WHAT IS THE PHILADELPHIA REGION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION ?

The Philadelphia Region Management Association is an organization of field and teleservice center management in the Philadelphia Region operating as a group to enhance and improve the overall operation of the Social Security program. It is an additional avenue of communication to both Regional and Central Offices. It serves all management personnel within the Philadelphia Region in conveying constructive ideas and comments on proposed changes to the Regional and Central Offices. It is a formally constituted non-profit organization, with bylaws, and is recognized by the Social Security Administration as one of the important lines of communication within the agency. We are a member of the National Council of Social Security Management Associations.

WHAT DO I GAIN FROM MEMBERSHIP ?

As a member of the Philadelphia Region Management Association, you have an opportunity to express your views on items that concern you. We have an excellent professional relationship with the Regional Office. They are responsive to our thoughts and suggestions. They regularly solicit our comments on issues of regional and national interest, including our views on drafts or transmittals on policy and operating changes. Our comments and our position papers, as well as Regional Office replies, are shared with the members. You will receive copies of minutes of the regional meetings and meetings with Regional Office.

The National Council, which is comprised of the National Officers and the Regional Presidents, meets regularly with CO. You will also receive copies of the National Council’s executive committee meetings with Central Office. The National Council publishes an electronic newspaper, "FrontLine" that reports on the activities of all the regions, as well as various happenings of the National Council. This is distributed to all our members. The NCSSMA also has a website at www.ncssma.org.

The National Council has retained a firm to provide us with professional representation on legislative matters having an impact on our members, both as SSA managers and as Federal employees. The firm has extensive contacts in Congress and provides our members with frequent legislative updates via the NCSSMA website. They also present our concerns to congressional staffs and arrange for our officers to testify before committees having oversight on issues affecting our members.

Our national president regularly testifies before various committees, and presents our viewpoint professionally and candidly.

WHY WAS IT ORGANIZED? WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES ?

For many years somewhat singular lines of communication with the Regional Office hampered the field operations staff. It was recognized that some additional avenues for consultation were needed. The Regional Management Association was then formed in 1971 to serve as the "unfiltered voice" in expressing management ideas, interests, and concerns. Among Management Association objectives are to foster the highest standards of professionalism, promote the establishment of policies that best serve the public interest in fulfilling the mission of the Social Security Administration, and to advance constructive and realistic management views in all areas affecting the administration of the Social Security program.

HOW DOES THE PHILADELPHIA REGION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OPERATE ?

The Philadelphia Region Management Association Council’s governing body is composed of two delegates from each area and the five elected officers of the association. The immediate past president of the association is also a delegate of the Council. The officers of the Association consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and TSC Representative and are chosen by the Council. Members within their respective areas elect the two Area delegates. Members of the Council usually meet with the Regional Commissioner two to three times annually. The ARC MOS and/or other Regional Office representatives attend these meetings depending on the subject matters of concern. Minutes of the meetings are electronically mailed to the general membership. Management Association viewpoints are presented to the Regional Office staff between meetings by correspondence and telephone.

HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE YOUR CONCERNS?

There are six Areas within the Philadelphia Region, and each has two Area delegates elected by the members of that Area. Feel free at any time to contact your Area delegates or any other individual on the Executive Committee by telephone or in writing to express your feelings and concerns. When annual meetings are held, you can and should attend and participate. These methods are ideal ways for you to ask questions that you may not otherwise have an opportunity to ask. You also can make suggestions about operations and management items.

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SECURITY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATIONS ?

In 1970, field management of the New York and Boston Associations felt input was necessary at the national level on some of our issues. Invitations were sent to field office management throughout the country inviting them to a meeting in St. Louis. From this meeting grew the National Council which now represents all the regional associations. The National Council has an official professional relationship with Central Office. The National Council meets annually in October or November, at which time four delegates can represent each association. Each delegate has an equal vote, and the group elects the officers who will serve on the National Executive Council for the coming year. One delegate from each region, along with these officers, meets quarterly to discuss business of national concern. They usually meet in Baltimore so they will also be able to meet with individuals in Central Office, e.g., the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, and Associate Commissioners. The National Council does not govern regional associations, they are entirely independent. It does, however, act as the voice of the associations at the highest levels in the agency. The National Council has several committees that meet during the year on an as needed basis. Often, members of the regional associations, in addition to executive committee members, work on these committees. The Social Security Administration funds the National Council at its formal executive committee meetings. All other funds needed for the National Council are from dues paid on a per capita basis by the member regional associations.

HOW DO I JOIN THE PHILADELPHIA REGION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION?

Membership is open to all field and teleservice center management in the Philadelphia Region. Dues are reasonable, and are payable by payroll deduction. We have also extended associate membership to employees in Regional Office and Area Director offices. To join, simply complete the enclosed membership application. You will be immediately added to our mailing list and receive a copy of the Regional Constitution and bylaws.

JOIN NOW AND LET US HEAR FROM YOU !