The Oregon state employee news., January 01, 1959, Page 6, Image 6

GUEST EDITORIAL
By WARNE H. NUNN
Administrative Assistant to Governor Hatfield
Governor Mark O. Hatfield, in his inaug­
ural address, stressed these facts: that we
must make our state government more man­
ageable, more efficient, more economical;
a nd , p e r h a p s
less openly, he
stressed t h a t
g o v e rn m e n t
m ust be m ore
re s p o n s iv e to
th e w ill and
needs o f our
state's citizens.
To maintain
th e proper de­
gree of respon­
siveness neces­
sary to accom ­
p lis h th e f ir s t
three listed ob­
je c t iv e s , th e
Governor and his staff must be equally sen­
sitive to forces stemming from w ithin as well
as w ithout state government, and they must
be adept at w innow ing the chaff of prejudice
and profit from the wheat of validity of any
recommendation.
Often the most self-serving recommenda­
tions are the most ably and palatably pre­
sented. This is true whether or not the recom­
mendation stems from w ithin or w ithout state
government. In order to provide for the ac­
ceptance of only that which is good, it is
vital that we have in te r-c o m m u n ic a tio n
among state agencies so that the most ; in­
formed thinking is available before decisions
are made.
In keeping w ith this concept, Governor
Hatfield has initiated periodic meetings w ith
the administrative heads of state agencies.
Each of these staff meetings w ill be attended
by agencies having similar interests and ob­
jectives and the number of persons attend­
ing w ill be kept to a minimum since they are
intended to provide for a free exchange of
ideas leading to the development o f im prov­
ed policy and the accomplishment of closer
coordination of programs w ith one o f the
final objectives being the achievement of
more economy in state spending.
The goals established in the inaugural
w ill not, however, be obtained only by the
Governor, his staff, and the d e p a rtm e n t
heads. Even more importantly, the degree to
which this program is successful w ill be de­
pendent upon the interest the state employes
take in it. Past experience has indicated that
state employes w ill w illin g ly respond to w ell-
directed and well-led programs. We are con­
fident that the programs which w ill be out­
lined in the m o n th s ahead w ill be well
w orthy of the active participation o f state
employes and consequently w ill gain their
ardent support.
The policy of Governor Hatfield's admin­
istration w ill, at all times, be to provide all
necessary and desirable services to the citi­
zens of Oregon as simply, conveniently, and
economically as possible.
Each issue of this publication w ill feature an editorial from one o f Oregon's Department or Agency Directors
explaining services or other matters of interest to State Employees and other readers o f the Oregon STATE
EMPLOYEE News.
1959 Public Affairs
Program Announced
The University of Oregon has announced
that fellowships for full-time study will be
awarded again to two state employees for
the school year, beginning Fall Term, 1959.
State employees who have had respon­
sible professional or administrative experi­
ence and have a bachelor’s degree, or its
equivalent, are eligible.
The program outlined has gained the
endorsement and fiscal support of the Ford
Foundation. The stipend awarded by the
University is $4,000 for each of the two
candidates selected.
) According to Melvin Cleveland, Acting
PAGE SIX
Director, State Civil Service Commission,
a Statewide policy on educational leave with
pay has been developed for this program
by the Commission, with the approval of
the Director of Finance and Administration.
Candidates selected may receive up to one-
half of their monthly salary, not to exceed
a maximum of $300 per month, up to 12
months.
Cleveland said, “The-program will con­
sist of study and research under the super­
vision of the Political Science Department
of the University. It is not a series of
courses, but rather a flexible educational
experience and carefully planned.”
Application for giaduate award may be
secured. from the Civil Service Training
Division, Room 102, Public Service Build­
ing jn Salem not later than March 15, 1959.
"GREAT DECISIONS"
STUDY GROUPS BEGUN
Oregon’s 400 “Great Decisions” study
groups started their 10-week public affairs
series January 25, with the first two weeks
devoted to Oregon history and potential
growth for the future. Forestry, agriculture,
and Oregon’s $400 million annual export-
import trade are among topics reviewed
with an eye to the future; The following
eight weeks will be devoted to the study
of foreign policy issues, with fact sheets
prepared by the Foreign Policy association,
a non-profit, non-partisan, educational
agency. Information on organization and
study materials is available from local
county extension agents as well as county
“Great Decisions” councils.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1959