IASCOE

Have you ever traveled a country road for the very first time in the dark of night?  You slow down and drive with caution, unsure of what lies ahead.  Well, that is how I am feeling right now.  This is a new road and I don’t know where it is taking us.  Right now there are more questions than answers and no one seems to be able to answer the questions…yet.  So I am left asking myself, how I can be supportive and try to help boost morale? 

In the coming weeks and months we will be experiencing a lot of changes.  We will have many leaving the agency due to VSIP, VERA, and retirements.  That will leave some offices understaffed by several employees, and then many offices overstaffed.  How will Illinois handle that imbalance?  I would venture a guess that the STO will soon be posting the openings for the understaffed offices. When these positions are posted, I think it is important for everyone to seriously consider what your options are, while we have a choice.  I don’t know how long states will be allowed to have overstaffed offices, but in order to right size the STO may find it necessary to look at options like direct reassignments.  None of us want to see it come to that.  I know that I have to move to another office and I would rather have a choice than to be told where I will be working.  This will be a process, one in which mistakes inevitably will be made and of course, no matter what, not everyone will be happy.  Office consolidations have also been discussed.  Illinois has submitted a plan to consolidate offices but is still awaiting WDC’s approval. 

As these changes are coming down the pipe, NASCOE will be diligently working to minimize the effects for us.  We have NASCOE members in WDC right now meeting with members of the Super Committee on our behalf.  They are presenting NASCOE’s positions and looking for support.  This will give NASCOE an idea of where Farm Bill talks are heading and some insight on budget talks.  As I get information on the outcome of the meetings, I will be sure to let you all know.

In the coming months there will be CAPWIZ alerts sent for various reasons.  It will be imperative that everyone respond to those alerts.  They will be time sensitive so don’t delay!  Recently we have had two alerts.  One alert was in regards to the Dairy Program and the other with FSA structure.  We did not have the response that we will need.  If you are interested in receiving these alerts you may go to http://nascoe.org/default.aspx and click on CAPWIZ at the bottom of the page to sign up for them.  PLEASE DO NOT USE A GOVERNMENT COMPUTER TO DO THIS!  Right now you can also sign up for the PAC and if you sign up to contribute at least $3/pp NASCOE will send you a $10 “thank you” gift card.  If you want to get more information regarding the PAC please read Tony Augustine’s article.  He explains the importance of the PAC.  If you have questions, please let us know.

As we enter November I try to think of five things every day that I am thankful for. Some days I have to think harder than others to come up with my five and other days I can list ten things in no time.  One thing I am truly thankful for is my job.  I know many people who are looking for a job and have been for quite some time.  Thankfully I have great benefits, annual leave, sick leave, medical insurance, vision, etc.  I serve a unique group of people.  Is there anyone like a farmer?!  I have great co-workers.  Sherri, Lorrie, and Sondra make me laugh and have put up with me.  I have an awesome CED.  Is there a better boss than Tim?  The girls and I would say no and besides, he puts up with me too.  That is my silver lining throughout all this uncertainty.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, there are days that I don’t enjoy my job, but I still have one.  So, just keep on serving the people who come through the front doors and know that they appreciate the job you do and the help you provide.