Social Security spends $700,000 on employees

[Modelworks]

Someone needs to be fired.
With the budget like it is and SSA being one of the major contributors to the problem, they spend $700,000 so they can bring employees to a resort so they can dance and party.

Watch the video.


http://www.abc15.com/content/n...i4IRka1mC7wJTm4uQ.cspx

PHOENIX -- A Social Security Administration motivational management conference held at a high-end Valley resort last week cost $700,000, the SSA told the ABC15 Investigators.

Costs for the conference at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa included airfare, hotel entertainment, dancers, motivational speakers, and food, an administration official said.

A spokesperson outside the SSA's Phoenix office declined to comment.

spokesperson from the SSA's regional office said the conference was essential, that teleconferencing was not an option, and that all 675 managers needed to meet in person.

The SSA provided ABC15 with a list of courses provided at the conference, which included "Techniques to Empower You," "Mentoring the Generations," and "Emotional Intelligence."

But the information provided by the SSA did not mention an after-hours casino trip, family members staying at the hotel, or the 20-minute dance party ABC15 observed.


Social Security Administration Statement
This was a training conference. The location was selected through the government's competitive bidding process. The facility that was selected was the lowest bidder, and we paid well-below the prescribed government rate.
-Leslie Walker, Regional Communications Director, Social Security Administration

 

[Vette73]

So you can;t dance or have fun on group meetings? Guess we should not tell jokes at work then right?

Also I have brough tmy wife on trips. She paid for her ticket and stayed in my room. So not sure why they are making a deal out of family members staying unless they paid for them as well.

Guess its a slow Faux Outrage news day?


That and it seems they paid well less then most would have as well...

"Rooms for the conference were booked at $85 per night, far below the $400-plus room rate in prime season."


"This was a training conference. The location was selected through the government's competitive bidding process. The facility that was selected was the lowest bidder, and we paid well-below the prescribed government rate."

 

[Kntx]

About $1000 per person for:

-airfare
-hotel entertainment
-dancers
-motivational speakers
-food

Great value.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
So you can;t dance or have fun on group meetings? Guess we should not tell jokes at work then right?

At a cost of $70,000 for those displays and dancers ?

"This was a training conference. The location was selected through the government's competitive bidding process. The facility that was selected was the lowest bidder, and we paid well-below the prescribed government rate."

[/quote]

I have no problem with a training conference. But why does it have to be at a resort with dancers , $20 a plate food , and gambling ?

 

[her209]

Let's put this in perspective:

$700,000 / 675 people = $1037

Costs for the conference at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa included airfare, hotel entertainment, dancers, motivational speakers, and food, an administration official said.

I'm not sure why hotel entertainment and dancers are included and should be investigated. Also, the "dance party" lasted 20 minutes.

 

[her209]

Social Security responds after $700K Phoenix conference

 

[nobodyknows]

Originally posted by: Kntx
About $1000 per person for:

-airfare
-hotel entertainment
-dancers
-motivational speakers
-food

Great value.

From the link:

Rooms for the conference were booked at $85 per night, far below the $400-plus room rate in prime season.

The SSA said the entire conference was put out to bid and all employees flew coach class, including the commissioner.

As long as the family members paid for their own air fare, who cares??

From another article:

According to the SSA, the Biltmore Resort was the lowest bidder.

Listed charges included $20 per person for a luncheon, $15 per person for refreshment breaks and rooms at $85.51 per night.

The letter shows the hotel waived a standard $24 per night resort fee, and did not charge for ballrooms and meeting rooms.
.
.
The letter also states that no government funds were used for a "casino night."

That was "an optional activity which was not part of the Forum. A local casino provided complimentary bus transportation from the hotel for all who stayed at the hotel."

This seems to be more partisianship then actual abuse of taxpayer funds??

 

[OutHouse]

Listed charges included $20 per person for a luncheon, $15 per person for refreshment breaks and rooms at $85.51 per night.

OMGWTFBBQ!!!!! burn them all!!! get the pitchforks and torches let the witch hunt begin!!!!



seriously i see nothing wrong with this, those are very cheap rates. what do they expect the bill to be with 700 people? this was a training conference and from what i have read so far the organizers did a great job in keeping the spending down.

compared to all the other shit our government waste money on this conference should be at the very bottom of the barrel

if only 10 people went and the bill was that high that would be a totall different subject. for 700K for 700 people? they should have posted that in HOT DEAL!!!

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: nobodyknows


This seems to be more partisianship then actual abuse of taxpayer funds??

I think they went about it wrong.
They could have used a holiday inn, cut out the $70K spent on entertainment, and gave people $5 so they can eat at the local BK.


When people are out of work and they see crap like this it only makes them more angry. Where is their free plain tickets, meals and entertainment, they have stress too, which is what the SSA is saying why this was needed.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Kntx
About $1000 per person for:

-airfare
-hotel entertainment
-dancers
-motivational speakers
-food

Great value.

If this was a private industry all of P&N would be going apeshit. Did you hear the reason for this training? "how to deal with stress"

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: Modelworks

Originally posted by: nobodyknows


This seems to be more partisianship then actual abuse of taxpayer funds??

I think they went about it wrong.
They could have used a holiday inn, cut out the $70K spent on entertainment, and gave people $5 so they can eat at the local BK.


When people are out of work and they see crap like this it only makes them more angry. Where is their free plain tickets, meals and entertainment, they have stress too, which is what the SSA is saying why this was needed.

umm its called having a job, my company pays for all of that when i get sent to training. example may 2009 citrix synergy in Vegas. airfare, rental car, food, a week stay at the MGM Grand and a small amount for entertainment (one show) was all paid for by my company.

WoOT that was a fun time.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
They could have used a holiday inn, cut out the $70K spent on entertainment,

Where are you getting this $70K figure?

The only one I found was here: link

Audiovisual services for sound, magnification screens and lighting were advertised separately through the government contracting procedures. The award was made as required to the lowest bidder, Swank Audio Visuals. The award was made for a maximum of $70,071. The actual costs were $67,760.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: Modelworks
They could have used a holiday inn, cut out the $70K spent on entertainment,

Where are you getting this $70K figure?

The only one I found was here: link

Audiovisual services for sound, magnification screens and lighting were advertised separately through the government contracting procedures. The award was made as required to the lowest bidder, Swank Audio Visuals. The award was made for a maximum of $70,071. The actual costs were $67,760.

So it was $67,760. Still too much money.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: Modelworks

Originally posted by: nobodyknows


This seems to be more partisianship then actual abuse of taxpayer funds??

I think they went about it wrong.
They could have used a holiday inn, cut out the $70K spent on entertainment, and gave people $5 so they can eat at the local BK.


When people are out of work and they see crap like this it only makes them more angry. Where is their free plain tickets, meals and entertainment, they have stress too, which is what the SSA is saying why this was needed.

umm its called having a job, my company pays for all of that when i get sent to training. example may 2009 citrix synergy in Vegas. WoOT that was a fun time.

I go to SUGI every year and I can guarantee it costs my company way more than $1000. Shit they have all kinds of entertainment, great food and ice cream, it's quite a spectacle.

 

[dphantom]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Kntx
About $1000 per person for:

-airfare
-hotel entertainment
-dancers
-motivational speakers
-food

Great value.

If this was a private industry all of P&N would be going apeshit. Did you hear the reason for this training? "how to deal with stress"

QFT.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: Modelworks

Originally posted by: nobodyknows


This seems to be more partisianship then actual abuse of taxpayer funds??

I think they went about it wrong.
They could have used a holiday inn, cut out the $70K spent on entertainment, and gave people $5 so they can eat at the local BK.


When people are out of work and they see crap like this it only makes them more angry. Where is their free plain tickets, meals and entertainment, they have stress too, which is what the SSA is saying why this was needed.

umm its called having a job, my company pays for all of that when i get sent to training. example may 2009 citrix synergy in Vegas. WoOT that was a fun time.

I go to SUGI every year and I can guarantee it costs my company way more than $1000. Shit they have all kinds of entertainment, great food and ice cream, it's quite a spectacle.

yip my expense report for synergy was just under $3,900.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: Citrix

umm its called having a job, my company pays for all of that when i get sent to training. example may 2009 citrix synergy in Vegas. airfare, rental car, food, a week stay at the MGM Grand and a small amount for entertainment (one show) was all paid for by my company.

WoOT that was a fun time.

Is your company the US government ? I don't care what your company spends, but don't ask me to spend $1 of my money so someone else can have a good time.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: Modelworks

Originally posted by: Citrix

umm its called having a job, my company pays for all of that when i get sent to training. example may 2009 citrix synergy in Vegas. airfare, rental car, food, a week stay at the MGM Grand and a small amount for entertainment (one show) was all paid for by my company.

WoOT that was a fun time.

Is your company the US government ? I don't care what your company spends, but don't ask me to spend $1 of my money so someone else can have a good time.

IT WAS A TRAINING CONFERENCE YOU MORON. TRAINING CONFERENCES COST MONEY TO PUT ON AND YES THAT INCLUDES SOME ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!

wtf man just because they are government worker they are fucking robots? they are people too just like you and me and should have the same type of training programs that you and I have. government cost money to run and this is one of those cost. the people who put this on did a great job in keeping the cost down.

get a grip your gripe is invalid. it didnt cost YOU a dollar, maybe 1/999999 of a cent.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: Modelworks

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: Modelworks
They could have used a holiday inn, cut out the $70K spent on entertainment,

Where are you getting this $70K figure?

The only one I found was here: link

Audiovisual services for sound, magnification screens and lighting were advertised separately through the government contracting procedures. The award was made as required to the lowest bidder, Swank Audio Visuals. The award was made for a maximum of $70,071. The actual costs were $67,760.

So it was $67,760. Still too much money.

And what basis do you make this claim? Not saying whether you're right or wrong.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Citrix

IT WAS A TRAINING CONFERENCE YOU MORON. TRAINING CONFERENCES COST MONEY TO PUT ON AND YES THAT INCLUDES SOME ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!

wtf man just because they are government worker they are fucking robots? they are people too just like you and me and should have the same type of training programs that you and I have. government cost money to run and this is one of those cost. the people who put this on did a great job in keeping the cost down.

get a grip your gripe is invalid. it didnt cost YOU a dollar, maybe 1/999999 of a cent.

The first thing you cut in such a economic crisis is training and travel. Gubment failed to do what every other company is doing. They are wasting our money and need to be called out on it.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: Citrix


IT WAS A TRAINING CONFERENCE YOU MORON. TRAINING CONFERENCES COST MONEY TO PUT ON AND YES THAT INCLUDES SOME ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!

NO IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ENTERTAINMENT

wtf man just because they are government worker they are fucking robots? they are people too just like you and me and should have the same type of training programs that you and I have. government cost money to run and this is one of those cost.

Good idea. Lets relieve the stress of every government employee. Starting today lets send every employee to a 'training conference' to relieve their stress. Soldiers have more stress than that, so lets send them to Disney World for a week, all expenses paid.

 

[themusgrat]

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: Modelworks

When people are out of work and they see crap like this it only makes them more angry. Where is their free plain tickets, meals and entertainment, they have stress too, which is what the SSA is saying why this was needed.

umm its called having a job, my company pays for all of that when i get sent to training.

The difference is you work for someone who is fine with that. Social Security is working for the American people, most of which prolly don't want to be paying people's dancers and light bulbs... I do realize this is somewhat backwards, I'm sure Congressmen bill the public for their traveling expenses, but still. It's money that shouldn't be spent like that.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: Modelworks

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: Modelworks
They could have used a holiday inn, cut out the $70K spent on entertainment,

Where are you getting this $70K figure?

The only one I found was here: link

Audiovisual services for sound, magnification screens and lighting were advertised separately through the government contracting procedures. The award was made as required to the lowest bidder, Swank Audio Visuals. The award was made for a maximum of $70,071. The actual costs were $67,760.

So it was $67,760. Still too much money.

And what basis do you make this claim? Not saying whether you're right or wrong.

For that amount of money they could have bought the equipment that was needed (not including dancers or spot lights), installed it and brought it back with them and still had money left over.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: themusgrat

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: Modelworks

When people are out of work and they see crap like this it only makes them more angry. Where is their free plain tickets, meals and entertainment, they have stress too, which is what the SSA is saying why this was needed.

umm its called having a job, my company pays for all of that when i get sent to training.

The difference is you work for someone who is fine with that. Social Security is working for the American people, most of which prolly don't want to be paying people's vacations. I do realize this is retarded, I'm sure Congressmen bill the public for their traveling expenses, but still. It's money that shouldn't be spent like that.

So they should spend 3-5 times that amount to train each person at their station of employment?


Each training class I go to cost anywhere from $700-$2000 each. That is just the class.

 

[Kntx]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Citrix

IT WAS A TRAINING CONFERENCE YOU MORON. TRAINING CONFERENCES COST MONEY TO PUT ON AND YES THAT INCLUDES SOME ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!

wtf man just because they are government worker they are fucking robots? they are people too just like you and me and should have the same type of training programs that you and I have. government cost money to run and this is one of those cost. the people who put this on did a great job in keeping the cost down.

get a grip your gripe is invalid. it didnt cost YOU a dollar, maybe 1/999999 of a cent.

The first thing you cut in such a economic crisis is training and travel. Gubment failed to do what every other company is doing. They are wasting our money and need to be called out on it.

I think we established the monies spent were very reasonble. There was no excess. Training your staff is not a waste. Training makes employees more efficient.

Training is not the first thing you cut. Training is essential to leverage your existing employees. Travel is not the first thing you cut either. Travel is neessary to bring people together to conduct business.