By Scott Oldendorph C.P.M.

When you look and listen to society today you start to see a pattern developing of people forgetting the basics of how to conduct themselves. In these difficult times, I feel it is time to reacquaint ourselves with the high standards of conduct that are set forth by our organization to serve as a cornerstone to our professional purchasing career.

NAPM has adopted in January 1992 some principles that purchasing professionals should live by:

 1. Avoid the intent and appearance of unethical or compromising practice.
 2. Demonstrate loyalty to the employer's lawful instructions.
 3. Refrain from activities that create conflict with employer's interest.
 4. Refrain from soliciting or accepting monies or gifts from suppliers.
 5. Handle employer or supplier information with care considering ramifications.
 6. Promote positive supplier relationships in purchasing cycle.
 7. Refrain from reciprocal agreements that restrain competition.
 8. Know and obey the letter and spirit of laws governing the purchasing function.
 9. Support small, disadvantaged and minority owed businesses.
10. Discourage purchasing's involvement of employer personal purchases.
11. Enhance the purchasing profession through current knowledge and high ethics.
12. Conduct international purchasing within laws, customs of foreign countries.
 
 

By Russel Reed C.P.M.

Twenty miles north of Tucson is a $200 million dollar structure that is a one of a kind research center. This complex originally was constructed with private funds and no federal, state, or local government assistance of any kind. Funds were provided by a Fort Worth Texas billionaire, Edward P. Bass. After a disappointing start the facilities management was taken over by Columbia University. Under the management of Columbia University, the property is now being used to study the environment and to study the feasibility of prolonged space travel.

The mission of Biosphere 2 under the direction of Columbia University is four fold:

 1. To serve as a center for teaching, learning and research about Earth and its systems;
 2. To catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future;
 3. To be a key center for Earth education and for outreach to industry, government and the general public.
 4. To focus public attention on the issues related to Earth systems, planning and management.

Dr. Tony Burgess will be our guest speaker for this event. Dr. Burgess has been involved with the Biosphere project for the past fourteen years; he designed, assembled, and manages the desert ecosystem portion of the Biosphere 2. With Dr. Burgess' past experience on the Grand Prairie, Western Cross Timbers of Texas, and the Vizcaino region of Baja California, his design of the desert ecosystem is authentic and a credit to the Biosphere 2 complex.

The facilities themselves are impressive, enclosing 7,200,000 cubic feet behind glass sealed walls along with a 900,000 gallon ocean. The structure is a marvel of engineering and planning. The opportunity to see and experience one of man's most ambitious projects will be worth our time. Even in our busy structured lives, we're looking forward to seeing you there.
 
 

Welcome New Members

 

These members bring our total membership to 144 regular, 2 Life, and 33 associate.
 
 
 

Name _________________________________________________

Company ____________________________ # Attending_______

Phone #________________________________________________

Preferred
Entree(s) _______________________________________________

Is Now the Time for Global Sourcing?
By Elliott Chaitt

Over the past decade global sourcing by United States businesses has increased at a rapid rate. The strong U.S. dollar may make it appear that this is a good time to source overseas. But the precarious state of the economy of some foreign nations, particularly Russia and Pacific Rim countries, suggests that caution be exercised in sourcing in those countries.

The danger is that U.S. businesses may be attracted by the bargains that may be available because of favorable exchange rates and rush to source in a foreign country without performing the research and other preliminary steps required. U.S. companies with experience in sourcing overseas who have established relationships with foreign suppliers are probably in a better position to profit by the exchange rate advantage. But U.S. businesses with such experience who believe that sourcing globally is no different than purchasing from domestic suppliers should beware! This is true particularly where buyers are unprepared to buy from foreign sources. One of the more sobering moments for a buyer who has never had any experience in global sourcing is to be told that they must purchase an item in an overseas market.

If this does happen the first action should be to contact the Global Resources Committee chairperson of your NAPM affiliate. You may be put in touch with a purchasing professional who has experience in buying from the country in which you are interested. To help get you started, there is an NAPM study course that provides a basic background in global sourcing. The " Importation Resource Guide" is a convenient source for locating international freight forwarders, importation consultants, customs brokers and government offices involved in the importation process.

The " Checklist for Evaluating Foreign Suppliers" can be useful in selecting a foreign supplier. Early next year this checklist will be the subject of an Educational Resources presentation. These aids and tools are available to NAPM members at no cost. Some of them are available from NAPM through Fax on Demand (900/446-6276) or via the NAPM World Wide Web Page.

What's the DNA?
By Ralph L Long, C.P.M.

In thinking about this month's newsletter article, it occurred to me that some of you may wonder what is the DNA? Most of you know what the position of President, Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary, encompasses but what is a DNA?

Well... Basically the Director of National Affairs is an affiliate board member and a member of the district council. The main function is to communicate the affiliate board's concerns to the district and the national organization and to carry the information from them back to the local board. This is done primarily at the three district council meetings held each year, in various parts of the district frequent correspondence and numerous telephone conferences. The DNA gets to know other DNA's throughout the District and frequently network's problem or concerns. It's a great position for moving beyond the local affiliate level. This is my third year as the DNA for our Southern Arizona affiliate, so next May the position will be available for a volunteer. If you are interested, let me know. It's going to be an interesting couple of years for the DNA's with NAPM's governance study coming to a conclusion in the September of 1999. Recent topics of discussion have been the dues increase, CPM/APP certification changes, membership categories, name change issue, and the various NAPM Board issues. If you have any questions about what NAPM is doing or the DNA position, let me know. See you at the next meeting.