As our nation continues to struggle with issues of racial inequality, we are called upon to think about our own roles in making improvements as an agency, both for our employees and our customers. This summer, National Archives employees throughout the agency engaged in a dialogue on race and our roles in making improvements as … Continue reading Examining and Addressing Racism
Category: Transformation
Let’s Talk! Join me for the Open Government Webinar
Since 2010, we have made significant accomplishments in open government at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). We have published 3 plans and accomplished more than 120 commitments. NARA commitments are even featured in the U.S. National Action Plan on Open Government. But we still need to do more and we need to hear … Continue reading Let’s Talk! Join me for the Open Government Webinar
Declassification Prioritization
The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) recently hosted an open meeting to discuss its recommendations to the President on Transforming the Security Classification System, focusing on declassification prioritization. PIDB continues to advocate for public discussion on the report. This meeting represented opportunities to highlight recommendations from the report, continue the conversation about the current declassification … Continue reading Declassification Prioritization
Solving the Problems of Our Time
On his first day on the job President Barack Obama told his Senior Staff, “Our commitment to openness means more than simply informing the American people about how decisions are made. It means recognizing that Government does not have all the answers, and that public officials need to draw on what citizens know. And that’s … Continue reading Solving the Problems of Our Time
A Tool for Transformation
During the transformation planning process last year, we began using a variety of social media tools to invite staff discussion and participation in transforming the agency. Staff participation has been and continues to be critical in providing new ideas as well as feedback for our transformation initiatives. As we continue to work on transforming the … Continue reading A Tool for Transformation
Culture and Values
Having grown up on the public service side of libraries, I am always on the lookout for examples of organizations and companies who can articulate a service culture. My latest discovery is Zappos.com, founded in 1999 “…with the goal of becoming the premiere destination for online shoes.” Although I have never been a customer of … Continue reading Culture and Values
NARA and the IRS
Charles O. Rossotti was the Internal Revenue Commissioner from 1997 to 2002. In his book, Many Unhappy Returns, he tells the story of “one man’s quest to turn around the most unpopular organization in America.” I’m always interested in reports of “lessons learned” and this is one of the best, especially as I reflect on … Continue reading NARA and the IRS
More Hockey Wisdom
In a February blog post I cited Wayne Gretzky as a strategic thinker—skating to where he thought the puck would be. On Friday night, a young emerging forward on the San Jose Sharks squad, Benn Ferriero, delivered an equally great after game quote. In the first game of the Western Conference Semifinal Series against the … Continue reading More Hockey Wisdom
Developing a Hockey Mindset
Two weeks ago, the San Jose Sharks came to visit the National Archives for a behind-the-scenes tour on their day off in Washington before playing the Capitals. As professional athletes go, they had plenty of interest in our records -- especially the declassified 1930's contingency plan to invade Canada! As you may know from a … Continue reading Developing a Hockey Mindset
Doing More With Less
On Monday, President Barack Obama requested $422,501,000 for the National Archives and Records Administration for Fiscal Year 2012. This is an 8.2 percent decrease from the President's budget request of $460,287,000 for Fiscal Year 2011. The reality is we've got to do more with less. This fiscal situation is not likely an aberration, but a … Continue reading Doing More With Less