Friday, May 6, 2022

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

Washington, D.C. - May 6, 2022 - (The Ponder News) -- The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), the premier organization representing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments, is proud to announce the theme for the observance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2022: "Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration". This year's theme is a continuation of the "Advancing Leaders" theme series which began in 2021. In 2022, "Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration" further highlights FAPAC’s efforts in advancing leaders in the Federal and DC governments.

Collaboration involves two or more individuals, groups or organizations actively working together to accomplish a task or achieve a goal. Collaboration at its core, requires leadership. Collaboration improves team dynamics, enhances problem solving leading to increased innovation, process efficiency, improved communication, and ultimately overall success.

Collaboration across federal agencies in making decisions supporting and advancing leaders is essential to developing and retaining key talent at the leadership level. It also allows agencies to cultivate a sense of unity as they set and maintain a set of core values and goals for federal leadership staff. Embracing collaboration to advance the most promising individuals to leadership and management positions also demonstrates to all federal employees that they too should embrace collaboration within and across their subset of departments.

Organizations that are led by leaders who have been supported and advanced through collaboration foster transparency. This transparency allows for a culture of openness and trust, which further fosters diversity and inclusion, a variety of opinions and a robust discussion of ideas and approaches, which are all the foundational traits of a thriving organization that is at the forefront of leading change.

In addition to retaining the most talented leaders in the federal government and creating an environment of transparency, this type of collaboration across agencies sparks innovation in organizations due to the diversity of creative ideas and openness for dialogue and understanding.

FAPAC invites all employees of the Federal and DC governments, as well as veterans, to the 37th National Leadership Training Program (NLTP) taking place at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia from May 9-13, 2022. The FAPAC NLTP is a reputable training program for public servants that delivers high-quality workshops, networking opportunities, and practical strategies for personal and professional development as it relates to the 2022 theme. During this week-long training, FAPAC will also recognize public servants with the presentation of the Civilian Awards, Uniformed Services Awards, and a $5,000 Distinguished Public Service Scholarship Award. The NLTP will host a free career exhibition and development programs for Current Students, Recent Graduates, and Veterans interested in public service.

The FAPAC National Leadership Training Program (NLTP) aligns with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requirements as an appropriate training for the Federal workforce in accordance with 5 U.S.C. Chapter 41 and 5 CFR 410.404.

FAPAC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that supports the interests of AANHPI employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments. Since 1985, FAPAC has been committed to its mission of promoting equal opportunity and cultural diversity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders in public service. FAPAC encourages the participation and advancement of AANHPIs in the government workforce.

May is National Nurses Month!

To all the nurses in our daily lives, The Stuff Gazette HONORS you!

We know how hard you work, and how invaluable you are. We would like to show our appreciation by helping you to honor National Nurse's Month!

Here are some great links to help you celebrate!

  • American Nurse's Association

  • You Make a Difference

  • The National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists

  • Duke School of Nursing

  • Tuesday, March 22, 2022

    HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION

    Washington, D.C. - March 22, 2022 - (The Stuff Gazette) -- U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace (R-SC), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Karen Bass (D-CA) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) have announced the introduction of the Human Trafficking Prevention Act. This bipartisan legislation will require the posting of the contact information of the National Human Trafficking Hotline in the restrooms of all U.S. airplanes, airports, trains, train stations, busses and bus stations so that any victim, or anyone who notices a potential victim of human trafficking, knows who to reach out to for help.

    Human Trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 24.9 million people around the world. In 2020, 10,583 situations of human trafficking were reported to the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline involving 16,658 individual victims. Due to the nature of this crime, instances of human trafficking are underreported making it difficult to identify those who are in danger. As a result, human traffickers often use the transportation systems to perpetrate this heinous crime.

    “Human trafficking is a horrific crime that takes place often right in plain sight. This legislation will help victims identify where help is only a phone call away. I was shocked when I found out that 28 people faced charges after a raid by an undercover child sex crimes sting right here in my own backyard of Goose Creek, S.C.,” said Rep. Mace. “Sadly, we saw a 15 percent increase in human trafficking in South Carolina last year. This bipartisan legislation will connect victims with the help they need.”

    “A phone call can save a life and stop an individual from being trafficked at their most vulnerable moment. But, to make that call, you need to know who to call. The National Human Trafficking Hotline does lifesaving work to stop human trafficking and provide support to victims, and we must spread their information as far and wide as possible,” said Rep. Jeffries. “I am proud to have worked with Reps. Issa, Bass and Mace to introduce this important legislation to post the contact information of the hotline across our nation’s transportation infrastructure.”

    “Human trafficking is a crisis in every corner of our country, and the victims of this scourge need our support and deserve our commitment to fight back every way we can,” said Rep. Issa.“The Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022 is a step in the right direction, which I hope is only the beginning of a new and lasting commitment to comprehensive enforcement and education measures from a unified Congress.”

    “Human trafficking in this country should be taken extremely seriously. When it comes to combatting this issue, we have to employ as many different strategies as possible. That includes the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which will help connect victims and potential victims to the help they need at the moment when they might be most vulnerable. I’m proud to cosponsor the ‘Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022’ today and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of legislation,” said Rep. Bass.

    The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a toll-free service connecting victims and survivors of trafficking to critical support and resources. The Hotline provides both a toll-free phone line and SMS text lines which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Help is available in English, Spanish or in more than 200 additional languages through an on-call interpreter.

    Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at: 1-888-373-7888, TTY: 711, Text: 233733

    Contact your U.S. Representative today to support the bill by clicking HERE, entering your zip in the box on the upper right side of the screen to find your representative and sending them an email. Tell them to support the Human Trafficking Prevention Act, introduced on March 22 by Representative Nancy Mace and others.

    Thursday, February 24, 2022

    February 24, 2022 is National Chili Day!

    Who doesn't like chili, especially when it is chilly outside!

    NATIONAL CHILI DAY
    Source: nationalchiliday.com
    February 24, 2022
    It is fitting that we celebrate National Chili Day every year on the fourth Thursday of February since there’s nothing better than enjoying fiery fare during one of winter’s coldest months.
    Read more...

    Celebrate National Chili Day the Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ Way with Dickey’s
    Source: Yahoo! Finance
    February 24, 2022
    “We’re very excited to put a spotlight on our one-of-a-kind chili and barbecue creations,” said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “There’s nothing better in the winter months than a warm serving of delicious chili and mixing that with our Texas-style barbecue is an unbeatable combination. Dickey’s has options to satisfy every member of your crew, and we look forward to celebrating this longtime Texas-favorite dish with fans this week!”
    Read more...

    Saturday, January 15, 2022

    January is National Walk Your Pet Month!

    January is National Walk Your Pet Month.

    Check out Doobert for tips on walking your pets!

    The American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Founded in 1884, the AKC® and its affiliated organizations advocate for the purebred dog as a family companion, advance canine health and well-being, work to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership.

    They have just offered an article called "3 Ways You Might be Ruining Your Dog's Walk"

    Check it out