Academy Panel studies Awards and senior-level pay programs at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The National Academy last month released a report on employee recognition 
and compensation programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study involved close collaboration with CDC and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services human resources staff with input from more than 200 employees, managers and labor union representatives.
Led by Fellow John Callahan, the Panel found that CDC has significant competition for talent externally and must manage a mix of federal civil servants with differing pay plans internally. Through its research and collective expertise, the Panel developed its core findings and recommendations across four major areas.
Governing Principles. CDC has taken positive steps—including bolstering its governance structure—but has not yet created operational definitions or a comprehensive set of policies and procedures. The Panel suggested five core governing principles: equity, integrity, transparency, competitiveness and administrative efficiency.
One-Time Cash Awards. There are significant pay plan, occupational, organizational and geographic differences in the number of awards granted and dollars spent by CDC. The Panel recommended that it implement a budgetary and accountability framework, enhance employee communications, expand the use of IT and strengthen, monitor and evaluate the awards program.
Senior-Level Compensation. CDC has moved quickly to secure required expertise using its most flexible pay plans, but some managers were concerned about the case-by-case nature of hiring decisions. The Panel recommended that CDC develop work-based criteria for senior-level pay positions, make greater use of pay authorities and evaluate the optimal role for senior-level Commissioned Corps Officers.
Management System Improvements. The Panel urged CDC and HHS to seriously consider reintegrating the strategic human capital function and human resources operations within CDC, and recommended that CDC examine, strengthen and integrate its data management systems.
Read Managing Compensation and Recognition in a Multi-Pay-Plan Environment
Academy Reviews National Historic Preservation Program
The National Academy has released the first comprehensive review 
of the National Historic Preservation Program. The report of the Panel, chaired by Frank Hodsoll, highlights the far-reaching benefits of historic preservation and recommends ways for the National Park Service (NPS) and other federal agencies to build capacity, enhance performance and strengthen national leadership.
The Panel found the program—a partnership of state and local governments, tribes, property owners and the public sector, working in concert with NPS and other federal agencies—to be a highly successful partnership that is realizing Congress’ original vision. But, increasing workloads strain the resources of NPS and state and tribal preservation offices. The Panel recommended a series of actions to build capacity, enhance performance and strengthen national leadership.
Read Back to the Future: A Review of the National Historic Preservation Program
2008 Call for Academy Fellow Nominations
A pool of Fellows with distinguished experience or scholarship in public administration is fundamental to achieve the objectives and purposes for which the National Academy was created. We ask each of you to identity and recommend candidates of distinction who can contribute to the work of the Academy as it serves to strengthen and improve government at all levels, nationally and internationally.
You may submit or co-sponsor up to five proposed candidates, and seek up to two co-sponsors for each candidate. But, please act now! All candidate recommendations must be received at the Academy offices by close of business on Friday, April 4, 2008.
Click here for more information on election criteria, proposing candidates, Honorary Fellows and more. Contact Lisa Trahan if you have additional questions.
INTERNATIONAL STANDING PANEL WELCOMES president of Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs
At their March 13 meeting, members of the National Academy’s International Standing Panel welcomed Dr. Joel
Rosenthal, President of the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. Dr. Rosenthal provided an overview of the Carnegie Council and approaches for incorporating ethics into the foreign policy of a new administration.
The Carnegie Council, an independent and non-partisan organization, is a leading voice for ethics in international policy. It convenes agenda-setting forums and creates educational opportunities and information resources for a worldwide audience of scholars and students, journalists, international affairs professionals and concerned citizens.
Listen to Dr. Rosenthal speak on the role of ethics in policy making.
National Academy President Nominated to UN Committee
National Academy President Jennifer Dorn recently was selected to serve as a member of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration. The committee is a commission of the Economic and Social Council in the field of public administration and finance, assisting member states to function in an effective and participatory manner. The next meeting of this committee is in April 2008.
Visit the United Nations’ web site for more information and expert profiles
