Journeys

U. S . D E PA R T M E N T O F T H E I N T E R I O R

P M B A d m i n i s t ra t i v e S e r v i c e s

AV S O C A D R I B C O FA S O H A

A P R I L 2 0 2 0

Message from the Deputy Assistant Secretary

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Public lands are for everyone. Across the more than 450 million acres of land managed by Interior, the opportunities for recreation,

education and connection are limitless. Every day, someone new is introduced to nature at a national park, wildlife refuge or wilderness

area and becomes a lifelong advocate for America’s great outdoors. Every day, someone experiences a cultural revelation or historical

insight through the power of Interior’s storytellers. Every day, families and friends gather to make memories at some of the most

beautiful places in the world. More information from DOI

Dear Administrative Services Team,

First and foremost, I hope you and your loved

ones are staying safe during this time of

challenge as we work through the COVID-

19. Our current environment is causing us to be

more resilient and innovative as we work to

continue the DOI mission. I know it is tough

but you continue to answer the call as public

servants. Thank you for your dedication and

stewardship to the American people.

Please note: although we are taking a short pause with our initiative to identify a Vision Statement for Administrative

Services, we are delighted to share with you the top two proposed statements, the first of which was recommended

ver batim by a respondent to the survey. In the next few weeks, I’ll reach out to you to determine which statement

resonates more with you. In the meantime, please take a moment to consider these options.

Please feel free to reach out to our Journeys team regarding this issue and future issues. Your input is critically

important to making this publication a valuable resource for everyone in Administrative Services.

Hang in there, for we are stronger together! Take care and stay safe,

- Jacqueline Jones

VISION STATEMENT PROPOSAL #1:

“Administrative Services commits to providing outstanding products and services to

our partners and clients through a powerful resolve to create and sustain a respectful,

inclusive workplace."

VISION STATEMENT PROPOSAL #2:

“Administrative Services employees deliver outstanding products and customer

services while actively creating and sustaining a respectful workplace.”

Snack and chat in the Lakewood IBC offices. From left: Denise Swingler-Sweet,

Jackie Jones, Jennifer Butts, Kia Fox and Ralph Giesler

Calendar

APRIL

Earth Day

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to

demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it

now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more

than 193 countries. More information

Take Our Children to Work Day

Thursday, April 23, 2020

With over 3 million companies and government offices participating, Take Our

Children to Work Day encourages kids to explore the world of work as

experienced by their parents and grandparents. More information

MAY

National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The history of North America is shaped by the stories of immigrants from Asia

and the Pacific and the native people of the Pacific Islands. While some of the

earliest Asian immigrants arrived from China, Japan, India, and Korea,

immigration reforms tied to U.S. civil rights legislation brought even more

groups to the United States—such as Vietnamese, Cambodians, Laotians,

Indonesians, the Hmong and other peoples from South and Central Asia.

Discover these stories in our nation's parks, trails, and historic sites.

Asian American Pacific Islander National Historic Landmarks Theme Study

Public Service Recognition Week

May 3-9, 2020 More information

Memorial Day (Federal Holiday)

Monday, May 25, 2020

Did someone in your family give their lives for freedom? Administrative

Services will be honoring these heroes in a special commemoration.

Please send an email to respect@ibc.doi.gov for more information.

Thank you.

JUNE

LGBTQ Pride Month

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride

Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to

honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. Celebrations

include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and

concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of

participants around the world. Memorials are held during this

month for those members of the community who have been lost

to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. Read more here

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This Month’s Shout Out This Month’s Shout Out

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Do you have a shout-out for a co-worker, customer or colleague? Please send it here! respect@ibc.doi.gov

DONALD FOOTE, AVSO

In October 2019, AVSO welcomed its new Records and

Information Management Specialist, Donald Foote. Prior

to Donald starting, AVSO had been without a Records

Specialist since late 2018 when the position became

vacant. Coming from his former role as Supervisory

Contract Specialist, Donald is a familiar face in AVSO

but new to records. Donald began his new assignment

with focus and enthusiasm, learning the history of

AVSO’s records program and the fine points of records

management within the Department.

Donald has been working with records liaisons in AVSO

offices around the country, in some cases making site

visits, to better understand the records unique to each

office. He has fostered relationships with Department

records staff, such as Vincent Clark (Records Management Specialist, OCIO) and Michelle Doutrich (OS Records

Officer, OCIO), who themselves are a wealth of knowledge and continually supportive when it comes to answering

questions about records management for the Department.

Donald has set out to revitalize AVSO’s knowledge of records management through training events and regular

communication with AVSO’s records liaisons. AVSO hopes to achieve two main goals for its records program: (1)

standardization of file plans across its divisions and offices, and (2) progress towards conversion to electronic records.

Converting to electronic records is mandated by the Department, with the expectation for records to be completely

electronic by 2022. With Donald’s help, AVSO will make a smooth transition, no small feat when working with an office

as big and geographically spread out as AVSO.

Donald is married to his hometown sweetheart of 41 years. They have a son who's a commercial airline pilot and a

daughter who's a financial analyst with one of the top three U.S. trading indexes. Donald enjoys spending time traveling

with his eight-year-old granddaughter.

Donald’s down-to-earth, optimistic approach to the challenges that come with records management in AVSO help make

him a good leader. Keep up the great work, Donald! We’re glad you’re here to help us succeed!

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JAMES BEALL

Deputy Director, IBC

The Journeys Team caught up with former IBC

Deputy Director Jim Beall, who retired on

February 29th, and asked him: What advice do

you have for others thinking about retirement?

“Plan early, be prepared to adjust your plans as

life changes occur and retire when you still have

time to enjoy the labors of a lifetime. While none

of us can be sure we’ll have the health or time

left to enjoy the results of our work, life is too

short to miss the opportunity while you have it.

“The Greek word Kairos sums it up for me. It

represents a sense of quality time, as opposed to

chronological time, or is often translated to

mean the right or opportune moment. Our larger

sailboat was named Kairos for that reason, it

represented quality time for me when sailing

with my family and friends or just being on the

boat with the wind and water. Although we sold

Kairos when we moved four years ago (a

bittersweet day to be sure), we still have our

smaller day sailer from my college days. She’s in

great shape and I plan to spend more time

outdoors and on the water once again. And while

my wife Alicia and I are spending more time

together now, I think she’s looking forward to me

being out of the house and her space more as

well!

“Bottom line, plan well in advance for the

opportunity to enjoy retirement, and when the

time is right for you, make the move and enjoy it!

Life is simply too short.”

Best wishes, Jim, on your retirement! Everyone

at IBC sends their warmest regards. Jim Beall and his daughters Kelly and Rachel enjoy a

walk in the woods on Jim’s first day of retirement.

Spotlight on Retirement

This Month’s Shout Out Focus on DOI

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DOI REORGANIZATION 101

By Rachel Fisk Levin, Communications Lead, Office of Policy,

Management and Budget

To better serve the American public and implement the most

effective land and water management tools, the Department of

the Interior has reorganized into 12 unified regions that foster

enhanced coordination among bureaus, more effective

relationships with our partners, and better customer service.

In August 2019, Secretary Bernhardt appointed Field Special

Assistants (FSAs) to serve as regional coordinators to help the

Department meet the goals of the reorganization. Find the

names of the FSAs on the DOI Reorganization webpage.

WHY DID DOI REORGANIZE?

Here are a few reasons why this change was so important:

· Reorganizing from 49 regions across 8 bureaus to 12 Interior

Regions enables greater efficiency, accountability, collaboration

and consistency among our bureaus

· Reorganization makes

joint problem-solving and

improved coordination

between our bureaus and

local partners easier,

improving the experience

for the customer, whether

that is a government

agency, permit seeker, or

landowner

· Reorganization facilitates

opportunities for DOI

employees to gain

knowledge and resources across bureaus and enhance their

career pathways

· Improving our business practices and processes will make it

easier to hire people, make purchases, and have working

technology

The Department will maintain rigorous and transparent

scientific standards. We are also better positioned to

collaborate across bureaus on core mission areas of

conservation, recreation and permitting.

WHAT’S NEXT?

FSAs are working to implement regional goals and are looking

for common issues and potential efficiencies across bureaus.

Stay tuned for updates in future issues of Journeys.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Everyone’s voice counts. Please share your thoughts by

contacting us at reorg@doi.gov, or through the DOI Reorg

feedback page. Thank you for your interest!

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HOW ARE YOU ACCLIMATING

TO WORKING FROM HOME?

Abby True, DME AVSO:

For me, it's been the additional time I get to see my kids

Milo, Nani, and Imogen. Sure, it's been a little stressful

juggling work and keeping them engaged (and still using

their brains!), but I'm constantly reminded how funny and

sweet they are. I'm grateful for these extra moments to slow

down just a little bit and enjoy my family. [Pictured: Nani

and Milo creating art, working out, reading and writing.]

Focus on Telework

Focus on Virtual Collaborations

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VIRTUAL COLLABORATIONS: A RESOURCE GUIDE FROM CADR

By William E. Hall, Ph.D., Director of CADR

During this time of rapid change and uncertainty, we’d

like to remind you that the DOI Office of Collaborative

Action and Dispute Resolution (CADR) is here to

assist. As DOI and the Bureaus shift to support their

missions through greater use of virtual technology,

CADR can help with the following virtual services:

Productive, Dynamic Virtual Meetings: We can advise

on meeting planning and considering which technologies

to use. For complex internal or external virtual meetings,

we can discuss bringing in a facilitator. See CADR’s tip

sheet for virtual meetings here.

A Sounding Board: Have an issue that you need to talk

through? CADR’s Ombuds Program offers a confidential,

neutral, informal sounding board to explore problem

solving.

Individual and Team Coaching: A CADR coach can

provide support to individuals and teams in times of

change and crisis to help them maintain vision, purpose,

and increase effectiveness and resilience.

Virtual Training: Keep a look-out for CADR’s upcoming

announcement on our virtual Getting to the CORE of

Conflict and Communications training that we’re

offering June 9, 10, and 11. We’ll also be offering a

training in virtual facilitation that is under development

and will be ready in the next few weeks.

Virtual Resilience Café: Please join us for CADR’s

weekly one-hour Virtual Resilience Café

(VRC): Wednesdays at 12:00pm Eastern. The VRC is

an hour-long session designed to enhance our resilience

through mindfulness-oriented skill building and build

community in these particularly uncertain and

unprecedented times. The VRC is open to all DOI

employees and no sign-up is required in

advance. Sessions will be held Wednesday, April 1

through Wednesday, June 24, 12:00-1:00 pm Eastern.

Join by WebEx link or by phone: 1-415-527-5035, access

code: 903 889 460.

Even though we need to keep our physical distance from

one another, we can still have connection in the virtual

space! Feel free to reach out to any of us in the CADR

office for anything you might need related to

collaboration and conflict management. We can be

reached at cadr@ios.doi.gov, or individually through

our mobile numbers, email, or by video or chat on MS

Teams. We look forward to hearing from you!

Focus on Resilience

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By Tonianne Baca-Green, J.D.

Worry and anxiety are a natural human response in difficult

and uncertain times like these, and even helpful to an extent;

our little inner warrior out to protect us and help us survive!

Panic and denial, however, are not helpful behaviors, and are

actually contagious; a social contagion. At the same time,

resilience, courage and compassion are also natural human

responses. These are also contagious.

When we are scared or difficulties arise, a very primitive part

of our brain gets activated: the amygdala. When the amygdala

hijacks the brain, we go into flight, fight or freeze. We are in

survival mode. This also means our body is flooded with

chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline in a nanosecond. Our

body literally shuts down unnecessary functions like digestion,

our heart beats faster, blood rushes to our extremities so we

can run or fight, and most importantly, our higher functioning

brain, the pre frontal cortex, goes off line. This is the part of

the brain responsible for planning and logic, for creativity, for

courage and compassion. We really want to keep the thinking

brain online in times like these! We can build habits to develop

more calm, courage and kindness in our lives by focusing

where we put our attention.

In a new normal like we are facing, the brain has to work with

new information to build habits. By setting up good mental

habits now we can help keep our thinking brain online and

nourish calm, compassion and kindness. The following is

adapted from Five Good Mental Habits to Build Now by Dr.

Jud Brewer:

1. Nip it in the bud. When you notice a trigger to anxiety

or panic arise, nip it in the bud. Name it, feel it in your body

(i.e. heat, rapid heartbeat, butterflies, etc.) and take three easy

breaths. You can also ground yourself in your feet for thirty

seconds. Count

the full thirty

and feel the

grounding

sensation of

your feet. Also,

don’t spread

anxiety by calling someone when you are freaked out. Breathe

and ground instead.

2. Make connection. If you are feeling calm, connect with

someone via a simple phone call or even text, or maybe a

Zoom or Facetime call. Make connection the new infection.

3. Don’t get addicted to checking your phone. Set a

limit you can remember and stick with. Don’t check it right

before bed or first thing in the morning.

4. Take it one day at a time, or even one hour at a

time. We are in very uncertain times. We don’t have enough

information to plan for a month in advance so why not just

plan for today?

5. Nourish yourself with kindness, not ice cream.

By setting up good mental habits early on in this crisis they

will stick with you in the new normal. Set up mindful habits to

stay calm, be kind and work with others. Make connection the

new infection.

Tonianne Baca-Green, J.D., is a Mindfulness and Compassionate

Leadership trainer and attorney within OHA. She is also a Mediator

and a Coach and will be offering short 30-minute virtual modules of

her 2-day trainings "Mindfulness Based Emotional Intelligence" and

"Compassionate Leadership" as well as "Mindful Self-Compassion" in

the near future. Tonianne may be reached at Tonianne.Baca-

Green@bia.gov.

FROM WORRY TO RESILIENCE:

FIVE GOOD HABITS TO BUILD

DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES

Focus on Health and Wellness

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RESPECT: “I KNOW IT WHEN I FEEL IT”

By Stephen Carlisle, IBC Office of the Deputy Director

Most of us go through life anticipating that respect will be the

default setting for all of our interactions. Whether it’s chatting

with the sales associate at the local market or laughing with

family while watching the big game, it all happens

subconsciously. We have respect for those around us and hope

to see it reflected in their eyes. Some are less fortunate. They

endure disrespectful experiences because sometimes people

lead with their prejudices rather than their best selves. Yet

there is hope, as Anne Frank reminded us weeks before her

death:

“I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still

believe that people are really good at heart.”

Everyone has strong opinions about what respect looks like,

and, of course, what it feels like when it’s missing. This is

particularly true when we consider how respect plays out both

at work and at home.

Hundreds of employees from IBC gathered in groups last year

(remember when we could actually gather in groups?) to share

their thoughts about creating and sustaining a respectful

workplace. It was apparent from the beginning that they were

motivated to make positive changes, while exploring ways to

contend with the inevitable conflicts that crop up between co-

workers. By the end of the sessions, many said they would take

what they discussed and bring it back to their teams to make

concrete changes for the better.

The information shared wasn’t new. In fact, people had wide-

ranging and strongly held opinions about respect. Here are a

few of the concepts that were mentioned most frequently at

the workshops:

What are the components of a respectful workplace?

Considerate - Relaxed - Accepting - Non-judgmental

Caring - Cooperative - Communicative - Fair - Open

Diverse - Collaborative - Non-aggressive - Safe

What can we do to create a more respectful workplace?

Increase communication and active listening

Address conflicts respectfully

Stop the gossip and connect with each other

Be solution oriented

Bring diverse voices and opinions to the table

Encourage input from all

Try new things and have patience

Ask for help

Acknowledge contributions

Questions for consideration (Team leaders, consider sharing

this article and questions when next conducting a virtual

meeting):

What would you add to these lists? What would you remove?

What is the business case for creating and sustaining a

respectful workplace? How do you think it affects factors such

as quality of work, customer service and achieving team goals?

How can we apply respectful workplace strategies to our

virtual teleworking paradigm?

More information:

General Information Regarding Respectful Workplace

Department of the Interior Dignity & Respect Campaign

“I respect myself and insist

upon it from everybody. And

because I do it, I then respect

everybody, too.”

- Dr. Maya Angelou

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BEFORE AFTER

“Empathy has no script. There is no right way or

wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding

space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting,

and communicating that incredibly healing message

of ‘you’re not alone.’” - Brené Brown

Photo by Patrick Morton,

Geologist, Land Buy-Back

Program Lead, Division of

Minerals Evaluation AVSO

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

WILL HONOR OUR HEROES ON MEMORIAL DAY

WITH A VIRTUAL WALL OF HONOR

Do you have a family member who gave their life in service to America? Please join us in honoring these heroes

as part of our Memorial Day display by sending a picture of them along with their name, rank, years served,

locations served, and their relationship to you, and we will be privileged to honor them. Please send to:

respect@ibc.doi.gov

Spotlight on Remembering

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Spotlight on Working from Home

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Mary Beth Abbott, DME

AVSO:

“I am feeling very grateful for the

extra time I can spend with my

sweet boy Jeremiah. No longer

having to commute 3 hours a

day, 3 times a week has been

lovely. I feel very lucky to be able

to telework and have this extra

time on my hands to be more

connected to my son during this

difficult time.”

Shirley Milli, PPD AVSO:

“Not sure if this is as much a silver lining for me as

for my dogs, but they are definitely happy to have me

home and teleworking!”

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Spotlight on Activities: USGS and NASA

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USGS Offers Teaching Aids For

Kids and Adults of All Ages

Would your child be interested in making a 3D

paper model of a Triceratops? How about using

take-out container lids to understand topography?

USGS has you covered! Tap into over 140 years of

USGS research in the natural sciences in the form of lesson plans and activities, maps, podcasts, online lectures,

videos and animations, and much more. Browse thousands of ideas for using these resources in elementary,

secondary, university, and informal education settings.

The USGS education webpages contain a curated collection of educational resources across the grade levels from pre-

K through college. They focus on all of the earth sciences including geology, ecology, hydrology, atmospheric sciences,

and planetary sciences. Instructors can search by grade level, topic, or type.

3-D paper models

(with accompanying

Educator Guides)

are a fun and

interactive way to

teach geologic

concepts.

Each week during the

Spring of 2020, USGS

Education Team will

be adding resources

for those who are

learning at home.

Check out the latest

here.

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USGS has a collection of selected videotaped lectures that were

given at USGS facilities. All of these lectures are suitable for

viewing by the general public and upper level students (grades

8 through university). Check out the list here.

Adventures in STEM is a place where USGS gathers educational

resources around an exciting theme to draw learners to

science. Currently, USGS is highlighting the 150th anniversary

of John Wesley Powell's first journey down the Grand Canyon

with learning, games, and citizen science all about the geology,

ecology, and hydrology of western rivers.

NASA’S Night Sky Network Celebrates

30 Years of Exploration with Hubble

The NASA Night Sky Network provides monthly articles featuring the

latest stargazing and NASA news. Sign up here.

NASA at Home

Let NASA bring the universe into your home with e-books, virtual tours,

podcasts, videos, and lots of activities for kids. Learn more here.

NASA’s SpacePlace

NASA’s kids-specific site SpacePlace is chock full of learning ideas and a

wealth of craft activities!

Coffee Break

Journeys APRIL 2020

Journeys is a monthly publication of the

Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary,

Administrative Services. Your input is

essential to making this a valuable

resource for all employees. Please feel free

to share your ideas, suggestions and

articles/pictures with editor Steve Carlisle

by emailing Stephen_Carlisle@ibc.doi.gov

or calling (505) 288-4092. Thank you!

ON THE COVER:

This mountain bluebird has plumage so

striking that it matches the crystal blue

water at Crater Lake National Park in

Oregon where the photo was taken.

About 45 million people watch birds

around their homes or when they travel,

according to the findings of the USFWS

2016 National Survey of Fishing,

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated

Recreation.

Photo by Alicia Burtner, DOI

AVSO Geologist Jennifer Jones runs

marathons around the world. She

participates in the World Marathon Majors

(WMM). The WMM take place in Chicago,

NYC, Boston, London, Berlin and Tokyo.

They are the largest marathons in the

world, and WMM athletes must complete

all six. Currently, there are only 6400 six-

star finishers in the world. Jennifer has

finished four: Chicago, NYC, Berlin and

London. She was set to run Tokyo for her

fifth star when it was cancelled in February

due to the Coronavirus. She ran the Atlanta

marathon instead, part of her 50-state

marathon goal.

Jennifer is pictured receiving her medal

when she completed the London marathon

last year.

Congratulations, Jennifer, on your deep

commitment to health and fitness! the

DO YOU HAVE ADVENTURE

PICTURES TO SHARE?

PLEASE SEND THEM HERE!