Home Independent Page 5

Independent

A Guide to the Central Intelligence Agency

A Guide to the Central Intelligence AgencyWhat is the Central Intelligence Agency?

The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States Federal Government. The Central Intelligence Agency reports to the Director of National Intelligence and is responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to various senior policymakers of the United States Federal Government. Furthermore, the Central Intelligence Agency also engages in covert operations at the request of the President of the United States.

The primary function of the Central Intelligence Agency is to collect information regarding foreign governments, corporations and individuals and to advise public policymakers concerning matters of intelligence. The Central  Intelligence Agency will also conduct paramilitary actions covert operations as well as exert foreign political influence through its Special Activities Division.

Prior to 2004, the Central Intelligence Agency operated as the main intelligence organization of the United States Government; the CIA was responsible for coordinating the activities of the US Intelligence Community as a whole. That being said, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 shifted these responsibilities through the creation of the Director of National Intelligence office, which formally took over management and leadership of the Intelligence Community.

In present times, the Central Intelligence Agency shares a number of functions with other intelligence agencies in the United States.

Central Intelligence Agency Quick Facts

The following details outline the administration of the Central Intelligence Agency:

The Central Intelligence Agency was formed on September 18, 1947

The preceding agency of the Central Intelligence Agency was the office of Strategic Services

The Central Intelligence Agency operates with a classified annual budget and an employee base of roughly 20,000 workers

The CIA is headquartered in the George Bush Center for Intelligence in Langley, Virginia

The headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency are located in

The Central Intelligence Agency is responsible for the jurisdiction over the Federal Government of the United States

The head of the Central Intelligence Agency is Director Leon Panetta

Government Agency of the Executive Branch

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government.

The Central Intelligence Agency functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches.

A Guide to the Administrative conference of the United States

A Guide to the Administrative conference of the United StatesWhat is the Administrative Conference of the United States?

The Administrative conference of the United States is an independent government agency of the United States that was formally established by the passing of the Administrative Conference Act of 1964. The Administrative Conference of the United States, in addition to being an independent agency is a federal advisory committee; in summation, the Conference’s purpose is to promote improvements in the adequacy, efficiency and fairness of the procedures by which federal agencies conduct their regulatory programs, administer grants and benefits, and perform their various related governmental functions.

To fulfill their various responsibilities, the Administrative Conference of the United States will conduct research and issue reports concerning various aspects of the administrative process and, when needed, will make recommendations to the President, the United States Congress, the judiciary committee (concerning the need for procedural reform) and various government departments and agencies of the United States Federal Government.

The implementation of reform or recommendations is typically accomplished by direct action on the part of the underlying agency or through legislative changes prompted by the Administrative Conference of the United States.

Organization of the Administrative Conference of the United States:

In regards to statute, the Conference of the United States has no fewer than 75 and no more than 101 members; a majority of these officials are officials within the United States’ Federal Government. The Administrative Conference of the United States is headed by a chairman, who is officially appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of a Senate; the chairman, when elected, will serve a five-year term.
The other ten members, who comprise the Council, or executive board of the Administrative Conference of the United States, are appointed by the President of the United States for 3-year terms. Federal officials named to the Council are not allowed to constitute more than one-half of the total Council membership. Additionally, members of the Administrative Conference of the United States who represent the private sector are appointed by the Chairman, with the necessary approval of the Council, to serve a two-year term. The Administrative Conference of the United States was formed in 1964 and its headquarters are located in Washington, D.C.

A Guide to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

A Guide to the Advisory Council on Historic PreservationWhat is the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation?

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government that is responsible for promoting the enhancement, preservation and productive use of the country’s historic resources. Furthermore, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will advise the President and Congress of the United States in regards to the national historic preservation policy.

What is the Goal of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation?

The goal of the National Historic Preservation Council, which was created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, is to have Federal agencies act as responsible stewards of the country’s resources when their actions specifically affects historic properties. The Advisory Council on Historic Prevention stands alone as the only entity with the formal legal responsibility to encourage federal agencies to factor historical preservation into future Federal project requirements.

As directed by the National Historic Preservation Act, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will serve as the primary federal policy advisor to the President of the United States and Congress. In general, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will recommend various administrative and legislative improvements in regards to protecting the nation’s heritage and will advocate full consideration of historic values when the federal decision-making process is undertaken.

Furthermore, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, will review federal programs and policies to promote effectiveness, consistency and coordination with respect to the nation’s preservation policies.

Organization of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation:

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation consists of 23 members, who are apart of various federal, local and state governmental departments. The majority of members (all but two) are formally appointed by the President of the United States; membership is laid out in the 1966 Historic Preservation Act, which organized the agency to include a chairman, who is appointed by the President of the United States, following a general public selection.

Furthermore, the president will also appoint other members, including the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Architect of the Capitol, experts from the field of historic preservation, a state governor, a mayor, three members of the general public and one member of an Indian tribe.


Quick African Development Foundation Facts

Quick African Development Foundation FactsWhat is the African Development Foundation?

The African Development Foundation is an independent agency of the United States Government which formally provides grants, of up to $250,000, to various community groups and small enterprises that benefit under marginalized and impoverished communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The African Development Foundation calculates grant success based on the number of jobs created and subsequently sustained, increased incomes and improved social conditions, as a result of the money given.

In 2010, the African Development Foundation budgeted over $20 million for project grants in 20 countries; an additionally $5 million is budgeted for the sustained creation of various African directed partner organizations that aim to provide technical design and implementation support for African Development Foundation grantees.

The African Development Foundation was created by an Act of Congress in 1980—the organization began operations in 1984. Since this time, the African Development Foundation has provided financing to more than 1,500 small community-based organization and small enterprises throughout Africa.

The mission of the African Development Foundation is to support under served, marginalized communities in Africa through the delivery of resources that help create better economic opportunities and an improved quality of life; in total, the African Development Foundation awards roughly $17 million to 200 projects in 20 African countries and a total of $4.8 million to Capacity Building Organizations in the continent.

African Development Foundation Quick Facts

The following details outline the administration of the African Development Foundation:

The African Development Foundation was founded in 1980 through the passing of the African Development Foundation Act of 1980

The headquarters of the African Development Foundation are located in 21 countries in Africa; the African Development Foundation serves the following areas: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Swaziland, Tanzania and Uganda.

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Pension Benefit Guaranty CorporationWhat is the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)?

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is a Federal agency that operates within the United States of America, which is responsible for upholding, supervising, and managing both the disbursement of pension plans, as well as the promotion for the continued application for pension plans offered; due to the fact that pension plans are disbursed at the time a retired employee has reached the required minimum retirement age (MRA) – or has suffered a debilitating ailment preventing them from employment – the furnishing of pensions is considered amongst the top priorities with regard to the disabled and the elderly:

Currently, eligible individuals retiring at the age of 65 are entitled to no less than a $54k pension fund subsequent to reaching the MRA

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is an Independent Federal Agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of pension benefits entitled to employees in the United States of America. The instrument of a pension plan within the United States allow for a system allowing individuals to be eligible to engage in the receipt of allotted funds or investments set aside during the time of employment; subsequent to retirement, the PBGC will assist the individual in the collection and management of this monetary disbursement in accordance to legal regulations:


Pension Plan Management

The PBGC undertakes management of the following types of pension plans:
A defined-benefit pension plan is a type of pension plan awarded to a retiree that exists outside of the performance of a communal investment of a specific pension fund
A defined-contribution fund is a type of pension plan that allows for increased  – or decreased – monetary reward at the time of retirement in conjunction of the performance of an investment undertaken with regard to a specific and communal pension fund

PBGC Quick Facts
Independent Federal Agencies are typically without a single director or executive; in contrast, independent government agencies – such as the PBGC – are overseen by an executive directorial board; due to this fact, the Executive Branch retains less managerial oversight of the PBGC than its agency counterparts.
Although the President of the United States retains administrative jurisdiction over the PBGC, the presence of a committee of directors allows for a decreased executive authority over hiring, staffing, and administration. 


The following details outline the structuring of the PBGC:
The PBGC was founded on September 2nd, 1974 as a result of the passing of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, which instituted regulatory reform regarding the legal requirements of pensions offered to State and Federal employees


The headquarters of the PBGC are located in
The PBGC is administered by Joshua Gotbaum – it is not uncommon for independent government agencies to include terms such as ‘Corporation’ in their respective title due to a group management structure in lieu of a single director

Independent Government Agencies

In contrast to non-independent government agencies, whose overseeing bodies may range from the Department of Defense to the Department of State, independent government agencies, such as the PBGC are not required to report to such a department. However, while non-independent government agencies are classified as existing under the jurisdiction of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, the PBGC – as well as the bulk of independent government agencies – are under varying degrees of the Executive branch’s jurisdiction.

PBGC: Legal Information and Further Assistance
The operation and administration of the PBGC resides under the jurisdiction of the legal field classified as Administrative Law; this genre of law is primarily associated with events and circumstances in which the Federal Government of the United States engages its citizens, including the administration of government programs, the administration and operation of government agencies, and the establishment of a legal, regulatory federal standard – you can find both the primary address and telephones number of the PBGC below:
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
1200 K Street, N.W., Suite 11101
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 326-4040



Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Quick Facts

The following details outline the administration of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC):

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation was founded on September 2nd, 1974 in conjunction with the passing of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which established the terms and conditions expressing requirements for pension plans offered to employees

The headquarters of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation are located in Alexandria, Virginia; however, the headquarters of the Department of the Labor are located in Washington, D.C.

The Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is Joshua Gotbaum

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Associated Terms and Agencies

The following terms and Government Agencies are associated with the operations and undertakings of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation:

The Department of Labor (USDOL)

The Department of Labor is the overarching government agency responsible for the supervision and administration of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); although the Department of Labor retains the oversight over a wide range of sub-departments and units under its jurisdiction, which differ with regard to specific functions, the respective operations undertaken by every unit and department within the Department of Labor are rooted within the management and regulation of all matters and affairs concerning labor, employment, and wage-based earnings within the United States of America.

Pension

A pension plan is a type of retirement plan is identified as a communal pool of monies or assets apportioned from earnings awarded to a federal or state employee at the time of their respective retirement fashioned to mirror their salary at the time of employment; subsequent to the analysis and management of deferral pensions, the PBGC will assist in the assessment of individual pensions awarded.

Government Agency of the Executive Branch

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches.

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Legality

Administrative Law is the legal field associated with events and circumstances in which the Federal Government of the United States engages its citizens, including the administration of government programs, the administration and operation of government agencies, and the establishment of a legal, regulatory federal standard. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation can be contacted through the following means:

Post Office Box 151750

Alexandria, VA

22315-1750

(800) 400-7242

A Guide to the Office of Special Counsel

A Guide to the Office of Special CounselWhat is the Office of Special Counsel (OSC)?

The Office of Special Counsel is a Federal agency that operates within the United States of America that is responsible for measures relating to legislative advocacy and investigation with regard to the provision of legal protection of Federal employees; investigations undertaken by the OSC are implemented in the event that there exists a presumption of injustice involving individuals under Federal employ. The development of the OSC included 3 primary legislative acts furnishing the standards and practices required to be upheld by the Federal government with regard to its employees:

Civil Service Reform Act

The Civil Service Reform Act, which was passed in 1978, serves as a mandatory guideline expressing both required and prohibited activity regarding the administration of employment within the Federal Government. This act – mandated by the OSC – outlines hiring, promotion, and termination procedure enacted within individual employ within Civil Service.

Whistleblower Protection Act

The Whistleblower Protection Act serves as legal protection for individuals under the employ of the Federal government who have come forward with information revealing unethical, illegal, or unlawful activity or dealings occurring with regard to and individual’s – or entity’s – respective Federal employ; the Whistleblower Protection Act – whose protection is undertaken by the OSC – prohibits prejudicial or punitive treatment directed towards ‘whistleblowers’, which are defined as non-partisan individuals choosing to come forth to divulge reports and findings suggesting illegal behavior.

Hatch Act

Passed in 1939, the Hatch Act was implemented in order to ensure a non-partisan, unbiased ideology and creed undertaken by the Federal Government; the tenets latent within the Hatch Act allow for the Office of Special Counsel the jurisdiction to conduct investigation with regard to presumed – or suspected – partisanship existing between Federal employees and lobbyist groups.

Office of Special Counsel Quick Facts

The following details outline the administration of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC):

The Office of Special Counsel was founded on January 1st, 1979

The headquarters of the Office of Special Counsel are located in Washington, D.C.

The Associate Special Counsel responsible for the oversight of the Office of Special Counsel is William Reukauf

What is an Independent Federal Government Agency?

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government.

Government agencies not associated with any of the 3 total branches of the Federal Government – the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches – are classified as independent in nature; however, despite the absence of such associations, independent government agencies – such as the OSC – will typically work in tandem with any or all Federal Branches.

Office of Special Counsel Legality

Administrative Law is the legal field associated with events and circumstances in which the Federal Government of the United States engages its citizens, including the administration of government programs, the administration and operation of government agencies, and the establishment of a legal, regulatory federal standard. The Office of Special Counsel can be contacted through the following means:

1730 M Street, NW

Suite 218

Washington, D.C.

20036-4505

(202) 254-3600