One Child, One Block at a Time.

Dedicated to:
    Mr. Earnest Williams Jr.
    Mr. Earnest Williams III    (Age 10)
    Mr. Travis Fucien              (Age 12)

Thank you for giving me inspiration.........Charles D. Sharp


BEMA Network Members (All):

It's 11:10 P.M. and I'm diligently working in the BEMA office responding to emails, catching up on readings, and getting set for Wednesdays schedule.

One hour ago thinking of the personal, financial, and professional sacrifices that I've incurred for BEMA.  The cleaning staff of The HIVE arrived.  What threw me off was that I heard an adult, and young male voices.  I ensured that the deadbolt lock and all doors were locked before a came to the second floor area, so whomever entered was probably one of the other member\tenants.

As I reached the top of the stairway the adult male was coming up.  We both introduced ourselves, and stated our purposes for working so late.  Overlooking the area for what needed to be done, I asked was his son with him and that I give him my utmost respect and admiration for having his son with him cleaning office buildings.  He said his son was more interested in what I was driving.  I offered him the keys as an inside joke, with both of us laughing.

Interesting thing is that while the father was upstairs surveying the area, I heard the son downstairs pulling plastic trash bags from the containers on his own and never heard his father at anytime give him direction.  After asking, his 10-year old son was just working with Dad, and Dad wanted to make sure that he knew life was about working all hours of the night and making sacrifices..

Dad went on to mention that his son attended a charter school in the District (Washington, D.C.), and wanted to be a ball player.  If any of you know me this just opened the door for more discussion.  Asked how he does in school, and wanted to show the father a video clip on the BEMA website (www.blackemergmanagersassociation.org) called 'Bring you’re a Game'.   Offered he take a look, and if his sons, and his sons friend that was working with could watch the video clip if permitted.

After 5-minutes of viewing the clip the father mentioned that he never has seen this and wanted his son, and friend to watch the video, and to even show it to a track team that he works with.  Just informed him to check our website on the business card I handed him.  Also mentioned that we tend to remember the last novel event from the day, so that if his son and friend watched it, it just might sink into their dreams.

I can honestly, and sincerely tell you that watching both of these young black men, yes at 10-years old working with Dad to me they are considered men (man child) learning important and vital skills necessary for survival.  Watching the clip and noticing all the real-life ball players, rappers, military, business owners and others tell them that education is the key.  This makes working all hours of the night tolerable.   To know in my heart that there is hope and a light at the end of this difficult path in our communities, if families get involved for our children's future.

I could probably write a short story on this, but to keep it short.  After watching the video I told both of the young men how proud and honored I was at them for working with the one sons father, and especially proud of the father for bringing his son and friend along.

This one instance has given me more inspiration to continue on.  As I explained to the father that one child, one block at a time is all I can do.

Peace.

Have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,


Charles D. Sharp

Charles D. Sharp
Chief Executive
Black Emergency Managers Association  
2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:  202-618-9097

"I Care...."

Webinar: Cyber Security related October 11, 2012

REGISTER NOW!

 

The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center 
and the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division

invite you to join us for the next session in the National Webcast Initiative Series:

 

Cyber Security: What You Should Know to Stay Safe Online
Thursday, October 11, 2012
2:00pm -- 3:00pm (Eastern)

**********************************************************************
~ Opening Remarks By~

Bobbie Stempfley 
Deputy Assistant Secretary 
United States Department of Homeland Security

 

&

 

Michael Kaiser 
Executive Director 
National Cyber Security Division

 

~ Presenter~

 

Ron Woerner, CISSP 
Professor & Director, CyberSecurity Studies 
College of Science & Technology 
Bellevue University

**********************************************************************

Don't Miss Out -- REGISTER NOW for this FREE Webcast!
Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To register, please visit: http://www.msisac.org/webcast/

(Please note: For security purposes, please copy and paste or type this address into your Internet browser.)

Why This Session is Important to You:
As part of the October awareness month activities, the MS-ISAC is coordinating a joint webcast with DHS and NCSA, which will provided useful guidance to the non-technical user on the necessary steps to protect themselves and their computers from cyber incidents.

The Internet is a great place to explore and is a new playground of brilliant possibilities, but there's trouble often hiding in its shadows. That trouble can come in many forms, including malicious software, trickery, and identity theft. In this presentation, Ron Woerner will talk about the evils of the Internet, how the bad hackers can take over your computer and how they get your private information. It's not all doom and gloom, though. He will also show you some easy, everyday steps to protect yourself and others online. This session will focus on the basics of computer security, such as using strong passwords, use of external devices, phishing and social engineering, and protecting mobile devices. Come to this interactive presentation and learn simple tips for online safety and security for you, your organization, and your family.

Format of Webcast:
This session will feature an interactive Powerpoint presentation accompanied by audio.
********************************************************************
The National Webcast Initiative:
The Department of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), a division of the Center for Internet Security, have partnered to establish the National Webcast Initiative comprising a series of national webcasts which examine critical and timely cyber security issues. Embracing the concept that security is everyone's responsibility, these webcasts are available to a broad audience to help raise awareness and knowledge levels. A number of vendors have offered their services at no cost to help develop and deliver the webcasts.

The National Webcast Initiative is also coordinated by the New York State Forum. For more information about the Initiative, please visit: http://www.msisac.org/webcast/. If you have any questions, please contact the MS-ISAC via phone at 518/880-0686 or email at info@msisac.org. 

REQUESTING USER NAMES AND PASSWORDS: STATE LAW CHANGE EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2012

The Maryland General Assembly recently passed a new law prohibiting employers from requesting or requiring employees or applicants disclose usernames, passwords, or other information aimed at accessing their personal, electronic accounts.  This includes social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter. 
The law is effective October 1, 2012.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/md-employers-cannot-collect-facebook-passwords/2012/04/13/gIQAZwQtJT_story.html


The Washington Post


By Catherine Ho, Published: April 15

Maryland employers: hands off your employees’ Facebook passwords.

Employers cannot require workers and job applicants to turn over passwords to private social media accounts as a condition of employment, state legislators decided last week in the passage of a first-of-its-kind bill.

Maryland is the first state to pass such a measure; similar proposals are pending in California, Illinois and Michigan. Employment law experts say the move sets important limits on employers’ reach when it comes to the privacy of their employees — and that of friends and family in their online networks — at a time social media plays an ever-increasing role in people’s personal and professional lives.

SB 433 (HB 964), which needs the signature of Gov. Martin O’Malley to become law, was not part of the batch of bills the governor signed Tuesday and O’Malley’s office said it did not know if and when it would land on the governor’s desk.

The bill doesn’t mention social media platforms by name, but the issue surfaced last year after Robert Collins, a former officer with the state’s Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, complained about being asked to provide his Facebook log-in information during a recertification interview. The department in 2010 began asking prospective employees for user names and passwords to Facebook accounts as part of a background check to screen employees for gang affiliations, but suspended the practice after the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland filed a complaint on Collins’s behalf, claiming the practice violated his personal privacy.

A second bill, SB 434 (HB 746), which would have outlawed universities from requiring students and college applicants to disclose user names and passwords for personal electronic accounts, passed in the Senate but died in the House. The bill came on the heels of a growing number of universities hiring third-party vendors to monitor student athletes’ Tweets and Facebook posts by having students install social media monitoring software onto personal electronic devices.

Brad Shear, a Bethesda attorney who worked with state Sen. Ronald Young’s (D) office on both bills, said banning employers from collecting password-protected information is a win for both employees and companies.

“It not only protects employees’ privacy, it also protects employers,” said Shear, who in 2010 helped draft Maryland’s election laws regulating candidates’ use of social media pages. “It protects [employers] from having to create new legal duties and liabilities and compliance costs.”

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency: Bulletin. Issue 1 2012

Region Four officials being trained by CDC in shelter management Guyana Times, Guyana, September 19th, 2012 (http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/) - The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) continues its efforts to have officials trained in various aspects of disaster management, with the aim of boosting the country’s responsiveness in the event of a catastrophe. Read more...   CDEMA director notes significant progress Antigua Observer, Antigua, September 8th, 2012 (www.antiguaobserver.com )- Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Jeremy Collymore lauded the strides that have been made in disaster management over the past two decades. Collymore, who will be demitting office, has been a part of CDEMA from its inception in 1991. He said over the course of his tenure he has noticed institutional change in the way member states manage disasters. Read more...   Tsunami Watch for Caribbean cancelled The public is asked to note the cancellation of the Tsunami Watch issued today, September 5, 2012 at 10.45 a.m for the Caribbean by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC). The Tsunami Watch was issued in error by the PTWC following a 7.9 magnitude earthquake off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Click here for details.   Tropical Storm Isaac - Information Note #2: -Tropical Storm Isaac nearing the Lesser Antilles (as of 8.00am EST Wednesday, August 22, 2012) MESSAGE:  Tropical Storm warnings are in effect for Dominica, St.Kitts/Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and Anguilla and the Virgin Islands as of 8.00pm Wednesday, August 22, 2012. A Hurricane Watch is also in effect for the Virgin Islands. Read more...   Tropical Depression 9 -Information Note #1: Tropical Storm warnings and watches issued for several CDEMA States as Tropical Depression 9 moves closer to the central Lesser Antilles (As of 2:00pm EST Tuesday, August 21, 2012).

DHS\USCIS: E-Verify Connection for Employers & Workers

E-Verify Connection
A publication of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
September 2012 Issue X

Welcome to E-Verify Connection, an e-newsletter from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for U.S. employers and workers. Each issue will bring you updates about E-Verify’s advances and activities, as well as other useful information related to employment eligibility verification. A pdf version of E-Verify Connection is available online. 

What’s Hot in E-Verify?
Announcing the Employee Rights Tool Kit
Workers should understand their rights. The Employee Rights Tool Kit helps our stakeholders educate workers by compiling print and multi-media resources in one online toolkit. This creative new resource features videos, educational brochures, posters, fliers, and more. Topics include E-Verify, Self Check and Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law. You can view the tool kit, in English and Spanish, in the For Employees section of the E-Verify website and on the Self Check site. Add the Employee Rights Tool Kit link to your website and order your FREE copy of the toolkit on DVD/CDs today.

Tips to Prevent a Mismatch
You now have an additional tool to help E-Verify promptly confirm employment eligibility. The Tips to Prevent a Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC) webpage gives valuable guidance to reduce the chance that E-Verify will return an avoidable mismatch. For example, remember to use your full legal name, including any hyphens and punctuation, when completing Form I-9, and keep your Social Security Administration (SSA) records up-to-date.

E-Verify Enhancements Make it Easier for You

Great news! U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) just released several new E-Verify enhancements that save you time. You can now access E-Verify from three new web browsers and your mobile devices. And there is a new Quick Audit Report that employers can use to report their E-Verify activity. Learn more by clicking here.

Web-Based Tutorial for Corporate Administrators 

Instead of the limited availability of a live webinar, the new Web-based tutorial for E-Verify Corporate Administrators is available 24/7! Learn more here.

A Self Check Tip

When using Self Check, make sure you select your correct citizenship status and document types to avoid receiving a mismatch. For more Self Check tips, click here. 

Haitian TPS Extension

USCIS has announced that Temporary Protected Status for Haitians will be extended. More information is available here. 

Enrollment Checklist Now En Español

The E-Verify Enrollment Checklist helps employers prepare to enroll. This useful information is now available in Spanish too! See it here on www.uscis.gov/espanol/e-verify.

E-Verify MOUs

USCIS has posted six proposed E-Verify Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in the Federal Register. Three are new, and three are revised versions of the current MOUs. The public comment period ends November 13th.

 Form I-9 Expiration 

Until further notice, employers should continue using the Form I-9 currently available on the Forms Section of www.uscis.gov. Although this current version of the Form I-9 shows the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number expiration date of August 31, 2012, this Form I-9 continues to be effective. USCIS will provide updated information about the new version of the Form I-9 as it becomes available. Subscribe to I-9 Central to receive Form I-9 updates. See the blog for more information.

 I-9 Central Website in Spanish - Coming Soon

¡Buenas Noticias! In October, USCIS will launch a Spanish version of its award-winning I-9 Central website. I-9 Central Spanish will give employers and workers easy access to resources, tips, and guidance on how to properly complete Form I-9. Be sure to see the recently released Spanish language version of the Handbook for Employers (M-274).

E-Verify Outreach

Meet a DHS Expert at an Upcoming Event
October
11, Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference, Richmond, VA

November
8-9, Heartland Latino Expo & Conference, Omaha, NE
28, Human Capital Management Federal Training Event, Arlington, VA

Meet a DHS Expert Online in a FREE Webinar 
October, November and December webinar sessions are available on topics including Form I-9, E-Verify Overview, E-Verify for Existing Users, E-Verify for Federal Contractors and Self Check. Webinars are a great way to learn from our subject matter experts from the comfort of your computer. For more information about how to participate, visit our website at www.DHS.gov/E-Verify and click on Take a Free Webinar.

Stay Connected

Click here to subscribe to E-Verify Connection
Have an idea about E-Verify? We’re listening. Share yours at www.E-VerifyListens.ideascale.com  
Visit www.DHS.gov/E-Verify
Friend us on www.Facebook.com/USCIS
Follow us on www.Twitter.com/USCIS

Employee Hotline: 1-888-897-7781
Employer Queries: 1-888-464-4218

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
M-1011, E-Verify Connection