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Gulf Coast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers, Inc.

P I P E L I N E

Representing the Governmental Entities of: Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, & Lee Counties

October 12, 2007 Volume 2 Issue 6

Message from the President: Hello Members, Can you believe it already? The end of the year is fast approaching. I want to really encourage all of you to attend our November meeting as this will be the final one of the year and we will be holding elections for the next year at this meeting. Lunch will be provided as has been the tradition in the past, so please mark you calendars to come and spend a good part of the day with fellow procurement professionals. I know that our Program Chairperson has some great things planned for us! It has been an honor and privilege to have served as your President this past year. I look forward to continue to be a part of the GCAGPO Chapter and to what we can accomplish together as professionals. I encourage any out there that are “sitting on the fence” in regards to getting involved to please just get involved. The rewards are many and great! I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people and have even called on some looking for information that I needed to complete a project or two. To have the ability to be able to network with so many others that share similar goals is really an awesome experience! I want to thank my fellow board members and chair members for all of their assistance in making this year a success. I also want to wish all the future Board and Chair Members great success! We must always work together to achieve success in the procurement world. Thanks! Kathleen M. Lindback, President 72nd Chapter NIGP

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Vice President Patti Armbruster, Lee BOCC Secretary Lisa Tudor, Edison College

Treasurer Jane Dalrymple, City of Punta Gorda Past President Janet Sheehan Lee BOCC

Programs Rene Barnard, DeSoto County School Board Pro-D Thomas Kortright, Lee BOCC

Membership Jane Dalrymple, City of Punta Gorda Awards Toni Elias, Lee County Port

Authority By-Laws Cheryl Mastin, Charlotte County Parliamentarian Alla V. Skipper, Charlotte County

Historian Judy Cheves, Lee BOCC Nominating Committee

Bob Franceschini and Kathy Ciccarelli, Lee BOCC

Newsletter Rene Barnard, DeSoto County School Board

_________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

Can’t make a Meeting? Can’t make a Meeting but still want to network with

the members on a topic?

Send “Round Table” questions to the Secretary ( ltudor@edison.edu ) and she will present them at

the next Meeting for group discussions. All responses will be made part of the Minutes and

available for your review and use.

Your 2007 Board Members and Chair Volunteers

A shared purpose combined with a positive mental attitude constitutes an

unstoppable force.

Message from the Vice President… GCAGPO Members, Another year down and another coming up! Time flies by… In order to have a successful chapter, we need your participation. We could not do this without you. If we could just get members to each take a small part or even co-chair a committee or anything. We really need participation from our members to keep our chapter on the right track. Don’t be afraid, jump right in. It is a small commitment for one short year, as you know how fast the years go!!! Think about it. Step up! Maybe you could coordinate and host just one class. Or be a part of a committee to get the reverse trade show going. Think about where you might like to pitch in. We need you!!! Thanks, Patti Armbruster, CPPB Vice-President 72nd Chapter NIGP

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Do you know of an event or have an experience that you would like to share in the newsletter?

If so, please e-mail rene.barnard@desoto.k12.fl.us or fax your information to 863-494-9675.

The National Purchasing Institute established the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) program to recognize organizational excellence in public procurement on a national scale. This prestigious award is earned by those organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on standardized criteria. The criteria are designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership attributes of the procurement organization. The AEP is a professional validation of the effort that the Purchasing Staff has done to improve the procurement function at their individual agencies. It represents an opportunity to compete and improve, not against other organizations, but against a set of nationally recognized professional standards that define procurement excellence. The AEP criteria are an excellent report card on the performance of an organization’s procurement function. Recipients of the 2007 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from our Chapter:

M. Marian Howe-Pace, CPPO, CPPB Procurement Manager City of Punta Gorda

Kathleen M. Lindback, CPPB Rene Barnard Contract Specialist Purchasing Specialist Charlotte County Purchasing Department School Board of DeSoto County

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Gulf Coast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers – Minutes from AUGUST 31, 2007 meeting at the Southwest Florida International Airport Training and

Conference Center Officers in Attendance – President; Kathleen Lindback,, Vice President, Patti Armbruster Treasurer, Jane Dalrymple, Secretary, Lisa Tudor

Attendees - Patti Armbruster, Rene Barnard, Steve Carnell, Judy Cheves, Kathy Ciccarelli, Jane Dalrymple, Toni Elias, Orlando Figueroa, George Garcia, Mark Hrycyk, Chris Jeffcoat, Kari Kennedy, Sandra Kennedy, Kathleen Lindback, Robert Lotter, Arthur Markham, Cheryl Mastin, Janet Sheehan, Carole Smith, Cindy Talamantez.

Guests: Janice Vermillion, Christy Cichielo, Rhonda Cummings, Diana DeLeon, Albert delValle Speakers – Ed Grant CPPO, CPPB, RPPO, Chief Financial Officer/Program Administrator, Cape

May County, New Jersey; NIGP President At approximately 10:00 a.m. all members and guests were welcomed by President Kathleen Lindback; the Officers and speaker, Ed Grant, President of NIGP, were introduced. Ed Grant spoke of the National Perspective pertaining to E-commerce and Local/National Membership. He related “Bears and Hibernation” to Procurement:

Vendors Staff/Peers Using Departments Elected Officials Finance Officers State/Federal. Administrators

Procurement professionals can’t “hibernate” due to: Declining Resources (budget cuts) Emerging/Changing Authority Retiring Professionals Revitalization Increased Responsibilities Elimination (outsourcing Purchasing) Expanding Accountability.

Also suggested being progressive i.e.: eCommerce, which promotes efficiency, streamlining, shorter processing times, and simplifies processes. PCards and Online Auctions were also mentioned. NIGP and its national office, and nationwide local chapters were discussed, along with the importance of grass roots (people). It was noted that the NIGP National Conference is to be held July 26-30, 2008 in Charlotte, NC. The importance of organizational skills should be added to people skills and technical skills to be a successful procurement professional. The Presentation concluded at 11:30 a.m., followed by comments and questions.

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After a brief break, the Business Meeting started at approximately 11:50 a.m. President Kathleen Lindback made the following announcements:

• Charlotte County received AEP Award of Excellence; • Charlotte County will soon be posting on the web, archived quotes and bids; • Design-to-Build Seminar to be held in St. Petersburg September 20-21, 2007; • Reverse Trade Show to be held at the Broward County Convention Center in November; • Final meeting for the year to be held November 2nd; will include elections and a luncheon.

Details will be forthcoming.

Old Business: Treasurer, Jane Dalrymple, provided Treasurer’s Report. A motion to accept the Report was made by Janet Sheehan. The motion was

seconded by Robert Lotter. Unanimously approved. Secretary, Lisa Tudor, briefly reviewed the Minutes from the 5/18/07 meeting. Minutes were amended to include Alla Skipper as being in attendance. A motion to accept the amended minutes of the May 18, 2007 was made by Carole Smith. The motion was seconded by Rene Barnard. Unanimously approved. Vice President, Patti Armbruster, had no report.

New Business: Standing Committee Reports given:

Toni Elias, Awards Committee Chair, noted anyone interested should contact her; criteria for awards are located on the NIGP website. Ed Grant President

Kathleen Lindback mentioned that the new NIGP Logo Certification Pins are available on the NIGP website. She will check if a bulk purchase could be made.

Per Ed Grant, don’t have to try for National Award at first, try Chapter awards first. This is a good practice which brings attention to group and Chapter. Bylaws Committee Reports was given. Bylaws changes were approved on May 18, 2007, the first since 2004 – Non-Transferable Dues. Copies of the current Bylaws were handed out. Judy Cheves, Historian, takes photographs/documentation of meetings. Nothing new to report. Anyone should send any information they have to her. Jane Dalrymple, Membership Committee Chair, reported that the City of Cape Coral no longer belongs to NIGP and would like any suggestions on how to get them back. Kathy Ciccarelli, Nominating Committee Chair, asked that people email her with any nominations. Email will be sent out shortly regarding nominations, and a nominations form will be in October’s newsletter. Professional Development Chair (Pro-D) and Parliamentarian absent.

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Rene Barnard, Programs & Newsletter Chair, distributed a proposal for increased meeting attendance and membership, which was reviewed. She asked people to provide input for the newsletter, stating it is for keeping the Chapter informed of what the membership is doing, i.e.: activities, awards, pictures, etc.

Round Table Discussion: Janet Sheehan working with Marian Howe on putting together a FEMA seminar. FEMA teaches course that provides

certification in Emergency Management. Cindy Talamantez serves on the FAPPO Strategic Planning Committee to promote current and new membership. She shared ideas, and asked for suggestions and comments; she will share these in the newsletter. Rene Barnard will check if Gulf Coast Chapter Newsletter can be posted on NIGP website at no charge. Adjournment: At 12:55 p.m. motion was made by Janet Sheehan to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Carole Smith. Unanimously approved.

The Agenda for the November Meeting is included in this Newsletter.

If you find an error in the Minutes, or if we have inadvertently omitted a discussed item ….. Please contact our Secretary, Lisa Tudor, ltudor@edison.edu , and she will make the adjustments for review at our next

Chapter Meeting.

Please make plans now, to attend the November 2007 Meeting! Chapter participation provides an opportunity to Network with your

professional public procurement peers! You also benefit from the Interaction of comparing local information, strategies, thoughts, support,

and you share referrals to meet your agency needs. We hope to see every Member on November 9th and look forward to some

exciting discussions!!!!!

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NIGP President Ed Grant (center) makes a Chapter visit to the Gulf Coast Association of Governmental

Purchasing Officers, Inc. in Fort Myers, Florida. (l to r): Judy Cheves, Historian; Patti Armbruster, Vice President; Kathy Lindback, President; Rene Barnard, Newsletter & Program Chair; Jane Dalrymple, Treasurer & Membership Chair;

Chris Jeffcoat, Member, Lee County Government Purchasing; Lisa Tudor, Secretary.

The Gulf Coast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers, Inc. strike a pose

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Next month, the changing of the guard will be voted on for our 2008 year! But the Officers will not be the only areas looked to for member involvement….. The Committees and Chairs will need to be filled by volunteers or as assigned by the President. According to the NIGP Chapter Chartering Guide, the Standing Committees are to consist from 3-5 members. Please review the following Committees and their responsibilities to see where your interest may lay for volunteer services: (Requested volunteer seats will be noted in red) AWARDS COMMITTEE: Vice-President - Chairperson Pro-D Chair Membership Chair And (1) Member-at-large from the Chapter Responsible for the development and administration for annual chapter awards, including Professional Buyer of the Year and Professional Public Purchasing Manager of the Year. This committee also coordinates the submission of the NIGP Chapter of the Year criteria, nomination for the National Professional Buyer of the Year, and nomination for the National Professional Purchasing Manager of the Year Awards to NIGP. NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Seats appointed by President of not less than (5) five members Chairperson Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Responsible for recommendation ballot of officers for membership vote. The slate of candidates will be announced to full membership (30) days prior to voting date. This committee will solicit, receive and evaluate recommendations from members and any eligible and consenting member nominated from the floor for candidacy. A simple major vote of those regular members in attendance, and by absentee ballot, will be counted for candidate election. No (2) Board members from the same agency may serve as officers at the same time. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Chairperson Seat 1 Seat 2 Responsible for planning, establishing, and coordinating educational programs which further the knowledge, expertise, and professionalism of the membership and promotes certification (re-cert also) of the chapter members. Pro-D activities include, but are not limited to, Workshops and/or NIGP Seminars. This committee will survey and assess members’ needs and provide instruction opportunities as available.

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MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: All Seats must be held by National Members if available within local chapter. Chairperson Seat 1 Seat 2 Responsible for organizing an effective recruiting program, to prepare materials for distribution to potential members or to help familiarize them with the chapter. This committee will prepare an annual list of paid members in good standing for presentation at the first Board Meeting of the Chapter Year; this list should identify local and National Memberships and shall be submitted to NIGP according to its requirements. This committee shall also be responsible for collecting membership dues, conveying dues to the Treasurer for deposit, and sending out delinquent notices when necessary. PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Chairperson Seat 1 Seat 2 Responsible for planning, establishing, and coordinating programs for each Chapter Meeting. This committee will acquire meeting facilities and schedule speakers for meeting calendar as set by the Board. This committee is also responsible for room set-up, arranging for refreshments, instructor communications and local contact. Meeting announcements/agendas should be developed and distributed no less than (4) weeks before scheduled date. All monetary needs shall be conveyed to the Treasurer for payment. NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE: Chairperson Seat 1 Seat 2 Responsible for collecting articles, prepare, edit, and publish Chapter’s Newsletter every other month, fifteen days prior to the chapter’s regular meetings. Cultural, Educational, and Social events should be included in Newsletter as available. This committee will also collect and send articles to members’ local newspaper, to NIGP, etc., to publicize individual achievements, as well as those of the Chapter. HISTORIAN: Chairperson Seat 1 Seat 2 Responsible for recording events and activities of the Chapter and its members in both written and visual form. Historian duties include, but are not limited to: organizing Chapter Historical documents, preparing an annual scrapbook/yearbook, preserving Chapter History, researching and compiling chapter history, and giving historical presentations from time to time for members. Photos should be taken at all chapter activities; “Photo Opportunities” should be a regular item of business at chapter meetings. Photograph logs should identify a brief description of the event/or caption, the location at which the photograph was taken, the date, and names of everyone in the photograph. This committee should also arrange for an annual group photograph of chapter members each year. BY-LAWS: Member-at-large from the Chapter Responsible to monitor and provide copies of by-laws as requested, make any additions/deletions/changes to bylaws as voted on by membership, and provide appropriate guidance for making revisions to the bylaws. PARLIMENTARIAN: Member-at-large from the Chapter Responsible for ensuring that meetings are run in order and according to “Roberts Rules of Order.” Other duties would include, as requested, but not limited to: assist with coordination of motions and resolutions, election and voting procedures, and provide full philosophical support for the Board in all matters related to conference and meeting.

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Members: The election to fill all offices for the Gulf Coast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers is coming up in November. Therefore, the Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for all four offices. The Committee will solicit, receive and evaluate recommendations from the members regarding candidacy. An election shall be held at the Chapter’s general meeting in the month of November from a slate of candidates presented by the Nominating Committee, and any eligible members nominated from the floor.

Please complete the Nomination Form on the last page of the Newsletter.

DEADLINE FOR RESPONSES: 10/19/07 @ 5:00 P.M.

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Kathleen M. Lindback, CPPB Patti Armbruster, CPPB Lisa Tudor Jane Dalrymple, CPPB President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Charlotte County BOCC Lee County BOCC Edison College City of Punta Gorda TEL: 941-743-1376 TEL: 239-344-5450 TEL: 239-489-9350 TEL: 941-575-3386 FAX: 941-743-1384 FAX: 239-344-5460 FAX: 239-489-9042 FAX: 941-575-3340

kathy.lindback@charlottefl.com parmbruster@leegov.com ltudor@edison.edu jdalrymple@ci.punta-gorda.fl.us

NIGP Chapter 72 - Volunteer Form (Please cut this form out and give your completed copy to the Chapter President at the November Meeting)

I would like to assist our Chapter by serving on the following Committee(s): _____________________________________________________ Your Name _____________________________ Agency ________________________

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GULF COAST ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTAL PURCHASING OFFICERS

72ND CHAPTER OF NIGP

QUARTERLY MEETING AGENDA

DATE: November 9, 2007 PLACE: Captain’s Table Restaurant

1200 W Retta Esplanade Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Directions Attached

TOPIC: NIGP Forum Review SPEAKER: Chapter Participants TIME: 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. Registration, Coffee, etc.

10:00 – 12:00 p.m. NIGP Forum Review

12:00 – Catered Luncheon (Food Selection below) Business Meeting/Round Table:

GCAGPO Chapter Elections Committee Chair Assignments

Membership Recognitions 2008 Meeting Calendar

Chapter Performance Measures

RSVP by 3:00 p.m., Monday, October 22, 2007, to Rene Barnard at

rene.barnard@desoto.k12.fl.us or 863-494-4222 ext.122 with number of people attending from your entity and entrée selection:

Hamburger/French Fry Plate Mandarin Chicken Salad

Seafood Quiche w/ Fresh Fruit

Captain’s Table Restaurant 1200 W Retta Esplanade Punta Gorda, FL 33950

8. Head north on I-75 N 1.3 mi

9. Take exit 167 for CR-776 W toward Port Charlotte/Charlotte Harbor

0.4 mi1 min

10. Turn left at CR-776 W/Harbor View Rd 0.2 mi1 min

11. Turn left to merge onto I-75 S toward Naples 2.8 mi3 mins

12. Take exit 164 for US-17 S toward Punta Gorda 0.3 mi

13. Turn left at SR-35 S/US-17 S Continue to follow SR-35 S

2.0 mi5 mins

14. Continue on W Marion Ave 1.0 mi4 mins

15. Turn right at Maude St 476 ft

16. Maude St turns right and becomes W Retta Esplanade 499 ft

12. Head south on I-75 S 2.2 mi

13. Take exit 161 to merge onto CR-768 W/Jones Loop Rd toward Punta Gorda Continue to follow Jones Loop Rd

1.5 mi3

mins

14. Slight left at Burnt Store Rd 499 ft

15. Turn right at Tamiami Trail 2.8 mi5

mins

16. Turn left at W Henry St 0.8 mi3

mins

17. Slight right at Maude St 0.3 mi2

mins

18. Maude St turns right and becomes W Retta Esplanade 499 ft

GULF COAST ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTAL PURCHASING OFFICERS

72ND CHAPTER OF NIGP

Members: The election to fill all offices for the Gulf Coast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers is coming up in November. Therefore, the Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for all four offices. The Committee will solicit, receive and evaluate recommendations from the members regarding candidacy. An election shall be held at the Chapter’s general meeting in the month of November from a slate of candidates presented by the Nominating Committee, and any eligible members nominated from the floor. Please indicate your nominations below: PRESIDENT: VICE-PRESIDENT: TREASURER: SECRETARY: Please return responses to the following Nominating Committee Co-Chairpersons via fax (239) 485-5460 or e-mail.

DEADLINE FOR RESPONSES: 10/19/07 @ 5:00 P.M. Robert D. Franceschini, CPPB, C.P.M. or Kathy Ciccarelli, CPPB rfranceschini@leegov.com kciccarelli@leegov.com (239) 533-5457 (239) 533-5456