General Services Department

GSD Wants to Hear From You

With the impact of budget reductions resting squarely on the shoulders of our staff, I asked them last year to set higher goals and expectations for themselves. Not one of them looked at me with surprise or frustration. Each staff member at GSD understands they are the cornerstone of this department. Whether we are building facilities, resolving disputed medical claims, defending lawsuits, conducting procurement classes, flying doctors to underserved areas of the state or carrying out any one of a hundred other responsibilities, we exist so that 170 other state agencies, institutions and local public bodies can effectively carryout their own missions. If any one of us fails, the foundations of the department are diminished.

Our customer's expectations are exceptionally high. They should be. We serve essential functions and there is little tolerance when we fail to meet expectations. We must continually earn the trust and confidence of our customers because one poor outcome often brands the entire department. Working in this environment can be stressful and demoralizing. Yet, at GSD, it is not. The reason is the "Cornerstones Project," a central part of our internal staff training curriculum. It teaches two corresponding skill sets: (1) the art of goal setting, and (2) the science of managing change.

Convincing staff members to set higher goals and expectations is a function of releasing their untapped potential. If they believe they are stalled, or have reached their potential in the workplace, the program teaches them how to change that belief. Change your belief, release your potential!

What's New at GSD

State Contracts Database Kicks Off in the New Year

The New Mexico Legislature, though HB546, in an effort to promote openness and transparency in State Government, mandated that a searchable database of state contracts totaling $20,000.00 or greater be made available on line as of January 1, 2010. GSD and its Technology and Systems Support Bureau have met the challenge. The database will allow every citizen access and allow them to see how their tax dollars are being spent.

The first phase of the project will allow for searches based on several criteria, including vendor name, vendor I.D. number, subject matter, date, dollar amount and/or contract number. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions section and a Contact Us section to enable those interested in obtaining more information on a given contract.

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish helped unveil the new website, saying, "This is an important start towards creating the transparent government New Mexicans deserve."

This first phase of the project was developed and created at no cost to taxpayers by GSD in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology (DoIT), the Department of Finance & Administration (DFA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT).

GSD Staff Architect Elected to Prestigious Board

Property Control Division Staff Architect Lemoyne Blackshear was elected as a member of the Board of Directors for the New Mexico chapter of the United State Green Building Council. The USGBC has established guidelines and requirements under the Leadership in Energy and Efficiency through Design program (LEED). In her new role, Lemoyne will play a very important part, representing the State of New Mexico by providing guidance to the Steering Committees, strategic planning and other organizational functions. The position is a 2 year term with a limit of 3 terms.

The Cornerstones Project explains how higher goals and expectations stimulate the inherent-in-humans ability to search for, find and adopt new approaches, opportunities, collaborations and the motivation necessary to power each of us to new goals. A person's belief in his or her personal efficacy triggers a direct link to motivation, emotional well-being and achievement. At a time when increasing work loads and reduced budgets has stressed the limitations of our resources, the new "potential" we have realized through this project has increased confidence, creativity, productivity and collegiality in our workplace.

Higher goals and expectations are sometimes not enough. Our staff members must also be effective in managing their responsibilities and interactions in challenging and changing environments. The Cornerstones Project emphasizes self awareness, social awareness, achievement drive and adherence to core values as essential competencies at GSD. Understanding how we project ourselves to those with whom we interact, and the ability to accurately read their responses and emotional cues are critical communication skills we expect of every staff member. Having the achievement drive to be consistently committed to our work and the core values to exercise sound judgment are likewise expected.

Together these skills empower our staff to manage change effectively in emotionally intelligent ways. In difficult times like these, the true measure of any agency is its commitment and quality of performance. At GSD, those ultimate goals are driven by the Cornerstones Project. We look forward this year and next to continuing the highest level of service possible for our customers and colleagues.