Wouldn’t it be great if we could use that list to get suggestions for improvements from all employees? With content analysis by whomever volunteers, or perhaps the FS would give us a grant? Or we could sub to one of the Keystones…
Here’s Andy’s response:
Mason & Chad,
As you may know, FSEEE has the FS employee database on one of our non-governmental servers. Not every employee — about 35,000 — but most. We obtained these data using 100% legal means. We used no government equipment in doing so.
Using this database, we email a complimentary copy of our quarterly newsletter to FS employees. Any employee who wishes is welcome to unsubscribe. Few have done so. Here’s a screenshot of our last newsletter mailing. I suspect these open and click-through rates exceed the Chief’s typical emails to all employees. (I tell you these facts only to demonstrate the apparent usefulness of our communications with FS employees).
Imagine that others enjoyed the same ability to communicate directly with their governmental civil servants. A command-and-control authoritarian bureaucracy would blanch at the prospect. On the other hand, an open organization with nothing to fear would welcome it.
If more people felt connected to our government and its workers, maybe federal employees wouldn’t be the endangered species they’ll become on January 20.
Sincerely,
Andy Stahl
Executive Director
Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics
PS: There is nothing more off-putting to the public than to call (800) 832-1355, which the FS lists on its web pages as its contact phone. That phone number goes to a USDA call center whose operators have never heard of the Forest Service.
1 thought on “Andy Responds to FS Response on Employee Directory”
The “Forest Service Web Team” responded as follows:
On Nov 15, 2024, at 8:50 AM, FS-Webmaster wrote:
Hello Mr. Stahl,
Chad Douglas asked that we follow up with you regarding the email you sent him earlier this week. We checked the AskUSDA phone number (800-832-1355) to ensure it’s working correctly. We verified that it is.
AskUSDA is staffed by a team of customer service representatives from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern, Monday through Friday (closed on federal holidays). They find answers for the public based on subject or USDA agency. When they don’t have an answer, they send the question to us. The team is always staffed to ensure the best service to the public. You can also contact them by email or live-chat on the AskUSDA website and they will find you an answer or point of contact. You can also enter your subject or USDA agency directly into the search bar and a list of “knowledge articles” will populate.
Additionally, we are working across the entire Forest Service to ensure regions, research stations, forests, grasslands, districts, program areas and staffs have up-to-date contact information listed on their websites to provide the best possible service to the public.
Please let us know if you have more questions or need anything else.
Sincerely,
Forest Service Web Team
I replied:
Forest Service Web Team:
I don’t know why the Forest Service has chosen to cut itself off from the public. I do know that it was the agency’s own choice; not one imposed by USDA. For example, your sister agency, NRCS, has publicly available employee directories, and contact information for its key staff, including chief, readily available on its website.
We look forward to working with the new administration to restore public trust in the Forest Service.
Best regards,
Andy Stahl
Executive Director
Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics
(I tell you these facts only to demonstrate the apparent usefulness of our communications with FS employees).
The “Forest Service Web Team” responded as follows:
On Nov 15, 2024, at 8:50 AM, FS-Webmaster wrote:
Hello Mr. Stahl,
Chad Douglas asked that we follow up with you regarding the email you sent him earlier this week. We checked the AskUSDA phone number (800-832-1355) to ensure it’s working correctly. We verified that it is.
AskUSDA is staffed by a team of customer service representatives from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern, Monday through Friday (closed on federal holidays). They find answers for the public based on subject or USDA agency. When they don’t have an answer, they send the question to us. The team is always staffed to ensure the best service to the public. You can also contact them by email or live-chat on the AskUSDA website and they will find you an answer or point of contact. You can also enter your subject or USDA agency directly into the search bar and a list of “knowledge articles” will populate.
Additionally, we are working across the entire Forest Service to ensure regions, research stations, forests, grasslands, districts, program areas and staffs have up-to-date contact information listed on their websites to provide the best possible service to the public.
Please let us know if you have more questions or need anything else.
Sincerely,
Forest Service Web Team
I replied:
Forest Service Web Team:
I don’t know why the Forest Service has chosen to cut itself off from the public. I do know that it was the agency’s own choice; not one imposed by USDA. For example, your sister agency, NRCS, has publicly available employee directories, and contact information for its key staff, including chief, readily available on its website.
We look forward to working with the new administration to restore public trust in the Forest Service.
Best regards,
Andy Stahl
Executive Director
Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics