NYS Forum Executive Committee Meeting

The NYS Forum, Inc. Executive Council Meeting
CEC, Huxley Theatre, Albany, NY
February 12, 2010

Minutes

Welcome/Call to Order - Adam Gigandet - The meeting was called to order at 8:35 am.

Introduction - Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, NYS CIO and Director of the NYS Office for Technology, outlined the CIO/OFT initiatives to meet the challenges for 2010. CIO/OFT is working closely with the Office of Taxpayer Accountability to increase efficiency and drive down costs to taxpayers. Several IT initiatives are underway to help New York meet the challenges they face during these difficult financial times. A new IT governance model and enhancing IT procurement practices are among those being reviewed. The second annual NYS Information Technology (IT) Year in Review Report for 2009 is available online and highlights the innovative use and deployment of technology throughout the State to provide citizens, businesses, and visitors with high quality government services. To view Dr. Mayberry-Stewart's presentation to the NYS Forum, visit http://www.cio.ny.gov/assets/documents/it2009yir-2.pdf

Presentation - Alan Lebowitz, Executive Director, NYS Office of Taxpayer Accountability - Mr. Lebowitz provided an overview of activities underway to save taxpayer dollars, eliminate waste, and increase transparency. OTA is working under Governor Paterson's directive to stretch taxpayer dollars as far as possible. Over the past few months, the State has realized approximately $27 million in savings by cutting wasteful spending and leveraging the state's buying power.

Acceptance of January Executive Council Minutes - Adam Gigandet - Duane Averill made a motion to accept the January Executive Council minutes as submitted. Peter Hilton seconded the motion which was unanimously carried.

Secretary/Treasurer's Report - Leslie Brennan - Agency membership has been received from Teachers' Retirement, Thruway Authority and Dormitory Authority.

Work Group Updates - Visit the web for complete updates

IT Accessibility - Estelle Council - Over 100 people are registered for the session Creating Accessible PDFs, scheduled for February 25. A repeat of the session, Writing for the Web will be held on March 8. Accessibility and Emerging Technologies Work Groups are collaborating on a Web 2.0 white paper.

Business Continuity - Ken Mason - The 3-day training session, Essentials of Business Continuity Management, was very well received and was represented by 14 state agencies. This free training would typically cost $1,500 per individual.

ITCR - Leo Pfohl - Greg Benson met with the private sector co-chairs of the Cloud Computing Work Group and DoITT recently. Plans are underway for a session in late spring. Representatives from the Statewide Financial System will present at the ITCR meeting scheduled for February 26.

Emerging Technologies - Duane Averill - The Work Group is coordinating efforts of utilizing Web 2.0 technologies. The call for presenters was extended. The Work Group meets next on March 12.

IT Greening - Peter Hilton - A WebEx event, Practical Examples in Satisfying Goals for PC Energy Reduction, was held at The Desmond on February 4. The Work Group continues to grow ideas for future sessions and would appreciate hearing additional ideas and suggestions.

IT Procurement - Peter Chynoweth - IT Debriefing Roundtable session is scheduled for February 25.

Project Management - Jon Haverly - The Work Group continues to collaborate with other work groups on Web 2.0 initiatives. The joint session with the IT Skills Development Work Group was very well attended and received. The next PM COP session is scheduled for March 18.

Security - Joe Lynch - Work Group participation is growing. Work continues with CSCIC on the emerging trends and threats webcast, Web 2.0 and security metrics.

Small/Medium/Local Government Agencies - Mike Barry - March 4 begins a 5-series Strategic Planning Collaborative Session which will focus on the development of a strategic plan. The Work Group is seeking presenters with expertise in this arena.

IT Skills Development - James Nicol - The Work Group is planning sessions for late March and April, with a focus on creating a community of practice and development of a list of disciplines. Monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. Member participation continues to increase.

Webmasters' Guild - Jim Costello - The February meeting was a coordinated effort with the IT Accessibility Work Group and featured Jeff Bennett, demonstrating the use of social media tools and how the visually impaired use those tools. The March meeting will feature Brian Hart presenting on vital signs for application development. The Work Group regularly has 75 people in attendance.

Organizational Updates:

OFT - Terri Daly - Thanks to the agencies who completed the survey. The final results will be published on the web. The March Forum Executive Council meeting will feature the CIO/OFT annual report.

CTG - Tony Cresswell - The CTG engagement with the CIO Council continues. Thanks to those involved in the social media project which is coming to a close. A report will be forthcoming. Work has begun on phase 5 of working with OCFS to roll out laptops to child protective workers and their supervisors. This last round will be a statewide effort and will take a year to complete. CTG has submitted a proposal to the National Science Foundation for in-depth research on mobile technology. We received a request to address federal initiatives facing local government and how those initiatives are a cause of concern for state and local government. Please contact CTG if you have suggestions, issues or concerns about federal initiatives that are a source of concern to your agency.

Meeting Adjourned 9:55 am.

Present: David Barbagelata, Kevin Baxter, Wayne Benjamin, Greg Benson, Kathryn Bohacek, Claire Bradt, Leslie Brennan, Corinne Brennen, Brenda Breslin, Art Brown, Rebecca Buchner, GirkCakmak, Kevin Carpenter, Peter Chynoweth, Joel Conklin, Andrew Corona, Jim Costello, Estelle Council, Tony Cresswell, Steve Cumoletti, Terri Daly, Ken Damato, John Druke, Mark Dubuc, Jim Duncan, Julie Evans, Leigh Favitta, Wendy Gavert, Jerry Gerard, Anne Greenleaf-Gornbein, Jon Haverly, Peter Hilton, JohnKaldy, Ellen Kattleman, Greg Kline, Michael LaFrancis, Joe Lynch, John Marcellus, Ken Mason, Mike McCormack, Richard Melita, Mark Mitchell, Melissa Morgan, Preetham Morkonda, Nancy Mulholland, James Nicol, Joel Obuchowski, Donna O'Leary, Debi Orton, Leo Pfohl, David Phelan, Ted Phelps, Susan Powell, Keith Puls, Kurt Rask, Barb Remling, Joanne Riddett, Tracy Rohloff, Michael Roizman, Diane Sheridan, Franklin Slade, Steven Spalten, Becky Stegman, Amy Stringer, Bill Travis, Carmella Turpin, Todd Vandervort, Betty Wall, Mike Walsh, Ruth Walters, Jeff Wendth, Bob Wharman