The Best Practices and Opportunities Committee (BPOC) met by conference call on
May 8, 2008. Six members participated. Our agenda included potential new members, scheduling conference calls for the next year, and updates on our 2008 goals.

Potential new members:
We reached out via email to all members who showed interest in joining the BPOC at the Annual Conference (including a list of people provided by Joe). We are happy to report that we have 4 new committee members!

Schedule of BPOC conference calls: Calls will be held on Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET on the following dates:
July 10, 2008
September 11, 2008
November 6, 2008
January 8, 2009 (as needed)
February 12, 2009 (replacing the March call due to the Annual Conference)

Update on 2008 Goals:
Best Practices Manual/Wiki-

Committee members agreed with Richard Toth’s suggestion that we include the executive summary of Project Streamline’s, Drowning in Paperwork, Distracted from Purpose document as part of the BP Manual.

It was confirmed that the committee and all of those who worked on the updated manual will get to read the final version before it goes to COF for publication or before the Wiki goes public.

Adin Miller and Michelle Greanias are currently researching platform options for the wiki (vendor, we host it ourselves, etc.) and thinking about some of the business decisions that would go with a wiki (what if any limitations there would be on editing, who would insure content veracity).

The committee also had suggestions of things to think about moving forward, including how might iapps and/or GiGi tie in with the wiki? How can we ensure continued alignment with Project Streamline and the Best Practices Manual?

In addition, the point was raised about the original plan to ensure the wiki was made available to folks who had bought the hard-copy of the Best Practices Manual. If we have the wiki info prior to distribution of the Manual, maybe we can incorporate that into the book in the form of flyer or shrink wrapping, etc.

There was also a conference call on June 16, 2008 regarding publishing a hard copy of the Manual along with a Wiki – or exploring the possibility of just doing a Wiki Version.  The participants on the call were Stephanie Duffy, Bonnie Rivers, Michelle Greanias, and Kelly Kleppe.   Michelle Greanias will discuss options with COF over the next few days and Bonnie Rivers and Stephanie Duffy will contact the BPOC and the additional members who worked on the manual after they receive an update from Michelle on her discussions with COF.  More information on this topic and the conference call and recommendations to the Board will be provided in a separate memo.

Certification- (update provided by subcommittee co-chairs Chad Gorski and Joe Behaylo)

Conference Calls since April 2008 board meeting:
4/22/08 – Discussed outcomes of annual conference session and board meeting with Joan Knapp and discussed what was needed to further inform the Board’s decision for moving forward. 
5/21/08 - Reviewed Job Practice Analysis and Body of Knowledge Methods document from Joan Knapp.
6/11/08 - Catch-up session with Michelle Greanias, reviewed Comparison of Various Validation Methods document from Joan and sketched a report to the board. Both of the above-mentioned documents will be summarized as an attachment to a Recommendation to the Board memo.

Activities and Accomplishments since the annual conference:
The subcommittee finalized and posted Market Research Report in GiGi. Joe Behaylo and Joan Knapp spoke to Jim O’Sullivan regarding steps taken during development of Staffing Grants Management publication. Joan's Job Practice Analysis and Body of Knowledge Method document was reviewed and two of the methods were eliminated from consideration. The remaining three methods were cost estimated. Michelle Greanias was briefed on the work completed so far and the options for moving forward. The subcommittee will draft a Recommendation to the Board memo for the June meeting.  

Newsletter Material-

The BPOC agreed to provide content for each GMN Newsletter. As soon as the work plan for the Newsletter is developed by the new Editors of the Newsletter, Bonnie will send the deadlines to the committee.