An informative quarterly of policies, trends and news of all agencies and employees in state government published by the Georgia Merit System 
 
VOLUME 3, NO. 3 
 
JULY 2000 
 
INSIDE 
The Job Site.................2 Service time buy-back.....4 Help writing PMF's.........4 Retirement Recognition....5 New training schedule.....7 Take Charge Challenge...8 DOT award...................8 
Page 3 
Page 4 
Page 5 
page 2 
Page 8 
 
Professional Secretaries Development Program honors graduates from throughout Georgia 
 
Each of the graduates 
 
was enthusiastic and 
 
optimistic about the 
 
value of the program and 
 
of themselves after 
 
having taken the course. 
 
Charmion Arnold of DHR 
 
said she enrolled in the 
 
course in hopes of get- 
 
ting more money. Now 
 
that she has taken the 
 
course, she really be- 
 
lieves more doors of 
 
opportunity for career 
 
advancement will open. 
 
In addition to enhanc- 
 
ing their professional 
 
skills, graduates felt the 
 
bond they developed 
 
Graduates of the Professional Development Secretaries Program standing (l-r): Venus Stone, PSDP program coordinator; Charmion Arnold, DHR; Carol Metz, PSC; JoAnne Edwards, DHR; Geraldine Washington, DCH; Betty Humphrey, DCH; and Marjorie H.Young, Commissioner, Georgia Merit System. Seated (l-r): Tanya Tyner, DOC; Anita Williams, DHR; Kim Faglier, DNR; and Tepty Drummond, DHR. 
 
with fellow program participants and the instructors was just as rewarding. "What made 
 
After two years and more than 100 hours of intense classroom training, eleven state administrative assistants were honored at the Professional Secretaries Development Program graduation ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Decatur on June 19. 
The Georgia Merit System's Training and Organization Development Division developed 
 
goals; improve written and oral communication skills; and improve decision-making and problem solving skills. 
" Graduates 
take with them a can- 
do, go-do attitude" 
 
Department of Human Resources; Carol Metz, Public Service Commission; and Melissa Kim Faglier, Department of Natural Resources. 
 
the training so great were 
 
the attitudes and enthusi- 
 
asm of the instructors," 
 
said Carol Metz of the 
 
Public Service Commis- 
 
sion. 
 
continued on page 2 
 
the Professional Secre- 
 
This year's graduates, 
 
taries Development 
 
the Stars of 2000, in- 
 
Program (PSDP) in 1987 clude: Betty Humphrey 
 
to provide a comprehen- and Geraldine Washing- 
 
sive development pro- ton, Department of Com- 
 
gram for support staff in state government. The goal of PSDP is to increase accuracy, efficiency, awareness and responsibilities towards 
 
munity Health; Tanya Tyner, Department of Corrections; Charmion Arnold, Tepty A. Drummond, JoAnne Edwards, Shirley Moore, 
 
Department of Natural Resources Coastal Division will host their annual COASTFEST on Saturday, October 7 at their headquarters in Brunswick. This annual event hosts over 70 educational interactive events for kids of all ages! This year's logo was created by Alexandra Emmons and Shanta Atkinson, fourth grade students at Stilla Marsh Elementary School. Last year 70,000 people from all over the state attended this fun-filled festival. 
 
attaining state agencies' and Anita Williams, 
 
 The The Georgia Statementeorgia 
page 2 
 
Professional Secretaries continued from page 1 
 
Derrick Schofield, warden at Augusta State Medical Prison, says PSDP graduates take with them an increased confidence level and an overall "can-do, godo" attitude. Several of his employees, including this year's graduate, Tanya Tyner, completed the course. "Managers shouldn't hold employees back from this important career advancing program," said Schofield. "What they get in return is a more responsible employee. Employees are the most valuable assest of any operation." 
Faye Chastain, manager of the Sexual Offender Review Board of the Department of Human Resources, echoed these same sentiments. "We stand behind our employ- 
 
ees 100 percent when they take the iniative to take on new challenges and do the work to better themselves and better the department," said Chastain. The keynote speaker was Marjorie Young, commissioner of the Georgia Merit System. Commissioner Young congratulated the graduates and presented them with certificates for their excellence in achievement. She also gave them words of encouragement. "The more responsibility you take, the more successful you will be," she concluded. 
The Professional Secretaries Development Program is now accepting applications for its next two-year training program. For more information, contact Carolyn Perry at (404) 371-7371. 
 
The Georgia Statement 
Volume 3, Number 3 
 
The JobSite lets you search and apply for state jobs with the click of a mouse 
 
After decades of completing paper posted jobs by clicking on the Apply 
 
forms, applicants for many state gov- link button, which is prominently 
 
ernment jobs can now apply directly displayed in each job announce- 
 
online. The JobSite, a state-of-the-art ment. You have now applied! Your 
 
application with the most comprehen- resume is stored in the system's 
 
sive listing of state job vacancies, can database. 
 
be found on the state's central job 
 
The JobSite allows applicants to 
 
posting service at www.thejobsite.org. arrange for testing and track the 
 
In addition to a listing of current job progress of their applications once 
 
vacancies, the site includes job de- 
 
the Job Search applicant account 
 
scriptions and requirements, general has been established. Applicants 
 
salary information, and how and when have their personal file of jobs 
 
to apply. Instructions are easy to follow they`ve applied for, their resume with 
 
and applicants can choose how they any updates they wish to make, and 
 
want to view the information. Informa- their application is tailored to spe- 
 
tion can be viewed by sorting vacan- cific positions. Applicants can re- 
 
cies according to their job title, job 
 
spond to subsequent job postings on 
 
family, salary, location, and hiring 
 
The JobSite by simply attaching 
 
agency. Job seekers can also register their online resume to those job 
 
to have a daily posting of job vacan- titles. Access to resume data is User 
 
cies mailed to them electronically. 
 
ID and password protected. 
 
The application process is simple. 
 
Since February 1999, most depart- 
 
Once you have gone through a few 
 
ments have posted their openings 
 
basic steps, you are just a couple of on the site and over 3,700 jobs have 
 
mouse clicks away from having 
 
been listed. Not all jobs are listed 
 
searched and applied for a position. and job seekers may want to contact 
 
When you see a job or jobs on The 
 
individual agencies. Since January 
 
JobSite you want to apply for, begin by of this year, over 25,000 online 
 
registering at My Job Search where resumes and applications have 
 
you can enter, update and store your been input to the database in re- 
 
resume online via Resume Builder. 
 
sponse to job postings. The JobSite 
 
Once you've created an online re- 
 
receives an average of 500,000 
 
sume, indicate your desire to apply for visits each month. 
 
State Personnel Board 
M. David Alalof, Chair Geri P. Thomas, Vice Chair Claybon J. Edwards, Member 
Kip Plowman, Member 
Georgia Merit System 
Marjorie H. Young, Commissioner 
Office of Communications and Marketing 
Deborah Williams, Manager Pat P. Hewatt, Editor 
contributing artist Huey Theus 
The Georgia Statement is published quarterly for state employees by Georgia Merit System's Office of Communications and Marketing. If you wish to submit comments or need to correct a distribution problem/address, contact Pat Hewatt, Editor, Georgia Statement, 200 Piedmont Avenue, SE, Suite 504 West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334, or call 404/657-0360. If you have a disability and need this material in an alternative format, notify the Editor at the above listed address, or for TDD Relay Service only: 1-800-255-0056 (text telephone) or 1-800-255-0135 (voice). 
The Georgia Merit System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 
 
White Water Specials 
Sponsored by the State Personnel Council 
Discount prices on all advance tickets..........$17.50 (children under 3 admitted free) Mail order, payment and self addressed, stamped envelope to: State Personnel Council - P.O.Box 347206 - Atlanta, GA 30334 
Name Street City, State, Zip 
 
 he The Georgia Statement page 3 
 
New PPO option a success 
 
REMINDER 
 
The Department of Community Health is pleased with the popularity of the new Health Benefit PPO option that was offered in place of the phased-out Standard Option Plan. The new plan, while maximizing the state's purchasing power and focusing 
 
on wellness, has been successful in signing fifty- one percent of state health plan members as of June 23 of this year. Also, over half of state employees in the High Option Benefit Plan switched to a different form of coverage. 
 
Effective July 1, 1999, the functions and duties of Health Benefit Services, which includes the administration of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP), were transferred from the Georgia Merit System to the Department of Community Health. 
If you have questions or concerns that pertain to your health benefits, please contact the Department of Community Health at 1-800-493-6983. 
 
State Health Benefit Plan July 2000 Enrollment as of June 23, 2000 
Total Members 
 
OPTION High Option Standard PPO PPO Choice HMO HMO Choice 
TOTAL 
 
JANUARY 2000 223,230 180,522 
166,889 
 
JULY 2000 92,916 
273,681 27,806 
168,701 1,683 
 
570,641 
 
564,787 
 
PERCENT CHANGE -58.38% 51.61% 
1.09% 
-1.03% 
 
Data subject to change upon eligibility verification and correction. 
* As percent of total population ** As percent of non-HMO population * Percent Manaaged Care-16.45% ** Percent Managed Care- 23.56% 
 
Charitable Contributions 2001 Campaign Kicks-off August 25th; Georgia Tech President Clough to Chair 
 
G. Wayne Clough, Georgia Tech's tenth president and first alumnus to hold this position, will serve as the 2001 chairperson for the Charitable Contributions Campaign. 
Some of Dr. Clough's service activities include: Executive Committee of the National Council on Competitiveness, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Board of Directors, the Executive Committees of Central Atlanta Progress, and the 
 
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He is listed among the 100 Most Influential People in Georgia by Georgia Trend magazine. 
The 2000-2001 Charitable Contribution Campaign kicks-off on August 25th at the Twin Towers Floyd room with a luncheon for campaign coordinators. Featured speakers include Governor Roy Barnes, Marjorie H. Young, Commissioner of the Georgia Merit System and Dr. Clough. 
 
Magic Kingdom Cards Available 
 
The State Council for Personnel Administration is now offering free membership to Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom 
 
Club. This gives employees free and exclusive benefits not offered to the general public. 
 
Applications for membership in Disney's Magic Kingdom Club are issued to employees upon request. Membership 
 
cards and materials will be sent directly to applicants from Magic Kingdom Club headquarters. 
 
Membership in the club includes the cardholder's spouse and dependent children. Cardholders need not be present for 
 
a family member to use the card. 
 
To apply send your name, complete home address and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (.33 cents postage on 
 
a business envelope) to the appropriate person below. Applications for membership will not be issued without a self- 
 
addressed, stamped envelope. 
 
Employees of any state agency (other than DHR) who do not see their department listed below should send their 
 
request to: 
 
Karen Davis Thompson Georgia Merit System 200 Piedmont Avenue 508 West Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334 
PEOPLE TO CONTACT: Latricia Butler Administrative Services 200 Piedmont Avenue Suite 1504 West Tower Atlanta, GA 30334 
Linda Coody Agriculture Agriculture Building Room 300 Atlanta, GA 30334 
Diana Buttram GA Student Finance Comm. 2082 E. Exchange Pl. #200 Tucker, GA 30084 
Lisa Ogle Industry, Trade & Tourism 285 Peachtree Ctr. Ave. #1000 Atlanta, GA 30303 
Marquita Brown Insurance Commissioner 2 MLK Jr. Dr. Suite 916 West Tower Atlanta, GA 30334 
Susan Romsiewicz Medical Assistance #2 Peachtree Street 39th floor, Personnel Svs. Atlanta, GA 30303 
Marie McElveen 
 
Pat Mullinax Natural Resources 205 Butler Street Suite 1258 East Tower Atlanta, GA 30334 
Linda Jolly Public Communications 260 14th Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30318 
 
Barbara Conley DeKalb County DFACS 178 Sams Street Decatur, GA 30030-4134 
Helen Bowie DHR, District 5, Unit 2 811 Hemlock Street Macon, GA 31201 HSB0110@dhr.state.ga.us 
 
Fatisha Watts (all technical schools) Adult Education 1800 Century Plaza Atlanta, GA 30345-4304 
 
Vicki Ussery Macon/Bibb Co. Board of Health 171 Emery Highway Macon, GA 31217 
 
Cathy Hulsey Department of Transporation #2 Capitol Square, Room 143 Atlanta, GA 30334 
 
Emily Beckham Roosevelt-Warm Springs Inst. P.O. Box 1000 Warm Springs, GA 31830 
 
Human Resources Employees of the Department of Human Resources who do not see their office listed below should send their requests to: Vivian Duncan-DHR 2 Peachtree Street Room 28-278 Atlanta, GA 30303 
Employees of DHR/MH/MR Hospitals should contact their personnel offices. If cards are not available, requests should be sent to Vivian Duncan. 
 
Wanda Myers Albany Area CSB 1120 W. Broad Ave. P.O.Box 1988 Albany, GA 31702 wmyers@albany.csb.state.ga.us 
Annette Hamilton Three Rivers CSB 700 East 2nd Ave., Suite E Rome, GA 30161 
Patricia Favors New Horizons 2100 Comer Avenue Columbus, GA 31904 
 
Debra Massey Bibb Co. DFACS 456 Oglethorpe Street Macon, GA 31298-1399 
 
Pat Willis Ogeechee Area MH/MR/SA P.O. Box 1259 Swainsboro, GA 30401 
 
Pardons & Paroles 2 MLK, Jr.Drive Suite 1116 West Tower Atlanta, GA 30334 
 
Virginia Ross Chatham Health Department 2011 Eisenhower Drive Savannah, GA 31416-1257 
 
Melanie Martin South GA CSB P.O.Box 3318 Valdosta, GA 31604 
 
 The Georgia Statement 
page 4 
Temps and Vets may be eligible for service time buy-back 
 
Need help writing PMF's? 
 
The Georgia Merit System now has online help to assist managers and supervisors throughout the state in developing good Performance Expectations and Measures. You don't have to reinvent the wheel every time you write a performance plan. Log-on to the Georgia Merit System website where you'll find-- 
 
n 
 
examples of over 300 Performance Plans 
 
n 
 
examples of thousands of Performance 
 
Expectations 
 
n 
 
examples that you can use as models for 
 
writing Performance Expectations for 
 
your employees' PMF's 
 
n 
 
how to track and judge many hard-to- 
 
measure Performance Expectations 
 
n 
 
customer diagrams for many jobs 
 
During the last legislative salary, and date of termina- 
 
session, the General As- tion. For date verification, 
 
sembly enacted several 
 
contact your personnel 
 
laws that allow state em- 
 
officer or the personnel 
 
ployees to purchase service officer of the department at 
 
credit with the Employees' which you worked as a 
 
Retirement System (ERS). temporary. You must pay 
 
Employees who worked as the employee and employer 
 
a full-time temporary for the contributions that would 
 
state, and employees who have been payable had you 
 
served in the military during been a member during such 
 
any period in which a 
 
period, plus four percent 
 
military draft was in effect, interest. Payment must be 
 
may in fact be able to "buy- received by ERS no later 
 
back" time. These two laws than June 30, 2001, or 24 
 
went into effect on July 1, months after becoming an 
 
2000 and are applicable to ERS member for persons 
 
old and new plan employees employed after July 1, 
 
who are members of the 
 
2000. 
 
Employees' Retirement 
 
In regards to military 
 
System. 
 
service, anyone serving 
 
Full-time temporaries prior while the draft was in effect 
 
to permanent employment may purchase up to two 
 
with the state, who did not years credit. (The Selective 
 
participate in the Georgia Training and Service Act 
 
Defined Contribution Plan, ended in July of 1973.) The 
 
may purchase credit for up law says in order to regain 
 
to 12 months of service as a this time, you must pay five 
 
full-time temporary em- 
 
percent on compensation 
 
ployee, excluding service last paid as an employee 
 
under the Georgia Defined before entering military 
 
Contribution Plan. That plan service or five percent on 
 
started in July of 1992, so compensation first paid as 
 
temporary service would an employee after returning 
 
need to be before that time from military service, plus 
 
to qualify under this legisla- four and one-half percent 
 
tion. To buy back service interest. However, the law 
 
time you should write a 
 
declares that no service 
 
letter of intent to ERS 
 
shall be deemed creditable 
 
providing your social secu- if the military service has 
 
rity number, current mailing been used or will be used in 
 
address and a copy of the the determination of eligibil- 
 
personnel action reflecting ity for retirement benefits or 
 
your date of hire, monthly allowances from any other 
 
state or federal retirement program, excluding social security. In order to apply for this, you must submit a letter of intent in regards to purchasing military service credit. This must include your Social Security number, current mailing address and a copy of the Form DD-214 (discharge papers). ERS will calculate the amount and advise you in writing. For military buyback, payment must be made prior to termination or retirement and no later than December 31, 2001. 
In both instances, if the ERS receives the required information prior to the July 1, 2000 enactment date, the cost will be calculated with interest for a July 1 payment date. If payment is not made at that date, the member should notify ERS of a future date for expected payment, as the cost will require updating, as interest accrues until date of payment. Checks or money orders must be made out in full to the Employees' Retirement System in one payment. No partial payments are accepted. 
If you have further question, contact ERS at Two Northside 75, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30318. Or, call (404) 352-6400. 
 
Performance Measurement Exampleshttp:// www.gms.state.ga.us 
Click on "agency services" tab at the top of the page then click on "overview" under Performance Management on the left-hand side of the "agency services" page. 
 
YOU WILL NEED YOUR PHOENIX (Peoplesoft) EMPLOYEE ID NUMBER TO LOG-ON 
 
 The Georgia Statement 
 
page 5 
 
Preparing for retirement...just how much is enough? 
 
Every worker dreams of having a secure and comfortable retirement. Because we're living healthier and living longer, we can expect to spend more time in retirement than our ancestors. Planning your finances makes achieving the dream of a secure, comfortable retirement much easier. Findings from a recent study by the Employees Research Institute says calculating your retirement needs early pays off. The study shows more workers today are trying to determine future needs now than just a few years ago. The fact that workers are doing the educational process sooner often leads to earlier reallocation of funds for retirement. According to the study, eight out of 10 households have begun to save for retirement and currently, 53 percent of workers have tried to calculate how much money will be needed in retirement. Experts say you'll need 75 to 85 percent of pre-retirement earnings to comfortably maintain your pre-retirement standard of living. How are state employees faring? Will you have enough? In planning for retirement, are you covered under the state retirement system and will you work the number of years required to make you eligible to receive a benefit (generally ten years)? Did you work at another job that had a pension plan and did you work there long enough to qualify for a pension? How many years will you work in jobs that contribute to Social Security, and will you have personal savings to supplement? The state has several different retirement plans. Therefore, there is no formula to cover all situations that each employee represents when estimating retirement income. A broad overview is shown to provide an example of a potential retirement plan, deferred compensation, and Social Security. Most full-time employees working for the State of Georgia participate in the Employees Retirement System. Minimum qualifications to receive benefits are age 60 with at least 10 years credible service. salary, years of service, and a benefit factor determine benefits. the formula salary is the average of the highest 24 consecutive calendar months of salary. Benefits will be adjusted downwards for designated beneficiaries. 
Example: ERS New Plan Employee Retirement 
 
Formula salary 
 
Formula factor 
 
Years service 
 
$3000 (mo.) x 
 
2% 
 
x 
 
12 (yrs.) 
 
$3,000 x 2% = $60 x 12 = $720 per month at 65 years of age 
 
For more information about state employee retirement benefits contact the Employees' Retirement System at (404) 352-6400, or visit their web site at www.ersga.org. 
The state also offers a Deferred Compensation program that allows state employees to invest a portion of their salary. Current data shows only three out of 10 state employees participate in this program. Deferred Compensation allows you to save or invest a certain portion of your salary on a bi-monthly basis. The program allows you to give yourself a significant tax break while building future income. 
For example, say you are 30 years old and contribute $50 semimonthly into your Deferred Compensation account. At age 60, if you earned eight percent annually on your investment, you would have $149,689. Contributing just $25 more semi-monthly would give you $224,533. For more information about Deferred Compensation, or the 
 
Defined Contribution Plan for community Service Boards, contact the Georgia Merit System at 1-800-331-7180, or visit their web site at www.state.ga.us/employee/deferred.asp. 
Social Security benefits are a percentage of your earnings averaged over most of your working lifetime. Social Security was never intended to be your only source of income when you retire. Its purpose is to supplement other income. The Social Security Administration estimates that you will receive 40 percent of your current salary at the time of retirement. But many factors can make this estimate relatively unreliable. Calculations used for your parents benefits were far more generous than those allowed now. The guidelines and credits of today, may or may not be the same in the future. Understanding how your benefits are determined is not simple and there is no formula. There are many rules and exceptions in trying to calculate a ballpark figure on future benefits. Social Security will send you a statement of your estimated benefits every year now. Estimates are in current dollars and do not reflect cost of living adjustments. Additionally, these estimates generally assume that you will earn the same pay and work until you reach the age of 62. To get Social Security additional information, call their toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Also, visit their Web site at www.ssa.gov. 
Calculate your retirement benefits using different scenarios and find out how certain plans and years of service can affect your retirement benefit. Be prepared. Determine which plans you are eligible for, understand how your benefits are calculated based on when they may be available, and save funds to supplement your 
benefits. State Employees to Receive Recognition at Retirement 
 
Governor Roy E. Barnes and Commissioner Marjorie H. Young of the Georgia Merit System, are excited about the opportunity to recognize career state employees for their service to the citizens of Georgia. 
The 2000 Georgia General Assembly approved the request of the Georgia Merit System for funds to provide meaningful recognition and thanks to state employees who qualify for retirement from state service. 
Effective July 1, 2000, employees who retire from state service with 30 or more years of service will receive their choice of a wristwatch or a plaque. Watch faces will be embossed with the Georgia State seal, and each watch will be engraved with the number of years of service and the month and year of retirement for each retiree. Plaques will be engraved with the name of the retiree, years of service and month and year of retirement. 
 
Employees retiring with 10 to 29 years of service will receive a lapel pin similar to the ones currently issued beginning with 20 years of service. The difference will be that the retiree pin will read RETIREMENT instead of FAITHFUL SERVICE and the years of service. 
Watches, plaques and pins will be issued monthly, based on retiree information supplied to the Georgia Merit System by the Employees' Retirement System. Employees retiring with 30 or more years of service will receive a brochure with an order form that will be returned to the Georgia Merit System indicating their choice of a wristwatch or plaque. 
 
 page 6 
 
The Georgia Statement 
 
1999-2000 State Charitable Contributions Program Campaign Totals 
 
Adaptive Learning Center AID Atlanta Albany-Southwest Ga. United Way American SIDS Institute American Cancer Society American Kidney Fund American Heart Association American Lung Association Arthritis Foundation Arts for All Athens-Northeast Ga. United Way Atlanta Community Food Bank Atlanta Ronald McDonald Houses Augusta Ronald McDonald House Charities Augusta-CSRA United Way Bartow Co. United Way Brain Tumor Foundation for Children Brunswick-Glynn Co. United Way Camden Co. United Way Canine Vision Central Ga. United Way Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Cochran-Bleckley Co. United Way Colquitt Co. United Way Columbus-Chattahoochee Valley United Way Community Health Charities Covington-Newton Co. United Way Cure Childhood Cancer Environmental Fund for Georgia Epilepsy Foundation Foothills United Way Forsyth Co. United Way Foxfire Fund Ga. Council for the Hearing Impaired Gainesville-Hall Co. United Way Georgia Black United Fund Georgia Shares Georgia Lion's Camp for the Blind Georgia Council on Child Abuse Georgia Youth Science & Technology Cntr 
 
$ 3,401.52 30,458.82 32,007.83 
3,706.67 177,431.95 
9,834.00 62,128.47 13,604.95 24,170.59 
2,232.55 255,791.01 
39,563.60 7,033.30 1,929.71 
176,134.63 7,952.74 8,391.91 
17,048.17 4,751.32 
16,865.94 81,541.69 66,010.43 
5,353.52 13,364.34 24,578.35 203,938.05 10,914.11 10,226.56 108,300.25 
9,286.04 5,219.73 4,885.47 1,324.15 3,293.84 16,249.46 50,859.95 70,389.85 5,003.90 19,105.45 3,173.50 
 
Georgia Legal Watch Gordon Co. United Way Grady Co. United Way Greater Chattanooga United Way Griffin-Spalding Co. United Way Habersham Co. United Way Heart of Georgia United Way Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Kid's Chance Liberty Co. United Way Lutheran Ministries Make-A-Wish Foundation March of Dimes Methodist Home of the S. Ga. Conference Metro Atlanta United Way Muscular Dystrophy Association National Multiple Sclerosis Society Newnan-Coweta Co. United Way Northwest Ga. United Way Prison Fellowship Ministries Pulaski Co. United Way Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic Rome-Floyd Co. United Way Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund Savannah & the Coastal Empire United Way Screven Co. United Way Shepherd Center South Georgia United Way Southeast Georgia United Way Sumter Co. United Way Thomasville-Thomas Co. United Way Tift Area United Way Toombs-Montgomery-Wheeler Co. United Way United Negro College Fund Upson Co. United Way Valdosta-Lowndes Co. United Way West Georgia United Way White Co. United Way Zoo Atlanta 
 
$1,518.46 4,415.69 2,805.66 2,950.60 
14,473.47 5,082.75 9,549.62 
15,212.65 3,305.37 8,576.87 5,779.42 
28,871.29 10,937.65 10,783.22 398,491.75 10,013.90 23,151.85 
5,485.33 15,136.19 
9,735.20 2,087.36 8,334.09 20,970.38 12,710.85 69,752.56 2,467.57 9,930.57 20,068.18 62,976.77 9,242.95 15,800.64 19,412.98 10,582.67 95,962.21 4,364.01 39,844.81 13,530.80 2,422.61 11,607.67 
 
Savings Bond Campaign 
For years, U.S. savings bonds have offered a safe way for families financing home purchases, college education, automobiles, vacations, and retirement. There are even more great reasons why U.S. savings bonds are a smart way to save. 
Plan for the new millennium by joining or increasing your participation in a regular savings plan. See your personnel officer to start regular payroll deductions. 
U.S. Savings Bonds are a stable and convenient way to diversify your savings. They are backed by the U.S. Treasury and offer a moderate, norisk annual yield. 
 
6th Annual Quality Conference 
 
Please complete the registration form for each attendee, copies are accepted 
 
Name: 
 
Title: 
 
Organization: 
 
Address: 
 
City: 
 
State: Zip: 
 
The Georgia Quality and Performance Excellence Network's Annual Conference presents "Linking Quality to Your Organization--From the 
 
Telephone: 
 
Fax: 
 
e-mail: 
 
Basics to High-Tech." You'll learn the basic tools for beginning the quality For complete conference schedule and breakout sessions, please contact Ronda Britt. 
 
journey to improving products and services that are being delivered to 
 
customers and citizens of Georgia. You will learn tools and techniques to help you implement change in your organization. 
 
Registration is $110.00 if received by August 25, 2000. Registrations received after August 25, 2000 and on-site are 
 
PleaseencloseregistrationformandcheckmadepayabletoQSG $130.00. 
 
Network: P.O.Box347215,Atlanta,GA30334 
 
Conference Attire: Casual attire including jeans and tennis shoes are encouraged. Overnight stay is available. Rooms are $85.00 / night, cabins are $109-129 / night. Contact Red Top Mountain State Park @ 770-975-0055 for reservations. 
 
FEI No. 58-1130-945 
Anyquestions:e-mailrbritt@gms.state.ga.us or call 
Ronda Britt at 404-371-7371 
 
 The Georgia Statement 
 
page 7 
 
Georgia Merit System Training Calendar August - December 2000 
GMS courses are offered statewide and are open to all government employees. Registration for GMS training is coordinated by agency personnel training officers. In addition to interagency courses, the Georgia Merit System provides training through closed sessions. These are courses conducted for a single agency to meet the specific training needs of that organization. Closed courses can be customized to meet an agency's objectives. Course descriptions, the price list for both closed and open courses, and registration forms are available from agency training officers and the GMS Training and Organization Development Division. Call 404-3717371 for more information or visit our web site: www.gms@state.ga.us/employee/calendar.asp 
 
Management and Supervi- Increasing the Effectiveness 
 
sory Development 
 
of Workplace Teams: Achiev- 
 
Coaching for High Perfor- 
 
ing Teamness (.5 Days) ($35 
 
mance (.5 Days) ($35 Fee) Fee) (GSAMS) 
 
Decatur on 10/12 
 
Columbus on 12/12 
 
Decatur on 12/12 
 
Conducting Effective Em- 
 
Waycross on 12/12 
 
ployee Interviewing (1 Day) 
 
($50 Fee) 
 
Increasing the Effectiveness 
 
Decatur on 8/15 
 
of Workplace Teams: Improv- 
 
Decatur on 11/9 
 
ing Teamwork (.5 Days) ($35 
 
Macon on 9/14 
 
Fee) (GSAMS) 
 
Columbus on 8/17 
 
Conducting Effective Meetings Decatur on 8/17 
 
(.5 Days) ($35 Fee) (GSAMS) Decatur on 10/18 
 
Albany on 9/14 
 
Gainesville on 10/18 
 
Columbus on 9/14 
 
Savannah on 8/17 
 
Dalton on 11/16 
 
Waycross on 10/18 
 
Decatur on 9/14 
 
Decatur on 11/16 
 
Legal Issues for Supervisors 
 
Valdosta on 11/16 
 
(.5 Days) ($35 Fee) 
 
Macon on 9/15 
 
Dealing with Difficult Employee 
 
Behavior (1 Day) ($50 Fee) Legal Issues for Supervisors 
 
Decatur on 8/16 
 
(.5 Days) ($35 Fee) 
 
Macon on 12/8 
 
(GSAMS) 
 
Columbus on 10/11 
 
Effective Team Leadership (3 Decatur on 10/11 
 
Days) ($155 Fee) 
 
Savannah on 10/11 
 
Decatur on 11/14-16 
 
Managing a Diverse 
 
Fundamentals of Leadership Workforce (1 Day) ($50 Fee) 
 
(.5 Days) ($35 Fee) 
 
Decatur on 11/8 
 
Decatur on 10/25 
 
Managing Conflict in the 
 
Georgia Performance Manage- Workplace (1 Day) ($50 Fee) 
 
ment Process Training (3 
 
Decatur on 10/12 
 
Days) ($19 Fee) 
 
Macon on 12/7 
 
Decatur on 8/1-3 
 
Decatur on 10/10-24 
 
Maximizing the Potential of 
 
Decatur on 12/5-7 
 
Your Employees (.5 Days) 
 
Macon on 11/7-9 
 
($35 Fee) (GSAMS) 
 
Rome on 9/19-21 
 
Augusta on 9/20 
 
Savannah on 10/17-19 
 
Decatur on 9/20 
 
Tifton on 8/15-17 
 
Valdosta on 9/20 
 
Improving Performance Expectations Workshop (.5 Days) ($35 Fee) Decatur on 9/13 Decatur on 12/14 
 
Supervising in a Challenging Environment (3 Days) ($155 Fee) Decatur on 11/14-16 
 
Supervisor's Role in Adverse Make an Effective Presenta- 
 
Actions (.5 Days) ($35 Fee) tion! (4 Days) ($235 Fee) 
 
(GSAMS) 
 
Decatur on 11/14-17 
 
Decatur on 11/8 
 
Writing That Works (1 Day) 
 
The Georgia Performance Management Process: An 
 
($70 Fee) Columbus on 10/26 
 
Executive Overview (.5 Days) Decatur on 8/30 
 
($35 Fee) 
 
Decatur on 10/31 
 
Decatur on 8/10 Decatur on 11/9 
 
Decatur on 12/12 Thomasville on 12/6 
 
Macon on 10/19 
 
Workplace Skills Develop- 
 
Your Supervisory Roles and ment 
 
Responsibilities: An Introduction Meeting Customer Needs (1 
 
(.5 Days) ($35 Fee) (GSAMS) Day) ($50 Fee) 
 
Albany on 9/21 
 
Columbus on 10/25 
 
Dalton on 12/13 
 
Decatur on 9/7 
 
Decatur on 9/21 
 
Decatur on 11/7 
 
Decatur on 12/13 
 
Thomasville on 12/7 
 
Savannah on 9/21 
 
Valdosta on 12/13 
 
Performance Management 
 
Tools (PMTools) (1 Day) ($50 
 
Secretarial and Support Staff Fee) 
 
Development 
 
Atlanta on 8/14 
 
Effective Telephone Manage- Atlanta on 9/11 
 
ment (.5 Days) ($35 Fee) 
 
Atlanta on 10/16 
 
Decatur on 10/12 
 
Atlanta on 11/13 
 
Human Relations Skills for 
 
Atlanta on 12/11 
 
Secretaries (2 Days)($100 Fee) Proofreading Essentials/ 
 
Decatur on 11/29-30 
 
Grammar (.5 Days) ($35 
 
Setting Up and Maintaining Office Files (1 Day) ($50 Fee) Decatur on 8/29 
 
Fee) Decatur on 12/13 Thomasville on 12/5 
 
Sharpening Your Proofreading Skills (3 Days) ($170 Fee) Decatur on 10/31 to 11/2 Dublin on 9/12-14 
 
Proofreading Essentials/ Punctuation (.5 Days) ($35 Fee) Decatur on 12/13 Thomasville on 12/5 
 
Time Management for Secretar- 
 
ies (1 Day) ($50 Fee) 
 
Recognizing and Avoiding 
 
Decatur on 9/6 
 
Sexual Harassment in the 
 
Workplace (.5 Days) ($35 
 
Communication Skills Devel- Fee) (GSAMS) 
 
opment 
 
Americus on 11/1 
 
Communication: It's More Than Decatur on 11/1 
 
Talk (2 Days) ($100 Fee) 
 
Dublin on 11/1 
 
Decatur on 8/22-23 
 
Decatur on 12/6-7 
 
Statesboro on 10/17-18 
 
Stress: How to Recognize and Control It (2 Days) ($100 Fee) Decatur on 11/8-9 The R.E.A.D. Program (1 Day) ($135 Fee) Columbus on 11/16 Decatur on 10/19 
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (3 Days) ($240 Fee) Decatur on 9/5-7 Decatur on 11/28-30 
Time Challenges - Time Solutions (1 Day) ($50 Fee) Decatur on 8/31 Decatur on 11/8 
Trainer Skills Development GA PMPT Train-the-Trainer (1 Day) ($45 Fee) Decatur on 8/4 
Satellite Seminars The Rookie Manager (.5 Days) ($35 Fee) (Satellite) Augusta on 11/2 Decatur on 11/2 
Women in Leadership and Learning: A Business Imperative (.5 Days) ($35 Fee) (Satellite) Decatur on 10/26 Savannah on 10/26 Waycross on 10/26 
Conferences Professional Development Conference for Support Staff (3 Days) ($130 Fee) Jekyll Island on 10/4-6 Professional Development Conference for Support Staff (1 Day) ($90 Fee) Jekyll Island on 10/5 
 
 page 8 
 
he The Georgia Statement 
 
Take Charge Challenge a big hit with state agencies 
 
Theus draws attention to Charitable 
Contributions Program with donated art work 
Huey Theus is as generous as he is talented. And he is plenty talented. Theus, who has been with the Department of Labor for almost 30 years, has donated thousands of pen and inks to just about every cause, fund raiser, and door prize event you could imagine. Some of his favorite subjects have been the lighthouses in Georgia, Georgia landmarks such as the Fox Theater, the Capitol, ruins on Cumberland Island, the Coca Cola Pavilion and architectural buildings all over Georgia. His color-lithographed prints and pen and ink drawings both limited and unlimited editions number in the millions and are sold nationwide. 
Karen Davis-Thompson, director of the annual Charitable Contributions Campaign says, "People really look forward to Huey's prints and calendars that we can provide at our training and award events. He's always willing to support just about any thing we need." 
Theus' prints are available at the Tritt Gallery in the Suburban Plaza in Decatur. 
 
The Lighthouse at Tybee Island 
 
The Governor's Take Charge Challenge 2000 Kickoff at the Capitol: (l-r) First Lady Marie Barnes; Marjorie H. Young, commissioner, Georgia Merit System; Kathleen Toomey, M.D., director, Division of Public Health; State Senator Connie Stokes; and Patrick Meehan, M.D., director, East Metro Health District. 
Thousands of employees from state agencies and organizations are more active and more physically fit, thanks in part to a worksite-based physical fitness program called The Governor's Take Charge Challenge 2000. The spring campaign, the first of two 10-week physical activity programs during the year, began with a March kickoff at the State Capitol, featuring a tai chi demonstration, followed by encouraging words by Commissioner Marjorie H. Young of the Georgia Merit System, State Public Health Director Kathleen Toomey, M.D., Senator Connie Stokes, and First Lady Marie Barnes. 
 
During the Challenge, teams of volunteer participants earned points for every 10 minutes of increased physical activity. Team members set individual goals based on their starting level of activity and where they wanted to be when the campaign ended. 
"The benefits of physical fitness are so great that it should be a priority for everyone," said Mrs. Barnes. "I hope that this program will help get more people into the habit of making exercise a part of their regular schedule." 
More than 2,100 employees from the Governor's Office, the Georgia Merit System, the Department of Community Health, the Department of Human Resources, and Atlanta area public health districts participated in the Spring 2000 Take Charge Challenge. Of those more than 2,100 participants, 70 percent either met or exceeded their personal physical activity goals. 
Other agencies, authorities, and groups throughout the state are encouraged to implement the Challenge this fall. The next campaign begins September 11 through November 18. For more information, contact Bruce Leonard at (770) 978-2289. 
 
DOT wins award for training video 
The Department of Transportation won an Award of Distinction for it's training film, Flagging for the Georgia DOT: Safety is Your Job. The video, which trains employees on correct flagging procedures and emphasizes work zone safety was one of 2,386 entries submitted to The Videographer Awards organization that helps set the standards for the video production industry. The Award of Distinction is awarded to those video projects that clearly exceed industry standards. 
The training video used actual DOT employees who flag on state highways as part of their duties. DOT employees performed the production and direction of the video as well. Producers for the program were Bobby Vaughn, DOT video producer and Bill Allgood, senior staff development/training coordinator. Allgood also scripted the video. Directors included Bob Maguire, state safety coordinator; Wayne Swinford, maintenance liaison; and Jimmy Withrow, bridge maintenance supervisor in Cartersville. 
The primary flaggers and principal stars of the video were Sue Temples, Bret Westbrook, Eddie Thornton and Eddie Stephens of the District Six bridge shop. Other DOT employees who had appearances in the video were Kevin Collum, Richett Phinessee, Murray Upshaw, Randy Woodall, Donnie Seacy, Scotty Smith, James Callaway, Eddie Williams and Roxanne Hunter.