Highlights in the November Issue:

Upcoming Events  

Conferences
NASPO How to Market to State Governments Meeting
March 20-22, 2016 (Atlanta, GA)

Registration opening soon!


Webinars
Visit our YouTube channel to view NASPO webinars
Participants "Wiggle" at the Western Regional Conference

NASPO was excited to welcome over 70 procurement professionals from the western region states to Long Beach, California and the 2015 Western Regional Conference, November 1-3. From the kick-off, the event was a dynamic and thought-provoking experience with members sharing their insight and experience on procurement issues most important to western states.

Jennifer Martin, opening Keynote speaker, really elevated the energy in the room by having participants "wiggle" before she settled into her presentation on work/life balance, noting how much relaxation and focus the simple moves provide. Not waiting until they return to work to use the tactic, participants took this message to heart making sure they wiggled, moved and showed their enthusiasm for sessions throughout the conference!

With the history of the Western States Contracting Alliance, cooperative procurement and inter-state collaboration are a big area of interest and NASPO ValuePoint was on hand to answer questions, share updates on where the cooperative is headed and encourage more states to get involved.

Other sessions and elements of the conference were designed to facilitated dialogue among participating states and maximize the benefit of bringing so many diverse procurement professionals together. Table discussions and facilitated conversations on topics like State Procurement Reform, training, green purchasing, LEAN methodologies and technology systems provided a highly-engaging and informative learning opportunity for members!

Submission Deadline for
2015 Professional Development Funds
Thursday, December 10 at 2:00 pm EST*

*any submissions received after the deadline will be paid from 2016 funds.

You're Invited! NASPO Webinar: "Public-Private Partnerships: A Tale of Two States"
Save the date for Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015 (1:00 - 2:00 p.m. EDT)  to participate in a very informative NASPO webinar:  Public-Private Partnerships: A Tale of Two States!  

The webinar will be featuring distinguished speakers from South Carolina and Kentucky.
The webinar will showcase two solutions for the implementation of Public-Private Partnership (P3) at the state level. The speakers will discuss unique P3 projects for construction and IT infrastructure, with the latter being the largest P3 technology project in the US. The presentations will highlight each state experience, financing tools used in each state, benefits, challenges and lessons learned. 

Stay tuned for registration information.

Don't miss this FREE NASPO professional development opportunity which counts as
1 contact hour towards your UPPCC certification or recertification!

Contact Elena Moreland at emoreland@naspo.org if you have any questions about this webinar.
Cronin Web Series presents Minnesota's MMCAP Data Analytics System
Wednesday, November 18th (1:00pm - 2:00pm EST)
Presenter: Rose Svitak, MMCAP Knowledge & Financial Business Manager from the Department of Administration Purchasing Division in Minnesota

Please join us for the first webinar of this year's Cronin Finalist Web Series. Our first presenter will be Rose Svitak from the State of Minnesota presenting on their Silver Award winning submission, Minnesota's MMCAP Focus Data Analytics System. 

The Minnesota Multistate Contracting Alliance for Pharmacy (MMCAP) is a 48 participating state consortium that spends nearly two billion dollars on pharmaceutical and other related healthcare. With such a large amount of spend, the need for quick & efficient custom reporting became an essential need, so they implemented the new MMCAP Focus data analytics system. This cloud-based comprehensive business analytics system has enhanced reporting and enabled MMCAP to make more data driven procurement decisions.

All Cronin Finalist Webinar Series attendees are eligible to receive a certificate of completion credit. To receive credit, one must be present for the entire duration of the webinar.

To participate in this webinar,  REGISTER   now.
Did you know that you now have quick and easy access to your NASPO Network inbox? Next time you log in to the NASPO Network look for the envelop icon by your profile picture to see what messages you may have missed.
Get to Know the NASPO Staff
Molly Marsh, Programs Coordinator
Name:  Molly Marsh

Title:  NASPO Programs Coordinator

Year started at NASPO:  2015

Brief description of current role:  As Programs Coordinator, it is my privilege to work alongside NASPO members to transform identified priorities, educational needs and great ideas into high-quality programs for the Annual Conference, Regional Conferences, How to Market to State Governments Meeting, Leadership Academy and Law Institute.  

Education:  Bachelor of Arts from Transylvania University, Lexington, KY

Fun Facts:  I'm a baking junkie and I volunteer for an organization that decorates and donates cakes for families of children with serious illnesses.

Most memorable NASPO event so far: Probably the Off-Site dinner at the Southern Regional Conference - it's not every day you are serenaded by candlelight in an 18th century, historic landmark!
Procurement University Updates
Attention CPPO and CPPB Fall Test Takers
Are you or one of your colleagues planning to take the CPPO or the CPPB exam in May 2016? NASPO is launching a new study group opportunity designed to help you prepare for your exam. 

Study groups are now available at no cost through the Procurement U Online Learning Management System (OLMS) to help any state procurement professional who is preparing for a UPPCC exam through. The easy to use study group format will allow you to interact with others preparing for the exam.

The study group will provide participants with access to an online community to:
* share ideas on discussion boards
* attend webinars
* access to test prep documents
The study group for spring test takers will be available from November until the test dates in May. Additional study groups are anticipated for NASPO members who are planning to take either exam in Fall 2016.

The study groups are hosted on the Procurement U Online Learning Management System (OLMS). See below for additional log in information.
Log in to Procurement U Online Learning Management System (OLMS)
* Username: Your state email address or the email you use to log  into the NASPO Network
 
* Default pass word: welcome

You will be prompted to change your password as soon as you log in. If you are not a NASPO member and would like access, please click "Sign up here" to create a profile.

For more information on the examination process visit http://www.uppcc.org/. For helpful exam preparation tools check out the Certification Webpage on the NASPO website. 
NASPO's mission is to help our members achieve success as public procurement leaders in their states through promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies.