September 2014

The Summer Slow Down

with Newsletter Editor, Elizabeth Fischer Laurie

Things have been a lot quieter in DC than they were last month. It always seems like August is a time for vacations, relaxation, and a rest from all the craziness going on around us. Bear with us as we gear up for fall, when things will move to warp speed once again. 

Whether you prefer to enjoy the pool or are already sipping Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, we hope that you find some time to rest and have fun during these last few weeks of summer.

President's Corner

by Ginny Hill

New (fiscal) Year's Resolutions

Most of us are still in denial that summer is ending, and September is here. And with this changing of the season comes the end of the Fiscal Year. Whether or not your day job is affected by this new FY, it's an opportunity to focus on your career and make some New (fiscal) Year's Resolutions! Block off 30 minutes on your calendar to think about the following:

• What do I want out of my government career? What goals should I set?
• What steps do I need to take to accomplish those goals? 
• What help might I need, such as a Mentor, an Individual Development Plan, or some training courses?
• Why did I join public service in the first place? How can I ensure that I stay true to that?

In the hustle and bustle of daily activities, emails, and meetings, we may lose sight of these things. Taking time out to be strategic and action-oriented about your career pays big dividends. Talk with your peers at the next YGL happy hour or professional development event; keep each other motivated. And let's make this next (fiscal) year the best one yet! 

YGL is Seeking Leaders Willing to Take Action

We are currently seeking candidates to fill an open YGL National Board Position. Serving as a volunteer on the Board can offer you amazing connections, a powerful platform for having your voice hear, and, most importantly, a direct way to add value to emerging government leaders around the United States. See below for a description of the role and responsibilities of the position. 

Please contact chiefofstaff@younggov.org for more information.

To apply, please submit your resume and statement of interest to chairman@younggov.org.

Chief Financial Officer

Roles and Responsibilities:

 Responsible for tracking the organization’s financial health.
 Explores partnerships with potential YGL sponsors.
 Maintains a network of financial officer contacts and the like within other organizations to provide insight into strategies that can be leveraged at YGL.
 Maintains relationships with current sponsors and ensures contractual requirements are met to ensure continued funding.
 Works with the Chairman to ensure that bank accounts maintain healthy balances and all bills and reimbursements are paid in a timely fashion.
 Works with Board of Directors to determine a yearly strategic plan that clearly establishes financial needs for programming and operations throughout the year. 

We want to hear from you!

Did your chapter do something awesome this month? Have a member who deserves to be featured in an upcoming newsletter? Want to share information about a nationally available event?

Contact Newsletter Editor and YGL Chief of Staff, Elizabeth Fischer Laurie, at chiefofstaff@younggov.org to share your story. Content and photos may be featured in our newly redesigned national monthly newsletter.

Newsletter of the National Board

Youth Mentors Needed for the Volunteer Mentoring Partnership Program

The Volunteer Mentoring Partnership Program (VMP) at Community Family Life Services (CFLS) is seeking YGL members to serve as mentors to youth in DC’s foster care system. VMP provides foster youth, ages 6 - 21, with sustainable, positive adult relationships and enrichment activities. Youth are paired with caring and compassionate mentors who work with the CFLS community to provide a combination of weekly individual mentoring and monthly group activities. Youth interact with multiple positive adult role models to gain life skills such as self-advocacy and financial self-sufficiency.

VMP is currently seeking nurturing adults who are positive role models and can provide consistent, long-term support and guidance to youth in our program. Mentors are required to spend eight to twelve hours per month with their mentee and commit to one year of service. Mentors will be provided with a small, monthly stipend of $40 for each mentee. 

To sign up to participate, contact N’hawa Tangula via phone at 202-347-0511 x330 or email at ntangula@cflsdc.org. 

If you need additional information, please contact Lillian Amaechi at eventschair@younggov.org. 

Government Workforce Training - September 3, 2014

If you're in the DC area or find yourself able to travel, join the Association for Talent Development (ATD, formerly ASTD) for the Government Workforce training on Wednesday, September 3, 2014!  There are 16 sessions to choose from during this one-day training, and it costs less than $350. You'll attend expertly crafted sessions that tackle some of the major issues impacting government today, including, the distributed workforce, leadership development, and partnering and knowledge sharing.  Find out more and register here.

Discount on CQ Roll Call's Post-Election Impact Conference

Get the first word on the new Congress at CQ Roll Call's Post Election Impact Conference held November 6, 2014 at the Liaison Capitol Hill.  This half-day event will focus on the outcome of the 2014 elections and the implications they will have in 2015 and beyond. 

Question that will be addressed include:

- Who are the new chairmen and chairwomen of the key policy-making committees? 
- Who are the key power players in leadership? 
- What are their legislative agendas? 
- How will the balance of power in the House and Senate shape the timing and scope of legislative action? 

For more information and to register, visit www.postelectionimpact.com and use the code IMPACT2014 to get $50 off!

The Latest from FEDManager.com with Lynnie Martin

Recently Lynnie Martin interviewed Lori Aquilino, former Manager of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) San Francisco International Field Office. She and her team at FAA created an award winning telework program to manage a global workforce. Aquilino, now retired, works as an aviation consultant and shares her tips on the best leadership lessons she has learned. You can read the full article here. Each month, the Young Government Leaders' feature column offers a fresh perspective on news and information, not just for current and future generations of YGL, but to all feds interested in hearing from those who will meet the next set of challenges facing the federal government. More articles relevant to your professional life can be found on fedmanager.com.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Do you enjoy reading Lynnie's regular column on Government Executive? Now is your chance to share your story or encourage someone you admire to share their's. 

Lynnie is seeking fresh faces to interview at the GS-12 level and above. If you are interested or know someone who is, please contact her directly at lynniemartinps@gmail.com.

YGL & the Federal Times with Tyler Robinson

YGL's Chairman, Tyler Robinson, regularly writes for federaltimes.com. 

In August, Tyler wrote how to spot hidden training opportunities. Tyler argues that training happens in the workplace every day, sometimes in informal ways. You can read the full article here.

Young Government Leaders is a 5,000 member, non-profit organization committed to providing the authentic voice for our generation of aspiring government leaders. We are actively building a community of leadership for young public servants across the country through professional development activities, networking opportunities, social events, seminars, fellowships, and scholarships. You can find out more and join for free on our website.