Telling Uncle Sam What’s What

On Saturday, April 25, 2009, President Obama announced that he wants feedback from the government employees to help make Recovery.gov a success. "We'll put the suggestions that work into practice. And later this year, I will meet with those who come up with the best ideas to hear firsthand about how they would make your government more efficient and effective."

A site that collects the ideas submitted by government workers is http://thenationaldialogue.org. On the site individuals can register and submit their ideas on how to effectively spend the stimulus money and what changes need to be made. It is interesting to see the different topics that spring up as well as the conversations that these ideas spark. Many have multiple comments suggesting minor adjustments to the original idea.

In addition to The National Dialogue.org, another site for government workers has emerged. Social media sites have been popping up a lot lately and are designed for use by anyone and everyone throughout the world. Within each site, there are groups that people can join and find others within their field or that share common interest. There are many sites that are designed for the government, not just miscellaneous groups. Govloop.com is a site where only four types of people can join: government employees (federal/state/local/international), public policy students and professors, a good government organization, or a government contractor with good intentions.

Similar to Facebook, Steve Ressler’s GovLoop provides those that work with the government a social networking community of support and information. It brings together others that understand the value of working for or with the US government on a regular basis. Currently, the site is buzzing with activity from a recent announcement made by President Obama. One of the posts discussing President Obama’s decision links to a website that asks government employees to list all their ideas. The site is packed with topics and lengthy discussions that deserve a look; it is interesting to see how those with an inside view think the government should change.

These two sites are examples of how the current government is promoting transparency and how the cooperation of the government workers will eventually fix the kinks within the operating system. "Federal employees have a lot of good ideas about how to do the work better and are eager to work with the administration to improve their agencies’ service to the American people," said Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union. GovLoop provides a community for employees to connect with each other on a more personal level, which might help them overcome differences in the work place and solve bigger problems. The National Dialogue offers employees an opportunity to finally tell upper management what they would change and the multiple comments only support their ideas.

If you’re interested, Gateway to Government is a GovLoop member! Find us today at: http://www.govloop.com/profile/LauraGuthrie