The NOAA Leadership Seminar

August 27 - 30, 2006
Airlie Center, Warrenton, VA

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):

• How do I register for the NLS?
  
  
• I'm having difficulties with the Airlie Center Online Reservation System. Who should I contact for assistance?
  
  
• I have restricted dietary needs, and/ or require unique accommodations for a medical condition. How do I ensure that my needs will be met?
  
  
• Is lodging available at the Airlie Center for early arrival and/or late departure?
  
  
• Is it a requirement that participants stay at the Airlie Center or can I stay elsewhere?
  
  
• What is the closest airport to the Airlie Center?
  
  
• What are the prerequisites that must be completed prior to attending the NLS?
  
  
• I’m having difficulties accessing or completing the e-learning prerequisites via the NOAA Learning Center. Who should I contact for assistance?
  
  
• What is the start time and end time for the NLS?
  
  
• When is check-in?
  
  
• Where is the NLS being held?
  
  
• What is the dress code and what should I bring?
  
  
• Are guests allowed?
  
  
• Do I need travel orders?
  
  
• Do I need special language on my travel orders?
  
  
• Are telephones and high speed internet available in the lodging rooms at Airlie?
  
  
• Who are the Line & Corporate Office Coordinators?
  
  

How do I register for the NLS?

The online reservation system was open from Monday, July 30, 2007 – Friday, August 10, 2007. Attendees received instructions on how to register via email from Tracy Scott, the NLS Program Manager, on July 27, 2007.

NLS attendees were responsible for registering for a standard conference package via the Airlie Center’s Online Reservation System using their government travel cards. The standard conference package includes lodging on Monday (August 27th), Tuesday (August 28th), and Wednesday (August 29th) nights. Participants complete the checkout process by 1:00pm on Thursday afternoon, August 30th (the day the NLS ends). The standard package also includes all meals starting with dinner on Monday night and ending with lunch on Thursday afternoon. The total cost is $740.25. The daily rate is $235.00 + taxes of $11.75 = $246.75 x 3 nights = $740.25. There were also options in the reservation system to add early arrival (Sunday, August 26th) and/or late departure (Thursday, August 30th with checkout on Friday, August 31st) if needed.

Each Line/Corporate Office has been allocated a set number of slots for the NLS. If you are not available to attend, need to cancel your registration after you make it, or unexpectedly arrive late or leave early, it is very important that you notify your NLS LO/CO Coordinator listed below as soon as possible so that they can offer the slot to another employee.

Please note that your reservation is non-refundable. Your credit card will be charged for the full package cost on the day of your scheduled arrival. You will be charged in the event of cancellation prior to the event, if you fail to attend, if you leave early, or if you arrive late. Airlie is a dedicated conference center and does not operate as a hotel would in terms of cancellations and refunds. Therefore, the cost to attend the meeting is not reduced by shortened stays or missed sessions. You must agree to these terms to complete your reservation.

I’m having difficulties with the Airlie Center Online Reservation System. Who should I contact for assistance?

If you experience difficulties registering, send an email to:   onlinereshelp@airlie.com.

I have restricted dietary needs, and/ or require unique accommodations for a medical condition. How do I ensure that my needs will be met?

The Airlie Center’s Online Reservation System contains a section for attendees to designate restricted dietary needs and/or to request unique accommodations for a medical condition. The staff of the Airlie Center will do their best to ensure that all of your needs are met and that you are comfortable during your stay. If you have additional concerns, please email onlinereshelp@airlie.com or the NLS Program Manager at Tracy.Scott@noaa.gov.

Is lodging available Sunday (August 26th) and Thursday (August 30) nights at the Airlie Center for early arrival and/or late departure?

There are a limited number of lodging rooms available on Sunday and Thursday nights for early arrival and/or late departure participants. These options are generally reserved for participants who are traveling great distances to attend the event. If you are interested in one of these options, please obtain approval from your home office before registering.

Participants who stay over night on Sunday (August 26th) will be provided dinner on Sunday night, as well as breakfast and lunch on Monday. Participants who stay over night Thursday (August 30th) will be provided dinner Thursday and breakfast on Friday morning (August 31st), with check-out on August 31st. The cost per night for either an early arrival or late departure is $246.75 and must be registered for and paid for separately by the NLS attendee on their government travel card via the Airlie online registration system and included on their travel orders. Please check with your home office for approval before you register for early arrival and/or late departure.

Is it a requirement that participants stay at the Airlie Center or can I stay elsewhere?

All NLS participants are required to stay at the Airlie Center for the duration of the event.

What is the closest airport to the Airlie Center?

The Airlie Center is about 45 minutes from Dulles Airport and an hour from Reagan National Airport, during non-rush hours, so please allow extra time to travel to and from the venue. You may rent a car at the airport or take a taxi to and from the venue if you are from out of town.

What are the prerequisites that must be completed prior to attending the NLS?

Participants who plan to attend the NLS must complete the following prerequisites prior to arriving at the Airlie Center:

Written Assignment:

• One page written leadership example to share during a break out group exercise during the NLS: “Leadership in Action: Working Together Across NOAA.”

• NOAA Business Model
• Team NOAA – Putting the Pieces Together
• E-Learning Tutorial for NLS Prerequisites

• FY06-11 NOAA Strategic Plan
  
  
• NOAA Business Operations Manual (BOM)
  
  
• NOAA 20-Year Research Vision
  
  
• NOAA 5-Year Research Plan
  From the NOAA Research Council homepage, scroll down to: Draft 5 Year Plan for 2007-2011.

I’m having difficulties accessing or completing the e-learning prerequisites via the NOAA Learning Center. Who should I contact for assistance?

If you have questions about the NOAA Learning Center, please contact a Learning Center Administrator during the hours of 7:30am - 4:00pm EDT:

Maria Krug, NOAA Primary Administrator, Maria.C.Krug@noaa.gov, 301-665-3766

Stan Lum, NOAA Backup Administrator, Stanton.K.Lum@noaa.gov, 301-713-6312

Adam Santo, NOAA Configuration Manager, Adam.D.Santo@noaa.gov, 301-713-6311

What is the start time and end time for the NLS?

The first session starts on Monday, August 27, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. and the last session concludes on Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 1:00pm. On Thursday only, lunch will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., after the conclusion of the program. Attendees are expected to be in attendance for the entirety of the NLS, from 3:00 p.m. on Monday – 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Flights should be scheduled accordingly to allow for complete program attendance. If you are interested in an early arrival or late departure, please obtain approval from your home office before registering.

When is check-in?

Check-in at the Airlie Center is from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 27, 2007.  The NLS starts at 3:00 p.m. that day.  The first meal available to participants will be dinner on Monday from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.   A light snack will be available from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., but lunch is neither provided nor available on Monday (unless you registered for an early arrival package), so please don't arrive hungry.

Where is the NLS being held?

The NLS is held at the Airlie Center in Warrenton, VA. Information about the center and travel information can be found at the Airlie Center web site . Note that the Airlie Center is about 45 minutes from Dulles Airport and an hour from Reagan National Airport, during non-rush hours, so please allow extra time to travel to and from the venue. You may drive your own car if you are from the area, or rent a car at the airport or take a taxi to and from the venue if you are from out of town.

What is the dress code and what should I bring?

The dress code for the entire NLS is Business Casual.  For NOAA Corps Officers, the Uniform of the Day at the event will be Business Casual for all events per OMAO leadership.  It is suggested that you bring a sweater or jacket as meeting room temperatures may vary. It is also suggested that you bring an umbrella as you will be walking from your lodging to the NLS events. There are walking trails, bikes and bike paths, fishing poles and ponds, an exercise room, and an outdoor pool available for your use during the NLS (weather permitting), so you may wish to bring appropriate clothing and shoes for such activities.

Are guests allowed?

This is a NOAA employee only event. Please do not bring guests. If a participant disobeys this rule, the Airlie Center will charge that participant an additional $125 per day + taxes, which will be that participant’s personal responsibility to pay.

Do I need travel orders?

Each participant will need an official travel order whether you are local to the Silver Spring, MD/Washington D.C. area or from a field or regional office. All meals and lodging at the Airlie Center from dinner on Monday, August 28th through lunch on Thursday, August 31st are included in the standard conference package fee of $740.25.

Do I need special language on my travel orders?

The suggested language below can be modified as appropriate for your travel order/voucher based on the requirements of your Line Office to: (1) authorize for reimbursement of actual subsistence expenses above the per diem rate for Warrenton, VA, and (2) authorize attendees who live or work within 50 miles of the Airlie Center to receive per diem.

“The NOAA Leadership Seminar (NLS) is a four-day residential training program with evening events. The NLS is being held at the Airlie Center (Airlie), and all participants are required to stay at Airlie for the duration of the training program. The Airlie rate of $246.75/day (covers lodging and meals from dinner on 8/27/07 – lunch on 8/30/07) is above the per diem rate for Warrenton, VA. The participant is authorized to receive actual subsistence expenses. In addition, if the participant either lives or works within 50 miles of the Airlie Center, lodging and M&IE is authorized as the participant would be in a combination of work and travel status for 12 hours or more due to the early morning and late evening components of the training program.”

Are telephones and high speed internet available in the lodging rooms at Airlie?

Airlie offers two telephones in each sleeping room. Local, toll-free, and calling card calls are free up to 60 minutes and 10 cents per minute after 60 minutes. Long distance phone calls are 50 cents per minute. It is suggested you use a calling card for long distance calls. Please check with the Airlie Front Desk to verify current long distance rates.

High speed internet access is now complimentary in all Airlie sleeping rooms. If you use dialup internet access in sleeping rooms, there are data ports in each guest room for dial up modem access. Please make sure your ISP number is a local number in order to avoid high long distance charges. Also note that calls lasting over 60 minutes are charged 10 cents per minute after the first hour. To avoid this charge, you can terminate the call before it reaches 60 minutes in length and reconnect after a few seconds. Make sure to disconnect from the web when finished.

Who are the Line & Corporate Office Coordinators?

If you have questions that aren’t addressed on the NLS website, please contact the appropriate Line or Corporate Office Coordinator. Their contact information can be found at:   Line & Corporate Office Coordinators.