Briefing onFederally Employed Women’sOrganization

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National Vice Presidentfor Policy and Planning

® Overview

Federally Employed Women’s National Policy and Procedures Manual (NPPM) NPPM Purpose and Authority NPPM Structure and Goal

® Purpose and Authority of NPPM

The NPPM provides guidelines for FEW’s operation at National, Regional and Chapter levels by

summarizing decisions and operating instructions supplementing the National Bylaws providing consistent operation for FEW leadership complying with the authority to provide guidelines for the operation of FEW at all levels

® NPPM’s Structure and Goal

Part 1 General Information Part 2 Program Policy and Procedures Part 3 Activity and General Procedures Part 4 Organization and Responsibilities Update and communicate the information necessary for FEW’s successful operation

Access Online Version of the NPPM:http://www.few.org/membership/few-member-documents/nppm/

Briefing onFederally Employed Women’sOrganization

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National Vice Presidentfor Congressional Relations

® Focus Area: Legislative

FEW has developed a strong legislative program at the National, Regional, and Chapter levels Active participation in the Legislative process Focuses on issues that affect federal employees, particularly federally employed women Issues action alerts on all issues and bills identified in Legislative Agenda Conducts Lobby Day activities on Capitol Hill in conjunction with National Board meetings

® Focus Area: Legislative

FEW’s legislative issues are divided into a three-tier structure FEW adopts a Legislative Agenda to coincide with each two year Congressional session FEW has contracted a lobbyist, Eye on Washington, to represent our interests on Capitol Hill

® Focus Area: Legislative

Legislative Agenda: Tier I – Issues directly impacting federally employed women Tier II – Issues affecting all federal employees, regardless of gender Tier III – Issues affecting all women as a class

® Focus Area: Legislative

CAPWIZ – FEW’s advocacy on-line tool Communicate with elected officials

(do not use work computers) Accessible from FEW’s webpage Information continuously updated

CAPWIZ – Major Areas Elected Officials FEW Issues Election Media

Briefing onFederally Employed Women’sOrganization

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National Vice Presidentfor Compliance

® What is Compliance?

Compliance, in its broadest meaning, is conformance on the part of a federal department or agency with existing EEO laws. Compliance assistance is for everyone in the federal sector and is a cornerstone to protect wages, health, benefits, retirements, security, employment rights, as well as the safety and health of the America’s workforce.

® FEW’s Concern

Compliance policies and practices of primary concern to FEW are: Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Promotion and upward mobility Recruitment, selection and placement Reassignment and reduction-in-force Position classification and pay administration Grievance, adverse action and appeal procedures Disciplinary action and rewards Training, details, reorganization and sexual harassment

® FEW’s Compliance Activities

FEW’s compliance activities allow us to acquire information and data to determine conformance and to work toward ensuring that weaknesses in the application of existing laws surface and are remedied. The Compliance Program complements FEW’s legislative mission to endorse the concerns and interests of women in the federal work force and present them to the legislator. Ideally, Compliance Program activities should serve as a catalyst for input/changes to FEW’s National Legislative Agenda. More importantly, the FEW Compliance Program serves as a mean to be aware of government performance with the Congressional intent to ensure equal opportunity.

® FEW’s Compliance Program

Monitor policies and practices of agencies and activities for conformance with requirements of statutes, executive orders, and regulations. Take action to assist agencies and activities in correcting identified deficiencies. Provide guidance on compliance issues to FEW members who request assistance. Guidance for Compliance Chairs included in FEW’s NPPM, Compliance Chapter.

® What is FEW’s Involvement?

FEW’s Compliance Program monitors the progress made by the federal government in achieving equal employment opportunity evidenced by its adherence with statutory civil rights protections, including the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and Civil Rights Act of 1991.

® FEW’s Compliance Program

Compliance Program includes, but is not limited to meetings with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other agencies to identify common goals and strengthen the partnership between our organizations. FEW’s grassroots compliance efforts play a vital role in implementing the Compliance Program across the FEW network. FEW’s Compliance Committee is comprised of members and others with an interest in compliance. There is always room for another volunteer. We welcome your contributions to FEW and the Compliance Committee.

Get Involved!

Briefing onFederally Employed Women’sOrganization

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National Vice Presidentfor Diversity

® FEW’s Diversity Program

Diversity is appreciating our similarities as well as our differences. FEW’s philosophy regarding Diversity is all about achieving results. FEW believes in a proactive approach to Diversity. FEW recognizes that there is strength in Diversity. FEW believes that cultural biases can be overcome. Diversity then becomes a strength as we pursue the common goals.

® FEW’s Diversity Program

Develops strategies to identify and eliminate barriers within the federal government. Examines the demographics of the workforce. Seeks to expand the notion of cultural groups beyond the categories protected by law and regulations. FEW focuses on providing Diversity training and programs. Diversity is about everybody. EEO is about the Law. Compliance and Affirmative Action is about under- representation, manifest imbalances, and absence of women and minorities in jobs.

® Ten Reasons to Value Diversity

1. Prevents negative assumptions about racial and ethnic community groups.

2. Prevents gender stereotypes.3. Prevents intercultural conflicts.4. Eliminates communication barriers.5. Articulates the similarities and differences among

cultures.6. Eliminates “organizational norms” which legitimize

negative assumptions about people.7. Eliminates culture in/out groups.8. Increases organizational effectiveness.9. Promotes employee harmony.10. Values individuality.

® FEW’s Diversity Program

There are many Diversity resources. Won’t you take an active role in the Diversity equation? Diversity Works! Always remember that “Diversity is Like a Mirror: It Reflects Your Understanding.”

Together we can make a difference!

Briefing onFederally Employed Women’sOrganization

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National Vice Presidentfor Membership and

Chapter Organization

® Membership

Open to any person who supports the purposes of the organization upon payment of the dues. People employed by the federal government, government contractors, active or retired. All members join through local chapters. Members

Regular Honorary Lifetime – available after five consecutive years of membership.

Regular current members can vote and hold National, Regional and Chapter Office.

® Membership

The organization is divided into three tiers: National

Board of Directors Contractor support

Regions Ten Regions

Chapters 100 Chapters

The national dues are established by the National Board of Directors. The membership dues are in the process of being changed.

® Membership

Each Chapter and Region is governed by boards and may assess their own dues. As a grassroots organization, FEW’s vitality and effectiveness are directly linked to membership.

® Members are Encouraged to:

Attend meetings and participate in chapter activities. Become familiar with FEW’s goals and objectives. Become familiar with FEW’s Legislative Agenda. Meet with your legislators to educate them on FEW’s position. Keep apprised of issues affecting women and federal employees. Respond to action alerts by communicating to the legislators. Register and vote in local, state, and national elections. Participate in training in the program areas of compliance, diversity and legislation.

Briefing onFederally Employed Women’sOrganization

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National Vice Presidentfor Training

® Training

To fulfill the purpose of FEW as stated in Article II of FEW’s National Bylaws, training will be conducted at the National, Regional and Chapter levels. Increase employees knowledge of the federal systems, rules, and regulations under which they work. Help members acquire knowledge of career development and planning techniques, basic and advanced. Enhance personal effectiveness and awareness of broader issues that impact women. Support and assist in the training of Federal Women’s Program Mangers.

® Training

Within these road parameters, FEW conducts a variety of training programs geared to the needs of the specific level of the organization responsible for planning and conducting the training. The National Vice President for Training has overall responsibility for coordinating training, disseminating training materials, and providing assistance and guidance as required. Chapters will provide initial orientation training to new members in four emphasis areas – Legislative – Compliance – Diversity – Training. Regions will offer training in these focus areas at Regional Training Programs and/or at a Regional Orientation for New Members.

® Training

The FEW National Training Program (NTP) will include training in all four of the emphasis areas. FEW has a continuing commitment to provide equal opportunity for people with disabilities to participate in all FEW-sponsored training. All proposed meeting sites will be reviewed and meetings will be scheduled in facilities that are accessible to all attendees. FEW has a continuing commitment to ensure all individuals have equal access to training opportunities.

“Training is an investment that never loses interest:it only pays dividends.”

® Points of Contact

Visit the National website to contact our VP’s Policy and Planning

– PolicyPlanning@few.org VP for Congressional Relations

congressionalrelationsVP@few.org VP for Compliance

complianceVP@few.org VP for Diversity

diversityVP@few.org VP for Membership and Chapter Organization

membershipVP@few.org VP for Training

trainingVP@few.org