow's supervisor, and the Fellow's Agency PMF Coordinator, accordingly.  Due to the limited number of spaces available at each session, Fellows are encouraged to register for their session of choice as soon as possible after on-boarding at their agency.

Completing the online registration does not guarantee participation in the requested session.  While the PMF Program Office makes every attempt to accommodate all requests, due to limited space, some Fellows may need to be rescheduled for another session.  Registrations cannot be confirmed until OPM receives the appointment reimbursement fee from the Fellow's appointing agency.  Once the registration is confirmed by the PMF Program Office, the Fellow will receive a confirmation email finalizing attendance at the selected session (the confirmation email also serves to automatically reserve a hotel room for the Fellow.)

All Fellows must register for a PMF Orientation session online using the link below.  The following information is required to complete the online registration:

• Fellows complete work contact information including:
  • Work Address
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Fax Number
• Agency PMF Coordinator's name and email address
• Supervisor's name and email address
• Date and number of additional nights (if needed)
• Date and time of shuttle service (if needed)

Registration Link
To register for a PMF Orientation session, select the registration button below:

Questions
Questions regarding the online registration process or hotel arrangements should be sent to register@opm.gov with "PMF Orientation" in the subject line.

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