Burden v. Barnhart
Oversight Committee and Class Advisory Board
September 4, 2003

The following individuals have been selected by Class Counsel to serve on the Oversight Committee and Class Advisory Board, in accordance with the Settlement Agreement. We received many applications for the positions and appreciated the willingness of class members and others to serve. We thank all of you for applying and for your dedication to the welfare of all employees at the Social Security Administration. We hope that you will serve as panel members and encourage others to do the same.

Oversight Committee
1. Bill Rogers
2. Michael Whitaker

Class Advisory Board
1. Harry Dunbar
2. Rudolph Greene
3. Donald Covington
4. Norwood Johnson
5. Robert Jackson
6. Myron Bundy

and new members:
7. Michael Dorsey
8.Wesley Turpin
9. Clifton Lawrence

On August 11, 2003, SSA selected Willie James and Joe Brooks to serve on the Oversight Committee as the Agency's representatives. At its first meeting, the Oversight Committee then selected Andre Neverdon and Noel McFadden from a list provided by Class Counsel, and Michelle Noel from the list provided by the Agency.

The first full meeting of the Oversight Committee is September 10, 2003. At this meeting, the Committee will receive the quarterly reports required under the Settlement Agreement and discuss ground rules and general policies. We will keep you posted as to the activities of the Oversight Committee and Class Advisory Board.

We encourage employees of SSA Headquarters to contact the Oversight Committee concerning issues related to:

•• The implementation of the Agency's promotion and awards policies
•• If you are an employee who would like to serve as a panel monitor
•• If you are a Class Member and your supervisor has denied you training
•• If you are an employee who wishes for the Oversight Committee to review the selection and award process
•• The implementation of the Settlement Agreement

Until further notice, you may contact the Oversight Committee by contacting Michael Whitaker at (410) 965-9058 or at Michael.T.Whitaker@ssa.gov.

We also encourage Class Members to contact the Class Advisory Board:

•• If you are a Class Member who would like to create an Individual Development Plan but your supervisor has not notified you of this opportunity
•• If you are a Class Member and your supervisor has denied you training
•• If you are a Class Member who believes that he was treated adversely because of his race and sex in connection with promotions, awards, training or discipline after April 7, 2003.
•• If you are a Class Member who wishes to have an Advocate to present issues to the Oversight Committee

You may contact the Class Advisory Board for the present time through Class Counsel, Cathy Harris, at (202) 898-4800, or by email at charris@katorparks.com. A new contact will be posted shortly.