News Briefs

THE DAILY FED

News Briefs

SECTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:

ASPA's 58th National Conference

The American Society for Public Administration is hosting its 58th National Conference in Philadelphia July 26-30. The theme this year is "Global Challenges, Local Responses." Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala will address the conference. Download the registration form and fax it to (202) 638-4952.

DTIC Annual Conference

The Defense Technical Information Center is presenting its Annual Users Meeting and Training Conference on Nov. 3-6, 1997 at the DoubleTree Hotel, National Airport, Arlington, Va. The conference theme is Information in the New Millenium. Contact Ms. Julia Foscue at 703-767-8236 or by e-mail at jfoscue@dtic.mil.

The following news summaries are from OPM AM, the daily newsletter of the Office of Personnel Management. OPM AM is available on OPM Mainstreet, the agency's electronic bulletin board, at 202-606-4800.

OPM ONLINE--OPM's four-year-old, free public access electronic bulletin board system--OPM Mainstreet--now has a new look and name. OPM ONLINE will debut August 11 (Office of Communications Press Release).

THE FEDERAL DIARY--When it comes to health insurance, don't leave your government job without it. Employees considering buyouts should know that a waiver of the FEHB five-year rule is in affect. Check with your benefits office before taking a buyout or early retirement (The Washington Post).

WELFARE--Welfare reform has exceeded almost everyone's expectations. The economy has been a big help in the success, but the effort is just beginning(USA TODAY).

THE FEDERAL TIMES--OPM Director King to leave...Employees counting on a lump-sum payment for unused annual leave when they retire or quit may find their payments different from what they expected (The Federal Times, August 18).

OPEN DOOR--Is your office a "cube" in a large communal space or a "cave" that affords privacy? Proponents of each hold strong views about which is best-suited for doing business (The New York Times).

OF INTEREST--The mystery of the missing workers. Does anyone notice? (The New York Times)...In fair August, work is but a midsummer daydream (The New York Times).