ANNUAL REPORT - feb.gov · Detroit FEB Annual Report Fiscal Year 2016 1 Fiscal Year 2016 ANNUAL...

Detroit FEB Annual Report Fiscal Year 2016 1

ANNUAL REPORT

Fiscal Year 2016

DETROIT

1969-2016 ▬ 47 YEARS OF SERVICE

DETROIT FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

477 Michigan Ave., Room 1703

Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313.226.3534

Fax: 313.226.2155

www.detroit.feb.gov

The Detroit Federal Executive Board (FEB) is

sponsored by the Department of Defense through the

local US Army TACOM LCMC.

The Detroit FEB primarily serves federal agencies in

a seven county region. Services are available to

offices outside metropolitan Detroit upon request.

http://www.detroit.feb.gov/


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Member Agencies and Background of the Detroit Federal Executive Board ............. 2-3 Executive Summary ………………………………………………………………… 4-5 Cost Avoidance Template for FEB Activities ……………………………………… 6 Highly Valued Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2016:

Emergency Preparedness, Security and Employee Safety …….............................. 7-8 Workforce Development and Support .…………………………………………… 9-13 Intergovernmental and Interagency Collaboration and Community Outreach ...….13-17

FY 2016 Officers and Staff

Chair Vice Chair

Timothy Tarczynski Christopher Tall

US Army, TACOM LCMC Office of Special Counsel

Treasurer Executive Director

Joi Jones Michelle Rhodes

Internal Revenue Service - Michigan Administrative Assistant

Debbie Ouvry

Agencies Represented in SE Michigan

US Army, Internal Revenue Service – Michigan, DHHS Food & Drug Administration, Department of

Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board, Department of Homeland Security: Customs and Border

Protection; Border Patrol; ICE Investigations; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations; Citizenship

and Immigration Services; Federal Protective Service; US Coast Guard; US Secret Service;

Transportation Security Administration; TSA Federal Air Marshal Service, General Services

Administration, US Army Corps of Engineers, United States Postal Service, Federal Aviation

Administration, US Department of Justice: Federal Bureau of Prisons; Alcohol Tobacco Firearms &

Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Immigration Court; US

Marshals Service; Community Relations Service; US Attorney’s Office, National Labor Relations Board,

Small Business Administration, Social Security Administration, Department of Labor, Department of

Housing and Urban Development, Office of Special Counsel, Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service, National Background Investigations Bureau,

US Department of Agriculture: Food Safety & Inspection Service; Food & Nutrition Service, National

Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Environmental

Research Laboratory, US District Courts, Department of State Passport Agency, Defense Contract

Management Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, US Patent &

Trademark Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Detroit Quarantine Station, and

Corporation for National and Community Service.


ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARDS (FEBs)

By Presidential Directive in 1961, President John F. Kennedy established FEBs to achieve better

interagency coordination and communication among Federal departments and activities outside

of Washington, DC. In 1982, the Executive Office of the President transferred authority for the

FEB functions to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which today maintains

oversight of the FEB program.

The need for effective coordination among Federal organizations’ field activities was clear then,

and is even more important in today’s environment. Approximately 85% of all Federal

employees work outside of the National Capital area and most Federal programs are

implemented through the regional and local offices of Federal departments and agencies. Our

regional and local Federal officials are the Federal Government’s principal representatives to the

vast majority of our nation’s citizens.

The FEBs are models for partnership-based government. The Boards serve as a vital link to

intergovernmental coordination identifying common ground and building cooperative

relationships. FEBs also have a long history of establishing and maintaining valuable

communication links to prepare for and respond to local and national emergencies. While

promoting issues related to Administration initiatives, FEBs provide targeted training programs,

employee development, shared resources, and local community outreach and participation. The

Board’s role as a conduit of information and a meeting point for a variety of agencies – each with

a different mission – is critical to a more effective government. FEBs promote awareness of the

Federal government’s involvement in, and contribution to, communities across the country.

Today, there are 28 FEBs that make up the FEB Network, located in areas with a significant

Federal population. The Detroit Federal Executive Board is comprised of the senior official of

each department or agency (or their designated representative), located in a seven county

metropolitan area.

VISION: To be catalysts for better government.

MISSION STATEMENT: Increase the effectiveness of Federal government by strengthening

coordination of government activities.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES: ѻ Integrity ѻ Service ѻ Excellence


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Detroit FEB met monthly and conducted two full board meetings in FY 2016. In October, 2015,

the J. D. Dingell VA Medical Center hosted us and a representative from the VA gave a presentation

on the upcoming National Veterans Golden Age Games which they co-hosted in July, 2016. Our

April meeting provided an opportunity to hear about current legislative priorities by Senior Senate

Liaison Corri Wofford from Senator Gary Peters’ office, and Green Initiatives from the Federal

Chief Sustainability Officer Christine Harada. We also heard an update on the Flint water crisis

from HUD Advisor Lindsey Reames, Office of the Secretary, Flint Unified Command Group.

The FEB hosted our 39th annual Employee Recognition Event in honor of Public Service

Recognition Week. Agency Heads recognized those employees who truly make a difference for

their agencies. Approximately 510 people attended and we honored 295 employees from 24

agencies. We presented our Twelfth Annual Distinguished Federal Service Diversity Award to

eight winners in the Individual and Team categories.

The FEB managed a group of trained mediators that serve to provide a “Shared Neutrals”

program. Mediators were called upon to mediate 23 cases from three agencies in

FY 2016; two were workplace disputes, and 21 were informal EEO complaints. Settlements

were reached in 12 of the 23 cases (52% settlement rate), which resulted in a savings to the

Government of $793,353 (based on the fact that the cases did not advance to the EEOC for

investigation). The Shared Neutrals program is available to any agency for no cost.

FEB Chair Timothy Tarczynski introduced a Leadership program in FY 2015. The Leadership

Sessions for Supervisors and Aspiring Leaders has six modules and five modules were offered in

FY 2016. Tim Tarczynski, EEOC’s Administrative Judge Deborah Barno, and FDA Director

Art Czabaniuk instructed the courses that were attended by 88 Federal employees from 21

agencies. 14 Federal employees were recognized in December, 2015 for completing all six

modules.

The FEB hosted OPM’s Hiring Excellence Workshop. The objectives were to improve

collaboration between hiring managers and HR staff, leverage the full range of available hiring

authorities, use effective assessments to identify the best qualified candidates, and use tools and

data to help find and recruit top talent and measure recruitment effectiveness. 36 participants

from 11 agencies took advantage of this free eight-hour training.

50 emergency personnel from 10 Federal agencies participated in a Pandemic Devolution Full

Scale Exercise hosted by the FEB and FEMA. Exercise messages were sent via Communicator!

NXT and an after action discussion took place via conference call at the end of the exercise. The

FEB also hosted FEMA’s Reconstitution Planning workshop for 24 attendees from 12 Federal

and Local partners.


The FEB Diversity Council offered two programs in FY 2016. The Women’s Resource Fair, co-

hosted with the US Army Corps of Engineers, enabled 100 participants to hear from Federal

leaders and talk with vendors that promote good health and financial wellness. In August, 2016,

the Abilities Fair offered 49 Federal employees the opportunity to learn ways to hire,

accommodate, and retain persons with disabilities from representatives of the Social Security

Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and DoD’s Computer/Electronic

Accommodations Program (CAP).

The FEB and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Diversity and Inclusion partnered to

present a two-day event titled: World Café – Conversations on Race Relations. 88

representatives from six Federal agencies and Wayne State University’s Labor Studies attended

the four sessions for supervisors and employees. The focus was to effectively address their

agencies’ most important challenges and opportunities as it relates to their workforce.

The 2016 National Veterans Golden Age Games were held in Detroit in July, 2016. The FEB

assisted the Department of Veterans Affairs recruit volunteers for this event. 11 agencies

answered the call to provide volunteers that made up just a part of the total 7,780 volunteer hours

dedicated to the games over four days.

The FEB partnered with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist the

residents of Flint, Michigan during the water crisis identified in early 2016. FEB member

agencies and People Driven Credit Union, collected 500 cases of bottled water, 79 five-gallon

containers and 60 one-gallon containers of water for the residents of Flint’s public housing.

Additionally, 12,073 pounds of food was donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank of

Southeastern Michigan or other local Food Banks over the summer as part of the National “Feds

Feed Families” program.

The Detroit Federal Working Group (DFWG) is the Obama Administration’s initiative to

intensify Federal engagement to support Detroit’s economic and community recovery. The

DFWG delivered information to the FEB about recent project highlights and the proposed work

activities for 2016. Of special interest was the City of Detroit’s Summer Youth Employment

Program and FEB members were encouraged to hire youth from the program. In FY 2016, the

Department of Housing and Urban Development was able to participate in this program.

Gwen Bingham, Major General, US Army Commanding TACOM LCMC, served as the CFC

Chair for the 2015/2016 CFC campaign, and $1,751,397 in pledges was collected. This total was

just $129 less than the previous year’s collection and a good start at reversing the downward

trend that the campaign had been experiencing.


2016 Detroit Federal Executive Board

Significant Data

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)

2015 Total Contributions $1,751,397

Awards and Recognition

(name of event) # of Attendees # of Awards Presented

Employee Recognition

Ceremony 510 295

Leadership Series Completion 26 14

Totals: 536 309

Alternate Dispute

Resolution (ADR) -

Shared Neutrals

Program

Number

of Cases

Accepted

Number of

Cases

Resolved

Cost Avoidance

Per Resolution

Total Cost

Avoidance

Realized

Workplace Dispute: 2 2 $18,503.28 $37,006.56

Pre-EEO Complaint: 21 10 $75,634.66 $756.346.60

EEO Complaint (after

entering formal

process):

0 0 $72,212.66 $

Totals: 23 12 $793,353.16

ADR RESOLUTION RATE: 52% (12 of 23 cases)


Highly Valued Accomplishments in FY 2016

Emergency Preparedness, Security and Employee Safety

▬ Training and Exercises

The Detroit Federal Executive Board (FEB) and FEMA Region V conducted a Pandemic

Devolution Full Scale Exercise in February, 2016. 50 emergency personnel from 10 Federal

agencies participated in this exercise. The objectives were: to mitigate vulnerabilities during a

pandemic influenza outbreak; identify gaps or weaknesses in pandemic planning or in an

organization’s pandemic influenza continuity plans, policies, and procedures; encourage public

and private organizations to work together to create and test their pandemic influenza plans; and

encourage agencies to conduct Devolution planning with their Devolution partners. Exercise

messages were sent via Communicator! NXT and an after action discussion took place via

conference call at the end of the exercise.

The FEB hosted FEMA’s Reconstitution Planning workshop for 24 attendees from 12

Federal and local partners in September, 2016. The objectives were: to develop an effective and

comprehensive understanding of Reconstitution requirements, planning, planning teams, and

special considerations for Reconstitution; and begin to develop a Reconstitution plan or update

and improve an existing plan.

The FEB hosted quarterly events for Federal, State, and local partners that make up our

Continuity Working Group. The FEB supported other exercises within the Federal community

including the Full-Scale City Airport Exercise on June 24, 2016. The FEB Executive Director

represented local hospitals at the City of Detroit’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for this

exercise. The scenario depicted an aircraft experiencing mechanical failure while attempting to

land at the Coleman A. Young International Airport, with 107 passengers and three crew

members on board. Emergency responders were anticipating a crash landing and subsequent

need for EMS transport. The Executive Director continues to work with the Local Emergency

Preparedness Committee’s (LEPC) hospital group in an effort to keep current contacts in the

metro-Detroit medical community. The group consists of local hospital security and emergency

response staff, the Detroit Fire, and Police departments. Detroit’s Emergency Operations Center

(EOC) hosts representatives from a wide range of City departments and services during the three

nights prior to Halloween, known as Angels’ Night (formerly Devil’s night). The FEB

Executive Director volunteered one evening shift during this campaign to monitor activity at five

area hospitals and give the hourly report to the Detroit EOC and Mayor’s staff.

The Executive Director attended the FEMA Region V Continuity of Operations

Federal/State/Tribal Workshop in August, 2016. The purpose was to discuss changes in FEMA

publications and their operating structure. FEMA’s training and guidance were made available to

participants, and we had the opportunity to network with our State partners in the region. 21

attendees from six states discussed best practices and how we can leverage our knowledge for

the benefit of the region.


▬ Emergency Communications

In FY 2016, the FEB used the emergency notification system Communicator! NXT to

send messages to approximately 200 contacts. Four notifications were sent due to weather-

related situations, and one test was conducted in December, 2015. In May, during the 2016

National Eagle Horizon exercise, a test was conducted with FEB Officers and our back-up FEB

(Cincinnati), using Communicator! NXT, and our GETS card.

The Detroit FEB Executive Director is the Chair of the FEB Network’s Emergency

Preparedness Council. In FY 2016, she led the Council’s bi-monthly conference calls and the

Council convinced 25 of the 28 FEB offices to use the OPM provided emergency notification

system, Communicator! NXT, at least for a test. The use of a consistent notification system

aligns with the FEB Role in Emergencies, an addendum to the 2013-2107 FEB Network

Strategic and Operational Plan.

▬ All Hazards Notifications

The FEB sent 47 weather-related

notices in FY 2016. The Weather Advisory

Committee convened six times that resulted

in four non-binding advisories based on

weather situations that could compromise

the safety of our workforce. The FEB also

notified our membership about power

outages, building status, demonstrations,

street closures, and security breaches as they

happened. These messages were sent via

regular email and/or Communicator! NXT.

Messages were also sent to OPM providing

the operating status of Federal agencies in

metropolitan Detroit when our notification

system was activated. Copies of OPM’s

FY 2016 Dismissal and Closure Procedures,

and the FY 2016 Detroit FEB’s All Hazards

Emergency Communication Plan were

shared with members as well as information

from FEMA, NWS and NOAA.

▬ Security Collaboration

The Detroit FEB continues to work closely with GSA and DHS, Federal Protective

Service (FPS) to communicate with Federal building tenants, and the FEB membership, about

any potential distractions and security concerns. The FEB monthly meetings have security as a

recurring item on the agenda. We shared FPS’s regional messages regarding safekeeping of

Federal buildings during heightened security, Presidential Proclamations, Active Shooter

training, new technology, and informational bulletins.


Workforce Development and Support

▬ Reward and Recognition Programs

The Detroit FEB hosted our 39th annual Employee Recognition Event in honor of Public

Service Recognition Week. Agency Heads recognized those employees who truly make a

difference for their agencies. Approximately 510 people attended and we honored 295

employees from 24 agencies. The Twelfth Annual Distinguished Federal Service Diversity

Awards were presented to winners in the Individual and Team categories. Nine nominations

were received for the Individual Diversity Award, and the winner was Commander Raymond

Negrón, US Coast Guard. Commander Negrón was nominated for his tireless dedication,

leadership, and commitment to the Coast Guard core values of honor, respect, and devotion to

duty as Chair of the Coast Guard Sector Detroit’s Leadership and Inclusion Council. Five

nominations were received for the Team Award and the winner was the US Army Corps of

Engineers’ EEO Team, which consists of seven members. The EEO team was nominated for

increasing employee understanding of the diverse population that the Corps serves and the

importance and benefits of a diverse workforce through monthly events synchronized with

national observance events.

2016 Individual Diversity Award winner

Commander Raymond Negrón from the

US Coast Guard Sector Detroit with

Ms. Sana Isho, Diversity Council Chair.

Mr. Christopher Tall, FEB Vice-Chair in

background.

2016 Team Diversity Award winner:

US Army Corps of Engineers’ EEO Team.

Left to right: Robert Austin (standing in

for Carlette Williams), Nina Robinson,

Emily Schaefer, Zenia Turner, Valerie

Stevenson, Sana Isho (Diversity Council

Chair).


▬ Dispute Resolution

The FEB managed a group of trained mediators that serve to provide a “Shared Neutrals”

program. Mediators were called upon to mediate 23 cases from three agencies in FY 2016; two

were workplace disputes, and 21 were informal EEO complaints. Settlements were reached in

12 of the 23 cases (52% settlement rate), which resulted in a savings to the Government of

$793,353 (based on the fact that the cases did not advance to the EEOC for investigation). The

Shared Neutrals program is available to any agency for no cost.

▬ Key Employee Training Programs

In FY 2016, the FEB offered Leadership Sessions for Supervisors and Aspiring Leaders.

88 employees from 21 agencies attended these sessions. Five of the six modules were

conducted. Topics included: Leadership from a Legal Perspective; Leadership Principles and

Communication; Mentoring, Coaching, and Counseling; Evaluations; Growth, Talent

Management, Standards, Succession Planning, Hiring, and Retention. Modules were conducted

by FEB Chair Tim Tarczynski, EEOC’s Administrative Judge Deborah Barno, and FDA Director

Art Czabaniuk. These one-and-a-half hour classes are planned over lunchtime to make

attendance easier for participants. 14 Federal employees were recognized in December, 2015 for

completing all modules. The program was initiated by the Department of Army, and tailored for

the broader Federal community, offered at no charge.

The FEB hosted OPM’s Hiring Excellence Campaign which supports the People and

Culture pillar of the President’s Management Agenda. OPM’s mission is to unlock the talent of

the current workforce while building the workforce needed for tomorrow. The objectives were

to: encourage and promote the importance of a collaborative relationship between the hiring

manager and human resources staff; equip hiring officials with knowledge and tools to empower

them to more fully engage in the hiring process; bolster the skills and expertise of HR staff so

they can effectively advise and partner with hiring managers; and raise awareness of the full

range of hiring authorities available to meet hiring needs. 36 participants from 11 agencies took

advantage of this opportunity.

Our continued partnership with People Driven Credit Union, the Social Security

Administration, and Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) providers enabled 130 Federal

employees to take advantage of free lunch-n-learn sessions of various titles in FY 2016. People

Driven Credit Union presented: Retirement Planning; Financial Planning for Each Stage of Your

Life; Estate Planning; Social Security Strategies; Annual Insurance Check-up; and Annuities and

Your Portfolio. Social Security Administration presented Planning for Retirement, and BCBS of

Michigan presented Medicare and the FEHB Program.

The FEB also advertised for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees

Association’s (NARFE) Pre-Retirement Seminars. 27 Federal employees attended on the

Columbus Day holiday in October, 2015. The US Army hosted seven Federal employees from

other agencies for Resilience training at no cost. The FEB distributed information about

webinars hosted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and FEMA, as well as links to

OPM handbooks and publications.


Overall, 288 Federal employees took advantage of the training offered by the Detroit

FEB at minimal, or no cost.

▬ Diversity and Inclusion

The FEB Diversity Council offered two exciting programs in FY 2016. The Women’s

Resource Fair was an event planned and executed in partnership with the US Army Corps of

Engineers, Detroit District in March. This year’s theme for Women’s History Month was

“Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government.”

100 participants attended to hear from Federal leaders and talk with vendors that promote good

health and financial wellness. US Attorney Barbara McQuade, Ms. Tinesha Cherry, Assistant

Director for Trade Operations, US Customs and Border Protection, and Ms. Marion Whicker,

Deputy Chief of Staff for US Army TACOM LCMC provided motivational messages about

leadership and upward mobility in Federal service.

Right: Tisha Hammond, FEB Diversity

Council thanks US Attorney

Barbara McQuade (left).

US Army Corps of Engineers

Lt. Col. James Booth thanks CBP’s

Assistant Director Tinesha Cherry.


Service providers for the Women’s Resource Fair included Wayne State University’s

Commission on the Status of Women, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services, the Founder

of A Plan for Living, Strategic Wealth Consulting Group, Financial Architects, and

representatives from the Social Security Administration and the J. D. Dingell VA Medical

Center’s Women’s Clinic (part of the Women Veterans Program).

Visiting Angels provided information

on Senior homecare.

The Abilities Fair offered 49 Federal employees the opportunity to learn from

representatives of the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and

DoD’s Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP). The event was planned to get

people thinking ahead of October’s Disability Awareness month. The theme this year was

“Changing Perceptions #Inclusion Works” and our Council wanted to deliver a positive message.

All discussion revolved around strategies and resources for recruiting, hiring, and retaining

people with disabilities/targeted disabilities.

Diversity Council Co-Chairs for the

Abilities Fair (right to left): Tisha Hammond and Zenia Turner with John

Sanders from DoD’s CAP program.


The FEB, the local Department of Veterans Affairs’ EEO Office, and VA HQ’s Office of

Diversity and Inclusion partnered to present a two-day event titled: World Café – Conversations

on Race Relations. 88 representatives from six Federal agencies and Wayne State University’s

Labor Studies attended the four sessions for supervisors and employees. The focus was to

effectively address their agencies’ most important challenges and opportunities as it relates to

their workforce. The sessions were held in a café style setting that encouraged collaborative

conversation.

World Café – Conversations on Race Relations participants included

representatives from the VA, TSA, FDA,

and Wayne State University’s Labor Studies.

Dr. John Fuller, Dept. of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Diversity and Inclusion is third

from right.

▬ Recruitment

55 local and national vacancy announcements were shared with the FEB membership, as

well as summer intern information and Executive Level Detail opportunities. These are shared

to ensure exposure to a diverse and qualified talent pool. Local job fair information is shared

with our membership throughout the year as well.

Intergovernmental and Interagency Collaboration and Community Outreach

▬ Community Involvement

The FEB partnered with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to

assist the residents of Flint, MI during the water crisis identified in early 2016. FEB member

agencies and People Driven Credit Union, collected 500 cases of bottled water, 79 five-gallon

containers and 60 one-gallon containers of water for the residents of Flint’s public housing units.


Michael Polsinelli, Director, HUD Detroit Field Office (top far right) and HUD employees

preparing to deliver donated water to residents of Flint’s public housing units.

HUD Advisor Lindsey Reames, Office of the Secretary, Flint Unified Command Group

addressed the FEB on progress and concerns in Flint regarding the water crisis. The Flint

Federal Executive Association (FEA) hosted affected Federal agencies and a representative from

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss how Federal employees are affected at

work and at home.

The FEB encouraged participation among Federal agencies in the “Feds Feed Families”

food drive during the summer months. Our Federal community collected and delivered 12,073

pounds of food to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan and local food

pantries.


The FEB coordinated four blood drives in the Federal building where we are housed,

collecting 108 units of blood. This blood has the potential to help 320 local area hospital patients.

We recruited area health care providers to do blood pressure tests at some of the blood drives for

all employees.

▬ Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)

Gwen Bingham, Major General, US Army Commanding TACOM LCMC, agreed to be

the 2015/2016 CFC Chair and motivated Southeastern Michigan Area CFC donors to give

generously. $1,751,397 in pledges was collected.

Volunteers from HUD, TSA, and the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

provided seven Federal employees to assist the Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC)

review 2016 CFC applications. The LFCC Chair Dennis Kennedy, US Postmaster Warren,

supervised the review of 195 applications from local charities. OPM Office of CFC Operations

publishes the criteria for determining eligibility for all charities.

In FY 2016 we worked closely with our Principal Combined Fund Organization (PCFO)

to oversee the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) in compliance with OPM regulations. The

FEB Executive Director completed the annual “LFCC Report on PCFO Compliance” for the

2014/2015 campaign, as required by OPM, on behalf of the LFCC. The LFCC participated in

the annual CFC Workshop to learn about upcoming regulation changes and upcoming mergers

when the new CFC Rules are implemented. The FEB hosted a charity fair in the P. V.

McNamara Federal building, and donated excess t-shirts from prior campaigns to CFC charities

that provide shelter to the homeless in metro-Detroit.

▬ Interagency Relations

The Detroit FEB met monthly and conducted two full board meetings in FY 2016. In

October, 2015, the J. D. Dingell VA Medical Center hosted us. A representative from the VA gave a

presentation on the upcoming National Veterans Golden Age Games co-hosted by the VA and the

Detroit Sports Commission in July, 2016. We toured their facility and learned about what they do

for the veterans in metro Detroit and beyond. The April meeting provided an opportunity to hear

about current legislative priorities by Senior Senate Liaison Corri Wofford from Senator Gary

Peters’ office, and Green Initiatives from the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer Christine Harada.

We also heard an update on the Flint water crisis from HUD Advisor Lindsey Reames, Office of the

Secretary, Flint Unified Command Group. Reports from the Diversity Council Chair, and the FEB

Treasurer were also given.


The 2016 National Veterans Golden Age Games (NVGAG), were held in Detroit in July,

2016 and were sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Detroit Sports

Commission. The National Veterans Golden Age Games is the only national multi-event sports and

recreational seniors’ competition program designed to improve the quality of life for all older

veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. The FEB assisted the

Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit volunteers for this event. 11 agencies answered the call to

provide volunteers that made up just a part of the total 7,780 volunteer hours dedicated to the games

over four days.

NVGAG volunteers from the Office of

Special Counsel: L-R (in white t-shirts)

Front row: Eleni Goutis, Joshua Fireman,

Efi Valiotis, Megan Anderson and Chris Tall

in back row.

Veteran athletes in blue t-shirts were

Charles and David.

FEB volunteers Debbie Ouvry and Michelle

Rhodes worked at the Shuffleboard

competition and took this shot of two

competitors.


During FY 2016, the FEB office received calls and emails from partner agencies that

wanted help to promote their events, announce job vacancies, assist their employees, secure free

training room space, etc. Our reputation is solid as a means for agencies to help each other and

share resources. We promoted: DEA’s National Take Back Prescription Drugs Drive (for safe

disposal); Public Service Recognition Week; Passport Day; Domestic Violence Awareness; and

EPA’s Federal Green Challenge. Several member agencies sought our help this year to dispose

of excess furniture and equipment, and other members took advantage of the offers. We also

helped members connect with agencies that are willing to share their training space for no

charge.

The Detroit Federal Working Group (DFWG) is the Obama Administration’s initiative to

intensify Federal engagement to support Detroit’s economic and community recovery. The

DFWG delivered information to the FEB about the recent project highlights and the proposed

work activities for 2016. Of special interest was the City of Detroit’s Summer Youth

Employment Program and FEB members were encouraged to hire youth from the program. In

FY 2016, the Department of Housing and Urban Development was able to participate in this

program. DFWG members are hoping that the FEB membership can help keep some of their

initiatives moving forward in Detroit during the next administration.

The FEB coordinated a Health Fair during Open Season so that the Federal Employee

Health Benefit providers could provide information to employees. For the first time, the FEB

hosted a Wellness Fair in July, 2016 to share information in advance of Open Season. Nine

healthcare providers attended the Wellness Fair at the P. V. McNamara (PVM) Federal building.

Health Alliance Plan (HAP) provided massage chairs and massage therapists, and blood pressure

checks. BCBS of Michigan provided sun damage assessments, static strength assessments, and

Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings. We also hosted FEHB representatives for four hour service

visits during the year.

The Executive Director supported Federal agencies in the Flint area through their FEA.

Chair Tim Tarczynski and Michelle attended the 2016 FEA Employee Recognition event that

recognized 14 outstanding Federal employees.

▬ FEB Network Participation

The FEB Annual Strategic & Operational meeting with OPM, Federal Executive Board

Chairs and Executive Directors took place in August, 2016 in Washington, DC. Michelle

Rhodes and Tim Tarczynski attended on behalf of the Detroit FEB.

The FEB Executive Director attended the 2016 Chicago FEB Multi-State Congressional

briefing in August, 2016. 19 Federal agencies briefed representatives from Congressional offices

in the Great Lakes region. The Detroit FEB would be willing to host this event here in the

future.

“Many Hands Make Light Work” was stated often this year. A heartfelt thank you to

everyone for making our work “light”, and the Detroit FEB successful . . . it was a very good

year!

ANNUAL REPORT - feb.gov · Detroit FEB Annual Report Fiscal Year 2016 1 Fiscal Year 2016 ANNUAL...

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