Dear American Society of Access Professionals (ASAP) Member and Colleagues:

Periodically we have updated you on the difficult situation with respect to attendance at training, conferences and symposia. As you may remember, last year the ASAP president and two board members went to the Hill and helped make the case for needed educational conferences for all government information specialists. Through its association with the American Society of Association Executives, ASAP has continued to “fight the good fight.”

We have some positive news coming out of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), in light of their ongoing efforts. Late last week the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued new guidance to all federal agencies that acknowledges the need for federal employees to attend mission-related conferences and provides some best practices for approving travel and conference expenses. This new guidance adopts many of the best practices suggested in a meetings protocol that ASAE provided to OMB at their request.

While government attendance at conferences is likely to be hampered by sequestration budget cuts, OMB has stated in clear fashion that federal agencies are encouraged to attend conferences that support their agency’s mission.

The OMB guidance can be found here

Thank you very much to all of you who have also voiced your concern. We are pleased that the efforts of ASAP coupled with the association and non-profit communities is beginning to yield some real progress.

Sincerely,
Scott A. Hodes ASAP President 2013-2014