# data[].attributes.body
What are the wins we’re proud of? Where did we struggle the most? What was the hardest moment?

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What would it look like for COL to not just weather the storm, but lead in it? How can we turn uncertainty into opportunity?

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What does that mean for how we show up this year?

# data[].attributes.body
2025 NOSB virtual finals

# data[].attributes.body
I think FY24 the Obs team had a lot of growth with funding for new workshops and new opportunities to collaborate

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Learning on the fly how to host a head-to-head NOSB Finals over Zoom, while also preparing teams and volunteers.

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Capacity

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Ocean Obs becoming the UN Ocean Decade Coordinating Office for Ocean Observing

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Had full development process with hired question writers and reviewers. Put togther my first competitions. Figured out the procesess and streamlined where possible. Got competitions to people earlier than expected. Minimal science challenges. TCQs could be easier though.

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Throughout major uncertainty, the obs team has identified many new opportunities for growth

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IOOS 25th anniversary celebration

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Proud that we were able to have partners continue to fund projects even with the uncertainty because they saw value in us doing them.

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Win: Staff remain connected through our monthly social hours.

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Admin change and the pausing of projects and executive secretary roles

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Guiding/leading the process, giving COL global visibility

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Had a decent amount of regional competitions and participation, had a finals. Coordinated a lot of resources and new registration systems and data tracking.

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Hardest part were the furloughs and struggle to ensure everyone was covered. Also the pauses (IOOC, etc)

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daily uncertainty

work stopping or paused that slowed progress

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Trying to look to the future when facing immediate challenges (e.g. funding not coming when expected)

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Challenge: needing more oversight and approvals to move ahead on partnerships or small funding opportunities.

# data[].attributes.body
Staff being furloughed and/or terminated

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Win: New Partnerships: DCO and SUN Fleet (UNOC participation)

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Win: New Partnerships: DCO and SUN Fleet (UNOC participation)

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Challenge: having to be brutally honest with the NOSB community about the precarious funding situation we are in.

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(jan 20, 2025)

finding out about staff furloughs and not knowing if we would keep our jobs (or receive funding)

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two national strategies in 24 coordinated by COL

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Funding opportunities being canceled at the last minute

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Wins and Losses: Staff and Team Development

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Wins and Losses: Staff and Team Development

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Kruti's mgmt of Jennifer (but we weren't able to retain her). Andrea :( ...Georgia's baby! :)

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The funding situation has been not great since I started and it has only gotten worse with the Federal impacts. I was almost furloughed and that was a frustrating experience because it feels like we've been talking about trying new avenues for funding for 2 years but yet we haven't really been able to do anything proactive for a variety of reasons but especially because of UCAR processes. We can't go after certain foundation grants, we can barely get a simple MOU signed, we have yet to receive input on foundations from Friends, we can't provide funds to partners in easy/efficient ways. It feels like were stuck in place with one hand tied behind our back and in the meantime the program is dying.

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Win: Really getting to know (and meet in person) our colleagues at UCAR through greater engagement in their activities (and ours).

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Having Jennifer on the obs team!

# data[].attributes.body
Katie leaving

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Hardest moments: NASA funding cut, high levels of uncertainty, RIFs 

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Hardest moments: NASA funding cut, high levels of uncertainty, RIFs 

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People really care about the program and want to help. They donate and volunteer their time and share their kind words.

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I think with our current expansion of projects with GOOS I think this could be a new area for us

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SUN fleet and OceanObs'29 attract new sources of funding - international, foundations, private sector

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Position ourselves to fill in where government stops as it pulls back

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Position ourselves to fill in where government stops as it pulls back

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Where are the areas that are no longer being funded or focused on? How can COL step in as this neutral broker and bring the right people together to make things happen?

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Focus efforts/energy on where we excel (vs. doing everything)

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Focus efforts/energy on where we excel (vs. doing everything)

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Collaboration with COMET leads to longer-term funding

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Collaboration with COMET leads to longer-term funding

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We build our pilot training module, private sector partners like it, provide us with funds to coordinate new training modules with affiliate involvement to provide content.

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Highlighting findings of NOSB needs assessment - impact is also about students' feelings of connection and personal growth, not just science understanding and careers

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Clarity on our purpose: mission/vision/etc - broader buy in from the community

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Clarity on our purpose: mission/vision/etc - broader buy in from the community

# data[].attributes.headline
Get clear on what we do and "services" offered

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Get clear on what we do and "services" offered

# data[].attributes.body
Narrow in on who we are and sell it!

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Clearly highlight what we do, why we do it well, and why it's beneficial to partner with us on those things. And focusing on getting that msg out there.

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Strengthening partnerships to leverage resources and impact

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Strengthening partnerships to leverage resources and impact

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Role as neutral broker leads to new funding

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Role as neutral broker leads to new funding

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We're asked to organize new workshop series involving affiliates with foundation and private sector funding to provide independent trusted assessments where gov is stepping back

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Strengthening communications - becoming a trusted broker to federal and non-federal partners

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Strengthening communications - becoming a trusted broker to federal and non-federal partners

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Ramping up core services and what we can offer

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Ramping up core services and what we can offer

# data[].attributes.body
From those colleagues and partners who got lost/moved jobs to new organizations there could be an opportunity to align

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Focus on the idea of being a center for leadership

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Focus on the idea of being a center for leadership

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Build out workforce development programs. Identify collaboration/integration points across all current efforts that can be leveraged into this ecosystem that supports and develops "leaders". Recent grads and early careers need guidance and help transitioning into careers, we can be that!

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Utilizing NOSB alumni to supplement our work (have them lead an alumni network or get togethers at events staff can't attend)

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Consistent, proactive, and loud messages from all of us

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Finding where others can help us fill gaps (eg advocacy)

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Strategic opportunities being outside the government

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Strategic opportunities being outside the government

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Helping us get the word out