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Library of Congress Chapter |
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Personal and Professional Benefits |
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The annual BIG national training conference is considered the highlight of the program year. It brings leaders and experts from around the country to address critical issues of the day that impact on the workplace, as well as such workplace concerns as career development, management training, computer applications, performance and productivity improvement, and equal employment opportunity. Regional training conferences make the national agenda accessible to those who can't attend the national conference. Chapters sponsor workshops, seminars, and symposiums on similar issues and concerns.
Professional Growth and Development
Participation in an active, dynamic BIG chapter program can mean opportunities for leadership development and enhance personal and professional skills. The problem solving skills honed in chairing a committee meeting or coordinating a scholarship program or tutorial project, or participating in a voters registration drive, are the same skills you need to succeed in your government career.
In addition, national BIG helps members to advance their educational skills through a special educational grant program called "Scholarships to Acquire Career Knowledge" (STACK). Under STACK, members are given financial assistance to attend a college or a university in their region.
BIG has also established a partnership with the Howard University School of Business that permits members to attend Howard University at specific off-campus sites in the Washington, DC area.
BIG chapters function as employee support group for employees faced with discrimination and other workplace problems. Most chapters have a standing committee devoted to EEO concerns. BIG has produced an employee development kit, entitled "Winning Ways", which provides factsheets and audiotapes containing tips on dealing with the EEO process, career development, the performance appraisal process and other workplace concerns.
In addition, BIG's national Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Committee is training BIG members to help government workers involved in discrimination complaints. The training is designed to enable BIG members to help victims of discrimination win their cases at the earliest possible point in the complaint resolution process.
BIG also maintains an Attorney Referral Listing to assist members in pursuing discrimination complaints and other legal problems. A cadre of lawyers in each region with expertise in employment law has been identified.
If you're concerned about making a contribution to your community, the BIG chapter can be an effective channel of activity and involvement. BIG chapters participate in a broad range of community causes and become important links in the community organizational infrastructure confronting such problems as drugs, teenage pregnancy, education, and voter participation in the political process. In addition, National BIG provides monetary support to chapters to support specific chapter activities.
BIG membership consists of government workers at the Federal, State and local levels from across the job spectrum, including managers and clerical, police officers and management analysts, architects and computer programmers, and some jobs you've never heard of. You will have an opportunity to meet people who can share valuable information that can help you in the workplace and in the community.
BIG uses all of its avenues of communications to get the word out on available jobs and employment opportunities, i.e. BIGNET, Weekly Update, monthly BIG Bulletin, quarterly BIG Reporter. National BIG also sends recommendations to agencies upon request, based on the availability of candidates. BIG Chapters also provide job referral services as resources permit.
BIG's National Honorary Awards Program gives recognition to members, chapters, regional councils and external individuals, organizations, and businesses for their outstanding contributions to the furtherance of BIG's goals and objectives. Awards for the distinguished service, meritorious service, and special achievement are presented at the annual National Training Conference.
BIGNET: Gateway to the Information Superhighway
The vast, largely unrealized challenges of the Internet represent an avenue of growth and opportunity for BIG members. BIG has purchased a server and has contracted with United States Black On Line (USBOL) to maintain it. The address is http://www.bignet.org/. BIGNET provides a map to those who want to get the most out of the Internet. You can also arrange to have your homepage on BIGNET. You may sign on by calling 1-800-USBOL95.
BIG's advocacy role is an important one. Nationally, we speak out on issues that impact on government employees and join with other national organizations on critical issues. We testify before the Congress on various issues crucial to the advancement of equal opportunity in government. We correspond with the President whenever there's an issue we feel should be brought to his attention. Chapters carry out similar activities with state legislatures, city councils and local agencies.
Each chapter receives a Weekly Update on current program developments and issues from the national President that they share with the membership. The Update helps BIG stay on top of fast-moving issues as a national organization, and to respond as necessary in support of its objectives. The monthly BIG Bulletin is sent to each member to keep them abreast of relevant program developments, issues of interest, and membership activities. The quarterly BIG Reporter explores issues in depth and presents pictorial coverage of BIG activities around the country. These publications also appear in BIGNET.
Many members find that the real benefit from joining BIG is the personal empowerment that comes from unity. Being able to promote one's personal and professional agenda through an effective organization is an invaluable opportunity for people who want to make a difference.
And making a difference is what BIG is all about!
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