Final Version: 12/14/07

Scientific and Technical Employee Development (STED)
Conference Call October 4, 2007

Committee members:

Meeting Introduction:

• Bob Hainly opened the teleconference and reviewed the agenda. No additions were suggested.
• Bob announced that he will assume the note-taking duties for this meeting.
• Lynn Taylor will serve as Dorrie Gellenbeck’s replacement as the NWIS representative.
• ACTION ITEM – Bob to add Lynn Taylor (rltaylor) to STED e-mail alias

Review of the Action Items Log:

• No comments were received.
• If there are action items that appear to be assigned incorrectly or actions have been completed and not marked so, contact Bob.
• Updates as a result of actions during this call will be added and then Bob will send the updated version out to committee members via e-mail.

Comments on the minutes from the August 2007 meeting:

• Franceska requested that the term “contractor” in reference to OWQ course-conversion work be changed to “Roger Lee, WRD retiree”.
• Bob will delay posting them on the STED web page for a short time to provide an opportunity for those not participating today to comment.

Tuition Policy Recommendation Document - Virginia

• Virginia has agreed to take the lead on developing the committee’s final version of the Tel tuition policy. All suggested edits should be sent to her.
• Alan suggested that the background statement be changed to reduce the severity of the NTC downfall information.
• Virginia suggested that cost and time are the barriers to developing TEL courses.
• Franceska asked what we want the Senior Staff to take away from the policy document and suggested that we should make sure to highlight how we are going to meet the TEL course conversion challenge of lack of time and financial resources.
• Alan said that OED plans are to focus one-half time designer on TEL courses in FY08. Hours available and amount delivered will be based on rate selected for contractor.
• FY07 funding to OED from Bob Hirsch was placed in a Working Capital Fund (WCF). OED is working now on a contract for a designer. Available in early December? The WCF funds will be used for this contract.
• FY07 funding to OWQ from Bob Hirsch was added to the existing contract for Roger Lee. All modules expected in draft form by 12/31/07.
• ACTION ITEM – Virginia will send out the latest draft version of the TEL course tuition fee policy recommendation document for comment. Goal is to have document finalized by 10/26 in case early delivery to Senior Staff is suggested by Steve Blanchard.

TEL Course Tuition Policy Recommendation Presentation to Senior Staff

• Include in the presentation what we have done so far – status report
• DECISION – provide policy recommendation document as soon as possible
• Next SS meeting is October 25 + 26 - 1 1/2 days
• Display available modules of WQ Principles course? – could be available by January 23 meeting
• Request time on agenda in writing (?) to Bob Hirsch, Steve Blanchard, Jody Eimers, Gene Summerhill
• ACTION ITEM – Bob to contact Steve Blanchard for advice on SS presentation

TEL Course Priorities

• ACTION ITEM – Bob to send e-mail reminder – set target date of October 12 for final list of course priorities

STED Committee Face-to-Face Meeting

Last year’s meeting was valuable – provides longer time and more-detailed discussions

1. DECISION – Face-to-face meeting to be held again in FY2008
2. DECISION – meet the week of January 21 at the National Center in Reston to coincide with the next scheduled Senior Staff meeting and allow an opportunity to meet with them

Progress on Regional Course DOI LEARN Catalog Entries

Mike had some difficulties initially, latest course experience was ok

1. ACTION ITEM – Alan/Melanie to send e-mail for STED to Regional Discipline Specialists requesting list of active courses – may need Discipline Office assistance
2. ACTION ITEM – Alan to develop a statement of DOI LEARN registration benefits and a how-to list for regional course coordinators

Status of STED Development Web Page

• Mike has been in contact with Ralph
• Mike will receive any ideas or suggestions for improvement from Committee members
• Mike would like to develop ideas on content
• Lynn suggested setting up a method to post interim documents

Wrap-up

• Draft minutes of this meeting will be distributed for committee review.
• Bob will continue to update action item log and email to STED.

The next conference call is scheduled for Thursday, November 29, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm EST.

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