Federal Executive Boards Release Annual Report for FY 2018

The Federal Executive Board (FEB) National Network has produced an annual report detailing the groups’ achievements during FY 2018. The Boards connect strategic partners across federal, state, and local government to facilitate cooperation on various initiatives. This year’s report focused on three primary issue areas: emergency preparedness, employee safety, and security; workforce development and support; and strategic partnerships.

According to the annual report released by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), 28 FEBs from areas within which 795,345 federal civilian employees are employed worked on the three strategic goals throughout 2018.

On emergency preparedness, employee safety, and security, FEBs hosted 14 emergency preparedness exercises with over 1,200 participants and 78 training workshops with over 7,000 participants.

The FEBs also provided operating status information and reported 66 operating status changes to OPM. These status changes reflected real world events such as active shooters, gas explosions, hurricanes (Gordon, Lane, Nate), ice, championship game parades, protests, sleet, snow, street closures, the Super Bowl, tropical storms (Olivia), water main breaks, wildfires, and winter storm/weather.

On workforce development and support, FEBs provided training opportunities to 31,300 federal employees at an estimated cost avoidance of more than $9.7 million. FEB-sponsored Alternative Dispute Resolution/Shared Neutrals programs also boasted the successful settlement of more than 236 cases, resulting in an estimated cost avoidance of more than $14.9 million.

On strategic partnerships, combined federal campaigns in FEB areas collectively raised $45.7 million for charity organizations and produced 59,621 hours of volunteer service pledges.

Across the 28 FEB areas, federal employees contributed more than 13,403 hours of community service and coordinated the donation of over 185,206 pounds of food throughout the year. Blood drives hosted by FEBs provided local hospitals with more than 1,293 units of blood.

The reports notes, “FEBs continued to demonstrate that through active membership and leadership coordination, Federal agencies reduced duplicative efforts and achieved increased efficiencies. FEBs serve as a valuable resource to advance Administration and Agency initiatives outside of Washington, DC.”

Acting OPM Director Margaret Weichert noted in a memo announcing the report, “Federal Executive Boards (FEBs) serve as catalysts for intergovernmental communication, coordination, and collaboration across the Nation… Through convening these interagency forums, the 28 FEBs are significant contributors to advancing the President’s Management Agenda outside of Washington, DC.  Initiatives supported by the FEBs promote the Workforce of the 21st Century, improving mission delivery, customer service, and stewardship of taxpayer funds.”