NCSSMA NOW!
26
NOV
by Amy Evenson
The last two fiscal years have had their share of difficulties and challenges. Each of us has learned or been forced to become more resilient during the pandemic. Each step of the way, management jumped into action to cover the things that needed to remain constant and continued to move our staff and agency forward.
As we begin a new fiscal year, it is important to take stock of the positive outcomes the agency has experienced during this time.
The agency has made significant automation advances over the past 18 months. The pandemic forced SSA to quickly shift focus and implement changes that directly impacted service delivery:
by Rachel Emmons, NCSSMA Washington Representative
Earlier this year, NCSSMA had the honor of being invited to provide testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance during the hearing titled, “Social Security During COVID: How the Pandemic Hampered Access to Benefits and Strategies for Improving Service Delivery.” While the hearing was publicized in announcements and press releases, webcast by the Committee, and open to view by the public, many activities and actions took place behind the scenes before, during and after the hearing. This issue of the FrontLine blog provided by NCSSMA’s Washington Representative Rachel Emmons is intended to provide NCSSMA members with some sense of what goes on in the background when we are invited to testify during a Congressional hearing.
1
MAR
by Joe Deaton
We have heard all the adjectives to describe 2020. Terms like “unprecedented” are used so often they lose their impact. This time last year, most of us were well into our plans for the fiscal year, assuming it would be similar to the last.
When we first began working from home, I thought it would be a short-term precaution; a few weeks later and we could be back at work. Almost ten months later, it does not seem as “unprecedented” as it once did.
10
DEC
by Rick Warsinskey
NCSSMA Members,
One of our National Past Presidents, Don Seatter, passed away on November 24, 2020. Don served as NCSSMA President from 1995 to 1997 after serving as Vice President for two years and President of the Atlanta Region Management Association (ARMA) for three years.
by Rick Warsinskey
This year has been, and continues to be, challenging for not just our country, but the entire world, due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. NCSSMA was set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in Spokane, Washington in August. Like many organizations, NCSSMA made the difficult decision to put all of our plans and meetings on hold. NCSSMA has a rich history, including its mission of advocating for the highest level of public service.