Do you know who this member is?  Charter Member #36! Someone who knows the value of being a GA Chapter Member!  

NEWS YOU CAN USE

By Tammy John, CPPB

GANIGP Vice President

NIGP Region V Chapter Relations Representative

Do you benefit from networking with fellow Procurement professionals?  Do you enjoy meeting new people?  If you responded yes, then boy do we have some opportunities for you!  Not only can you achieve both of these objectives, but you will have fun at the same time.

The members of the Georgia Chapter of NIGP are a unique group of professionals that possess endless talents and knowledge.  We would like to “tap into your resources” to make our chapter even better.

Our new website is up and running at www.ganigp.org and provides numerous contact information for your questions, suggestions, and comments.  Please make sure you log in and explore the new look and information posted for you.  If you have questions that are general in nature, just shoot us an email at info@ganigp.org  We want your input as we prepare for another great year of educational offerings, networking opportunities, and just plain fun get togethers.  We can’t wait to hear from you…get started brainstorming now and we’ll see you December 3^rd at Calloway Gardens.

As you may know by now GGPCPE committees are off and running.  Exhibitors are beginning to register and fill booth and island spaces.  What the GGPCPE needs now is YOU, GANIGP Member volunteers, to get involved and help get vendors registered to participate in the most advantageous showing in the Southeast.  March 20-21, 2011 will mark the 25^th anniversary of the Georgia Governmental Purchasing Conference and Products Exposition, and GANIGP members know this is the Chapter’s most lucrative opportunity of the year.  You may ask yourself how this show benefits my Agency.   That is easy…by being exposed to up to 200 vendors wanting to help save tax payer’s dollars and do business in the State of Georgia.  In addition, as a Procurement professional you will have educational and networking opportunities that will benefit you for years to come.  Don’t miss the chance to help our Chapter grow financially in order to give back to the Members in ways such as Grants/NIGP Educational Classes/Sponsorships/Buyer and Manager of the Year awards, just to mention a few benefits.   As a Chapter Member and if you are looking for areas of recertification points, or you want to become more involved with the Chapter’s operations, or are interested in volunteering to work on a GGPCPE committee please check the Chapter’s website www.ganigp.org and contact that Committee Chair; we need your help. 
Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Respectfully,
Donna Kindon, 20212 GGPCPE Chair

2011 Forum

Debra Brewer, Esq., DeKalb County Government – having fun at the Forum and meeting a very important person (!)  Would you like to attend Forum, gain exceptional professional development (as well as fun)? The 2011 deadline is past for Scholarships & Awards but it’s never too early to start planning for 2012 – thus the 2013 Forum could be on your calendar – check out the website for more details---

NIGP:  The Institute for Public Procurement

As announced at the 2011 Form, NIGP has adopted a new tagline – The Institute for Public Procurement.  This statement states who they are while reaffirming NIGP’s position as the go to resource in public procurement. Note the top of this newsletter – we’re already touting the change.

Who Should Procurement Report To? And Does it Matter?

Donna Kukarola, Procurement Director, Forsyth County, Ga

Have you ever asked yourself this question?  I have.  And I’ve had many interesting answers and results from research.  In the Government arena many times Purchasing (not Procurement) reports to the Finance Department.  In Corporate life, not so often and actually rarely.  For years Purchasing has been thought to be an arm of Finance – but really?  I don’t think so, we do need to be aligned and work together but diametrically we have a different philosophy.  If you think about it “low bid” is really a Finance thing – Procurement wants “best value” thus not always just the low price.  Then there is the separation of duties, if you report to Finance, where is the defining line of request, research, order, receipt and payment?   Finance is the central point through which all revenues, disbursements; budget, debt and investment portfolio items are channeled.  Procurement is the central point for which solicitation regulations/laws, purchases, contract management, vendor relations, analysis and ensuring proper receipt and disposal of goods is channeled.  Again, the departments must work closely together and should work strategically together – but should remain separate departments to ensure transparency, separation of duties, and controls.  They should be equal partners at the table. 

I have made some generalizations in the above (space restrictions!) but it is my opinion that we should endeavor to continue to show the value that Procurement brings forth as a separate department and not an arm of Finance. (Note: in my jurisdiction Procurement reports to the Controller/Finance Director – and we have had this conversation)