IPS Guest Speakers

During the September session of the IPS Leadership Academy we had several guest speakers. Tom Ballard talked about the history of IPS. Victor Ashe discussed his career at the local, state and federal levels of government. Joe Johnson told us how IPS was originally formed in the early 1970s. President Simek discussed the important role of public service in the university mission (and he talked about his archeology research!)

Finally, one of the most memorable speakers ever was "Ranger Mike" from the National Park Service. If you get a chance, as your colleagues about the BEAR JAM!

We have amazing resources available to us.

President Joe DiPietro

Friday the UT Board of Trustees elected Joe DiPietro as the next president of the University of Tennessee. Joe has worked at three major land grant universities and has a particular passion for the service mission of the university. You may recall that Joe also served on the IPS Review Task Force that looked at our organizational structure last year.

Joe will be an advocate for IPS and the work we do serving Tennesseans. You will get an opportunity to meet him soon.

"Eight Simple Truths"

"Tuesday Morning Coaching…Eight Simple Truths to Boost Your Career and Your Life" is a book about Ryan Harris, a successful manager who is burned out and tired of working hard, but going nowhere.

Ryan discovers that the simple truths of success can be found all around us, as he learns success strategies from a firefighter, teacher, receptionist, football coach, golf pro, cab driver and, of course, his mentor. He also finds that the solutions to his most challenging problems are often common sense principles such as:

• No Matter What…accept responsibility and move forward
• And Them Some….give more than is expected
• Consider it Done…do what you say you will do
• Above All Else…hold fast to your values
• Knowledge is Power…Read, Listen, Observe and Learn
• and many more

If you are interested, this might be a worthwhile book to read.

MPA Students

In September IPS, in partnership with the East TN Chapter of Public Administration, hosted a reception for all Knoxville Master's in Public Administration students. Several first year students along with a number of second year and doctoral students attended. All of them are eager to network with professionals and, of course, they are looking for internships. We have hired a number of graduates including Macel Ely and Erin Ketelle. Please look for opportunities to work with our students!

IPS-Wide Committees

We are currently forming several committees. If you are interested in participating, please let your agency director know.

IPS Awards Process Review- chaired by Pat Hardy. We need two representatives per agency.

IPS Annual Conference Planing - chaired by Judie Martin. We need two representatives per agency.

IPS Employee Relations Committee - several agency representatives are rotating off this year. We need individuals who want to be active in improving the work environment across IPS.

Get involved!

IPS on Oprah?

Yes that's right! Never in my 25 years at IPS would I have ever guessed that IPS would be involved in anything that would attract Oprah producers, especially in the 25th and final season of her show!

Nevertheless, in September Hank Dye was contacted by producers at HARPO Productions regarding an upcoming segment on "Celebrities and Their Dream Jobs". Who knew television star Angie Harmon wants to be a real life CSI?

In less than one week from the initial contact, we had negotiated the terms, arranged the schedule and shot the segment! A film crew arrived Tuesday, September 27 in Oak Ridge (along with Angie). She was filmed spattering blood, among a number of other investigative techniques.

Nathan was out of town at the Leadership Academy, so Don, Mike and Robert graciously agreed to take on this tough assignment. Although none of them had a speaking part when the show aired September 27, Robert did make the show!

Congratulations to a job well done!

Avoid “Routine” Meetings

I received this advice recently from "Walk the Talk":

Meetings are expensive propositions. They cost time and money, and too often produce poor results. So, don’t fall into the “perpetually scheduled meeting” syndrome – where you’re having meetings just because meetings are regularly scheduled (aka: meeting for meeting’s sake). Make sure every meeting is absolutely necessary. Routine meetings are not a good investment unless they fulfill, or move forward, your objective.

Car Safety

IPS staff drive thousands of miles per year all across Tennessee. Safety is always a concern. Here's a safety tip regarding frontal air bags that I received from the Oak Ridge National Lab:

Between 1987 and 2008 frontal air bags saved more than 25,000 lives---and injured many drivers and passengers who didn't know how to protect themselves from their explosive force. To optimize your safety in a crash, follow these simple steps:

* Sit upright with your back against the seat and feet on the floor with at least 10 inches between the air bag and your chest.

* Tilt the steering wheel toward your chest instead of your head and neck. Avoid tilting it toward your abdomen if you are pregnant.

* Slightly recline the driver's seat to increase your distance from the steering wheel if you are smaller than average.

* We don't transport children while working, but while on personal travel, place children under 13 in an appropriate child restraint system in the rear seat. If you must transport a child younger than 13 in the front seat, be sure to turn off the bag.

Most importantly, remember that air bags do not replace properly worn seat belts or child restraint systems. Always wear the lap belt snugly under the abdomen and low across the hips and make sure the shoulder belt crosses the collarbone and chest, not the neck.

For more information visit

this safety web site.