October 2017 Issue of State Academy News
SAPA'S SCHEDULE OF EVENTS POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE

We have posted our full schedule of events on https://stateacademy.org/joj/  We are still working on a speaker or two, but please mark your calendars with the dates that have been posted.  We look forward to your participation. 

Our next event is a practicum about using the financial tool AnalyzeNY and will take place on Wednesday, October 25th at the State Office Campus, Building 5.  Pre-registration is required.
CATHERINE DURAND JOINS THE SAPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Catherine Durand was unanimously approved by the SAPA Board of Directors for an interim appointment to our Board. She replaces a Board member who recently resigned and will serve for the remainder of the term.  Catherine retired from the  New York State Division of the Budget where she held the position of Deputy Director .  Prior to returning to the Division of the Budget, where she previously worked for over 20 years, Catherine was the Deputy Chief Information Officer at the NYS Office for Technology and a Deputy Commissioner at the State Department of Agriculture and Markets . We look forward to using her experience and insight to continue to move SAPA forward. 
ROCKEFELLER INSTITUTE PUBLISHES CONCON GUIDE

The Rockefeller Institute of Government has published a 72 page guide New York's Constitutional Convention.  Last year SAPA and the Institute partnered to hold a kick-off Candid Conversation that covered the background and framework for a Constitutional Convention. A description of the Candid Conversation can be found on the Institute's Event Page.
SAPA FELLOWS IN THE NEWS

SAPA Fellow  Robert (Bob) Attmore was recently inducted into the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers ( NASACT ) Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.  Bob is a former deputy comptroller for the New York's Office of the State Comptroller and a former chair of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.  The Hall of Fame was conceived "...as a way to honor those who have made major and enduring impacts on state government financial management..."  Congratulations Bob on your outstanding achievements and your induction into the NASACT Hall of Fame.

A recent article in UAlbany Magazine featured a profile about Ryan Nobles who is a CNN Washington correspondent.  Nobles is a 2005 MPA graduate of Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy. In the article, Ryan mentioned that he recalls former Schenectady County Manager and longtime SAPA Fellow Robert (Bob) McEvoy "...as one of the best professors he had at Rockefeller College."  "He'd challenge us, asking tough questions about how elected officials make difficult decisions.  He really opened my eyes to how important government is."  Bob continues to work tirelessly to educate people, young and old, about the value of good government.  Nice work Bob!

We want to expand recognition of SAPA Fellows' professional achievements, so if you have news that you would like to share about yourself or another Fellow, please let us know at [email protected]
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?

Two local events that may be of interest to you will focus on the issue of climate change. 

Note that the first event is this Thursday

This forum is sponsored by Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and is a part of the College's  Leaders in Public Service Series.  It is titled, " Is Climate Change the Paramount Public Policy Issue of the 21st Century?"  The discussion will be led by two  Obama-era EPA Regional Directors; Judith Enck and Curt Spalding on T hursday, October 19 from  4:30 - 6:00 p.m.,  Milne Hall, room 200 (UAlbany Downtown Campus). http://www.albany.edu/rockefeller/climatechange.shtml .

The second event is being offered by Rockefeller Institute of Government and is titled, " Passing the Buck: How the Federal Government's Abdication of Responsibility on Climate Change Creates Leadership Opportunities for States" on Tuesday, October 24, from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, 411 State Street, Albany, NY. The forum will feature a discussion with Richard Kaufman, New York's Chairman of Energy & Finance. This forum is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited. To RSVP, please contact Michele Charbonneau at (518) 443-5258 or at [email protected]. 

We hope you will be able to join one or both of these important discussions.
MARIA

During SAPA's last newsletter we acknowledged the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey to the people of Texas and other Gulf Coast communities. While those communities continue to rebuild, Hurricane Maria has decimated Puerto Rico.  Our hearts and thoughts go out to all of those impacted by Hurricane Maria and who lost loved ones because of this unprecedented storm. 

We hope that you won't forget about the people who continue to be challenged by the destruction through support of efforts by the Red Cross and other organizations that are assisting the rebuild efforts. A shout out to the first-responders and other public servants and NGO staff who are working tirelessly to bring some sense of safety and normalcy back to the lives of the citizens of Puerto Rico. 
DUES ARE WAY OVERDUE

A handful of Fellows have not yet paid their 2017 dues. We've made it much easier with a credit card payment.  You don't even need an envelope or a stamp!  So if you haven't yet paid your $30 dues, please do so now. Don't risk losing your membership.  This is the last call for 2017 dues. Thank you!
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