Alternates
Richard Freed, NIAID
Myra Thomas, ARC-DCEG, NCI
Marsh Hennings, NIAMS
Cathy Ng, ARC, NCI
Carroll Hanson, NHLBI
Brenda Sandler, NIAAA
Carol Smith, NINDS
Ana Ferreira, NINR
Linda Adams, NHGRI
Susan Harrelson, NIDDK
Mary Slagle, NEI
John Savannah, ORS
Linda Ray, CC
Olive Childers, OD/OIR
Robert Dennis, NIMH
Edie Smith, CIT
Pam Pearson-Green, NIMH
Meeting of Principal Administrative Officers (closed session)
Bob Dennis opened the meeting and introduced the first topic.
I. NIAID's Orientation web site - Richard Freed
Beth Schmidt Stewart and Katy Perry made an overview presentation
of the on-line orientation
program that is nearly ready to become active. It was developed for them by a contractor. It was
designed for use by non-FTE recruits and new employees. Users are given e-mail accounts,
along with an ID and password, allowing for access world wide. It includes indicators for
completed sections, so the AO can track progress and completion. Various sections include
information on the community, travel, parking permits, ID cards, ethics, training, Personnel
mechanisms, etc. Once active, NIAID will consider any requests by other ICs to tap into the
same program.
II. From the Office of the Deputy Director for Intramural
Research - Olive Childers
A draft of the FY2001 Biennial Intramural Self Assessment of
Management Controls was
handed out. Comments were invited by September 14, to allow changes to be made before it is
distributed to the SDs for review.
Also handed out were materials on Intramural Professional
Designations. These designations are
required. For AD employees this has not been a problem, but it is not possible to get these titles
into the system for GS employees. It was suggested that the New Business System and
PeopleSoft be alerted to this need, so adjustments can be made to new systems.
III. Succession Planning for the IAO Group - Bob Dennis
Bob Dennis indicated his intention to retire in January, and
there was discussion of the process of
selecting successors. It was agreed that Co-Chairs should be considered Chair-Elect, and that
there should be a procedure for selecting Co-Chairs. It was unanimously agreed that the current
Co-Chair, Richard Freed, should become Chair, and that there should be a written procedure for
that process. Richard and Bob will draft a procedure for succession, and mail it to the members
for consideration.
IV. IAO Work Group on Administrative Positions - Bob Dennis
Based on the work done by the work group, Bob Dennis presented a
mock-up of the web pages
that will be incorporated into the DDIR Administrative Sourcebook. Some general principles
were agreed to: Keep it simple; avoid maintenance by not linking to other sites that are already
known to the administrative community; provide tables of IC information and sample documents
for Principal AOs on password-protected pages. There was not strong support for any of the
proposed logos.
V. The International Women's Club - Mireille Lapeyre,
President
Ms. Lapeyre presented handouts and information for acclimating
foreign visitors. Their
organization is affiliated with the R&W Association, and provides information to foreign visitors
and their families. Materials include information on community topics such as shopping and
child care, and a variety of interest groups designed to make families feel welcome and to adjust
to the culture here. They have a web site at : www.recgov.org/iwg .
Open Discussion
A-76 - There was discussion of the new effort to identify vacancies that might be included in the
competitive process. Some are looking at positions in services that are now being paid for, such
as janitorial services, tissue culture, etc. There was a question whether cost comparisons should
include retirement packages, which could not be confirmed, and will be researched. It was
suggested that it would be economical for NIH to provide central studies of NIH-wide
professions that would be slated as appropriate for competition. Alternatively, ICs with common
positions could combine forces, to reduce duplication and ensure consistency of cost
comparisons. It is expected that the EOs will consider this topic at the lunch meeting this week.
It was also suggested that Rob Weymouth and Tim Wheeles be invited to discuss this topic at the
next IAO meeting in October.
The next meeting is scheduled for October 4, 2001.