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OPEDA
NEWSLETTER
Organization of Professional Employees
of the US Department of Agriculture
www.opeda.org
VOLUME 2
Presidents Message
It has been both a privilege
and pleasure serving as the
President of OPEDA for
the last six years. Federal
employees have been
through some challenging
times, and we have
persevered. I urge all
members to vote during
the upcoming presidential
election, we have some very capable and enthusiastic
candidates on the ballet. I look forward to serving
OPEDA as a past President in the future.
Welcome and Overview
This newsletter contains recent information regarding a
lot of exciting planned events and information for our
existing OPEDA members, our prospective new
members, and other stakeholders. As a part of our
ongoing efforts to enhance and improve
communications I invite you to visit the OPEDA Office
and/or provide feedback, suggestions or send any
comments and questions you may have on the articles
contained herein.
Legislative Activities Update - Fed/Postal Coalition
Congressional committees in the Senate and the House
are expected to consider legislation affecting federal
employees and retirees during the upcoming 114th
session of Congress. Members of the Homeland Security
and Government Affairs Committee (Senate), the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
(House) and the committees dealing with appropriations
and with agriculture are just being appointed.
Legislation enacted by these committees can affect
OPEDA members. Many members of Congress are
In This Issue
Presidents Message
Welcome and Overview
Legislative Activities Update
Request for Volunteers
Agricultural Outlook Forum
Unsung Hero Award
USDA Disability Initiatives
Employee Resource Day
OPEDA Scholarship
OPEDA National President Ballot
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May 2015
taking careful looks at budget items that detail spending
on federal programs, the federal work force and federal
retirees. OPEDA continues to participate in the
Federal/Postal Coalition. This coalition, representing
thousands of federal and postal workers, communicates
with our Congressional members regarding legislation
that affects pay and benefits of all federal workers.
During the last legislative session, some of the members
of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
expressed interest in the long-term budgetary effects of
substantial changes to the federal retirement system(s).
There has also been interest in possible implementation
of the chained Consumer Price Index (chained –CPI).
This index, computed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
is derived from a time series measure of price levels of
consumer goods and services and provides an
alternative Consumer Price Index. It is based on the idea
that in an inflationary environment, consumers will
choose less expensive substitutes. Apparently, although
we are not experiencing major inflation at this time,
those who derive the CPI figure may still choose to use
cheap substitutes when computing the chained- CPI.
This would obviously lead to possible underestimation
of the cost-of living increases that federal employees and
retirees seek.
If you want to express your views on legislation and
related matters to OPEDA, please use your personal
computer and make contacts on your own time.
Communications can be sent to [email protected] (an
E-mail not associated with internets associated with
USDA or other federal facilities).
Request for Regional Council Representatives
OPEDA is requesting that members who may be
interested in representing their region as a council
member to please contact the OPEDA office and/or
return the election ballot (attached) with their name and
contact information listed as “write in”. Please note: The
OPEDA bylaws describe the method of electing national
council members in Article II, Section 2.1. “A National
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Council shall be elected by OPEDA members and shall
serve as the governing body of OPEDA. It shall establish
priorities, policies and programs which are consistent
with the purposes, objectives and principles of OPEDA
as set forth in the Constitution. Council Members
represent their constituents and interpret and convey to
the chapters and to the membership the policies of the
Council and information from the National Office. They
also keep the National Office informed of activities in
their regions and the needs and wishes of local
members.
Please contact OPEDA if you have suggestions or for
any additional information. [email protected]
Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program
is designed to introduce students to contemporary
agribusiness, future trends, scientific research, and
agricultural policy in today's real world environment.
"The Outlook Forum," said Secretary Vilsack, "will help
give these students the chance to lay the groundwork for
their future, hear speakers from diverse backgrounds in
ag-related professions and, like previous program
winners, the Forum will help the students expand their
opportunities in their chosen fields.
Several of the 2015 winning essays are found here:
www.usda.gov/oce/forum/diversity/diversity_program.
htm.
Request for Volunteers
2015 Unsung Hero Award
Thank you to everyone who
participated in nominating a
college for the 2015 Unsung
Hero Award. OPEDA
partnering with the USDA has
established a tradition of
hosting a special celebration,
The Unsung Hero Awards Ceremony to honor and
recognize the many and varied public service
contributions of our USDA employees. All USDA
mission areas and agencies have been active partners in
this annual award program in the past, and we invite
you to do the same this year.
OPEDA continues to encourage its members to contact
their Senators and Representatives in the U.S. Congress.
The Legislative Committee is looking for volunteers,
both in the local D. C. region and across the United
States. Please let your OPEDA Council Member and the
OPEDA office ([email protected]) know of your
interest.
2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum
The 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum titled "Smart
Agriculture in the 21st Century" was held Feb. 19-20,
2015, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in
Arlington, Va. Guests from around the globe were
welcomed by Kryst Harden, Deputy Secretary of
Agriculture and Robert Johansson, USDA Acting Chief
Economist. A roundtable discussion on Agriculture
occurred between Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture
and Phil Hogan, European Commissioner of Agriculture
and Rural Development. During their discussion the
importance of smart agriculture in the 21st century
became apparent, especially as it relates to trade and
regional economy. Some of the technical session
included topics on International Trade, Big Data,
Conservation, New Opportunities, Rural America,
Climate Changes, Protecting Our Food Supply and
Commodity Outlooks. In addition to the technical
sessions, participants had a chance to interact and
discuss the session topics during lunch and dinner.
Students from around the US had a chance first hand to
observe and mingle with agriculture specialist. These
students included 20 university juniors and seniors who
were chosen based on an essay sharing their thoughts on
"Agriculture as a Career" and 10 graduate students
based on their essay, "The Greatest Challenge Facing
Agriculture over the Next Five Years." USDA's
Please join us on the Whitten Patio May
5, 2015 U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250 (202) 720-4898
OPEDA’s Role In USDA Disability Initiatives For
2015 – What You Can Do? By: Mark J Benedict, J.D.
Opeda Vice President – Member Services
Mark Benedict, OPEDA Vice President – Member
Services, has served as the FSIS Disability Employment
Program Manager (collateral duty) since the Spring of
2012. In the fall of 2014, he applied for a second
collateral duty term. All of the FSIS Special Emphasis
Program Managers serve the FSIS Administrator and are
overseen by the FSIS Civil Rights staff. On February 26,
2015 FSIS CRS was to announce the results of their
SEPM 2015 selection panel, but the meeting was
cancelled due to winter weather and the panel’s
selectees were not announced. If Mark is selected, he
serves another two year term; if he is not, he will be
expected to assist his successor – Mark will strongly
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recommend pursuit of these OPEDA initiatives to that
new D-SEPM for FSIS. In early February 2015, Mark,
whose DEPM term extends though June of 2015,
proposed several disability initiatives to the OPEDA
Board. Mark presented these to the OPDA Board on
February 24 after conferring with Dana Manning.
Among Mark’s proposed disability initiatives for 2015 in
which OPEDA can, and should, play an important role
include: Mentoring Initiatives (USDA & FSIS Portals),
the USDA Disability Employment Program Team
(DEPT) Initiatives, Support for the new USDA official
employee organization for employees with disabilities
(currently being formed), OPEDA advocacy of USDA
and sub-agency full compliance with Section 508
accessibility requirements, OPEDA support for the
newly (2014) created “DHH USDA” (the official USDA
employee organization for deaf & hard of hearing
employees), OPEDA membership in and support of the
USDA Connect community of interest – the “Disability
Issues and Advocacy Group,” - OPEDA members are
encouraged to join this community. OPEDA promotion
of USDA’s 2015 Disability Employment hiring goals (4%
for targeted disabilities and 10% for reportable
disabilities), OPEDA’s active involvement in USDA’s
new Reasonable Accommodation procedures, especially
the time required to receive necessary reasonable
accommodations,OPEDA’s active support of USDA and
sub-agency National Disability Employment Awareness
Month (NDEAM) observances and activities in October
2015, OPEDA advocacy of expanded use of exit
interviews for departing employees with disabilities,
and especially OPEDA engagement in and support of
critically important Empowerment initiatives for current
and new hire employees with disabilities. These
Empowerment initiatives include: efforts aimed at
increased Retention, Advancement (e.g., potential SES
Candidacy Program slots), use of the USDA Detail
Portal (for career development opportunities), SES
“Flash Mentoring” events, and OPEDA’S important role
in awareness, support, and promotion of USDA’s very
ambitious 2015 Disability Employment goals. NOTE:
USDA annual MD-715 reports filed with EEOC reflect
that, while USDA and its sub-agencies ARE hiring
people with targeted and reportable disabilities, those
employees are leaving USDA at an even faster rate than
they come on board! This begs the obvious question
WHY? Combine this with the fact that 10,000 Baby
Boomers are leaving the workforce every day between
now and 2035 and the challenge to USDA and all of its
agencies is obvious. OPEDA has a critical role to play
because often, people with disabilities, especially
targeted (the most severe) disabilities, are likely to be
professional series employees and are usually mission
critical employees – the ones we can least afford to lose!
OPEDA can play a very important role in answering the
question: why are employees with disabilities choosing
to leave USDA? REMEMBER: We are ALL just a
heartbeat away from knowing life with a disability!
All OPEDA members can play a role in advancing these
important initiatives. Progress will be reported on
regularly at OPEDA’s Board meetings. OPEDA
members are encouraged to contact Mark to learn more,
share ideas and strategies, and find ways to get involved
– make a difference!
To join the USDA Connect Disability Issues and
Advocacy community, for more information, to get
involved, and for assistance with any work-related
disability issue, please contact Mark Benedict at 202 2057913 or by e-mail at [email protected] or
[email protected] . Thank you!
USDA Employees Get Connected at the
Employee Resources Day
USDA employees had an opportunity to connect with
organizations, networks, and other employee
communities at the Department’s second Employee
Resources Day held on April 16, 2015. Over 30 groups
exhibited, introducing themselves and their work to
hundreds of employees, including OPEDA. The purpose
of this event is for employees to connect with the groups
and networks that will aid in their personal and
professional development. The “Get Connected:
Employee Resources Day” event is held annually and is
sponsored by the Office of Human Resources
Management’s (OHRM) Diversity, Recruitment, and
Work/Life Division.
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2015-2016 OPEDA Scholarship
OPEDA will be accepting scholarship applications for the 2015-2016 School Year beginning April 1st. OPEDA
members in good standing and their family members (broadly defined) attending college are eligible to apply.
This year OPEDA will be awarding two scholarships of $1,500 each. OPEDA places a high premium on
education and believes that its scholarships will have a valuable give-back in the future.
The two scholarships awarded are in honor of exemplary service to OPEDA, the USDA, and our country. In
1989 the Organization of Professional Employees of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (OPEDA) established
the John W. Peterson Scholarship in recognition of Mr. Peterson's dedicated service as the 24th President of
OPEDA. Subsequently in 2009, OPEDA also started the Steven "Tom" Stefani Scholarship to honor Mr.
Stefani's heroic service and ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. Tom Stefani, a Forest Service Range
Conservationist was serving on a voluntary assignment in Afghanistan when he was killed in an explosion that
impacted his convoy.
To be considered, Scholarship Applications must include the following:
1. A completed OPEDA Scholarship Application Form for the 2015-2016 School Year
2. A typed, double spaced essay, not to exceed two pages, on the topic: “Public Service is a Unique Challenge
with Many Rewards.”
3. One character reference. This should be a letter (no more than 2 paragraphs contained on one page) from a
non-related adult e.g., teacher, coach…etc., describing how the writer has come to know the applicant and what
the strengths of the applicant are.
4. A sealed original of most recent high school or college transcript showing a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher.
5. A list and brief description on a separate page of awards and extracurricular and community service
accomplishments.
Important Note: Applicant must be at least a college freshman or equivalent by fall term 2015, and must submit
the requested documents to the following address postmarked no later than July 31, 2015, to be considered:
Organization of Professional Employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 23762, Washington,
DC 20026-3762
Applicants are also advised to call or email the OPEDA Office to ensure that their application has been received
and is being considered. 202-720-4898 [email protected]
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OPEDA Scholarship Application Form
2015-2016 School Year
Essay, Character Reference, transcript, and description of extracurricular and community service
accomplishments must be submitted to OPEDA on or before July 31, 2015
First Name:
Last Name:
Address Street 1:
Address Street 2:
City:
Zip Code: State:
Daytime Phone:
Evening Phone:
Email:
Sponsoring OPEDA Member’s Full Name (self or sponsoring family member’s full name)::
Sponsors Relationship to Applicant::
Sponsors Phone Number::
Most Recent Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) must be equal to or higher than 2.8 on a 4.0 scale).:
Full Name and Address of the College that the applicant attends or plans to attend during the 2015/2016 school
year:
Admission status and class schedule as of fall 2015 if known (can also be satisfied with current transcript if
applicable).
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OPEDA
PO BOX 23762
Washington, DC 20026-3762
Thank you for reading the OPEDA
Newsletter. Your comments and
contributions are welcome.
Stay Connected
@OPEDAUSDA
Please write to us at OPEDA,
Organization of Professional Employees of
the US Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box
23762
Washington, D.C. 20026-3762
Phone (202) 720-4898; Fax (202) 720-6692.
(E-Mail) [email protected]
(Web) www.opeda.org
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