The Goddess Isis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Goddess Isis - Essay Example She was widely worshipped by people in Egypt as well as other countries of the Mediterranean Region during ancient times. The Legend of Isis is one of the oldest myths in Egyptian history. It was the foundation of the old Egyptian state religion. The first written records about her appeared in the hieroglyphics in the Pyramid Texts during the period 2350 – 2100 BC (Goddess.ws). In the beginning there existed the Sun god named Ra and his wife called Nut. Nut fell in love with another God named Geb. When Ra discovered his wife’s infidelity, he became very angry and punished Nut by cursing her that she could not give birth on any child during any of the then 360 days that comprised a calendar year. In her sadness and desperation to have children, Nut turned to Thoth, the god of knowledge, for help. Thoth, who knew that there was no way to evade Ra’s curse, formulated a plan. The plan involved the Moon goddess Silene primarily because at that time the intensity of her moonlight was equal to the sunlight of Ra. Thoth challenged Silene to a wager whereby she would surrender one seventh of her moonlight if she lost. Thoth won the wager and won one seventh of Silene’s light {this is the reason why the moon wanes every month}. Thoth used his part of moonlight to add 5 days to the calendar year, thereby increasing the number of days in a year fr om 360 to 365. The success of Thoth’s plan provided Nut with a span of 5 days during which she could give birth to five children fathered by Geb while at the same time not evading Ra’s curse on her. Nut gave birth to Osiris on the first day. Horus was born on the second day followed by Seth, Isis and Nephthys on the third, fourth and fifth days respectively (Crystalinks.com). Osiris grew up and became Pharaoh of Egypt. He married his sister Isis. Osiris was a good and conscientious ruler who devoted all his time and energy towards civilizing his people (Crystalinks.com). He was

University of California Application Essay Essay Example for Free

University of California Application Essay Essay As a person, I believe that every trait and characteristic that I posses is an essential component that defines who I am. If some aspect of it is changed, then it could most likely be describing another person other than me. Everything that happened to me, every experience that has come and passed definitely molded me to the person I am now. I am eager to share every detail of my experiences, both ups and downs, so that people will be able to know me more. I grew up having a strong sense of responsibility with me. Even as a child, I know what I should do and where I should position myself so that I will be able to achieve my goals and aspirations. I was and still am very eager to learn, that’s why all my life, I was in pursuit of knowledge. My eagerness to learn is one trait that I’m proud of. It has guided me all throughout my academic life, even now, as my pursuit of knowledge goes on. Life itself is a learning process. For children to run, they must first learn to stand up and walk, for adults to go into a relationship, they must first learn to love and appreciate. For me, the best way to learn is to live life to the fullest. Life’s lessons come in various ways, and one of this is through the challenges that we encounter every day. These challenges are there to educate us, thus raising our awareness of our strong points and weak points. For me, as I know more about these points, specifically my assets and liabilities, I am able to determine which areas in my life needs my attention more. I could further strengthen my weaknesses and use it to my advantage, while keeping up with my strengths so that they won’t backfire and be my weaknesses. For me, this would further improve the life that I live. Another trait that I value is optimism. I am a person who looks at things positively, at an angle which is always on my advantage. In everything that happens to me, I always try to look on the bright side. It comes with my belief that everything happens for a reason, and everything that happens to me makes me a better person. I can attest to the saying â€Å"what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger†. These challenges, problems and difficulties are there to help us in shaping the best future for us. I am a very competitive person. This is what opened me to my interest in sports. I have a strong love for sports, because the values that a person may develop in it are closely related to my beliefs and ideals. I enjoy a healthy competition, and it can help drive a person to aim for excellence. In this field, I was able to develop sportsmanship, perseverance, and self-control. These traits are all important not only in sports but are a necessity when we engage in the real world. These games are not there to tire us or to just to strengthen us physically; it is also there to help us build our character. I was able to discover the inner leader in me because of my love for sports. It is a team game, and I learned to follow the team because of sports. I’ve had my share of ups and downs with different sports, like basketball, golf, and soccer. I value every lesson I’ve learned from these events, and I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything else. Learning has always been a big part of my life. It is what brought me to what I am now, and will guide me to what I will be in the future. I believe that life is one big learning process, and that everything we learn makes us a better person. So if I would be given another chance to learn more in a new learning environment like the University of California, I will surely make the most out of it. I am very sure of that.

Forged Under the Sun :: Essays Papers

Forged Under the Sun American Indian stories is the story of an Indian girl’s childhood experiences and how she went to school and also talks about the different Indian customs. The book sarts out with how her father, uncle and little sister were killed by the white men, and how much her mother resented the white men or palefaces as she called them. Bead work was one of the main things the Indian women did and so the little Indian girl also learned to do bead work by watching her mom. This book also tells of the many Indian myths or beliefs. In one case the little girl and many of the villagers were going to see a young warriors first arrival and their was a great party and during the walk to the center of the camp the little girl tried to grab a plum when her mother told her not to get a plum because the plum bush was growing out of the hands of an Indian boy who always like to play and eat plums. one day missionaries came to the camp to basically send mostly children to the East so they would learn the ways of the white man and also become civilized and in turn help bring more Indians Eastward to help with the modernization of America and Indians. The book describes in detail the regiment of what happened and how the little girl was feeling while she was in school and the day she went back home to visit her mother and also to recruit new children from the school she came from. Finally the little girl became a teacher. The book goes on to describing a warrior chief and his pride and joy in his little daughter and how he didn’t see anyone that would be able to marry his daughter. Blue-Star Woman was an Indian women at the age fifty three. She is described as a lady who keeps asking herself the question, Who am I? Blue-Star Woman was kept alive by the generosity of her neighbors. Finally the Chief Indian was in prison but by the help of Blue-Star’s to nephews. The southern railroad was under construction by mostly Chinese immigrants. During which time the Chinese were treated very wrongfully by the railroad supervisors and managers.

The Reality Of Bertrandes Innocence Essay -- essays research papers

It seems as though in today’s society, suspicion lies in every corner. No one trusts anyone anymore, everyone lies, everyone steals, everyone pretends to be someone they are not. However true or false these statements might be, there is a need in today’s society to be able to explain everything, coming up with every possible lie or predicament within every story. Natalie Davis is from today’s society, and once again, she has found the need to investigate Bertrande Guerre’s role within The Return of Martin Guerre. The only pieces of evidence that are reliable come from Jean de Coras, the main judge in the trial. However, Davis seems to have ignored his findings, and founded her own. For most of her points, there is no written evidence to back her up. She simply read and interpreted the story, as many historians must do to come up with plausible reasons for things; however, she interpreted the evidence incorrectly. This impostor known as Arnaud du Tilh, who played a husband, father, friend, nephew and brother for three years, deceived an entire town. However, Davis has chosen Bertrande Guerre as a co-conspirator, with little grounds to base her conclusion upon. Therefore, I still have found that Bertrande Guerre truly believed that Arnaud du Tilh was her husband, making her an unknowing player in the entire charade.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Natalie Davis made the point that Bertrande must have known that the new Martin was an impostor due to their sexual relationship and the differences therein (110). However, this point is hard to believe due to the fact that Bertrande and Martin were married for nine years without having intercourse, and when they finally did, it was in order to conceive their future son, Sanxi (Finlay, 558). Only a few months after Sanxi was born, Martin disappeared for over eight years, which is a long time for a woman to remember the specific details of a sexual relationship that couldn’t have lasted for more than a few months (Finlay, 558). Even if Bertrande had noticed a difference in the sexual relationship, she would have doubted her recollections, not having any kind of proof or true memories of those sexual experiences (Finlay, 558). This â€Å"new Martin† could have also become more sexually experienced while soldiering, explaining his newfound confidence (Finlay, 558).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The two men seemed to have com... ...wn, Natalie Davis made up a tale of what happened, ignoring the actual story that had been recorded by one of the lead characters who was there at the time, Jean de Coras. While her points had good merit, there was little evidence besides her opinion and suspicion that backed her up. Bertrande de Rols was deceived by this man, just as everyone else was. Whether she enjoyed her time spent with Arnaud is not important, it is whether or not she was fooled. While there were many who were suspicious, and many who were uncertain of Bertrande’s innocence, there was not a majority that truly believed she was a co-conspirator. She was not proven guilty by Jean de Coras nor was no proven guilty by the townspeople. The townspeople had fallen for Arnaud’s acting, and it is certain that Bertrande had fallen for it as well. And as each of these people would say, Arnaud was a wonderful actor, who was educated in Martin’s life and the people within it. Stories such as these are reminders as to why history is not always objective, and that historians have the right to interpret it in any way that they choose. However, a good historian will always have his critic.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 3. MOTIVES

THE SUN WAS SO DEEPLY BURIED BEHIND THE CLOUDS that there was no way to tell if it had set or not. After the long flight – chasing the sun westward so that it seemed unmoving in the sky – it was especially disorienting; time seemed oddly variable. It took me by surprise when the forest gave way to the first buildings, signaling that we were nearly home. â€Å"You've been very quiet,† Edward observed. â€Å"Did the plane make you sick?† â€Å"No, I'm okay.† â€Å"Are you sad to leave?† â€Å"More relieved than sad, I think.† He raised one eyebrow at me. I knew it was useless and – much as I hated to admit it – unnecessary to ask him to keep his eyes on the road. â€Å"Rene is so much more . . . perceptive than Charlie in some ways. It was making me jumpy.† Edward laughed. â€Å"Your mother has a very interesting mind. Almost childlike, but very insightful. She sees things differently than other people.† Insightful. It was a good description of my mother – when she was paying attention. Most of the time Rene was so bewildered by her own life that she didn't notice much else. But this weekend she'd been paying plenty of attention to me. Phil was busy – the high school baseball team he coached was in the playoffs – and being alone with Edward and me had only sharpened Rene's focus. As soon as the hugs and squeals of delight were out of the way, Rene began to watch. And as she'd watched, her wide blue eyes had become first confused and then concerned. This morning we'd gone for a walk along the beach. She wanted to show off all the beauties of her new home, still hoping, I think, that the sun might lure me away from Forks. She'd also wanted to talk with me alone, and that was easily arranged. Edward had fabricated a term paper to give himself an excuse to stay indoors during the day. In my head, I went through the conversation again. . . . Rene and I ambled along the sidewalk, trying to stay in the range of the infrequent palm tree shadows. Though it was early, the heat was smothering. The air was so heavy with moisture that just breathing in and out was giving my lungs a workout. â€Å"Bella?† my mother asked, looking out past the sand to the lightly crashing waves as she spoke. â€Å"What is it, Mom?† She sighed, not meeting my gaze. â€Å"I'm worried. . . .† â€Å"What's wrong?† I asked, anxious at once. â€Å"What can I do?† â€Å"It's not me.† She shook her head. â€Å"I'm worried about you . . . and Edward.† Rene finally looked at me when she said his name, her face apologetic. â€Å"Oh,† I mumbled, fixing my eyes on a pair of joggers as they passed us, drenched with sweat. â€Å"You two are more serious than I'd been thinking,† she went on. I frowned, quickly reviewing the last two days in my head. Edward and I had barely touched – in front of her, at least. I wondered if Rene was about to give me a lecture on responsibility, too. I didn't mind that the way I had with Charlie. It wasn't embarrassing with my mom. After all, I'd been the one giving her that lecture time and time again in the last ten years. â€Å"There's something . . . strange about the way you two are together,† she murmured, her forehead creasing over her troubled eyes. â€Å"The way he watches you – it's so . . . protective. Like he's about to throw himself in front of a bullet to save you or something.† I laughed, though I was still not able to meet her gaze. â€Å"That's a bad thing?† â€Å"No.† She frowned as she struggled for the words. â€Å"It's just different. He's very intense about you . . . and very careful. I feel like I don't really understand your relationship. Like there's some secret I'm missing. . . .† â€Å"I think you're imagining things, Mom,† I said quickly, struggling to keep my voice light. There was a flutter in my stomach. I'd forgotten how much my mother saw. Something about her simple view of the world cut through all the distractions and pierced right to the truth of things. This had never been a problem before. Until now, there had never been a secret I couldn't tell her. â€Å"It's not just him.† She set her lips defensively. â€Å"I wish you could see how you move around him.† â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"The way you move – you orient yourself around him without even thinking about it. When he moves, even a little bit, you adjust your position at the same time. Like magnets . . . or gravity. You're like a . . . satellite, or something. I've never seen anything like it.† She pursed her lips and stared down. â€Å"Don't tell me,† I teased, forcing a smile. â€Å"You're reading mysteries again, aren't you? Or is it sci-fi this time?† Rene flushed a delicate pink. â€Å"That's beside the point.† â€Å"Found anything good?† â€Å"Well, there was one – but that doesn't matter. We're talking about you right now.† â€Å"You should stick to romance, Mom. You know how you freak yourself out.† Her lips turned up at the corners. â€Å"I'm being silly, aren't I?† For half a second I couldn't answer. Rene was so easily swayed. Sometimes it was a good thing, because not all of her ideas were practical. But it pained me to see how quickly she caved in to my trivializing, especially since she was dead right this time. She looked up, and I controlled my expression. â€Å"Not silly – just being a mom.† She laughed and then gestured grandly toward the white sands stretching to the blue water. â€Å"And all this isn't enough to get you to move back in with your silly mom?† I wiped my hand dramatically across my forehead, and then pretended to wring my hair out. â€Å"You get used to the humidity,† she promised. â€Å"You can get used to rain, too,† I countered. She elbowed me playfully and then took my hand as we walked back to her car. Other than her worries about me, she seemed happy enough. Content. She still looked at Phil with goo- goo eyes, and that was comforting. Surely her life was full and satisfying. Surely she didn't miss me that much, even now. . . . Edward's icy fingers brushed my cheek. I looked up, blinking, coming back to the present. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. â€Å"We're home, Sleeping Beauty. Time to awake.† We were stopped in front of Charlie's house. The porch light was on and the cruiser was parked in the driveway. As I examined the house, I saw the curtain twitch in the living room window, flashing a line of yellow light across the dark lawn. I sighed. Of course Charlie was waiting to pounce. Edward must have been thinking the same thing, because his expression was stiff and his eyes remote as he came to get my door for me. â€Å"How bad?† I asked. â€Å"Charlie's not going to be difficult,† Edward promised, his voice level with no hint of humor. â€Å"He missed you.† My eyes narrowed in doubt. If that was the case, then why was Edward tensed as if for a battle? My bag was small, but he insisted on carrying it into the house. Charlie held the door open for us. â€Å"Welcome home, kid!† Charlie shouted like he really meant it. â€Å"How was Jacksonville?† â€Å"Moist. And buggy.† â€Å"So Rene didn't sell you on the University of Florida?† â€Å"She tried. But I'd rather drink water than inhale it.† Charlie's eyes flickered unwillingly to Edward. â€Å"Did you have a nice time?† â€Å"Yes,† Edward answered in a serene voice. â€Å"Rene was very hospitable.† â€Å"That's . . . um, good. Glad you had fun.† Charlie turned away from Edward and pulled me in for an unexpected hug. â€Å"Impressive,† I whispered in his ear. He rumbled a laugh. â€Å"I really missed you, Bells. The food around here sucks when you're gone.† â€Å"I'll get on it,† I said as he let me go. â€Å"Would you call Jacob first? He's been bugging me every five minutes since six o'clock this morning. I promised I'd have you call him before you even unpacked.† I didn't have to look at Edward to feel that he was too still, too cold beside me. So this was the cause of his tension. â€Å"Jacob wants to talk to me?† â€Å"Pretty bad, I'd say. He wouldn't tell me what it was about – just said it was important.† The phone rang then, shrill and demanding. â€Å"That's him again, I'd bet my next paycheck,† Charlie muttered. â€Å"I got it.† I hurried to the kitchen. Edward followed after me while Charlie disappeared into the living room. I grabbed the phone mid-ring, and twisted around so that I was facing the wall. â€Å"Hello?† â€Å"You're back,† Jacob said. His familiar husky voice sent a wave of wistfulness through me. A thousand memories spun in my head, tangling together – a rocky beach strewn with driftwood trees, a garage made of plastic sheds, warm sodas in a paper bag, a tiny room with one too-small shabby loveseat. The laughter in his deep-set black eyes, the feverish heat of his big hand around mine, the flash of his white teeth against his dark skin, his face stretching into the wide smile that had always been like a key to a secret door where only kindred spirits could enter. It felt sort of like homesickness, this longing for the place and person who had sheltered me through my darkest night. I cleared the lump from my throat. â€Å"Yes,† I answered. â€Å"Why didn't you call me?† Jacob demanded. His angry tone instantly got my back up. â€Å"Because I've been in the house for exactly four seconds and your call interrupted Charlie telling me that you'd called.† â€Å"Oh. Sorry.† â€Å"Sure. Now, why are you harassing Charlie?† â€Å"I need to talk to you.† â€Å"Yeah, I figured out that part all by myself. Go ahead.† There was a short pause. â€Å"You going to school tomorrow?† I frowned to myself, unable to make sense of this question. â€Å"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I?† â€Å"I dunno. Just curious.† Another pause. â€Å"So what did you want to talk about, Jake?† He hesitated. â€Å"Nothing really, I guess. I . . . wanted to hear your voice.† â€Å"Yeah, I know. I'm so glad you called me, Jake. I . . .† But I didn't know what more to say. I wanted to tell him I was on my way to La Push right now. And I couldn't tell him that. â€Å"I have to go,† he said abruptly. â€Å"What?† â€Å"I'll talk to you soon, okay?† â€Å"But Jake -â€Å" He was already gone. I listened to the dial tone with disbelief. â€Å"That was short,† I muttered. â€Å"Is everything all right?† Edward asked. His voice was low and careful. I turned slowly to face him. His expression was perfectly smooth – impossible to read. â€Å"I don't know. I wonder what that was about.† It didn't make sense that Jacob had been hounding Charlie all day just to ask me if I was going to school. And if he'd wanted to hear my voice, then why did he hang up so quickly? â€Å"Your guess is probably better than mine,† Edward said, the hint of a smiletugging at the corner of his mouth. â€Å"Mmm,† I murmured. That was true. I knew Jake inside and out. It shouldn't be that complicated to figure out his motivations. With my thoughts miles away – about fifteen miles away, up the road to La Push – I started combing through the fridge, assembling ingredients for Charlie's dinner. Edward leaned against the counter, and I was distantly aware that his eyes were on my face, but too preoccupied to worry about what he saw there. The school thing seemed like the key to me. That was the only real question Jake had asked. And he had to be after an answer to something, or he wouldn't have been bugging Charlie so persistently. Why would my attendance record matter to him, though? I tried to think about it in a logical way. So, if I hadn't been going to school tomorrow, what would be the problem with that, from Jacob's perspective? Charlie had given me a little grief about missing a day of school so close to finals, but I'd convinced him that one Friday wasn't going to derail my studies. Jake would hardly care about that. My brain refused to come up with any brilliant insights. Maybe I was missing some vital piece of information. What could have changed in the past three days that was so important that Jacob would break his long streak of refusing to answer my phone calls and contact me? What difference could three days make? I froze in the middle of the kitchen. The package of icy hamburger in my hands slipped through my numb fingers. It took me a slow second to miss the thud it should have made against the floor. Edward had caught it and thrown it onto the counter. His arms were already around me, his lips at my ear. â€Å"What's wrong?† I shook my head, dazed. Three days could change everything. Hadn't I just been thinking about how impossible college was? How I couldn't be anywhere near people after I'd gone through the painful three-day conversion that would set me free from mortality, so that I could spend eternity with Edward? The conversion that would make me forever a prisoner to my own thirst. . . . Had Charlie told Billy that I'd vanished for three days? Had Billy jumped to conclusions? Had Jacob really been asking me if I was still human? Making sure that the werewolves' treaty was unbroken – that none of the Cullens had dared to bite a human . . . bite, not kill . . . ? But did he honestly think I would come home to Charlie if that was the case? Edward shook me. â€Å"Bella?† he asked, truly anxious now. â€Å"I think . . . I think he was checking,† I mumbled. â€Å"Checking to make sure. That I'm human, I mean.† Edward stiffened, and a low hiss sounded in my ear. â€Å"We'll have to leave,† I whispered. â€Å"Before. So that it doesn't break the treaty. We won't ever be able to come back.† His arms tightened around me. â€Å"I know.† â€Å"Ahem.† Charlie cleared his voice loudly behind us. I jumped, and then pulled free of Edward's arms, my face getting hot. Edward leaned back against the counter. His eyes were tight. I could see worry in them, and anger. â€Å"If you don't want to make dinner, I can call for a pizza,† Charlie hinted. â€Å"No, that's okay, I'm already started.† â€Å"Okay,† Charlie said. He propped himself against the doorframe, folding his arms. I sighed and got to work, trying to ignore my audience. â€Å"If I asked you to do something, would you trust me?† Edward asked, an edge to his soft voice. We were almost to school. Edward had been relaxed and joking just a moment ago, and now suddenly his hands were clenched tight on the steering wheel, his knuckles straining in an effort not to snap it into pieces. I stared at his anxious expression – his eyes were far away, like he was listening to distant voices. My pulse sped in response to his stress, but I answered carefully. â€Å"That depends.† We pulled into the school lot. â€Å"I was afraid you would say that.† â€Å"What do you want me to do, Edward?† â€Å"I want you to stay in the car.† He pulled into his usual spot and turned the engine off as he spoke. â€Å"I want you to wait here until I come back for you.† â€Å"But . . . why?† That was when I saw him. He would have been hard to miss, towering over the students the way he did, even if he hadn't been leaning against his black motorcycle, parked illegally on the sidewalk. â€Å"Oh.† Jacob's face was a calm mask that I recognized well. It was the face he used when he was determined to keep his emotions in check, to keep himself under control. It made him look like Sam, the oldest of the wolves, the leader of the Quileute pack. But Jacob could never quite manage the perfect serenity Sam always exuded. I'd forgotten how much this face bothered me. Though I'd gotten to know Sam pretty well before the Cullens had come back – to like him, even – I'd never been able to completely shake the resentment I felt when Jacob mimicked Sam's expression. It was a stranger's face. He wasn't my Jacob when he wore it. â€Å"You jumped to the wrong conclusion last night,† Edward murmured. â€Å"He asked about school because he knew that I would be where you were. He was looking for a safe place to talk to me. A place with witnesses.† So I'd misinterpreted Jacob's motives last night. Missing information, that was the problem. Information like why in the world Jacob would want to talk to Edward. â€Å"I'm not staying in the car,† I said. Edward groaned quietly. â€Å"Of course not. Well, let's get this over with.† Jacob's face hardened as we walked toward him, hand in hand. I noticed other faces, too – the faces of my classmates. I noticed how their eyes widened as they took in all six foot seven inches of Jacob's long body, muscled up the way no normal sixteen-and-a-half-year-old ever had been. I saw those eyes rake over his tight black t-shirt – short-sleeved, though the day was unseasonably cool – his ragged, grease-smeared jeans, and the glossy black bike he leaned against. Their eyes didn't linger on his face – something about his expression had them glancing quickly away. And I noticed the wide berth everyone gave him, the bubble of space that no one dared to encroach on. With a sense of astonishment, I realized that Jacob looked dangerous to them. How odd. Edward stopped a few yards away from Jacob, and I could tell that he was uncomfortable having me so close to a werewolf. He drew his hand back slightly, pulling me halfway behind his body. â€Å"You could have called us,† Edward said in a steel-hard voice. â€Å"Sorry,† Jacob answered, his face twisting into a sneer. â€Å"I don't have any leeches on my speed dial.† â€Å"You could have reached me at Bella's house, of course.† Jacob's jaw flexed, and his brows pulled together. He didn't answer. â€Å"This is hardly the place, Jacob. Could we discuss this later?† â€Å"Sure, sure. I'll stop by your crypt after school.† Jacob snorted. â€Å"What's wrong with now?† Edward looked around pointedly, his eyes resting on the witnesses who were just barely out of hearing range. A few people were hesitating on the sidewalk, their eyes bright with expectation. Like they were hoping a fight might break out to alleviate the tedium of another Monday morning. I saw Tyler Crowley nudge Austin Marks, and they both paused on their way to class. â€Å"I already know what you came to say,† Edward reminded Jacob in voice so low that I could barely make it out. â€Å"Message delivered. Consider us warned.† Edward glanced down at me for a fleeting second with worried eyes. â€Å"Warned?† I asked blankly. â€Å"What are you talking about?† â€Å"You didn't tell her?† Jacob asked, his eyes widening with disbelief. â€Å"What, were you afraid she'd take our side?† â€Å"Please drop it, Jacob,† Edward said in an even voice. â€Å"Why?† Jacob challenged. I frowned in confusion. â€Å"What don't I know? Edward?† Edward just glared at Jacob as if he hadn't heard me. â€Å"Jake?† Jacob raised his eyebrow at me. â€Å"He didn't tell you that his big . . . brother crossed the line Saturday night?† he asked, his tone thickly layered with sarcasm. Then his eyes flickered back to Edward. â€Å"Paul was totally justified in -â€Å" â€Å"It was no-man's land!† Edward hissed. â€Å"Was not!† Jacob was fuming visibly. His hands trembled. He shook his head and sucked in two deep lungfuls of air. â€Å"Emmett and Paul?† I whispered. Paul was Jacob's most volatile pack brother. He was the one who'd lost control that day in the woods – the memory of the snarling gray wolf was suddenly vividin my head. â€Å"What happened? Were they fighting?† My voice strained higher in panic. â€Å"Why? Did Paul get hurt?† â€Å"No one fought,† Edward said quietly, only to me. â€Å"No one got hurt. Don't be anxious.† Jacob was staring at us with incredulous eyes. â€Å"You didn't tell her anything at all, did you? Is that why you took her away? So she wouldn't know that -?† â€Å"Leave now.† Edward cut him off mid-sentence, and his face was abruptly frightening – truly frightening. For a second, he looked like . . . like a vampire. He glared at Jacob with vicious, unveiled loathing. Jacob raised his eyebrows, but made no other move. â€Å"Why haven't you told her?† They faced each other in silence for a long moment. More students gathered behind Tyler and Austin. I saw Mike next to Ben – Mike had one hand on Ben's shoulder, like he was holding him in place. In the dead silence, all the details suddenly fell into place for me with a burst of intuition. Something Edward didn't want me to know. Something that Jacob wouldn't have kept from me. Something that had the Cullens and the wolves both in the woods, moving in hazardous proximity to each other. Something that would cause Edward to insist that I fly across the country. Something that Alice had seen in a vision last week – a vision Edward had lied to me about. Something I'd been waiting for anyway. Something I knew would happen again, as much as I might wish it never would. It was never going to end, was it? I heard the quick gasp, gasp, gasp, gasp of the air dragging through my lips, but I couldn't stop it. It looked like the school was shaking, like there was an earthquake, but I knew it was my own trembling that caused the illusion. â€Å"She came back for me,† I choked out. Victoria was never going to give up till I was dead. She would keep repeating the same pattern – feint and run, feint and run – until she found a hole through my defenders. Maybe I'd get lucky. Maybe the Volturi would come for me first – they'd kill me quicker, at least. Edward held me tight to his side, angling his body so that he was still between me and Jacob, and stroked my face with anxious hands. â€Å"It's fine,† he whispered to me. â€Å"It's fine. I'll never let her get close to you, it's fine.† Then he glared at Jacob. â€Å"Does that answer your question, mongrel?† â€Å"You don't think Bella has a right to know?† Jacob challenged. â€Å"It's her life.† Edward kept his voice muted; even Tyler, edging forward by inches, would be unable to hear. â€Å"Why should she be frightened when she was never in danger?† â€Å"Better frightened than lied to.† I tried to pull myself together, but my eyes were swimming in moisture. I could see it behind my lids – I could see Victoria's face, her lips pulled back over her teeth, her crimson eyes glowing with the obsession of her vendetta; she held Edward responsible for the demise of her love, James. She wouldn't stop until his love was taken from him, too. Edward wiped the tears from my cheek with his fingertips. â€Å"Do you really think hurting her is better than protecting her?† he murmured. â€Å"She's tougher than you think,† Jacob said. â€Å"And she's been through worse.† Abruptly, Jacob's expression shifted, and he was staring at Edward with an odd, speculative expression. His eyes narrowed like he was trying to do a difficult math problem in his head. I felt Edward cringe. I glanced up at him, and his face was contorted in what could only be pain. For one ghastly moment, I was reminded of our afternoon in Italy, in the macabre tower room of the Volturi, where Jane had tortured Edward with her malignant gift, burning him with her thoughts alone. . . . The memory snapped me out of my near hysteria and put everything in perspective. Because I'd rather Victoria killed me a hundred times over than watch Edward suffer that way again. â€Å"That's funny,† Jacob said, laughing as he watched Edward's face. Edward winced, but smoothed his expression with a little effort. He couldn't quite hide the agony in his eyes. I glanced, wide-eyed, from Edward's grimace to Jacob's sneer. â€Å"What are you doing to him?† I demanded. â€Å"It's nothing, Bella,† Edward told me quietly. â€Å"Jacob just has a good memory, that's all.† Jacob grinned, and Edward winced again. â€Å"Stop it! Whatever you're doing.† â€Å"Sure, if you want.† Jacob shrugged. â€Å"It's his own fault if he doesn't like the things I remember, though.† I glared at him, and he smiled back impishly – like a kid caught doing something he knows he shouldn't by someone who he knows won't punish him. â€Å"The principal's on his way to discourage loitering on school property,† Edward murmured to me. â€Å"Let's get to English, Bella, so you're not involved.† â€Å"Overprotective, isn't he?† Jacob said, talking just to me. â€Å"A little trouble makes life fun. Let me guess, you're not allowed to have fun, are you?† Edward glowered, and his lips pulled back from his teeth ever so slightly. â€Å"Shut up, Jake,† I said. Jacob laughed. â€Å"That sounds like a no. Hey, if you ever feel like having a life again, you could come see me. I've still got your motorcycle in my garage.† This news distracted me. â€Å"You were supposed to sell that. You promised Charlie you would.† If I hadn't begged on Jake's behalf – after all, he'd put weeks of labor into both motorcycles, and he deserved some kind of payback – Charlie would have thrown my bike in a Dumpster. And possibly set that Dumpster on fire. â€Å"Yeah, right. Like I would do that. It belongs to you, not me. Anyway, I'll hold on to it until you want it back.† A tiny hint of the smile I remembered was suddenly playing around the edges of his lips. â€Å"Jake . . .† He leaned forward, his face earnest now, the bitter sarcasm fading. â€Å"I think I might have been wrong before, you know, about not being able to be friends. Maybe we could manage it, on my side of the line. Come see me.† I was vividly conscious of Edward, his arms still wrapped protectively around me, motionless as a stone. I shot a look at his face – it was calm, patient. â€Å"I, er, don't know about that, Jake.† Jacob dropped the antagonistic faade completely. It was like he'd forgotten Edward was there, or at least he was determined to act that way. â€Å"I miss you every day, Bella. It's not the same without you.† â€Å"I know and I'm sorry, Jake, I just . . .† He shook his head, and sighed. â€Å"I know. Doesn't matter, right? I guess I'll survive or something. Who needs friends?† He grimaced, trying to cover the pain with a thin attempt at bravado. Jacob's suffering had always triggered my protective side. It was not entirely rational – Jacob was hardly in need of any physical protection I could offer. But my arms, pinned beneath Edward's, yearned to reach out to him. To wrap around his big, warm waist in a silent promise of acceptance and comfort. Edward's shielding arms had become restraints. â€Å"Okay, get to class,† a stern voice sounded behind us. â€Å"Move along, Mr. Crowley.† â€Å"Get to school, Jake,† I whispered, anxious as soon as I recognized the principal's voice. Jacob went to the Quileute school, but he might still get in trouble for trespassing or the equivalent. Edward released me, taking just my hand and pulling me behind his body again. Mr. Greene pushed through the circle of spectators, his brows pressing down like ominous storm clouds over his small eyes. â€Å"I mean it,† he was threatening. â€Å"Detention for anyone who's still standing here when I turn around again.† The audience melted away before he was finished with his sentence. â€Å"Ah, Mr. Cullen. Do we have a problem here?† â€Å"Not at all, Mr. Greene. We were just on our way to class.† â€Å"Excellent. I don't seem to recognize your friend.† Mr. Greene turned his glower on Jacob. â€Å"Are you a new student here?† Mr. Greene's eyes scrutinized Jacob, and I could see that he'd come to the same conclusion everyone else had: dangerous. A troublemaker. â€Å"Nope,† Jacob answered, half a smirk on his broad lips. â€Å"Then I suggest you remove yourself from school property at once, young man, before I call the police.† Jacob's little smirk became a full-blown grin, and I knew he was picturing Charlie showing up to arrest him. This grin was too bitter, too full of mocking to satisfy me. This wasn't the smile I'd been waiting to see. Jacob said, â€Å"Yes, sir,† and snapped a military salute before he climbed on his bike and kicked it to a start right there on the sidewalk. The engine snarled and then the tires squealed as he spun it sharply around. In a matter of seconds, Jacob raced out of sight. Mr. Greene gnashed his teeth together while he watched the performance. â€Å"Mr. Cullen, I expect you to ask your friend to refrain from trespassing again.† â€Å"He's no friend of mine, Mr. Greene, but I'll pass along the warning.† Mr. Greene pursed his lips. Edward's perfect grades and spotless record were clearly a factor in Mr. Greene's assessment of the incident. â€Å"I see. If you're worried about any trouble, I'd be happy to -â€Å" â€Å"There's nothing to worry about, Mr. Greene. There won't be any trouble.† â€Å"I hope that's correct. Well, then. On to class. You, too, Miss Swan.† Edward nodded, and pulled me quickly along toward the English building. â€Å"Do you feel well enough to go to class?† he whispered when we were past the principal. â€Å"Yes,† I whispered back, not quite sure if this was a lie. Whether I felt well or not was hardly the most important consideration. I needed to talk to Edward right away, and English class wasn't the ideal place for the conversation I had in mind. But with Mr. Greene right behind us, there weren't a lot of other options. We got to class a little late and took our seats quickly. Mr. Berty was reciting a Frost poem. He ignored our entrance, refusing to let us break his rhythm. I yanked a blank page out of my notebook and started writing, my handwriting more illegible than normal thanks to my agitation. What happened? Tell me everything. And screw the protecting me crap, please. I shoved the note at Edward. He sighed, and then began writing. It took him less time than me, though he wrote an entire paragraph in his own personal calligraphy before he slipped the paper back. Alice saw that Victoria was coming back. I took you out of town merely as a precaution – there was never a chance that she would have gotten anywhere close to you. Emmett and Jasper very nearly had her, but Victoria seems to have some instinct for evasion. She escaped right down the Quileute boundary line as if she were reading it from a map. It didn't help that Alice's abilities were nullified by the Quileutes' involvement. To be fair, the Quileutes might have had her, too, if we hadn't gotten in the way. The big gray one thought Emmett was over the line, and he got defensive. Of course Rosalie reacted to that, and everyone left the chase to protect their companions. Carlisle and Jasper got things calmed down before it got out of hand. But by then, Victoria had slipped away. That's everything. I frowned at the letters on the page. All of them had been in on it – Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, and Carlisle. Maybe even Esme, though he hadn't mentioned her. And then Paul and the rest of the Quileute pack. It might so easily have turned into a fight, pitting my future family and my old friends against each other. Any one of them could have been hurt. I imagined the wolves would be in the most danger, but picturing tiny Alice next to one of the huge werewolves, fighting . . . I shuddered. Carefully, I scrubbed out the entire paragraph with my eraser and then I wrote over the top: What about Charlie? She could have been after him. Edward was shaking his head before I finished, obviously going to downplay any danger on Charlie's behalf. He held a hand out, but I ignored that and started again. You can't know that she wasn't thinking that, because you weren't here. Florida was a bad idea. He took the paper from underneath my hand. I wasn't about to send you off alone. With your luck, not even the black box would survive. That wasn't what I'd meant at all; I hadn't thought of going without him. I'd meant that we should have stayed here together. But I was sidetracked by his response, and a little miffed. Like I couldn't fly cross country without bringing the plane down. Very funny. So let's say my bad luck did crash the plane. What exactly were you going to do about it? Why is the plane crashing? He was trying to hide a smile now. The pilots are passed out drunk. Easy. I'd fly the plane. Of course. I pursed my lips and tried again. Both engines have exploded and we're falling in a death spiral toward the earth. I'd wait till we were close enough to the ground, get a good grip on you, kick out the wall, and jump. Then I'd run you back to the scene of the accident, and we'd stumble around like the two luckiest survivors in history. I stared at him wordlessly. â€Å"What?† he whispered. I shook my head in awe. â€Å"Nothing,† I mouthed. I scrubbed out the disconcerting conversation and wrote one more line. You will tell me next time. I knew there would be a next time. The pattern would continue until someone lost. Edward stared into my eyes for a long moment. I wondered what my face looked like – it felt cold, so the blood hadn't returned to my cheeks. My eyelashes were still wet. He sighed and then nodded once. Thanks. The paper disappeared from under my hand. I looked up, blinkingin surprise, just as Mr. Berty came down the aisle. â€Å"Is that something you'd like to share there, Mr. Cullen?† Edward looked up innocently and held out the sheet of paper on top of his folder. â€Å"My notes?† he asked, sounding confused. Mr. Berty scanned the notes – no doubt a perfect transcription of his lecture – and then walked away frowning. It was later, in Calculus – my one class without Edward – that I heard the gossip. â€Å"My money's on the big Indian,† someone was saying. I peeked up to see that Tyler, Mike, Austin, and Ben had their heads bent together, deep in conversation. â€Å"Yeah,† Mike whispered. â€Å"Did you see the size of that Jacob kid? I think he could take Cullen down.† Mike sounded pleased by the idea. â€Å"I don't think so,† Ben disagreed. â€Å"There's something about Edward. He's always so . . . confident. I have a feeling he can take care of himself.† â€Å"I'm with Ben,† Tyler agreed. â€Å"Besides, if that other kid messed Edward up, you know those big brothers of his would get involved.† â€Å"Have you been down to La Push lately?† Mike asked. â€Å"Lauren and I went to the beach a couple of weeks ago, and believe me, Jacob's friends are all just as big as he is.† â€Å"Huh,† Tyler said. â€Å"Too bad it didn't turn into anything. Guess we'll never know how it would have turned out.† â€Å"It didn't look over to me,† Austin said. â€Å"Maybe we'll get to see.† Mike grinned. â€Å"Anyone in the mood for a bet?† â€Å"Ten on Jacob,† Austin said at once. â€Å"Ten on Cullen,† Tyler chimed in. â€Å"Ten on Edward,† Ben agreed. â€Å"Jacob,† Mike said. â€Å"Hey, do you guys know what it was about?† Austin wondered. â€Å"That might affect the odds.† â€Å"I can guess,† Mike said, and then he shot a glance at me at the same time that Ben and Tyler did. From their expressions, none of them had realized I was in easy hearing distance. They all looked away quickly, shuffling the papers on their desks. â€Å"I still say Jacob,† Mike muttered under his breath.

Human Resource Planning Proposal for Harbour IT Asia Essay Example

Human Resource Planning Proposal for Harbour IT Asia Essay Example Human Resource Planning Proposal for Harbour IT Asia Paper Human Resource Planning Proposal for Harbour IT Asia Paper Recently, the company established a branch office in Artists Center, Passing City Philippines? effectively transitioning from renting an office and outsourcing employees, to absorbing these employees into official members of the Harbor IT team. This company is called Harbor IT Asia. Since 2012, Harbor IT Asia has hired two Human Resource Managers to create a Human Resource Management plan for the company, but both have since resigned. This proposal Is an analysis on the company and Includes a Human Resource Management plan. Keywords: Harbor IT, Harbor IT Asia, IT Company, human resources, proposal 3 Company Goals Harbor IT Asia aims to differentiate itself by providing customer service excellence in everything it does in the Managed IT Services Professional Solutions Industry. Harbor IT Asia is committed to the highest standards of ethics, integrity and behavior and to always act in a professional and courteous manner, and adheres to the core values: of Customer Service Excellence, Customer Service Responsibility, Delivery Timeliness and Availability, Courtesy, Honesty and Fairness, Team Spirit, and Meeting the Challenge. Scan the Environment Workforce analysis. Harbor IT Asia currently employs 62 people. Out of the 62, there are 31 males and 31 female employees. The employees age range from 20 to 48 years of age with majority of the employees falling in the 25 to 35 age range. 15 per cent (15%) of the Taft are in management, while the rest are experienced employees. Internal scan. Harbor IT Asia does not currently have its own Employee Manual and are using the existing employee manual provided by Multinational Corporation. Before establishing itself as a separate entity, Harbor IT Asia used to rent office space and source employees and other resources through Multinational Corporation. Looking at the environment, there is also an obvious division between the two departments within Harbor IT Asia?offshore and Internal. Offshore are less in number and have no interaction at all in their working relationship with the Internal Taft. They tend to have separate team building activities and are allocated their own budget for these occasions. Several of the Offshore staff also have a more flexible 4 schedule, with the option to have full flexible hours or to work from home. The Internal staff, however, although more in number, are also divided into its own silos. There is an unspoken competition between the four Service Desk teams, and the teams are also distant from the IT Operations and Accounts teams. There is also an obvious display of favoritism within the company, with the Country Manager being pen with his close relationships to a few of the staff, and give preferential treatment. The leaders of the teams also do not seem to set an example to their staff, and prefer to work on an independent manner, which in turn affects the team and fosters an every man for himself attitude. External scan. Current workforce trends show that there are more and more Australian companies that choose to move their operations to the Philippines. This means that there will be an increase in applicants because there will be more people from call centers and Boos who prefer applying for Australian accounts because of the schedule. Australia is only two hours ahead of the Philippines, so the time difference is not as drastic when compared to working for companies in the US. However, with the nature of high level of IT knowledge and understanding. This may narrow down the applicants quite a bit. Another factor is understanding the Australian accent. People that are used to listening to American English or the neutral accent will initially be taken aback by how difficult the Australian accent sounds like, as well as the colloquial words that are commonly used in Australian conversation. However, compared to Harbor IT Asia, other companies provide better benefit. Harbor IT Asia does not provide employees with an allowance therefore their entire pay is taxed and will lead to deductions. Conduct a Gap Analysis 5 Current Human Resource requirements include hiring a Service Desk Manager to oversee the operations of the Internal Service Desk teams since currently the team leaders are reporting directly to the Country Manager. Also a requirement is the need for a Human Resources Manager to design and implement the Human Resource Plan and to facilitate and guide employees and team leaders with the duties and responsibilities. The Human Resources Manager will also need at least one full-time staff member to assist her with her duties. A full-time company nurse is also an essential. With the current lack of direction in career growth in Harbor IT Asia and without a wildebeests and balanced compensation program, it is expected that employees will resign from the company after an average of two years. This should be anticipated and training should begin to take place between departments to more specialized skill sets. Without movement, it is recommended that the company begin to practice Job sharing to facilitate in pickling and fully raining all of the employees across the company. It should also be noted that most of the employees fall within the same age range, so it is very likely that a majority will retire at the same time or within 1-5 years of one another. This should also be prepared for and younger employees should be considered in their applications. Set Human Resource Priorities to Help Achieve the Company Goals It was determined that employee happiness and retention should be prioritize in the Human Resource Plan. Strategies to improve retention would be increasing or adding additional benefits to the employees, for example, providing employees on graveyard shifts with transportation allowance, increasing the amount of the free lunch benefit, adding clothing allowance to allow the employees to purchase business casual clothing for work days, and waiving the monthly fee for at least two dependents. The next item that the Human Resource plan should prioritize is the Employee Manual or handbook. All policies and procedures of the company should be detailed in this handbook, including due process and the hierarchy of disciplinary action. This should also be uniform and standardized across the company and the results should be the same across all apartments. Measure, Monitor and Report on Progress Feedback forms should be provided to all employees which will be anonymously recorded and the benefit or feature that scores the highest votes will be prioritize and approval and Justification will be submitted to the Country Manager. In addition to this, there should be a space left available in the form that will allow employees to input their own suggestions aside from the existing items provided. The Employee Manual should be completed within the next six (6) months. All employees will be informed when the Employee Manual has been completed and Team Leaders and there members of Management should then be trained to ensure that they are completely aware of the plans and policies. Once the Team Leaders and Management have been trained, they should then conduct meetings with their team members to educate every employee on the plans and policies. The Team Leaders should then have the employee sign an Acknowledgement Form to ensure that this has been read and understood and should be filed with the Human Resource Manager. Succession Planning With the current lack of a definite career plan at Harbor IT Asia, it is recommended that Succession Planning should be implemented. Identifying Key Positions There are two criterion when identifying key positions. Criticality. Critical positions are identified as positions that would have significant impact on the organizations ability to conduct normal business once vacated. Critical positions at Harbor IT Asia 7 include the Accountant, the Team Leaders. It has also been identified that if a number of Service Desk Analysts are to become unavailable, there will be a great impact on the business. Retention risk. This refers to positions where the departure of an employee is expected or likely. Positions with this a high retention risk include Service Desk Analysts. Identifying Competencies Each position has its unique set of knowledge, skills, and abilities (Asks). Accountant. The Accountant holds the responsibility of running the accounting department at places such as financial institutions, corporate businesses or educational facilities. Prospective supervisors generally must have a minimum of a bachelors degree and adequate field experience. Job description. Department workers. In addition to clerical and managerial work, the Accountant also participates in basic accounting functions, such as logging payments and maintaining financial records. In addition to maintaining regulations and laws of accounting procedures, the Accountant also carries out financial auditing procedures. The Accountant must be able to effectively communicate with employees and maintain a positive working relationship when addressing problems and coming up with solutions. Job specifications. The Accountants general duties include assessing accuracy of accounting data, fielding questions directed at accounts payable and receivable, keeping track of records and processing transfers. The Accountant may also prepare Journal entries, log data into spreadsheets and communicate with outside 8 financial institutions, such as banks and lenders. The Accountant can also be in charge of ordering supplies and office equipment, depending on the size of the company. Country Manager. The Country Manager will be responsible for payroll, grant report entry, managing the organizations Human Resources, helping and creating organizational and program budgets and other miscellaneous tasks. Job description. The Country Manager will report directly to the Shared Services Manager and to the Management Staff in Sydney and serves as a member of the Management Team. This positions primary responsibility is ensuring organizational effectiveness by providing dervish for the organizations financial functions. Working with the management team, the position also contributes to the development and implementation of organizational strategies, policies and practices. Job specifications. The Country Manager will work to improve the operational systems, processes and policies in support of organizations mission?specifically, support better management reporting, information flow and management, business process and organizational planning. He should also manage and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of all departments through improvements to each function as well as ordination and communication between support and business functions. He plays a significant role in long-term planning, including an initiative geared toward operational excellence. The Country Manager also oversees overall financial management, planning, systems and controls and handles the management of the company budget in coordination with the Accountant. The Country Manager will be in charge of payroll management, including tabulation of accrued employee benefits and will attend regular meetings with the Shared Services Manager around fiscal planning. He should also supervise and coach team leaders on a weekly basis. Executive Assistant/Administrative Assistant. The Executive Assistant/Administrative Assistant is responsible for carrying out the daily activities of the executive office to deliver an excellent staff experience while providing secretarial support, managing the mail, and carrying out filing. The Executive Assistant/Administrative Assistant provides high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, handling information requests, and performing clerical functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff. Job specifications. The Executive Assistant/Administrative Assistant will be in charge of managing the day-to-day operations of the office; organizing and maintaining files and records; planning and scheduling meetings and appointments; managing projects and conducting research; preparing and editing correspondence, reports, and presentations; making travel and guest arrangements; and providing quality customer service. IT Operations Technician. IT Operations Technicians perform administrative duties and other functions that alp streamline the daily business operations of an organization. IT Operations Technicians work with their team leader and other personnel to help keep businesses running smoothly. 10 Job specifications. The IT Operations Technicians maintain local inventory and software licenses, monitors for security compliance in accordance with company protocols, maintain all systems documentation such as warranty information, telephony system user guides and more, install, maintain, repair and replace IT hardware and software, monitors data backups in offices to ensure business continuity in the event of a disaster or reward failure. IT Operations Team Leader The IT Operations Team Leader is responsible for all of the planning, implementation, maintenance and repair of an information technology system including the management of IT personnel. Job description. The IT Operations Team Leader ensures the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the IT systems. They ensure that their team is correctly following procedures and processes and that maintenance and operations is done on a timely basis. Rivers related network to ensure availability of services to authorized users. Junior Systems Administrator. The Junior Systems Administrator will assist the Systems Administrator in his day to day tasks and responsibilities. Programmer. The Programmer creates and modifies computer programs by converting project requirements into code. 11 The Programmer will create software and applications for the company or the clients business purposes according to the specifications, depending on the programmers expertise. Job specifications . The Programmer confirms project requirements by reviewing program objective, input data, and output requirements with analyst, supervisor, and client; arranges reject requirements in programming sequence by analyzing requirements; preparing a work flow chart and diagram using knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, programming language, and logic; encodes project requirements by converting work flow information into computer language; programs the computer by entering coded information; confirms program operation by conducting tests; modifying program sequence and/or codes; prepares reference for users by writing operating instructions; maintains historical records by documenting program development and revisions; maintains client confidence and protects operations by peeping information confidential; ensures operation of equipment by following manufacturers instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; and evaluating new equipment and techniques. Offsh ore Manager. The Offshore Manager has a similar Job description and Job specifications as the Country Manager, but is only applicable to his specific department. The Offshore Manager reports to the Country Manager. Recruitment Consultant. The Recruitment Consultant interviews applicants to determine their Job requirements and suitability for particular Jobs, assess their training needs and help employers to find suitable staff. Job description. 12 Recruitment Consultants attract candidates by drafting advertising copy for use in a wide range of media, as well as by networking, headhunting and through referrals. Them to their clients. Consultants also provide advice to both clients and candidates on salary levels, training requirements and career opportunities. Job specifications. The Recruitment Consultant will be involved in using sales, business development, marketing techniques and networking in order to attract business from client companies; visiting clients to build and develop relationships; developing a good understanding of client companies, their industry, what they do and their work culture and environment; advertising vacancies by drafting and placing adverts in a wide range of media, for example newspapers, websites, magazines; using social media to advertise positions, attract candidates and build relationships with candidates and employers; headhunting identifying and approaching suitable candidates who may already be in work; using candidate databases to match the right person to the clients vacancy; receiving and reviewing applications, managing interviews and tests and creating a shortlist of candidates for the client; requesting preferences and checking the suitability of applicants before submitting their details to the client; briefing t he candidate about the responsibilities, salary and benefits of the Job in question; preparing C.v. and correspondence to forward to clients in respect of suitable applicants; organizing interviews for candidates as requested by the client; informing candidates about the results of their interviews; negotiating pay and salary rates and finalizing arrangements between client and candidates; offering advice to both clients and candidates on pay rates, training and career progression; irking towards and exceeding targets that may relate to the number of candidates placed, a value to be billed to clients or business leads generated; reviewing recruitment policies to ensure effectiveness of selection techniques and recruitment programs. Reports Analyst. 3 Reports analysts develop systems and standards for business reports. They must be experts in data management and software engineering and be able to coordinate effectively with the needs of multiple departments. Job description Reports analysts examine the unique needs and concerns of a business to develop relevant practices and procedures for preparing business reports. This includes creating and maintaining efficient and secure systems for recording data and producing relevant documentation. Reports analysts also train workers in the use of these systems, teaching them to prepare reports and properly utilize report data. Job specifications. The Reports Analyst examines and evaluates purpose and content of business reports to develop new, or improve existing format, use, and control; reviews reports to determine basic characteristics, such as origin and report flow, format, frequency, distribution and purpose or function of report; confers with persons originating, middling, processing, or receiving reports to identify problems and to gather operating practices, records retention schedules, and office equipment layout; recommends establishment of new or modified reporting methods and procedures to improve report content and completeness of information; prepares and issues instructions concerning generation, completion, and distribution of reports according to new or revised practices, procedures, or policies of reports management. Sales Associate. Sales associates provide fast, friendly service by actively seeking out customers to assess their needs and provide assistance. Sales associates have an emphasis on department and product knowledge, providing information on product features, and knowing related items to sell a specific product or service. Job description. 14 Sales associates require excellent communication abilities, superb customer service and the ability to count, read and write different documents. The Sales Associate will be tasked to identify prospects from the database provided by the company; calls prospective customers by operating telephone equipment, automatic dialing systems, and other telecommunications technologies; influences customers to buy products and services by following a prepared sales talk to give service and product information and price quotations; completes orders by recording names, addresses, and purchases; referring orders for filling; secures information by completing data base backups. Sales Support. People that work in Sales Support will undertake administration and other office duties that leave the sales team free to focus on the busy business of selling. Job description. Employees in Sales Support will do daily administration tasks and after-sales activities to allow the sales team to continue to sell without having to interrupt their ark. Job specifications. Sales Support are in charge of processing new sales leads, managing the correspondence between the sales team and their clients, monitoring customer accounts, providing data and reports to help the sales team, keeping track of sales targets, answering phone calls and inquiries and appointment setting. Service Desk Analyst. The Service Desk Analyst provides first line of support to users and escalate to where necessary. Job description. 15 internal staff. The Service Desk Analyst will require an aptitude for working with applications/systems to undertake analysis, diagnosis and resolution of IT problems, which may range from straightforward to more complicated technical issues. There is also a range of administration duties within this role. Job specifications. The Service Desk Analyst will take on tasks like logging, validating and diagnosing customer issues, on the full range of products and applications provided to the customer; providing the customer with a solution through information gathering, analytical troubleshooting and problem research, or to route or escalate the call to the appropriate resolution group. The Service Desk Analyst will also take on escalation and management of calls to agreed service levels and will need to be expensive to clients while following the principles and procedures of the quality management system. They will also need to identify and analyze problems and suggest improvements identified in their own area of responsibility and implementing those with a recognized business benefit. Service Desk Team Leader. The Service Desk Team Leader will be the supervisor in charge of a team of Service Desk Analysts. The Service Desk Team Leader will manage the performance of services to customers and ensure that service levels are achieved in line with contracts. The team leader will also ensure that customer expectations are met or exceeded. The Service Desk Team Leader will be ultimately responsible for ownership of all customers incidents or logged service requests; track the incidents to conclusion in line with Service Level Agreements (Slash) and quality standards; manage critical customers incidents, associated to customer 16 communication, activities and any appropriate escalations; provide information about incidents analysis and Key Performance Indicators (Kips); build services relationship with customers and conduct service reviews for key customers; review performance reports, service improvements, service quality and processes; and provide management and performance reports. The Systems Administrator is responsible for effective provisioning, installation/ configuration, operation, and maintenance of systems hardware and software and related infrastructure. Job description. The Systems Administrator participates in technical research and development to enable continuing innovation within the infrastructure. He ensures that system hardware, operating systems, software systems, and related procedures adhere to organizational values. Job specifications. The Systems Administrator will be in charge of engineering of solutions for various

Free Essays on The Lover Of The Russian Queen

The Imperial Rapist and Lover-RASPUTIN Gregory Rasputin, who received practically little education, came from the rural Russia and achieved great recognition as a holy man in the highest circles of Russian society. Gregory Efimovich was born on January 10, 1869, in Prokovskoe, a small village in Siberia. As a young lad, Rasputin shocked his village by the fact he was developing into a rake, a man with a debauched, and endless, sexual appetite. It was soon thereafter that the debauched, lecherous peasant adopted the robes of a monk, developed his own self-gratifying doctrines, traveled the country as a â€Å"staretz† and sinned to his heart’s content. By the time he reached his early thirties, Rasputin had traveled to the Holy land and back. It was while in Kazan that the mysterious traveling monk made an impression among the local clergy. It was with the recommendations of these fooled priests that Rasputin headed to St. Petersburg for his first visit. While in the Russian capital, Rasputin’s presen ce attracted the attention of many of the country’s leading religious leaders. The staretz’ traveling tales, as well as the stories he told about his religious revival, seemed to capture the attention of the higher clergy of the Russian empire. The year was 1902.The Tsar’s death seemed imminent as his once strong body caved under the strain of his sickness. No one would have thought that Tsar Alexander III, a giant by most accounts, would be dead before his fiftieth year. And no one was more terrified by the events unfolding at the Imperial compound at Livadia, in the Crimea, as the young heir, Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich. At the time of his father’s death in late 1894, Nicholas was an inexperienced youth wholly unprepared for the great task destiny had placed on his shoulders. Nicholas himself was terribly aware of this and upon his father’s death, the new Tsar consoled himself by asking God to give him the guidance... Free Essays on The Lover Of The Russian Queen Free Essays on The Lover Of The Russian Queen The Imperial Rapist and Lover-RASPUTIN Gregory Rasputin, who received practically little education, came from the rural Russia and achieved great recognition as a holy man in the highest circles of Russian society. Gregory Efimovich was born on January 10, 1869, in Prokovskoe, a small village in Siberia. As a young lad, Rasputin shocked his village by the fact he was developing into a rake, a man with a debauched, and endless, sexual appetite. It was soon thereafter that the debauched, lecherous peasant adopted the robes of a monk, developed his own self-gratifying doctrines, traveled the country as a â€Å"staretz† and sinned to his heart’s content. By the time he reached his early thirties, Rasputin had traveled to the Holy land and back. It was while in Kazan that the mysterious traveling monk made an impression among the local clergy. It was with the recommendations of these fooled priests that Rasputin headed to St. Petersburg for his first visit. While in the Russian capital, Rasputin’s presen ce attracted the attention of many of the country’s leading religious leaders. The staretz’ traveling tales, as well as the stories he told about his religious revival, seemed to capture the attention of the higher clergy of the Russian empire. The year was 1902.The Tsar’s death seemed imminent as his once strong body caved under the strain of his sickness. No one would have thought that Tsar Alexander III, a giant by most accounts, would be dead before his fiftieth year. And no one was more terrified by the events unfolding at the Imperial compound at Livadia, in the Crimea, as the young heir, Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich. At the time of his father’s death in late 1894, Nicholas was an inexperienced youth wholly unprepared for the great task destiny had placed on his shoulders. Nicholas himself was terribly aware of this and upon his father’s death, the new Tsar consoled himself by asking God to give him the guidance...

Adverb(ial) Phrases in English

Adverb(ial) Phrases in English An adverb phrase (or adverbial phrase) is a word group with an adverb as its head. This adverb may be accompanied by modifiers or qualifiers. An adverb phrase can modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or even an entire sentence or main clause. As shown in the examples below, it can appear in a number of different positions in a sentence. Examples of Adverbial Phrases The Cheshire Cat vanished quite slowly, beginning with the end of its tail.The players responded surprisingly well to all the pressures of the playoffs.The best way to preserve the flavor and texture of fresh vegetables is to cook them as quickly as possible.As quickly as possible, we cleaned the fish and placed them in coolers.The air was warm, stirred only occasionally by a breeze.Only occasionally is there a rumble in the sky or a hint of rain.Snow fell much earlier than usual.My daughters choice of driving music is,  surprisingly enough, classic rock. Quotes With Adverb Phrases James Russell Lowell If youth be a defect, it is one that we outgrow only too soon. Beverly Barton, Close Enough to Kill Bernie watched Jims face for a reaction.  Surprisingly enough, he grinned. Adverbial Phrases Without Adverbs Theyre called adverbial phrases because they can occur in the same range of positions as single adverbs. Many such adverbial phrases, paradoxically, do not contain an adverb. Such adverb-less adverbial phrases are typically prepositional phrases, as italicized in the examples below from James R. Hurford in Grammar: A Students Guide. On Friday night, Im playing squash.Their marriage broke up in the most painful way.May I, on behalf of the shareholders, congratulate you? Positioning Adverb Phrases Jame R. Hurford, Grammar: A Students Guide Like adverbs, adverb phrases can cause confusion because there is some flexibility in where they occur within sentences, and even in modifying the sentence structure. As well, adverb phrases are sometimes embedded in other phrases. Examples are: Laura, a better, gentler, more beautiful Laura, whom everybody, everybody loved dearly and tenderly.He had taken her hand sympathizingly, forgivingly, but his silence made me curious.David, on the lowest step, was very evidently not hearing a word of what was being said. Our first example identifies an adverb phrase following the verb loved; the next example shows an adverb phrase following the noun hand and removed from the verb it modifies; the third example has an adverb phrase embedded into a verb phrase was...hearing. Such flexibility makes it more difficult to identify these phrases; therefore, noting the head adverb can be of help. Sources Barton, Beverly. Close Enough to Kill. Hardcover, Zebra Books/Kensington Publish, 2006. Hurford, James R. Grammar: A Students Guide. Cambridge University Press, January 27, 1995. ODwyer, Bernard. Modern English Structures: Form, Function, and Position. 2nd Edition, Broadview Press, June 16, 2006.

The Affects of the Universal Commercial Code Research Paper

The Affects of the Universal Commercial Code - Research Paper Example In early 1950s, business transactions were handled differently and ineffective across United States. The purchase and sale of goods among various states drew confusion when legal matters regarding business arose. And, therefore, there was a need to get a policy to streamline interstate business issues. Adoption of the code as remained free of choice among states and each state has the option of adopting or rejecting this law (Liuzzo, 2010). That is, only if the state government adopts the UCC that the law becomes the state’s statutory laws. Note that, the state legislature may rewrite part of the law or adopt it as originally edited. (Miller, n.d.). The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is arguably the most significant development of the American Law, which offers comprehensive ways of addressing issues of commercial business. The drafts and text of the code are written by commercial law experts and submitted to the Uniform Law commissioners in collaboration with American Law institute for approval. The approving team is comprised of Attorneys qualified to Practice law, federal and state judges, and university Law professors across the United States. They then, meet and decide whether to endorse the drafts or forward them back to experts for more revision. More often such revisions create many drafts but one has to be adopted, and the agents recommend that the states adopt it. The system was developed to address two central issues. First was to harmonize varied approaches by state laws that made interstate business transactions difficulty. Secondly was to improve the management of legal and contractual requirements of operating business. The code has nine articles, each with provisions that relate to the particular area of commercial law and therefore, the conduct of business in different states needed to comply with the UCC

Hunter S. Thompson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Hunter S. Thompson - Essay Example Unlike her teeth, reality has the power to bite. So have I and here comes Lola the lesbian with the pizza. Her boots thump and stomp up the stairs, shaking but not stirring the peace, momentarily. Lola's cool. She's kind, she knows the right people to score the best stuff, she shares. Lola's lonely, an angry, aging remnant of the Women's Movement. She's discarded it, but in truth, it discarded her. She was too loud, too active, too passionate, too public. Honesty was her worst policy. So here she is with her pristine apartment and pedigree pussycat, Comfort. And me, worn out, washed-up, woozy and unpredictable. Or am I But for now, just on the edge, the brink of a life, new and shiny or corroded and crusted with the rust of broken promises "Napkins, forks, here you go, sweetie" Lola croons. "Who the fuck eats pizza that way!" - but I hold the scream inside, there are larger issues at stake. I have a duty to be nice, for now. We need each other, we share a place, a history and a hatred of Bush/Blair. I know we will get to them, come what may, never mind the pepperoni, the buzz and the Bud. Like war, it's inevitable. I hold onto the buzz, see the lights but they become the nights of 'Shock and Awe', bigger lights, more impact, you know Am I myself or somebody else, and who gives a shit I go forward with Lola to Guantanamo Bay, hearing the voices of expert salesmen. "Yes we have a nice range of used cattle-prods, or if they don't appeal, how about some out of date sodium pentathol" Now ain't that their truth, the inhuman, dehumanized leaders of the civilized world. The anger rises, then subsides, Lola and me, we think on and speak on. "And Bush tells Blair: "If I put my hand in the fire, you must do it too, to prove you are my friend. If burning ash, cinders and shit fall on innocent bystanders, why, what the hell, it's the price they pay for us showing strength." And we are right to loathe and fear these creatures from the dark side. This bullshit hurts. Lola rolls another joint and the hiss and clink of beer and glass make it easy, like Sunday morning. I eat, I drink, I feel the need to expel these bastards from the vicinity. I don't want Lola's tears to dilute the purity of my anger. The poison of these creatures is enough to keep my resolve alive. But for now, let's party with warm love. There's Lola, the cat, the lights, the grass and me. A soft breeze, the comfort of kindred spirits, all anybody needs. A muted scream from over the way brings a shadow of fear to Lola's soft face. Eyebrows raised in alarm, old memories surface, she's going weird on me. I could show her weird, but I won't, keeping my scars to myself and feeling no pain. A sweeping swarm of locusts now encircle me, are in me, and time moves me onwards to the edge. The soft murmur of her voice forms the backdrop, but cannot drown them out. No matter, I want to finish it. The tide is high but I'm holding on, and ask myself why All I have fought for, all I believe in, destroyed, denigrated and demeaned. The American dream is now my waking nightmare. I could end this and wake up elsewhere. I bought the ticket. I will take the ride. She sighs, shifts, leans to plant a kiss on my head, and leaves to sleep. Thank Jesus she's gone, it's just me and my decision. Exciting, nerve-wracking, life-changing, no, life-ending. Another slice of pizza,

Tuberculosis in HIV infected patients Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Tuberculosis in HIV infected patients - Essay Example This paper shall discuss tuberculosis among HIV patients, including its management, and expected patient outcomes. Discussion According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TB is the leading cause of death among HIV patients with almost one in four deaths attributed to tuberculosis. Statistics also indicate that about 20% of patients with TB and HIV have died in 2007; and individuals with HIV and TB account for 32% of patients having died during TB treatment (CDC). These figures indicate the impact of the TB on the HIV patient, how it exacerbates the patient’s condition and even places him at a significant and mortal risk. There are significant challenges which health professionals face with the treatment of TB among HIV patients. It is also important to note that multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) can manifest among HIV patients. This is unfortunate because these patients would often manifest resistance to two of the best anti-TB drugs – isonia zid and rifampicin (CDC). This type of TB is very difficult to treat and is sometimes a death sentence for HIV patients. Experts suggest that in order to control the occurrence of MDR-TB, the treatment has to be improved not just in the US, but all over the world. The most effective treatment for TB is still the DOTS treatment or the directly-observed therapy; and in order to improve the treatment of MDR-TB, the application of the DOTS must be expanded (CDC). The treatment of TB among HIV patients is more or less similar to the treatment of adult TB patients without HIV. However, managing this disease among HIV patients is complicated; moreover, these patients must also seek care from health professionals with expertise in managing HIV patients with TB (CDC). Since HIV patients are usually already taking in numerous medications, it is important for health experts to note which drugs would have negative interactions with each other, so as not to further exacerbate the patient’ s condition. These experts are also focusing their health programs towards preventing the spread of this disease among the non-HIV population, and more particularly among the HIV population (CDC). Various methods for the management of TB among HIV patients have been suggested. In a paper by Madhi, et.al., (p. 21) the authors sought to evaluate the use of isoniazid prophylaxis against TB among HIV infected children and uninfected children exposed to HIV during the their prenatal period. The authors considered about 540 HIV infected and 804 uninfected infants, assigning them to the isoniazid or the placebo group for 96 weeks. The respondents were assessed on tuberculosis disease, death among HIV-infected children and latent TB infection (Madhi, et.al., p. 21). The study established that the use of primary isoniazid prophylaxis among HIV-infected children and uninfected children did not improve their TB-disease free survival. In effect, even with the application of antiretroviral thera py, TB among HIV infected children remained high (Madhi, et.al., p. 21). There is a need to review the available treatment methods for these children, in order to establish appropriate preventative measures on the occurrence of TB. Martinson’s paper below provides an alternative to the isoniazid treatment. Martinson (p. 11) sought to evaluate the use of three new regimens for latent TB which may be more effective than the standard isoniazid treatment. The authors assigned respondents with HIV and TB and who were not

Foreign Hospitality Industry in Switzerland Research Paper

Foreign Hospitality Industry in Switzerland - Research Paper Example   It is strategically located in the center of Europe, which ensures easy accessibility of all European markets. It is referred to as the center of competitiveness in Europe, as it plays an important function in financial markets internationally. It is also the center for many international organizations like World Trade Organization, WHO, and UN, among others. Therefore, the hotel industry can do well here as there are many potential customers who have to eat and spend in hotels.   Presence of international trading companies, law firms, and insurance companies, freight forwarding companies, security firms and surveillance firms certify Switzerland as a truly global business center. Switzerland has greatly improved over the past years as an investment center. It continually enhances foreign and domestic investments through improvement of circumstances and conditions. The improvement over the past years as an investment center is rated as follows;   Expansion of Mirvac group of hotels to Switzerland will improve the company’s reputation and image. Switzerland is an international country and presence of these hotels will ensure its loyal customers get their services, away from home. It will also make it be recognized internationally, as many foreigners come here. Therefore, it will market it internationally, and hence, investing in other countries will also be easy. Investing in Switzerland is, therefore, an important strategy for the company’s future prospects.   Globalization has had various effects on the industry of hospitality. The positive impacts are exposure to diverse cultures, large market, economic development, technology advancement, promotion of creativity, increased job opportunities, development of travel industry, and availability of international services. Exposure to different cultures will help managers in the hospitality industry to learn different cultures as they interact with people from different walks of life.

Article analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Article analysis - Essay Example To build his argument he mentions the positive side of Fox stand. However, Bauder does not forget to mention the need of airing news that is unpleasant to the ears of its audience. He leaves the reader wondering about his stand on the debate when he takes on the opponent’s side. Towards the end of the article, Bauder takes the proposing stand to argue out his point in the article. Bauder gives support to his argument in several ways. Throughout the article, Bauder uses questions to drive his argument. Further, the use of quotation helps the reader to identify the stand of Bauder in the article. Rhetoric statements characterize the argument pointing out the cause of disagreement in the article. He compares the airtime given to Iraqi war by other channel using statistics. He sites 20% by CNN, 18% by MSNBC and 6% daytime news hole. It is probable that figures are assertive than mere use of words. He manages to use contradictory statements to exemplify his forth and back framing of his argument. This might challenge a reader who does not follow the argument. Bauder’s uses illustrative statement throughout the article to attest his argument. For example, ‘’certain folks don’t want bad news† helps to illustrate his point. This is a strategy since it sparks emotion of the reader, thus influencing readers stand on the point of argument. Another strategy that he employs in his article is the frequent use of questions to influence the stand of the reader. â€Å"So how to explain the divergent priorities?† The use of questions probably points the need to have a divergent view over the news to put in air. He effectively illustrates a situation of divergent views in the society. Moreover, he argued it is less rewarding to dwell on negative things. The central idea in his argument is the audience of they intend to serve. He points out that their intention is to give priority to the likes of their viewers. He believes

Foreign Hospitality Industry in Switzerland Research Paper

Foreign Hospitality Industry in Switzerland - Research Paper Example   It is strategically located in the center of Europe, which ensures easy accessibility of all European markets. It is referred to as the center of competitiveness in Europe, as it plays an important function in financial markets internationally. It is also the center for many international organizations like World Trade Organization, WHO, and UN, among others. Therefore, the hotel industry can do well here as there are many potential customers who have to eat and spend in hotels.   Presence of international trading companies, law firms, and insurance companies, freight forwarding companies, security firms and surveillance firms certify Switzerland as a truly global business center. Switzerland has greatly improved over the past years as an investment center. It continually enhances foreign and domestic investments through improvement of circumstances and conditions. The improvement over the past years as an investment center is rated as follows;   Expansion of Mirvac group of hotels to Switzerland will improve the company’s reputation and image. Switzerland is an international country and presence of these hotels will ensure its loyal customers get their services, away from home. It will also make it be recognized internationally, as many foreigners come here. Therefore, it will market it internationally, and hence, investing in other countries will also be easy. Investing in Switzerland is, therefore, an important strategy for the company’s future prospects.   Globalization has had various effects on the industry of hospitality. The positive impacts are exposure to diverse cultures, large market, economic development, technology advancement, promotion of creativity, increased job opportunities, development of travel industry, and availability of international services. Exposure to different cultures will help managers in the hospitality industry to learn different cultures as they interact with people from different walks of life.

Americans should have more holidays and longer vacations Essay

Americans should have more holidays and longer vacations - Essay Example Americans deserve more holidays and longer vacations than are being given to them currently. Americans should have more holidays and longer vacations The Americans deserve more breaks and longer vacations. It is because they work hard and thus need time to satisfy themselves as well. Americans really believe in the dictum of providing themselves more holidays and longer vacations because they have to come back smoothly towards their work domains and give their best concentration towards work ethos and realms. More holidays are required because the Americans work very hard and devote their own selves whole-heartedly towards their work ethos (Author Unknown, 2011). It is of paramount importance to know that they will be requiring more in terms of vacations because they have to refresh themselves. Americans deserve more in terms of their fun and frolic related activities as they help them to enjoy with their family and friends on different locations within America as well as the rest of the world (Monroe, 2010).

Federal Transportation Budget Essay Example for Free

Federal Transportation Budget Essay What is the structure of the Federal Transportation Budget? Since 2001, in the Department of Transportation, the government administration worked closely with Congress to develop a reasonable budget plan that would enact a responsible reauthorization of The Department of Transportation’s highway and public transportation. Also, the highway safety programs were included that allows for the states to have more flexibility and raises more money and pinpoints the most important areas that need attention, such as mobility and safety.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The President’s budget for transportation support efforts in developing the Next Generation Air Transportation System which will meet the demands for airspace capacity. This budget also covers funds for intercity passenger rails at a rate that will convince Amtrak to take action in reforms and control the spending. (CBS News, 2007) CBS News reports that â€Å"More funds will now be distributed to pay for highway many safety programs and changes which was recently-enacted by the surface transportation reauthorization law.† Since 2001, The Department of Transportation has aided in stabilizing the airline industry, after the September, 11, 2001 attacks from terrorists.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Federal Budget for Transportation was designed to cover the most important issues dealing with transportation issues. The Budget of the United States Government displays a chart that lists the amount of money allotted for transportation. (FY07 Budget, 2007) under the title â€Å"Transportation.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reference Page Transportation Allotments.(2007). Federal Budget 2007. Fiscal Outlook. CBS News. FY07 Budget. GPO Access. (2007). Department of Transportation. Budget of the United   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   States Government: Browse Fiscal Year 2007.

Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES)

Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES), a non-profit organization was founded in 1989. Its objectives include encouraging ethical and sustainable business practices and promoting investment policies which are environmentally, socially and financially sound. It has created a group of worlds largest companies and investors who are responsible to take care of the environmental issues. 100-plus companies and many Fortune 500 businesses like- General Motors, Polaroid, Body Shop International, Bank of America, are engaged with Ceres for supporting clean energy policies and maintaining a strong climate. Financial organizations and Environmental groups like Sierra Club are members with Ceres (Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES), 2016).   Ceres aims at making companies understand the concerns of the planets future. Meeting the sustainable challenges of the 21st century is important along with running business. Ceres works on making the environment more sustainable and therefore it follows all the laws that comes under the Environmental Laws and Regulations of the U.S. government. Ceres rights: On the account of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill that happened in the Gulf of Alaska in March 1989, Ceres came up with its core Ten Principles. These principles aim to protect the earth, its energy and resources wisely; reduce waste and doing business in fair manner. The principles and its aspects are as follows: (The Ceres Principles , n.d.) Laws supported by Ceres- There are several issues addressed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). Some of them include- limitation on air pollutants, enforcement of clean water and laws on safe drinking. EPA works for implementation of these federal laws so that the environment does not get affected by business practices. Ceres works along with EPA in implementation of the laws. The INCR Policy Working Group an initiative by Ceres focuses on five different areas of policy engagement: Its members collaborate with other investor groups, including the European IIGCC, the Australian/New Zealand IGCC, the Asian AIGCC, UN PRI and UNEP-FI, to support the Strong Climate and Clean Energy Policy among the investors worldwide. Its members also support the policies which promote clean and low carbon fuel sources, improving Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions which happen by transportation activities. INCR members also support research reports which show the investment case for such policies. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has proposed an arrangement of noteworthy controls that will lessen air emissions, help the economy and make occupations. Financial specialists have signed letters and met with Congressional staff to guarantee implementation of the Utility Mercury and Air Toxics Standard, the Cross State Air Pollution Rule and the Carbon Pollution Standard for Future Power Plants. The Ceres Roadmap to Sustainability, organizations are relied upon to adjust publicly disclosed arrangement positions on atmosphere and energy issues with the approaches they advocate through their lobbying and political expenditures. Its members bolster a scope of approaches at the state and government level, for example, the Production Tax Credit for renewable vitality, the California AB32 climate and Clean Energy Program and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Ceres makes sure companies and investors follow the strong climate and Clean energy policies in the US and abroad. One of the CEOs of Ceres- Mindy S. Lubber joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1995. She joined it as a senior policy advisor and has achieved recognition as a regional administration under President Bill Clinton in 2000. She has also been a president at former National Environmental Law Center. Her efforts include- Organizing waste removal at hazardous waste sites Redevelopment, new jobs and urban revitalization Protection of drinking water supplies (2016 William K. Reilly Award Winners Announced, n.d.). Ceres along with WWF assembled a group of 100 large companies which supported the Paris Climate Agreement. It also supports the Clean Power Plant which was an initiative by Obama administration. Ceres strongly supports Clean Air Act(Business Is Taking Action on LGBT Rights. Will Climate Change Be Next?, n.d.). In the Six Proactive steps that Ceres has made for insurance companies, for addressing the climate change, it mentions about the Greenhouse gas emission, in favor of Federal and International Policies which limit its emissions. It addresses the threat of change in the climate because of carbon pollution (Insurance, n.d.). Laws opposed by Ceres- Ceres mostly works for sustaining the environment and limiting business practices for better future. It supports laws that relate to maintaining environment standards. Therefore, there arent many laws that are being opposed by Ceres. Rather there are a couple of them which are addressed as below. It opposed the Presidents and Congressional Leaders abandoning of Methane rule and the Clean Power Plant. Ceres believes that these laws were made to support the environment. There are many companies that has made an agreement in support of the law. And so, Ceres does not want such laws to get abandoned. It also shows its disagreement with the Presidents two-for-one executive order which requires deletion of two federal regulations against any one issued. Ceres impact on business- Ceres major goal lies in influencing business and its practices which affect environment. It has made many huge contributions which has helped business to follow the standards and become effective in their practices. The contributions by Ceres which impacted companies include- Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), 2003- works on leadership and accomplishments on climate and sustainability of financial firms. Launched the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for corporate reporting on environment, social and economic performances Launched the Climate Declaration Launched Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) Ceres made an evaluation of its member companies and found that most of them have adopted policies based on International norms and fewer companies have adopted sector-specific policies. In the evaluation, most frequent instituted policies include those related to bribery and corruption and elimination of discrimination along with overall sustainability of environment. Companies which adopted the international standards like International Labor Organization(ILO) and United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), show understanding of sustainability issues and are committed in implementing changes in their business (Corporate Policies and Management Systems, n.d.). Ceres influence on legislative process- Ceres resolved an issue on United Parcel Service (UPS)s Lobbying Disclosure. It laid down points which the BOD of UPS requires to disclose in their report. Indirect lobbying and Grassroots lobbying communication are the points covered under the solution. These points include efforts at the local, state and federal levels. Along with this, we already saw that Ceres has laid down its core 10 principles which are in favor of environmental protection. Business and stakeholders adhere to these aspects and make sure that they are abiding by the rules related to these policies. It tracks shareholders resolutions and considers the following issues: Climate change Carbon asset risk Greenhouse gas emission Water pollution and scarcity Public policy Air pollution methane emission Proxy voting policies Human rights The shareholders make such resolutions. This ensures that they make proper implementation of the laws. On studying the resolutions, the legislatures can make laws that depend upon the environmental standards. Ceres 3-year plan- Ceres has presented a Road map on Sustainability which covers Governance for sustainability, Stakeholder Engagement, Disclosure, Performance: Operation, Supply Chain, Transportation and Logistics, Product and Services, Employees. The Roadmap expectation on corporate policies and management systems measures the extent to which companies embed sustainability into decision-making. Encourage organizations to receive a more expansive way to deal with recognizing and speaking with stakeholders, including engagement on a more extensive topic. The disclosure segment layout the attributes of a way to deal with revelation that meets the new and rising difficulties on corporate sustainability. The operation segment enhances sustainability across their operations, including building and facilities management, water management, the elimination of waste and respect for human rights. Sustainable supply chain performance expects establishing supplier policies and endorsing industry codes or practices containing explicit references to social and environmental standards. Transportation and logistics include reducing transportation impacts which are focused on the architecture of the transportation network, including distances traveled; and specific transportation modes, including the sustainability credentials of the energy sources used. This section also looks at business travel and commuting practices and the role that companies can take in shaping employee behavior. Sustainable solutions for products and services should be that they are marketed and delivered in a sustainable way. Proper communication of the usage and consumption pattern. Improved recruitment and retention rates, employee morale and productivity, and lower healthcare costs should be crucial for companys employees in order for sustainable performance (The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability Ceres, n.d.). Ceres aims at transferring the way corporations integrate environmental and social risks into their decision-making. By 2020 Ceres wants major companies which re its members to attain these standards. The areas in which more companies should come forward include Product and Services and Supply Chain. Ceres looks forward in making greater attempts at helping companies in achieving the goals of sustainable environmental business practices. Mind-Map: Ceres an organization works majorly in line with the International Laws on Environmental protection. It supports U.S. laws as well about certain policies. Ceres helps implementation of the following laws of Unites States Federal Environmental Statutes- Clean air act Clean water act Emergency planning and community right to know act Energy policy act National environmental policy act Resources conservation and recovery act References (n.d.). Retrieved from 2016 William K. Reilly Award Winners Announced: http://www.american.edu/spa/cep/news/2016_Reilly_Award_Winners.cfm Business Is Taking Action on LGBT Rights. Will Climate Change Be Next? (n.d.). Retrieved from Business Is Taking Action on LGBT Rights. Will Climate Change Be Next? Ceres: https://www.ceres.org/press/press-clips/business-is-taking-action-on-lgbt-rights.-will-climate-change-be-next Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES). (2016, november 24). Retrieved from Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Coalition-for-Environmentally-Responsible-Economies Corporate Policies and Management Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved from Corporate Policies and Management Systems Ceres: https://www.ceres.org/roadmap-assessment/about/roadmap-expectations/governance-for-sustainability/policies-and-management-systems Insurance. (n.d.). Retrieved from Insurance-Ceres: https://www.ceres.org/industry-initiatives/insurance The Ceres Principles . (n.d.). Retrieved from The Ceres Principles- Ceres: https://www.ceres.org/about-us/our-history/ceres-principles The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability Ceres. (n.d.). Retrieved from The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability Ceres: https://www.ceres.org/roadmap-assessment