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Purchasing Office Procedures
I. Introduction
II. General Procedures
A. Selecting Sources for Products and Services
- Campus Sources
- State Contracts, Agency Contracts, and State Mandatory Sources
- Open Market Sources
- Sole Brand and Sole Source
- Purchase of Items Exempt from State Purchasing regulations (DOAS Exempt List)
- Contracting for Services
B. Fund Approvals and Authority to Purchase
- Grant and Contract Funded Purchases
- Approval to Authorize Use of Departmental Funds
- Additional Approvals Required
- Unauthorized Charges
- Supplier Forms, Terms, and Conditions
- Changes to Purchase Orders
- Demonstration Equipment and Items on Approval
- Donated and Loaned Equipment
- Scams and Fraud
- Purchases for Personal or Non-State Use
- Sales and Excise Taxes
- Rental, Lease, Installment Purchase, Maintenance, Service Agreements
- Procedures for Memberships, Subscriptions and Licenses
D. Relationship with Sources of Supply (Vendors)
- Specifications Specification Matrix Example
- Gifts from Suppliers, Conflicts of Interest
- Reciprocal, Barter, and In Kind Agreements
E. Use of Consolidated Purchase, Term Contracts, and Bidding
G. Purchase or Rental of Vehicles
III. Purchase Request Process
A. When to Use the Purchase Request Form
C. Preparation of Purchase Request Form
Example Purchase Request Form
Example Purchase Request Continuation Form
Sample Sole Brand Memorandum Cover Sheet
Sample Sole Brand Justification – Use Item on Existing Equipment, same manufacturer
Sample Sole Brand Justification – For Research or Classroom Instruction Goals
Sample Sole Brand Justification – Extensive Training
Sample Sole Brand Justification – Substantial Inventory
Sample Sole Source Justification - Repair
Purchasing Office Procedures
1. Delegation of Purchasing Authority
The President designates the Assistant Director of Procurement responsible for the day to day management of purchasing activities. This designation includes the capacity to obligate the institution for the costs of goods and services (i.e., to purchase). The Assistant Director of Procurement may authorize other positions or areas on campus to purchase if it is in the best interest of the institution.
Each designated or delegated individual is personally responsible for meeting all Board of Regents, State, and external requirements for the specifying, bidding, and purchasing for the items and services under their responsibility. In addition, these individuals are responsible for the duties to meeting all applicable institutional purchasing and accounting requirements.
Departmental procedures to implement these delegated or designated duties are the responsibility of the respective office. Designees cannot obligate the institution without proper funding authorization from an official who has budget responsibility for the funds to be obligated. The cabinet level officer over the budget to be obligated has the responsibility
for funding approval of a purchase. Cabinet officers may delegate the fund approval responsibility to personnel in their division. Any procedures to implement delegation are the responsibility of the respective cabinet officer.
The Assistant Director of Procurement established the following designations:
- Agency Funds – the individual responsible for the account.
- Athletic Funds - for resale – Director of Athletics
- Auxiliary Services – items for resale in Auxiliary units – Director of Auxiliary Services
- Expenses related to employee travel (transportation, lodging, etc,) – each cabinet level officer and the Travel Office
- Facilities items and Construction services regulated by the Vice Chancellor for Real Estate and Facilities of the University System – Director of Physical Plant and Facilities Planning
- Information Technology items – Director of Information Technology
- Library collections and related services exempt from State purchasing regulation as defined in the Georgia Procurement Manual– Director of the Odom Library
- Telecommunications lines and services – Director of Auxiliary Services
- All items and services not otherwise delegated – Purchasing Office staff
2. Order of Precedence for Procedures
This section explains the process the Purchasing Department will use when processing a Purchase Request from a campus department and when reviewing a Purchasing Card transaction for items not delegated by VSU Procedures to other campus offices. Other individuals or departments designated with the authority to purchase and obligate funds may have their own procedures to be followed provided these conform to the State, BOR, and VSU policies.
Generally, the purchasing policies and procedures of the State of Georgia address how or where an item can be ordered. The budgeting and accounting, directives of the state Department of Audits, State Accounting Office, and Board of Regents generally regulate what can be ordered with funds. For purchasing at the institutional level these various sources of policy are applied as procedures by a combination of the type of item or service being purchased, the source of funding, and the total cost to meet a need.
Specific policies in Purchasing exist if there are either exceptions or exemptions from the requirement to follow state laws and regulations; otherwise everything is subject to the same process.
A. Selecting Sources for Products and Services
The Central Warehouse Stores operation has a limited selection of items in stock. These items have been purchased through State approved process. If these are needed then this source should be used. A few additional items are available through the Plant Operations warehouse. Most items at this location are specific to Plant maintenance needs and are not what is normally used by campus departments.
Generally items purchased by the VSU Bookstore or Food Service operations are not purchased through the State approved process so cannot be used in large quantities by campus departments.
2. State Contracts, Agency Contracts, and State Mandatory Sources
When the items or services needed are on contracts authorized by the State Purchasing Office then these are to be used by the campus. Lists of these contracts are available on the State Purchasing web sites. Georgia Enterprises for Products and Services (GEPS ) Mandatory Items
Items and services not available from State approved sources are considered to be open market purchases. If it is reasonably expected that a departmental need will exceed $5,000 in a fiscal year for similar services or a group of related items then the total need should be combined for bidding. If the total need is reasonably expected to be less than $5,000 then a department can use the Purchasing card to pay without any bidding by the institution. University departments should advise the Purchasing department as far in advance as possible of plans which will require over $5000. Departments should submit Purchase Requests to the Purchasing department as soon as need is determined. Normally, this will be before specifications or desired brands and models are determined. This will allow adequate time for requests from all departments to receive the appropriate amount of attention. . These steps could allow problems with the state bidding process to be solved before the formal bid is issued.
4. Sole Brand and Sole Source
Purchasing Regulations, in accordance with state, federal, and university policy, require that material, equipment, supplies, and services be procured via competitive means. However, the competitive process can be either modified if Sole Brand is justified or waived if Sole Source is adequately justified.
Before any item can be considered for purchase from a Sole Source without competitive bidding there must be justification as to why no other product by any other company can do what is needed. This justification is called Sole Brand.
Sample Sole Brand Memoranda are in Appendix A.
There are various reasons an item or service can be Sole Brand. Purchasing's decision on the reasonability of the request will be based on the thoroughness of the requester's investigation, evaluation, and documentation of alternate items and sources of supply. Rejection of similar products must be based solely on their failure to meet specific and necessary specifications at a comparable level of functioning. In this evaluation, a "comparable level" does not mean exactly equal in all aspects unless the need for a specific level of function must be provided to allow the research or administrative task to be properly performed. In all cases Purchasing may choose to seek additional sources through public advertisement of the request.
Sole Brand justification cannot be solely based on quality, price, or that only one company sells the desired brand. Quality can be specified in a bid as tolerances or performance requirements to keep it from being a subjective evaluation based on opinion. State Purchasing regulations require price consideration be evaluated via competitive bidding. A bid advertised in the State Bid Registry will allow the market to determine if other companies have comparable items.
Sole Source may be obtained after Sole Brand is justified. Sole Source requires the manufacturer to write and state that either the item is only available directly from them or they must specify the exact dealer office to use and that if their items are purchased from any other source their product warranties will not be valid.
5. Purchase of Items Exempt from State Purchasing regulations. (DOAS Exempt List)
Specific items and services are classified in the Georgia Procurement Manual as Exempt. These are not required to follow the state bidding procedures but must meet the legal and accounting procedures required by the Board of Regents and State law. When purchasing exempt items or services the requesting department is to follow the BOR Policy 707.01 which in part states "…professional practices for purchasing in the public environment are to be employed at all times." If the department has been delegated authority to purchase under the VSU policy then the procedure developed by the department will be followed. For all other departments, to meet this requirement the requesting department will justify the price as fair and reasonable using one of the following methods and submit a purchase request for the purchasing office to place an order:
- A price comparable to other published prices for the same or similar items.
- An education discount price from the supplier.
- Pricing similar to what other public institutions in the university system or the region have paid.
- A price from another government or cooperatively bid contract such as GSA, E&I, WSCA, etc.
- Justification that an item has no comparable substitutes and the pricing is the best that could be negotiated with the supplier.
Contracting for a service requires a legally binding contract to be signed by all parties to the agreement. Generally there are three types of services: Consulting, Labor, and Performance.
- Consulting provides advice only in the form of a report or other documentation in response to a request by the institution. These services are frequently listed as exempt from State Purchasing regulations.
- Labor performs a specific task assigned by the institution which allows the work to be reviewed or inspected for quality and completeness. These usually require bidding if the amount exceeds the $5,000 limit of the State regulations.
- Performance requires the public presentation of knowledge, skills, or personal abilities pertaining to a specific area of expertise at the request of the institution. The unique nature of any presentation can usually allow sole source justification be to documented based on the need for the individual differences between possible contractors.
When contracting for these services a legal contract document must be used along with a purchase request to encumber the funds for accounting purposes.
- There are three types of contract documents to use for specific situations. If the contract document is provided by a regulatory state agency, such as the Board of Regents Office of the Vice Chancellor for Real Estate and Facilities for Architects, construction, and related services, those documents must be used.
- When the amount will be under $5,000 for the year, or the service is listed as exempt in the State Purchasing Department Georgia Procurement Manual, then either the standard agreement developed by VSU is to be used or the service provider can provide a contract is a form suitable for the VSU Office of Legal Affairs to review, edit, and authorize as acceptable.
- If the service is not listed as Exempt by the State Purchasing Department Georgia Procurement Manual and is over $5,000 the service could require bidding. The state forms for service contracting will be used as part of the bid for these needs.
B. Fund Approvals and Authority to Purchase
1. Grant and Contract Funded Purchases
It is the responsibility of each Principle Investigator or grant recipient to determine if expenditures with the funds received are exempt from State purchasing regulations. When a purchase request or purchasing card transaction is submitted to the Purchasing Department, it will be processed following the usual policies. Information about any exceptions to the usual policies, which are permitted by the grant agreement, must be conveyed to the Purchasing Department with the purchase request or Purchasing Card statement. If any additional procedures are required by the terms of the grant or contract agreement, it is the responsibility of the administrator of that agreement to inform Purchasing of the exact requirements.
2. Approval to Authorize Use of Departmental Funds
Budget managers authorize the use of funds. If a higher level of authorization is required by internal policies of a college or division it is the responsibility of the budget manager to know those requirements and to obtain the authorizations.
When utilizing the State Purchasing Card within the authorized policies a budget manager commits the university with the understanding they are subject to the requirements for use of the card if the purchase does not meet the requirements of the various regulating State and local offices.
When submitting a Purchase Request the budget manager is authorizing use of their budget funds but is not committing the university to pay for the items on the request. The authorization to use funds does not normally commit the university to expend funds for the items or services. After it has been verified all the required regulations have been fulfilled then expenditure of funds is authorized.
In the event the department's budget does not indicate an adequate balance to cover estimated costs at the time a purchase request is submitted, the budget manager is responsible to work with the Financial Services staff to resolve budget issues before a purchase order can be issued by the Purchasing Office.
3. Additional Approvals Required
There can be many State or Board of Regents level approvals required for items. These change frequently and can be found in those resource manuals. Campus policy requires additional approval for the following purchases:
- Advertising for faculty positions must be approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
- Advertising for staff positions must be approved by the Human Resources office.
- Information technology items must be approved by the Office for Information Technology
- Printing, typesetting, or design must be approved by the University Relations office prior to either the Purchasing department contracting for any services or Printing Services starting work on the request. This does not include requests for black and white copying or for printing requests not involving VSU logos.
- Telecommunications items such as cellphones, 2-way radios, PDAs with wireless capability, and regular desk top telephones require VSU Telecommunications Office approval.
- Vehicles for use on the road require the State Fleet Support Services to approve the purchase.
The Purchasing Department does not issue purchase orders for items that have already been directly ordered by a department, except under the Emergency Purchase policies detailed in this manual. If this situation occurs it becomes an issue of how to pay for the item and the Financial Services Accounts Payable process should be consulted.
1. Supplier Forms, Terms, and Conditions
Terms and conditions on supplier forms might conflict with state requirements. Any purchase that requires signed contracts must be approved through the Office of Legal Affairs before Purchasing can issue a purchase order.
2. Changes to Purchase Orders
Campus departments are not permitted to make any change to the items, prices, terms, or conditions on a purchase order issued by the Purchasing Office. If a change to an order is deemed necessary or desired then the Buyer who signed the purchase order should be consulted and details of any changes to be made are to be submitted in writing to the Buyer.
The Central Receiving unit of the Central Warehouse handles the common carrier claims for items lost or damaged in transit. If a department is experiencing difficulty in either receiving ordered goods or in the interpretation of specifications, the Buyer should be contacted to determine if a change is needed.
3. Demonstration Equipment and Items on Approval
When equipment is left by suppliers for demonstration purposes, they should be informed that the University assumes no responsibility for its loss or damage from any source and that if a purchase is made as a result of this demonstration, the equipment so purchased shall be new, unused, and (when appropriate) in original unbroken cartons, NOT the equipment demonstrated unless USED items are specified in the request prior to the event of the demonstration. This also applies to video tapes, movies, software, and books.
Departments are requested to not accept equipment on an approval basis unless it does not require bidding and the supplier is made aware of risks and liability they undertake.
4. Donated and Loaned Equipment
Caution is required before accepting any items that will or are intended to use only one manufacturer's supply of product. Such equipment should be able to utilize competitive products for which the equipment is intended. Lack of competition for the supplies has shown the gift could cost more in the long term than a competitive purchase.
Telephone solicitations for office supplies, copier and laser printer toner, advertising, and similar products should be referred to the Purchasing department. Experience has shown that most of these instances result in receiving either poor quality merchandise at inflated prices or not product.
6. Purchases for Personal or Non-State Use
Both State and Board of Regents policies appear to specifically prohibit the ordering of anything through State processes and then attempting to pay back the institution for personal use or ownership of the item. As an example, office supplies, food, awards, etc for personal use can neither be ordered by the institution with the costs paid back, nor ordered along with an institutional order. Employees should refrain from trying to get a supplier to sell to them personally in association with any institutional order as it could appear the supplier received the institution order in some part due to providing a favorable price to the individual.
Georgia Code Section 50-5-80 makes it unlawful for individuals to take personal possession of items that are purchased through the university accounts.
Board of Regents policy Sec. 707.02 prohibits the purchase goods or services for personal use to be conducted through channels used in the purchase of goods and services for the operation of the University System. Policy 707.02 is understood to mean that any item or service contracted by the institution can not be used for personal benefit unless the item is personally purchased through an Auxiliary Service function that Board Policy establishes as the outlet to resell to the public.
In addition to the obvious prohibition provided by the cited laws and regulations, that of buying goods for personal ownership, there has been a subtler interpretation: a prohibition against buying certain goods and services, the nature of which indicates that their end use is more personal than official. If these situations apply then it must be documented with the Purchase Request form or the Purchasing Card Statement as an attached memo from the budget manager. As clarification, items can be permitted if:
- the items are to be used as part of the instructional materials of a class
- if a PI verifies the items are permitted by a grant
- if external funds were collected to provide the items as part of a conference or meeting (e.g.: Public Services).
It is difficult to define all such goods and services. The following list includes examples of items which could be denied for purchase on the basis that the apparent end use is mostly personal in nature. It is the policy of the University that the Vice President for Finance and Administration, if deemed appropriate, the University President must approve purchases for items of this nature for use by students or employees when other than private agency funds are being used.
- Office beverage or food services like water or coffee
- Christmas decorations for offices, greeting cards.
- Cut flowers.
- Coffee makers, radios, water purifiers, refrigerators, televisions, microwave ovens, brief cases, and similar items.
- Entertainment, food items, meals (except as authorized by travel policies), refreshments, alcoholic beverages.
- Watches, trophies, ground-breaking shovels, medals, certificates, performance awards, and other items to be granted as a donation or gratuity in favor of a person, corporation or association for individual ownership.
- Dues to a Chamber of Commerce or dues for individuals to be members in organizations not required by the duties of the position.
- Employment agency placement fee, moving or relocation costs and other costs incurred by employees to obtain a position with the University.
This section applies to only those items ordered with official purchase orders and purchasing cards. All other tax questions are directed to VSU Financial Services, Accounts Payable Department.
Valdosta State University, as a unit of the State of Georgia, is exempt from payment of Georgia Sales and Use Tax, and Federal Excise taxes when using public funds. Specific taxes on over the road gasoline and tire products and underground storage tank use may be payable depending on the exact situation. Otherwise, state sales tax does not apply, provided purchases are placed with official purchase orders.
Any department receiving a request for an exemption certificate can get it online or refer the supplier to the website to get it directly. The link to the page with the Georgia and Florida exemption forms is Financial Services Forms.
Generally, the University is not liable to pay state sales taxes of other states if the transaction is consummated in the State of Georgia. However, the University could be liable for taxes of another state if title to the goods passes in that state to VSU.
8. Rental, Lease, Installment Purchase, Maintenance, Service Agreements
When a written contract is required for one of these types of agreements, the contract will be the responsibility of the Purchasing Department. This responsibility does not apply services and funds delegated to other departments by the Vice President for Finance and Administration.
When requested by a department, maintenance contracts will be negotiated on equipment as it is acquired, or will be renewed annually on existing equipment. Maintenance agreements are contracted annually at the request of the department. This is not an "automatic" procedure. A common expiration date of June 30 has been established for all such agreements, at which time renewals will be accomplished for the coming year.
Usually, rental and lease contracts have the same cost and terms for each year of the contract. Some maintenance contracts can be agreed to with renewals at the same price and terms or with indexed cost adjustment clauses. If a department requests a contract with a specific number of renewal periods, and if the company agrees to the same cost and terms for each year, then the original service request form will be used each year to renewal the contact for the number of years on the original request. However, since the volume of use can change over time, each year the Purchasing Office sends a renewal notice the campus so department can verify their estimated volume of contract usage for the next year. This will allow an appropriate amount funds to be encumbered each year.
9. Procedures for Memberships, Subscriptions and Licenses
Professional Memberships:
The University may pay institutional memberships and dues in professional associations provided that they are in the name of the University. Departments are responsible for making sure the University is not already a member of the organization before authorizing a purchase request.
Memberships in the name of an individual cannot be paid or reimbursed from any fund source unless one of the following circumstances applies:
- Job Requirement: The membership is necessary to fulfill the requirements of a job. A letter of justification detailing the necessity of the membership must accompany any purchase request. OR
- The sole purpose of the membership is to purchase professional journals at a reduced rate that are not available through the University Library. The membership must include the cost of the journal and be less than the amount that would be paid if the journal was purchased alone. These journals become the property of the University rather than the individual in whose name the membership is made. The journals must pertain to the mission of the department from which payment is made. A letter of justification providing details to show the cost advantage of purchasing the membership must be provided.
Department budget managers may authorize purchase requests for subscriptions if the following circumstances apply:
- The University is not already a subscriber or member of an organization.
- The subscription is not available through the University Library.
- The subscription is of a public nature and a tangible benefit accrues to the University by virtue of the payment.
- A letter of justification accompanies the purchase request.
An employee must pay for a license or certification fee if it is required to meet the minimum job requirements.
- If it is not a minimum job requirement but the department prefers the employee have it AND receives a tangible benefit in paying for the license, VSU can purchase it with a letter of justification from the department budget manager.
- Ultimately, the department budget manager must also authorize the purchase from their assigned budget
- Example: Notary Public
D. Relationship with Sources of Supply (Vendors)
In the area of public administration extreme care must be taken to avoid the appearance of favoritism toward any supplier. Supplier access to selling and VSU specifying of requirements must keep competition open and fair. To accomplish these goals the following procedures are established:
Receiving the best price first and holding the bidder to it, avoiding any appearance of auctioning the bid among suppliers (i.e. telling each supplier what others bid until only one is willing to continue under those circumstances).
Keeps specifications fair and clear, and avoids impossible or unnecessary specifications.
Indicate, as appropriate, a preference for supplier(s)
ITEM TO BE ORDERED - Battery Charger
MODEL Number
SERIES Number
Capacity Peak Load
100 Amp -6 volt maximum
100 amp 6 v
100 amp 6 v
200 amp 6 v
60 amp -12 volt maximum
60 amp 12v
60 amp 12v
60 amp 12v
Size of DC Ammeter
4 inch diameter minimum
Range of Ammeter
0-90 minimum
0 -120
0 -120
0 -90
Timing Switch
Must Have
Variable Charge Switch
Must Have
Power Supply and AMPS
115v-60Hz, 15Amp Max
110v,60Hz, 15 amp
110v,60Hz, 18 amp
110v,60Hz, 10 amp
Slow to Fast Charge
Must Have
6 and 12 Volts
Must Have
Compatibility Requirement
Work with existing Allen
diagnostic equipment
70 lbs maximum
50 lbs
50 lbs
90 lbs
Acceptable Model
2. Gifts from Suppliers, Conflicts of Interest
In addition to laws covering bribery (16 O.C.G.A 16-10-2), restraint of trade
(O.C.G.A. 16-10-22), and Board of Regents policy concerning gratuities (Sec. 802.14), The Governor's Executive Order dated January 12, 1999 establishes and Ethics in Government Policy. Summarizing these guidelines leads to a common understanding in public administration, it is best to not accept anything but if small items are accepted these need to be items that are routinely used in offices around campus.
Employees of Valdosta State University are prohibited from participating in buying or selling transactions with the University. Exceptional measures of care should be exercised when the University does business with firms owned, in whole or in part, by family members or relatives of University employees.
The Attorney General has confirmed that employees of the Board of Regents are considered to be public employees and are required to comply with the disclosure provisions of the comprehensive conflicts of interest law (Section 4510-20 through 45-10-28). This law requires that all public officials and employees of the State, or any agency thereof, shall disclose on or before 1 January each year, all transactions during the preceding year between the State and the public official or employee or any business in which such official or employee or any member of their family has a substantial interest.
Exemption from these provisions is provided if the individual transaction is less than $250.00, and the aggregate total of all such transactions does not exceed $9000.00 in any calendar year. The forms necessary to comply with a January 31 filing deadline are available on the web pages for Board of Regents and Office of Planning and Budgets.
3. Reciprocal, Barter, and In Kind Agreements
A reciprocal agreement either states or implies that two companies will purchase from each other. An example is a situation when a company agrees to buy advertising in a VSU publication and VSU agrees to buy the product or service the company sells and these transactions become the basis of the pricing.
Barter and In Kind agreements are when goods or services are exchanged without money being used in the transaction. An example is a transaction when a company advertises in a VSU publication and VSU gets the product or service that company provides but at either a reduced payment or with no payment of money.
Using these types of agreements for public purchasing is not allowed. Determining the best value of any product or service must be with a competitive bid and cannot be either determined or documented in terms of non- competitively bid values assigned to items. 2) The transactions must show in the accounting records as expenses and revenues to accurately show the status of accounts.
E. Use of Consolidated Purchase, Term Contracts, and Bidding
The requirement to combine similar needs into an either open market or contract bid is a usual procedure for accountability of public funds. This process helps show both that when reasonably possible the expenditure of funds is planned and that the process is open for responsible suppliers to have a fair chance to sell to the campus. The decision to consolidate items will be determined by the Purchasing Office based on campus wide usage and projected needs.
The requirement to consolidate items for contracts is in the State Purchasing manual. The requirement to combine related items into one bid and purchase is not specifically stated but is the only reasonable decision when attempting to implement the $5,000 bid limit as required in the State procedures. As an example, if a department needs $200,000 of furniture but no item costs over $5,000, as a matter of public administration accountability ordering the total without any bidding would not be seen by the public as an acceptable practice. Therefore, the question becomes at what level is it required to bid similar items? The only guidance offered by the State or Regents is the $5,000 bid limit. Any other limit would be arbitrary and not defensible to the public so the $5,000 limit is used for bidding related items. The splitting or multiple buying of requirements to avoid the dollar value limitation is not acceptable.
An individual form is required for each service or item likely to not be available from a single supplier. If unlike items are included on the same request, it would result in dividing a request among suppliers which would unnecessarily complicate tracking and follow-up inquiries by a department about the purchase request.
The combining of as many related item as possible into a contract is a goal. There are many factors that can be considered to determine if items can be consolidated on a contract but in the end the decision is based on the ability of an acceptable number of suppliers in the marketplace to bid and provide comparable items.
Contract pricing can be based the costs that best reflect the circumstances of the items pricing. Examples of contract pricing are:
- a fixed price for the life on the contract
- a variable price based on a price index of items directly related to the contract items
- a price with a periodic adjustment based on a directly related index
- a price based on a national price list that is utilized by most suppliers of the items
A properly designed bid consideration price, quality, and service. Under the bid system of purchasing, price determines the award when all bidders are quoting on the same or acceptably substituted specifications. Quality and service must therefore be defined adequately in the bid invitation; failure to do so works in favor of the supplier and places the university at a disadvantage.
Total cost is a function of quality and service, among other factors. The degree of quality and the extent of service contained in the specifications, therefore, should be no more than is required to accomplish the purpose for which the purchase is being made. Specifications for excessive quality and services force bidders to quote higher prices to protect themselves against rejection of their bid for failure to meet the specifications. A brand which exceeds the specifications may be recommended along with any brand known to meet the specifications. Quotes will be requested on the required level of need and any of the recommended brands could be the low bidder if the supplier offers a favorably price.
The state generally wants all purchases open so competing businesses can offer competitive prices. In addition, efforts should be made to involve minority and small business in the procurement needs of the institution.
An emergency purchase is the only situation that can justify a purchase order being issued after the department has ordered the items or services. The professional judgment of a prudent employee acting in good faith shall constitute adequate basis for the decision to act when either an individual is endangered or if a situation poses a threat of immediate, serious damage to property. This procedure should be considered a measure of last resort since such actions must be fully justified to the satisfaction of the State Purchasing Office.
A letter of justification is required to accompany the purchase request for an emergency purchase. The emergency purchase justification should clearly fit into the framework of the definition of an emergency with the specific circumstances should be clearly stated.
In circumstances where the emergency purchase requested is over $100,000 and time is available the Purchasing Services Office will make a written request to State Purchasing furnishing as attachments all relevant supporting information and documentation. Emergency requests of this type must have the written approval of the Vice President Finance and Administration.
Emergency purchase procedures are available for employees on duty outside of the State of Georgia or outside the United States. Contact the Purchasing department for information.
It is a practice of VSU and State Purchasing to not accept emergency purchase justifications which are based on a need to utilize budgeted funds in time to avoid a budget lapse deadline.
1. Definition of an Emergency Purchase
An emergency situation exists if it is likely that supplies, equipment, and or contractual services cannot be obtained through normal processing means in time to avoid one of the following examples:
- Research personnel are unable to perform mission due to lack of materials or services in the required time. (NOTE: Departments are responsible for planning and forecasting needs such that this situation is avoided except in unusual cases.
- Field or distant emergency circumstances where no agency or State assistance is possible.
- Circumstances where normal purchasing procedures cannot be utilized without resulting in extremely detrimental effects upon the operation of the agency and the State's business. An example is replacing instructional equipment needed for the current semester after a theft or fire makes the items unavailable.
- A situation arises whereby the lack of items or services immediately endangers the health, welfare, or safety of any person. (NOTE: In this situation, the Purchasing department need not be contacted until the emergency danger is over.)
G. Purchase or Rental of Vehicles
The acquisition of any vehicle that can be registered and licensed in the State of Georgia is subject to the Fleet policies of the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) and the DOAS State Fleet Support Services regulations. Links to the VSU policies and procedures, as well as to the OPB and State regulations can be found on the VSU Fleet Coordination webpage VSU Vehicle Fleet Coordination
III. Purchase Request Process
A. When to Use the Purchase Request Form
A Purchase Request is required for the purchase of supplies, contracted services, and equipment when the purchase can not be made within the other procedures (i.e.: travel request, petty cash, check request, per-diem and fees, VSU credit card). A Purchase Request is made by completing a Service Request and marking the purchase request box in the upper left corner of the form.
A Purchase Request may be used for registration fees only if there are no other expenses for meals, lodging, or mileage to be submitted for the travel.
Items charged to personal service budget categories of the budget are not to be submitted on a Purchase Request.
The originating department should forward the completed Purchase Request, signed by the department head or their official designee indicating availability of budgeted funds, to the Purchasing Department. The white copy is retained for the departmental record. The department head is responsible for obtaining appropriate signatures for special approval items or services. If any question exists concerning the availability of funds the Purchase Request shall also have the approval of the appropriate Dean or Director, and if that individual deems necessary under prevailing circumstances, the signature of a Vice President.
When the purchase order is prepared by the Purchasing Office a copy of the purchase request will be attached to the purchase order and sent to the department funding the purchase.
For most services, and items shipped directly to a campus department and bypassing the Central Receiving department, a copy of both the Purchase order and purchase request will be sent to the department identified on the Purchase request as the intended recipient.
C. Preparation of Purchase Request Form
Example Purchase Request Form
Example Purchase Request Continuation Form
The following steps provide a guide for the initiating department to use in completing the Service Request Form when used as a Purchase Request. Sample forms are provided following these instructions.
- Enter X in the box to the left of Purchase Request.
- Enter the People Soft Chartstring. If an item is to be charged to more than one account then type "split charge" and then list the account numbers with department name and the total to be charged to each account in the first lines of the description section of the form. This includes the situation when more than one object classification code in the same department account is used.
- Enter the department name and the name of the object code to match the listed account number (i.e. Purchasing-Supplies). If split charge is used in step 2 then enter "see below".
- The department head or an official designee is authorized to expend budgeted funds. If funds are not available and a budget amendment is anticipated, approval of the appropriate senior administrator and/or a vice president is required. This determination, and securing the necessary approvals, is the responsibility of the department head.
- If special authority approvals, as outlined in the policy section, are required for items such as Information Technology, Telecommunications, or for other special types of materials, the approval number, if appropriate, and signature are to be entered. It is the responsibility of the department head to make this determination and obtain approvals and signatures prior to submitting the request to the Purchasing Department.
- Enter name of building to which the item is to be delivered.
- Enter room number or name designation where the item is to be delivered.
- If the item is for a specific individual then the name of the person who is either to use or is requesting the item.
- If the delivery is NOT to the department listed in step #3, then enter the department or location designation for delivery.
- Enter the date that merchandise will be needed. If the request is $5000.00 or more and not on a contract, then allow one to three weeks for bids to be obtained and for the purchase order to be issued, plus additional time for the supplier's delivery. Processing time would normally be longer for orders over $10,000 or orders requiring State Purchasing review. Such statements as "immediately" or "at once" indicate routine processing only. A specific date will communicate the need and avoid misunderstandings. Entry of a desired date earlier than normally expected by routine processing should be accompanied by a memorandum, such as with an Emergency Purchase Request, or a statement in the description section of the form. The unusual situation that caused the request to be submitted with a short delivery time is to be described in the memorandum. This situation will alert the Buyer to contact the requesting department to discuss the request.
- If the final delivery point is not known, or if the item is large and the individual requesting the item wants to inspect it at Central Receiving prior to final delivery, or a specific individual should sign accepting delivery, then instructions such as, "Call when received." "Call for inspection." "Call (name) before opening packaging", would be appropriate. Purchase Requests which specify delivery locations outside of Lowndes County, Georgia, should include the notation in Block 16 at the end of the description: "F.O.B." where the blank is the Ship To address including the building name. The contact name and telephone at that location should be in blocks 12 and 13.
- Enter the name of the person to be contacted should there be questions concerning the item. This could also be the person to be contacted if special instructions have been provided in step #11.
- Enter phone number or email of individual named in step #12.
- Assign a number in sequential order to each item requested. Items which constitute a set, and are purchased for a specific price for the set, are considered as a single item. The individual components of such a set are to be listed under the item as part of the description.
- Most items on a State Contract have an eleven digit NIGP code number. If the department knows the code it should be listed.
- Give a complete description of each item being requested. If an entire description for an item cannot be listed in this space then do not use this space for the description. Instead, just a brief item name is shown on the request. The description and specifications for each item should be typed on either the Service Request Continuation Form or on a separate sheet of white paper. When this is done, the number of attached pages and the number of items should be stated on the front of the request as follows: "See the attached ____ pages of ____ items."
Many times it will be helpful to also show the name of the manufacturer and the model number in order to identify the specific item being requested. Using only a supplier's catalog number is misleading and should not be used unless absolutely necessary; then the complete description, issue or volume number of the catalog, and a copy of the page from the catalog should be given. The unit of packing desired (i.e. 6/case or 100 lb./bag), when applicable, also should be noted as part of the description.
- Enter the quantity needed and specify the unit of measurement, such as each, pounds, bushels, cubic feet, count, etc. Do not specify general unit measures such as one case unless the type and number of units, such as 6 each 12 oz. cans per case, are also specified in step #16 of the description section.
- Enter the estimated cost of each unit being requested. You are encouraged to get unit prices from catalogs or price lists which are usually furnished by suppliers. Records of past purchases may also be used The unit price shown in this column must be associated with the unit size described in both the description section and the quantity column.
- Enter the extended price (unit price multiplied by quantity) for each item requested. This serves as authority to charge the specified budget this cost. If shipping costs are in addition to this amount, then list shipping as a separate item and show the cost in this column.
- If Service Request Continuation Forms are being included with this request then check the box and note the number of the attached forms. When using the Continuation form, type the request number from the original Purchase Request in the space provided at the top right of the continuation form. The first continuation form will be numbered 1. All other information on the continuation form is to be entered in the same manner as steps #14 through #21.
- Enter the total dollar cost of all items included on this page.
- Enter the total dollar cost of all items on all forms included in this Purchase Request package.
- List any known suppliers (name, address, phone number) who have in the past supplied this item, or who have this item available for consideration, or whom you would like solicited for bids. Additional sheets can be attached or the description section can be used if additional room is needed
If an item is to be traded, it must be listed on the purchase request. Indicate the University property inventory (tag) number, if available, model, and serial number, and expected trade-in allowance.
When the Purchase Request has been completed and required approvals obtained by the department head, forward it to the Purchasing Department. Retain the white copy for department records.
The following sample memorandum, with one or more categories completed, must be forwarded to Purchasing when Sole Brand approval is requested for requests exceeding $5000. Purchases from contract vendors are exempted.
Sample Sole Brand Memorandum Cover Sheet
To: _______________________, Purchasing Office
From: _(Name of Principle Investigator, Department Head/Administrator )__
Subject: Sole Brand Justification for Purchase Request #___________________________
I am aware that University purchasing regulations require that we procure via competitive means whenever practicable. However, I am requesting a Sole Brand procurement based on the following criteria. (Complete and attach the appropriate following sections as necessary.)
Sample Sole Brand Justification – Use Item on Existing Equipment, Same Manufacturer
The requested product is an integral repair part or accessory of the same manufacturer, is compatible with existing equipment, and substitutes would jeopardize the serviceability of the integrated units.
Estimated price_____________________________________________
Proposed vendor_____________________________________________
Product Description _________________________________________
Manufacturer/Model Number of requested item:__________________________________
Existing equipment:_________________________________________
Manufacturer/Model Number:__________________________________
Age and Estimated Current Value_____________________________
Explain how the requested item is used in relationship to the current equipment and requested equipment. If the existing item is old and the requested item more expensive then please give reason for not requesting a replacement unit, such as: to replace the existing item would cost $XXX which is YY times the cost of purchasing this requested upgrade.
Sample Sole Brand Justification – For Research or Classroom Instruction Goals
The requested product has unique design/performance specifications which are essential to my (research protocol or instructional goals) and are not available in comparable products. (A and either B or C must be answered.)
A. These capabilities are:
B. In addition to the product requested, I have contacted all other known suppliers for this type of product and considered their products of comparable capabilities. These products are not acceptable because they are lacking comparable technical specifications described in part A. (Complete as necessary to list all available suppliers.)
Product Description:________________________________________
Vendor Contract/Phone number:_______________________________
Technical Deficiency:_______________________________________
Product Description:________________________________________
Vender Contact/Phone Number:________________________________
Technical Deficiency:_______________________________________
Product Description:________________________________________
Vendor Contact/Phone number:________________________________
Technical Deficiency:_______________________________________
Product Description:________________________________________
Vendor Contract/Phone number:_______________________________
Technical Deficiency:_______________________________________
Product Description:________________________________________
Vender Contact/Phone Number:________________________________
Technical Deficiency:_______________________________________
Product Description:________________________________________
Vendor Contact/Phone number:________________________________
Technical Deficiency:_______________________________________
Product Description:________________________________________
Vendor Contact/Phone number:________________________________
Technical Deficiency:_______________________________________
C. The requested product is essential in maintaining (experimental/instructional/) continuity. Provide a thorough explanation in "Explain in detail" section.
_______Requested product is being used in continuing experiments.
_______Other investigators have used this product in similar research and, for comparability of results, I require it.
_______ I have standardized (research procedures/ instructional coursework/service functions) on the requested product; the use of another product would delay the continuation of the program and require considerable time and effort evaluate or adopt.
Explain in detail:
Sample Sole Brand Justification – Extensive Training
The requested product is one with which I\or my staff have specialized and extensive training and retraining would incur substantial costs in time and effort.
Manufacturer/Model of existing product: ___________________________________________
Estimated hours/per person required to retrain: ____________
Numbers of persons requiring retraining: __________________
Other factors including estimated total cost to retrain:
Estimated total cost of requested items: _________
Estimated total cost of alternate items: _________
Sample Sole Brand Justification – Substantial Inventory
The institution has a substantial inventory of parts for the requested item. A substitute would not be
compatible with this inventory, would require the need to stock additional parts, and would cause the
institution to incur a substantial cost by making the existing inventory obsolete. This item (is/is not)
distributed through other suppliers.
Number of parts inventory items stocked________________
Total value of items in stock__________
Estimated handling cost to stock additional items______
Number of items of equipment in use which utilize these parts____________
Total value of the existing equipment in use___________
Recommended suppliers listed on the Purchase Request form.
Sample Sole Source Justification - Repair
Occasionally, the need for repairs or other services are required. Usually these can be handled as an Emergency Purchase using the closest repair facility. If the service is not an emergency then a sole source must be justified for one of the following reasons. Please mark the appropriate line.
Recommended vendor__________________________________________
Alternate sources evaluated (if available and the time exists to look for additional service providers). _______________________________________________________
______The extent of necessary services or repairs for this item can not be determined until the item has been dismantled for inspection at which point it cannot be economically moved or reassembled. The recommended vendor has provided the best local service for this type of requirement.
______The (function to be offered/item to be repaired) can not be moved or economically (provided at/shipped to) a distant supplier. Only local vendors have responded to requests to provide these services. The recommended vendor has provided the best local service for these needs.
- Phone
- 229.333.5708
- Fax
- 229.333.7408
Campus Address
University Center, Entrance 5 Financial Services 1205 N. Patterson St. Valdosta, GA 31698
Mailing Address
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta, GA 31698
- M-Th 8:00am - 5:30pm
F 8:00am - 3:00pm


text:
Revision history of "How Do I Add the "Button" in BoomBar Like on the iThemes Site?"
Diff selection: Mark the radio boxes of the revisions to compare and hit enter or the button at the bottom.
Legend: (cur) = difference with latest revision, (prev) = difference with preceding revision, m = minor edit.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on companies claiming their products can speed recovery from concussions, according to a consumer update posted Wednesday.
"The Food and Drug Administration is monitoring the marketplace and taking enforcement actions where appropriate, issuing warning letters to firms — the usual first step for dealing with claims that products labeled as dietary supplements are intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease," the agency stated. "The agency also is warning consumers to avoid purported dietary supplements marketed with claims to prevent, treat or cure concussions and other traumatic brain injuries because the claims are not backed with scientific evidence that the products are safe or effective for such purposes. These products are sold on the Internet and at various retail outlets, and are marketed to consumers using social media, including Facebook and Twitter."
One common claim is that a particular dietary supplement promotes faster healing times after a concussion or other TBI. "Even if a particular supplement contains no harmful ingredients, that claim alone can be dangerous," stated Gary Coody, FDA's National Health Fraud Coordinator. "We're very concerned that false assurances of faster recovery will convince athletes of all ages, coaches and even parents that someone suffering from a concussion is ready to resume activities before they are really ready," he said. "Also, watch for claims that these products can prevent or lessen the severity of concussions or TBIs."
A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that if concussion victims resume strenuous activities — such as football, soccer or hockey — too soon, they risk a greater chance of having a subsequent concussion. Moreover, repeat concussions can have a cumulative effect on the brain, with consequences that can include brain swelling, permanent brain damage, long-term disability and death.
"As amazing as the marketing claims here are, the science doesn't support the use of any dietary supplements for the prevention of concussions or the reduction of post-concussion symptoms that would enable one to return to playing a sport faster," added Daniel Fabricant, director of FDA's Division of Dietary Supplement Programs.
One of the first alarms raised about dietary supplements being promoted to treat TBI came from the U.S. Department of Defense. "We first learned from the military about a product being marketed to treat TBI, obviously a concern with wounded veterans. We were taken aback that anyone would make a claim that a supplement could treat TBI, a hot-button issue," said Jason Humbert, a senior regulatory manager with FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs. "That sparked our surveillance."
Typically, products promising relief from TBIs tout the benefits of such ingredients as turmeric and high levels of omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil.
In December 2013, FDA issued a warning letter to Star Scientific for marketing its product Anatabloc with claims to treat TBIs.


text:
Tranexamic Acid in Off-pump Coronary Surgery (TAOPCAB)
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- Study Results
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
|Drug: Tranexamic Acid
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
|Tranexamic Acid Reduces Blood Loss After Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Number of Patients Required Allogenic Red Blood Cells Transfusion [ Time Frame: 1month postoperative ]
- Postoperative Chest Tube Drainage [ Time Frame: 24h postoperative ]
|Study Start Date:
|February 2009
|Study Completion Date:
|December 2009
|Primary Completion Date:
|October 2009 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
|Experimental: Tranexamic Acid group
Drug: Tranexamic Acid
In tranexamic acid group, tranexamic acid, 1 g, was given 20 minutes before incision and 400 mg/h during the entire surgical procedure. The patients from control group were infused with normal saline as a placebo.
|Placebo Comparator: Control group
Drug: Tranexamic Acid
In tranexamic acid group, tranexamic acid, 1 g, was given 20 minutes before incision and 400 mg/h during the entire surgical procedure. The patients from control group were infused with normal saline as a placebo.
Detailed Description:
Cardiac surgical procedures account for a large amount of allogeneic transfusion. Although postoperative bleeding seems to be attenuated by the avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), hemorrhagic complications are not completely eliminated and the consequent need for allogeneic transfusions are still major problems after OPCAB.
Tranexamic acid, a synthetic antifibrinolytic drug, has been shown to reduce blood loss and transfusion requirements in cardiac surgery with CPB. About 30% of patients in OPCAB studies still receive a transfusion. A few small sample size studies concerned with the use of in OPCAB surgery, found that tranexamic acid appear to be effective in reducing postoperative bleeding, however, the results on transfusion requirements are still inconsistency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of tranexamic acid on the postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirements in a larger number of patients undergoing OPCAB surgery. In addition, the effect of tranexamic acid on mortality, morbidity and resource utilization was examined.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients for elective offpump coronary artery bypass surgery
Exclusion Criteria:
- A history of bleeding disorders
- Active chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis
- Chronic renal insufficiency (serum creatinine > 2 mg/dL)
- Preoperative anemia (Hb < 10 g/dL)
- Previous cardiac surgery
- Myocardial infarction < 7 days before surgery
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01064167
|Cardiovascular Institute and Fuwai Hospital
|Beijing, China, 100037
|Study Chair:
|Lihuan Li, M.D
|Fuwai Hospital
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
|Responsible Party:
|Lihuan Li/Professor & Chief, Dep. of anesthesiology, Cardiovascular Institute and Fuwai Hospital, CAMS and PUMC
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01064167 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|February 4, 2010
|Results First Received:
|August 30, 2010
|Last Updated:
|January 11, 2011
Keywords provided by Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Fuwai Hospital:
Tranexamic Acid
off-pump coronary Artery Bypass
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Tranexamic Acid
Antifibrinolytic Agents
Fibrin Modulating Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on August 17, 2017


text:
Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q Map
1724 Ninth Ave. N. (18th St. N.)
205-426-1400 | Make Restaurant Reservations
The location of Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q is marked on the map below with a green arrow. Click on it to get directions if you don't see a pop-up. Enjoy your meal at Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q!
Find out which restaurants and chefs top the list of GAYOT's 2016 Annual Restaurant Awards.


text:
Learn more about CAMACO PROPERTIES LIMITED. Check the company's details for free and view the Companies House information, company documents and list of directors.
Know about every new company document that is added!
Take advantage of our watch this company feature free of charge and have notifications sent directly to your inbox. Whenever a new document appears on this website, or if their particulars change, you will be immediately informed about such changes. To monitor these changes, all you need to do is click on watch this company.
|Tangible Fixed Assets
|£ 2,421
|Current Assets
|£ 687,499
|£ 19,216
|Shareholder Funds
|£ 603,508
|Profit Loss Account Reserve
|£ 563,187
|Called Up Share Capital
|£ 1,000
|Total Assets Less Current Liabilities
|£ 603,508
|Net Current Assets Liabilities
|£ 601,087
|Creditors Due Within One Year
|£ 86,412
|Cash Bank In Hand
|£ 668,283
|Share Capital Allotted Called Up Paid
|£ 1,000
|Number Shares Allotted
|1000 Ordinary shares of £1 each
|Tangible Fixed Assets Cost Or Valuation
|£ 2,421
Information about the Private Limited Company CAMACO PROPERTIES LIMITED has been prepared for information purposes only. It is not intended to be nor does it constitute legal advice. This is public information provided by the official company register.


text:
I was there. The festival is great and I always make new friends. Best place to go to watch good bands and DJs.
Never been, but always wanted to go.
I wish I could've gone. I have been to Bonnaroo twice.
I'm pretty pumped to go to the Hangout Music Festival next month.
Trey Anastasio, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder, Slightly Stoopid, Public Enemy, Bassnecter, The Roots, Gov't Mule, Umphrey's, moe. + sexy southern girls on the beach = AWESOME
Coachella was awesome. My friends from West Lafayette went there and they just can't stop taking about it.


text:
Florentine Meatballs Recipe
- 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
- Hot cooked spaghetti
- 1. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 32 balls.
- 2. Place meatballs on a greased rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 24-28 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain on paper towels.
- 3. Save half of the meatballs for Italian Stroganoff (recipe also in Recipe Finder) or save for another use. In a large saucepan, heat spaghetti sauce; add the remaining meatballs. Serve with spaghetti. Yield: 4 servings plus 16 cooked meatballs.
Nutritional Facts
1 cup (calculated without spaghetti): 403 calories, 19g fat (6g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 1197mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 6g fiber), 32g protein.
Reviews for Florentine Meatballs
Average Rating
"The texture was tender. I formed them with a 1/4 cup measuring cup and they were a nice size. I added 1 tsp crushed fennel seed for more flavor, however, I they still they need more seasoning such as salt, Italian seasoning, and increase to 1 Tbsp of crushed fennel seed because they were bland tasting. I will definitely make this recipe again."
"I agree with moosetrax75. There is just too much spinach. That says a lot for me because spinach is my favorite vegetable but not in these."
"My husband and I LOVED this recipe! But, I couldn't find boxes of frozen spinach and had to buy a bag instead. I used half of the bag and that seemed to be a better amount than the two boxes the recipe calls for. We ate them over hot rice and it was really yummy!"
"I liked the idea of using meatballs in a stroganoff. For the other half of the meatballs, though, instead of spaghetti, I made meatball subs!"
"Like moosetrax75, I reduced the amount of spinach, as it semmed like too much. I like my food without much salt, so that wasn't a problem for me. I seasoned the meatball mix with oregano and basil."
"These meatballs are tender and tasty. However, I think there is a problem with the ingredients proportion-if I make again, I will cut spinach to ONE package (10 oz). Be sure to thaw and drain well first--I use a clean dish towel and literally squeeze it to death. Other ingredients are okay--these need salt and pepper. Very much needed salt right out of the oven. Next time instead of adding afterward, I plan to use salt/pepper in the mix. Not bad, but need tweaking."


text: I'm honestly having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I second shot this wedding with Marcella Treybig all the way back in 2012. Especially since I think about this wedding all the time. Whenever anyone asks me about my "most memorable" wedding or the "coolest thing I've ever seen," I always think of Michelle and Jared. Marcella finally told me I could blog it, and unlike all the other weddings I second-shot from years back, I actually wanted to post this one! Aaaaaaaand, at some point, I threw out all the images. Digital storage is cheap, people – don't get rid of things just because you think you will never have a use for them again (oy).


text:
- Description
- Tags
- Reviews
Enjoy your home living space more with a 931 Occasional Tables Set. Made with the black glass top / chromed metal base to bring beauty to any room in your house.
3 Piece Set Includes: Coffee And 2 End Tables
Coffee Table: Diameter 35.5" x h22"
End Table: Diameter 19" x h28"


text:
Baby Argyle Cardigan by Kathleen Sperling
Welcome! You are browsing as a guestWould you like to see 5 projects made from this pattern and much more? create a free account What am I missing?
Baby Argyle Cardigan
This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download
Yarn requirements:
- 150g of colour A (navy shown)
- 100g of colour B (white shown)
- 50g of colour C (red shown)
Other materials needed:
- 2 stitch holders
- spare needle
- stitch marker
- 6 row markers
- 6 buttons


text:
Business Success 360
"The whole is even greater than the sum of the parts"
As stand-alone elements our Training, Consultancy and Coaching interventions make a huge difference to your organisation. Combine all the elements together into a New Oceans Business Success 360 solution and you have an unparalleled resource to ensure your business is better, stronger, faster and smarter than ever before.
Like a compass our Business Success 360 solutions cover every direction of organisational growth and development, using to its fullest the whole range of expertise already within your team.
One of the major benefits of this proven approach is the consistency in the message being delivered by all of our team members, materials, and communications throughout, furthering our ongoing relationship.
In addition to our training, coaching and consultancy, your Business Success 360 can also include:
Sector Expertise
We can access professionals from business sectors such as Telecommunications, IT, Retail, Sales, Entertainment, Project Management, Education, Local Authorities, Automotive and Travel, to advise you on developing these areas.
Recruitment & Selection
As part of the TSI Group we can offer a service to facilitate the management of your most precious asset human capital through a range of services designed to deliver the best value from your investment in highly competitive market situations.
New Oceans Business Success 360 Studio
Creating video and web-based training, and development materials to support workshops and corporate training initiatives using professional, experienced actors, .
Product Development
Combined with our Creative Writing & Language expertise we can produce customised support material in the form of books, CDs, DVDs and posters for the workplace.
Personality Marketing 360
Creative Writing and Language to co-write your handbooks, corporate training materials, marketing campaigns, advertisements, standard business letters etc., and all written communication within your organisation, applying the latest in language research on conscious and unconscious communication. Presentation skills to give you the most successful and influential presentation skills and techniques used by all the great communicators in business and entertainment.
IT & Web development
Designing and building your website, interactive profiling tools, and on-line learning environments, for your organisation applying our expert knowledge of how to people think, are influenced, and buy.
| Training
| Consultancy | Business Success 360 | Business Coaching
For more information on New Oceans services contact
New Oceans House, 39 Jennings Road, St Albans Herts AL1 4NX
Tel: 01727 869782 Fax: 01727 842181
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Copyright © 2006 New Oceans. All Rights Reserved.


text:
SAND in my SHOES .
A photographic safari across Tunisia with fashion model Roanna Dunsford
de Jon Grainge
Ediciones relacionadas
Ebook, formato iPad de Apple
Acerca del libro
The "EUROPEAN PHOTO-BOOK" collection
It gives me enormous pleasure to publish the 2nd edition of "SAND in my SHOES" a photographic safari across Tunisia with the beautiful fashion model Roanna (Dee) Dunsford. The remit of the trip was to get some stunning fashion portfolio shots of Roanna in the SAHARA DESERT.
See how we got on!!. on our week long transit of Tunisia and into the very sand of the Sahara.
Have a look at some of the beautiful portfolio shots I took of Roanna in the actual searing heat of the SAHARA DESERT!
p.s. I would highly recommend that you order with the upgraded paper for the very best of results
Available as E-BOOK @ $1-99 ( £1.20) for ipad, ipod or MAC download (see top right)
You may view my e-books available on KINDLE format on; www.wix.com/hightrainman/appointmentebooks
Follow me on facebook under Jon Grainge and feel free to join as a friend.
You can always contact me direct on :firstname.lastname@example.com
Other titles in the "European Photo-Book" collection:
CHIC MARINAS of the western Mediterranean
MARBELLA 2013 with fashion models Roanna and Yasmin
Showcase Portfolio of models
The Royal International Air Tattoo
Appointment in CAIRO
Appointment in DOUZ
Appointment with a FAITH
Appointment in PUERTO BANUS
Cocktails, Shots and a Royal Enfield
574.8 Kilometres per hour (High speed trains)
2013 The Future Begins (High speed Trains)
Southern Hungary
Do please check out my website;
Características y detalles
- Categoría Viajes
Apaisado estándar, 25×20 cm
158 Páginas
- Tapa dura, sobrecubierta: 9781457990823
- Tapa blanda: 9781457990816
- Tapa dura impresa: 9781457990830
- Fecha de publicación may. 04, 2012
- Idioma English
- Etiquetas Roanna Dunsford, Jon Grainge, Sahara Desert, Tunisia, Safari, Douz
Acerca del creador
I am a professional photographer, and spend all my time either taking pictures on my travels, mainly within the Mediterranean basin, or writing photo-books and action adventure novels. Recently I have expanded into the realms of adventure paperback novels based on actual events but leading into fictional situations My first novel " APPOINTMENT IN CAIRO " Revolution is in the Air is based around the current uprising in north Africa whilst integrating the UK financial cutbacks. One of the scenes depicts a very sad and 'neverbefore' thought of action involving British fighter jets. My second novel " APPOINTMENT IN DOUZ, Tunisia "Death of a Colonel "An Egyptian Affair" "Appointment in PUERTO BANUS" "A Voice from Heaven" "Counter-Strike" "Fateful Decision" "Sanctuary in MALTA" "Mayday,Mayday,Mayday. Tornado Down" (Involves British Tornado GR4 in Syria) My latest book is: Turmoil in Turkey Happy reading. Jon I
Inicia sesión o crea una cuenta para publicar un comentario.
1 Comentarios
The "EUROPEAN PHOTO-BOOK" collection Do check out my YOUTUBE videos. Just log into youtube.com and search
"The European Photo Book collection" and "Jon Grainge"
You will surely be surprised !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


text:
This article is about the level 96 mission in O2Jam.
Mission: Clear a song level 17 or higher with all Goods.
Another mission (other than the level 52 mission) requiring goods, you must be very good at hitting goods. It may be helpful to not hear the song and again placing a screen cover. Ironically, because of its nature, this mission is allegedly harder than the level 100 mission.
Recommended Songs: Identity at Normal Difficulty


text:
Voice Registry Podcast-Tracy Pattin Talks To Marketing Expert/Voice Talent, Tori Hartman Part 4April 14, 2010 by: Tracy Pattin
Tori Hartman began her voiceover work at the suggestion of her publisher, who wanted her to record one of her books on tape. Two weeks later, she was in a studio launching her new career. In 2005, Tori opened what has become The Garage 247, a full service voiceover recording studio. The Garage specializes in low-cost ISDN and has become a vital gathering place for new and established voice talent. She's just launched her VO marketing teams where actors help each other with networking and marketing strategies.
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{Intro Music}
This Voice Registry podcast is brought to you by Voicebank.net
This is Part Four of my interview with Tori Hartman to hear Parts One, Two and Three check out the previous week's podcasts.
Tracy: Before we finish tell us your other careers.
Tori: (Laughs) I know I have like seven things.
Tracy: The candles and the jewelry.
Tori: Well liked I said at the beginning I've been a professional psychic for a long time and you know it was one of those things where it was in the closet so to speak and then one of my clients got a very high profile bravo show, so there is a lot of stuff that has happened in that regard and I launched an intention candle kit line. As well as a chakra vortex jewelry which is all about and this is what I work with in my group as well is aligning people to step into who they want to be and a lot of this being this is the conversation around voice over, so it has been very powerful to have a spiritual aspect bringing who I am to the table in terms of not just guiding but eliciting from people. On my spiritual website that's the Tori Hartman website and this is torihartman.com and that's the one where my slogan is 'Enrich, Enlighten, Inspire' and it's really about it bringing out the best of you, so bringing out that aspect of myself and my teaching to the work as well that we're doing is really. And I got to be honest with you, you know it's really somebody said to me the other day one of my clients, I had just finished a gig and he said "you know it's funny I can't believe how out of the closet you are with your spiritual stuff" and I said "what do you mean?" he said "well, you know there are people that frightens and what have you" and I said "well
Tracy: Well this is LA (Laughs)
Tori: I mean yeah I mean you know the thing is that I said "well does it frighten you?" and he said "no" and I said "well then I'm not worried because I'm working with you" you know (Laughs)
Tracy: (Laughs)
Tori: People that are going to gravitate me want to work with me and the energy that I have, people that gravitate to somebody else that's what they want and that's okay. I think this thing of like trying to be something for everyone is not realistic; some people are just going to go "ew, I don't like her she's this". Oh, okay you don't like me that's alright; I think we've got to get out of the idea that it is a popularity contest.
Tracy: Yes
Tori: And we are trying to do something, I mean we just have to be who we are and that's enough and just really be gentle with ourselves and others and just know I had one guy in my marketing class who was like "I always thought I had to do it myself and this has just been so nice to feel like I am part of a group" and that's really opening us up because guess what in voice over you can not do it alone, think about it. Consider that when you really think about it, in voice over you need a lot of people you need a script, you need an agent, you need an engineer to run your session, you need a producer, think of how many people it takes to get you to a mic to do a job. And when you really consider that as being part of the bigger whole the community you've got to approach it in a way with gratitude. I talk all the time about gratitude and possibility and we have to open up and remember that we are bring people into our world and we're sharing with them and right now in this moment this is a very intimate moment with who ever is listening because they're getting it. If they're listening this far, who ever is listening right now is going that makes sense or they're going this is hogwash and they are turning it off, right. So it's going to be the people who listen past that, that's where you get the gold and I say don't quit before the miracle, don't ever quit, just when you think you should give up the business and you want to slap it on the floor. You have to go wait a second that's my process, that is who I am and this is what I teach in the voice over group. One guy was like "I don't know" and I said "How many years did it take you to become the professional the business you've been in?" "Thirty Years" "I go uh huh and how long have you been doing voice over?" "Nine Months" I go "Uh Huh" "Shut Up"
Tracy: (Laughs)
Tori: But the thing is it's not even that it's like it takes time, like people want to do their demo in an hour and it's like, No, give yourself the time to become a professional and step into that because it's a whole new persona it is a whole new way of beginning and it's a whole new you. Because you can not where you are where you want to be from where you are right now you have to step into that life and that's what we work on releasing who you think you are supposed to be. I can listen to a read and I can go "Oh, that person is in their head", right?
Tracy: Mhm
Tori: And I can say "Drop it down to your body" when I'm listening to someone I can say "Drop it into your body" and they go "Oh" and they start to drop it into their body so it's all a spiritual conversation, Tracy.
Tracy: I hear you, I know what you're saying
Tori: You have got to hear through it
Tracy: Right, right
Tori: And even in the reality of what we're having right now this is the real conversation you know. The other stuff is just what do you think of going on with trends but the reality is that who ever is listening is going "oh, hey, that makes sense to me". So in the work I do with people in my spiritual work is I work a lot of stepping through what they consider a block which is really just a challenge and opening up the world that they're looking to create for themselves and so the marketing team there is a lot of I give them the information but you know what can I tell you something I can give you a book that lists everything to do in the business and I can guarantee you won't do it unless you're working on being that person. See I can tell you everything about the business but you're not going to listen because if you're intention is "I got to get a demo!" you're not going to hear what I'm having to say. I looked at somebody last week I said "It won't matter if you have a demo" and he looked at me and said "Well what do you mean?" I said "You're coming at the business at such a ferocious way your going to chase everything away" and he went "Oh" and I said "You have to shift how you're being with people because they read it". You know we read it and I can tell you right now the people that the people listening are going to either hear me as being authentic or they're going to hear me as being full of crap and either way it doesn't matter. See this is the funny thing and even as I say that nothing matters, right but everything matters, what matters is the connection we are having right now because by the time it's listened to it's another person's connection.
Tracy: Exactly, exactly
Tori: So, it's got to be your connection with the microphone, who you are when you come up to the microphone, who you are in that intimate moment with this piece of apparatus and in this case sitting with you, who am I with you, who am I hear because by the time it's get listened to by a producer and by the time the producer brings the client in and the client's cousin listens and they all determine that it sounds real and they come back to you, you are in a whole different space. So you have to consistently be you when you come up the mic and really so you bring up my spiritual work which to me is the basis of how I create what I create and how I teach people how to create because you have to shift how your being if you want to be successful because I can guarantee if you are not doing what you love to do and not successful at it right in this moment it's because there is something in you that is not giving you permission. And so with my work I go back in and I a lot of times it's a multi generational healing and I will pull something out and go here it is and we work and it and it's done and some people go "how can you do that?" because you see it happen and it's so simple and the other person's life is changed and "how did that happen" because we change things in a moment, who can ever forget mean joe green that commercial, remember that little kid "here, kid" and he shows them the coca cola
Tracy: Yeah, yeah
Tori: Can you imagine All State being done by anybody else but Dennis Haybert. Imagine Lowes you can still hear Gene Hackmans voice when I say it, I mean there's voices and you hear it crisply in your brain and you know the Don Lafontaine voice it's so crystal and all of those people are bringing who they are to the mic. And even the people that are not in VO necessarily um gosh my brain went blank but uh gosh such a great actor Kevin Spacey doing Honda, I said "Oh, there's Kevin Spacey" and they went "That's not Kevin Spacey" and I go "Yeah" and they listen and they went "Oh" I said "yeah" cause the crispness of who he is comes to the mic.
Tracy: Yes, yes
Tori: Christine Laughty and other brilliant voices coming to the mic and all I'm saying to you is that these people have opened up an intimacy and by the way intimacy isn't what you think it is, it's into me see where you are letting people see into you and you have to be that at the mic so the conversation we are having right now is the real conversation, the other stuff is just "How to make a cake. First get a demo, First get duh, duh, duh…". But the real conversation is your preparation before you even get there has got to be you ready for this business because most people will quit.
Tracy: Well Tori this has been really, really great.
Tori: (Laughs) Thank You
Tracy: And just the insights are so helpful and getting down to the essence of what voice over is about, it's so much more than sort of the outskirts of it and the audition there is so much more going on.
Tori: its fun, it's energetic
Tracy: Building communities so that is great and I Thank You.
Tori: Thank you so much I know we've had like three false ending on this but Thank You. (Laughs)
Tracy: (Laughs) Thanks
This Voice Registry podcast was brought to you by Voicebank.net; join us next time.
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CommentsOne Response to "Voice Registry Podcast-Tracy Pattin Talks To Marketing Expert/Voice Talent, Tori Hartman Part 4"
Tori is a very powerful person and it comes out in her VO work. Finding our real self brings out your best voice. She is amazing to work with.
Thank you again Tracy for your interviews. People love talking to you and give us a gift each time you sit with someone.


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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/9/2009 (2885 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Yo, math teachers — could my adventures as a soccer referee actually be a teachable moment?
My watch, it goes without saying, is the only time-keeping that matters on a soccer pitch. Players, especially in the second half, are constantly asking, "How much time left, ref?" and I always instead tell them, "24 minutes played."
I do that because I'm the only one who decides how much time is left. I can add on time for injuries, discipline, and deliberate time-wasting by the team that's ahead.
But here's where the math part comes in — I can't believe how many teenagers then turn to each other and ask, "So how much time is left?"
Yes, I know I'm ancient and that I learned to add, subtract, multiply and divide on paper back in school in the 1950s, and can also do all that in my head as long as the numbers aren't too big, but surely teenagers should be able to take a 40-minute half, know that 24 minutes have been played, do 40-minus-24, and know that they have a minimum of 16 minutes to be played, do that complex calculation in their heads without using a calculator?
And maybe they could, if they weren't allowed to use calculators until they master their sums?
Winnipeg's Tom Jackson will be formally installed this morning as the 10th chancellor of Trent University in Peterborough.
Yes, his on-line bio says he lives elsewhere now, but when you're being parochial......
The singer/actor/activist succeeds astronaut/physician/photographer Dr. Roberta Bondar.
Every year when we decorate our Yule tree we have Jackson's Huron Carole CD playing on our ancient stereo. And now here he is, chancellor at Trent U, home of Excalibur volleyball.
For all Jackson's achievements, I keep picturing him as Billy Twofeathers in Shining Time Station, maybe because that wonderful little program was so cherished in our house when the kids were a certain age. Though I could never quite figure out how the Island of Sodor could have maybe 300 people living in Miss Marple villages, yet have a passenger train network greater than all of Europe combined. But I digress.
Alas, I won't be at today's ceremony when Jackson officially becomes Trent chancellor, but will be there next June at convocation when Jackson gives child the elder his undergraduate degree.
And moving right along and staying on education, at least for now.......
I got another one of those invitations Monday from a third party inviting us to come into schools and photograph and interview and video any and all children we wish.
OK, let's try this again.
School divisions have very stringent policies to protect kids from strangers. We qualify as strangers. School divisions protect the privacy of children. If you're an outside organization or individual doing something in a school, tell the teachers and the principal you're open to having media present, and let the principal run it by the division communications director, who'll see if the superintendent is willing to sign off. And if they all agree, then the school requires that parents provide written consent allowing coverage of their child, and the principal or communications director invites us unto the school.
Do all that and we'll be BFF.
On another topic.......
I was at Canadian Mennonite University — other media will have to tremble with terror of being scooped bigtime, I won't reveal why I was there — and saw that the vending machine I passed still sells sugar drinks. See, kids, it's not true that university is so tough that it will make you long to be back in high school.
And I see by The Toronto Star website that Ontario is close to agreeing to teachers' demands and spending hundreds of millions of dollars to have the teachers work a full shift when full-day kindergarten starts in September of 2010.
I'd just assumed there'd be a teacher the whole day, but it seems Ontario had been planning to have a teacher for half a day and an early childhood educator the other half.
In breaking news, Dale Nye, the Providence guy, is moving on to a new job in Steinbach after almost a decade as director of public affairs at Providence College and Seminary in Otterburne.
Nye will be joining Hanover School Division as a TA, while finishing his education degree.
And last week I was chilling with the UM communications staff after the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce meeting, waiting to ask president David Barnard questions I reckoned he wouldn't answer about what the NDP leadership candidates were promising/threatening on postsecondary education if they win. Go ahead, call me prescient, I can take it.
Anyway, several people came up and commented on my blogging about soccer......so, just to keep my audience happy.......
I had another first last week, first time that I'd had to deal with an ineligible player. This was 12-year-old recreational level, usually officiated by a young teenager, but an adult ref was needed because these two teams had a history between them and there was talk there could be trouble. Which certainly played out.
So, anyway, comes the end of the first half, and team A tells me that team B has an ineligible player never seen before, and Team A believes he's a competitive-level player from another district. Off I trundle to team B's bench, and yes, team B certainly had a ringer, though the coach of team B argued that he could pick up any kid from anywhere, as long as he was a year younger.
Just to review the WYSA rules, a team's guest players are limited to younger players from the same community centre, and competitive players cannot play for a rec team under any circumstances. Guest players must be identified as such, and you can't use more than three guest players. And you need the permission of a player's coach before calling up a guest player.
So, this boy was indeed a competitive-level player. He came not just from a different club — not from the same community centre as Team B — but also from a different district in another part of the city. Team B did not identify him as a guest player. I asked his name, and gosh, wouldn't you know it, team B had somehow forgotten to list him on the scoresheet. Purely inadvertently, I'm sure.
Meanwhile, Team B's coach lashed out at Team A, accusing it of trying to beat him off the field because it wasn't capable of winning on the field. I shushed him, and eventually had to order all the adults to stay at their own benches and not to talk to each other.
Anyway, even though the jig was up, I had no authority to remove any player. Teams at that age don't use player cards, so all I could do was report the situation, and leave it up to my wise superiors in the district referee hierarchy and to WYSA.
And to top it all off, the coach of Team B put the kid back on the field in the second half and I had occasion to issue the boy a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
So, the outcome.....Team A won the match on the field, and I hear that Team B has now had the match forfeited — which means that not only does Team A get three points in the playoff standings, but Team B, instead of getting zero points, gets docked five points for a forfeit.
And the only ones who were completely happy that evening were the mosquitoes, who absolutely feasted.


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FAIRTRADE fortnight was marked by schools across Cumbria getting involved.
Schools joined in the campaign by hosting events over the two-week period that raised awareness of the plight of banana producers worldwide.
Ten primary schools attended a Fairtrade Conference at Kendal Town Hall, where they presented material about different Fairtrade products.
Tracey Ellis, a teacher at The Queen Katherine School, said: "The Fairtrade Conference was a real success.
The children had spent time investigating a specific Fairtrade product and presented their findings with real confidence and a keen sense that Fair Trade matters in the world today.
"There was also a spirit of fun and each presentation was entertaining in very different ways with raps, tastings and quizzes."
The event on was chaired by The Queen Katherine School's senior students and opened by the Mayor of Kendal, Sylvia Emmott, who highlighted the role of Kendal as a Fairtrade town.
Taking part were St Mark's C of E Primary, Natland, Grayrigg C of E Primary, Grayrigg, Crosthwaite School Church of England Primary, Crosthwaite, and Kendal schools Vicarage Park C of E Primary, Ghyllside Primary, St Thomas's CE Primary, Stramongate Primary, Castle Park School and Heron Hill.
Heron Hill Primary School had its own fair trade fundraiser by holding a Big Brew on Thursday March 6, raising about £150, which will go to Trade Craft, who put the money towards helping fair trade farmers.
Lou Curry, Heron Hill year four and PSHE teacher, said: "It was fantastic, there was a really big turnout with about 200 people.
"We were raising awareness and you'd find that the young ones now genuinely understand that by buying fair trade products, the farmers will be getting a better deal."
Pupils of Levens Primary School also united in the awareness campaign by creating posters that were on show in Booths in Milnthorpe.
Levens Primary School class teacher Shirley King said: "As a whole school we've been learning about fair trade.
"The eye catching posters were of all the fruit and vegetables that are fair trade, to persuade people to choose fair trade. The excitement was quite amazing and they were very happy and proud."
Fairtrade Fortnight ran from February 24 and came to a close on Sunday.


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Dr. Kesani advises his patients not only on their health, but their health insurance. Get your coverage lined up before you see me for a diagnosis, he tells them. Otherwise the insurance companies will likely leverage the pre-existing condition to charge you outrageous premiums—or reject you outright.
Dr. Kesani knows this better than anyone…he has diabetes, and he's uninsured.
Running his own practice is a near-literal description of Dr. Kesani, who hustles back and forth between several hospitals in the Chicago area where he maintains offices as a kidney specialist.
He wasn't always uninsured. Dr. Kesani had a group plan at a former practice in North Dakota, where he was shocked by the diagnosis of diabetes at the age of 33.
When an opportunity arose to start his own practice in Chicago, he decided to make the move and kept his group insurance through COBRA for a year and half. When it expired he was told that in order to maintain the same policy his premiums would jump to $1700 a month—five times what he'd been paying. Then he tried to apply for an individual policy. He was flatly rejected by his health insurance company of ten years, and several others.
Dr. Kesani doesn't need to consult a(nother) physician to know how to properly manage diabetes—he maintains a healthy lifestyle, takes his medication, and gets exercise by playing soccer a few times a week. Having the professional training to keep this health issue in check is one thing, but accidents and emergencies are another thing entirely. Those are things that no one, not even a doctor, is immune to. When asked what he'd do if he got injured playing soccer, Dr. Kesani said he's already had to tough out a few knee problems. And, of course, it helps having friends in the medical field.
He's looked into other health insurance options, but so far none have been the golden ticket to coverage. Although he qualifies for the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Program, the state's high-risk pool, Dr. Kesani hesitates to sign on to a policy that would set him back $450 a month with limited coverage. He's holding out to see if an insurance plan soon to be offered to doctors by the Illinois State Medical Association will come through for him, unsure if the group plans to exclude applicants—even though they're doctors—based on pre-existing conditions.
When Dr. Kesani says "health insurance companies only want to insure the healthy," it's not merely out of sympathy for those struggling to get coverage. It's empathy shaped by his own fight to obtain reasonably priced health insurance in a system of care so broken that even a doctor can't afford to be a patient.
—Meagen Bohne, campaign organizer
Visit Cover America Tour to see more videos of the people we're talking to across America and to share your own health care story, and read more from our survey of Americans who can't depend on their health insurance.
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