Lab publications garner 20 Society for Technical Communication awards
Laboratory publications received 20 awards in the recent Society for Technical Communication's Kachina Chapter 2001-2002 Technical Art and Technical Publications competition. Of the awards, the Laboratory received the Best of Show Award in Technical Publications for the Los Alamos Science issue on the challenges of plutonium science.
The same issue also received an Award of Distinguished Technical Communication, as did two other Los Alamos publications, said Judy Prono of Communication Arts and Services (IM-1). The Award of Distinguished Technical Communication is the highest award the Society for Technical Communications issues, Prono said.
The Cerro Grande Fire book and the publication, "The Laboratory in a Changing World: A Los Alamos Chronology," also received Distinguished Technical Communication awards.
The reports and technical art were produced by a number of IM-1 and other Laboratory employees, said Prono.
The awards were given recently in Albuquerque.
Each year the STC sponsors competitions for technical publications; technical art; and online communication products, such as World Wide Web pages. This year, the Kachina Chapter of New Mexico received 87 art and publications entries from California, Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
The three entries that won Distinguished Technical Communications awards have been submitted to the Society for Technical Communication's international competitions. Judging for the internal competitions will take place in March and April, with winners announced at STC's 49th annual conference in Nashville, Tenn. in May.
Lab publications receiving an Award of Excellence in Technical Publications included "Out of the Ashes: A Story of Natural Recovery" and "For the Seventh Generation: A Report to our Communities, Vol. 4."
Awards of Merit in Technical Publications were given to the Lab for "Employee Handbook: A Guide for Working Safety and Securely," "The Actinide Research Quarterly" and "LANSCE Division Technology Review: Protein Crystallography Station."
In the technical art competition, the Lab received six awards of Excellence in Technical Art:
The Laboratory also received five awards of Merit in Technical
Art:
A complete list of the award winners can be found at http://int.lanl.gov/im1/stc01.shtml online.
For more information, call Prono at 5-8383 or write to jprono@lanl.gov by electronic mail.
--Steve Sandoval
Spot award program helps recognize top Lab performers
Laboratory managers have a new avenue to give on-the-spot recognition to University of California employees who do something special to support their organization.
Last fall, Laboratory management implemented the Spot Award Program, which recognizes Lab workers who contribute significantly to the mission or values of the organization but aren't eligible for normal incentive awards programs. Spot Awards recognize accomplishments that are more limited in scope and duration of time than accomplishments acknowledged by the Los Alamos Award Program, according to the Human Resources (HR) Division.
The Spot Award program was piloted in the Threat Reduction Directorate last year.
"The TR directorate established a small-scale awards program for those 'pat on the back' events, when we wanted to take note of the many special contributions that help TR in its mission," said Don Cobb, associate Laboratory director for threat reduction. "Sometimes that's recognition for a major effort for an important visit, and sometimes it's just for being the person who consistently helps a group or division get through the daily hurdles in a more effective way. We value our people and wanted more ways to show them our appreciation."
Awards will be non-cash gift certificates in $25 increments, with a value of up to $75 per award. The award program is managed at the division or group level depending on the division's preference.
The award criteria for the Spot Awards will be developed by each division/directorate and will reflect Laboratory values. Examples of situations where Spot Awards may be used include when an employee produces exceptionally high quality work under tight deadlines, demonstrates exceptional courtesy or responsiveness in dealing with customers or colleagues or comes up with an original and innovative resolution of a critical issue.
Any employee can submit a nomination to their group or division leader through the organization's internal process for a Spot Award. The Spot Award can be given to employees at any time during the year.
To read the Spot Award master management memo go to http://int.lanl.gov/memos/MasterManagement/MM1506_ADS1662.PDF online (Adobe Acrobat Reader required). For more information regarding the award criteria, eligibility and the nomination process, go to http://int.lanl.gov/worklife/benefits/awards/spotawards.shtml online.
--Shelley Thompson
Online scam aimed at tax filers
Internal Security (ISEC) is encouraging all Laboratory workers to be aware of a fraudulent scam being conducted via electronic mail.
The Internal Revenue Service alerted the Department of Energy about the scam in which a few taxpayers across the nation have received an electronic mail message from a non-IRS source indicating that the taxpayer is under audit and needs to complete a questionnaire within 48 hours to avoid the assessment of penalties and interest. The e-mail refers to an "e-audit" and references IRS form 1040. The taxpayer is asked for Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and other confidential information, according to the IRS alert.
It is important for everyone to know that the IRS doesn't conduct e-audits, nor does it notify taxpayers of a pending audit via electronic mail. This e-mail is not from the IRS. Taxpayers shouldn't provide the requested information; this may be an identity-theft attempt.
Laboratory workers who receive an e-mail of this nature - the source may be the address blesstheday.com - should contact a local Internal Revenue Service office.
For more information contact ISEC at 5-6090.
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