CSC, OPM hold strategic planning retreat

Civil Service Commission chair Herman Deleon Guerrero address retreat participants. (Contributed Photo)

Officers and employees of the Civil Service Commission and Office of Personnel Management recently participated in a joint retreat at the Coral Ocean Golf Resort.

“It was very challenging and difficult but a very worthwhile learning experience,” said commission vice chair Felicitas “Tee” Abraham. “We had all of the commission and the key staff of [OPM] sitting down together in a planning session for the very first time ever. I recommend that all boards and commissions, with their key staff, undergo this exercise.”

The commission sponsored the three-day retreat, Nov. 16-18, to conduct a strategic planning session. Both the commission and OPM worked to review and revise the commission and OPM’s joint statements of their mission, vision, and values. The group then took their guidance from these statements and analyzed their internal and external environments to develop a strategic projection, with goals and objectives for the upcoming three-year period. The strategic planning session was facilitated by commission consultant Frank Gibson.

Commission chair Herman R. Deleon Guerrero cited their accomplishments to include the end of the regulatory freeze on promotion and reallocation of salary increases, working with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres to improve the compensation of civil service employees, and developing an updated civil service salary schedule, soon to be on the governor’s desk for his approval. He also emphasized the intent to continue to work closely with the Legislature and the governor on behalf of civil service employees.

“Our goals and objectives as commissioners are numerous and the matters that we face range from the simplest to the most complex. Nonetheless, with commitment and the willingness to serve, we will strive to achieve our goals and objectives,” he added.

Acting governor Victor Hocog joined the commission on the final day of the event and met with participants, supporting the intent of the retreat and praising its accomplishments.

Commission board members are Deleon Guerrero, Abraham; Charles M. Calvo (Saipan), Arsene M. Borja (Tinian), Catalina L. Tebit (Saipan) and Valerie Q. Apatang (Rota). One commissioner position for Saipan remains to be appointed by the governor. (PR)