History of the Minnesota Association of 
Credit Specialists - FSA

The predecessor to the current MACS, the Minnesota Association of County Supervisors began in the 1970's following the lead of the National Association of County Supervisors (est. 1973).  The objectives of the organization were to improve the delivery of the programs of then FmHA and to ensure input and consultation on matters of Agency and employee concern.

In October, 1995 FmHA was split with the rural community development programs retained by a new agency, Rural Development (RD) and the farm loan programs combined with the Agriculture Stablization and Conservation Service (ASCS) to become Farm Service Agency (FSA).  Employees of the former agency FmHA were transferred to either of the two new agencies depending on their job responsibilities.  MACS continued to function for the 1995-96 year as a consultative body for both RD and FSA with employees of both agencies as members.  In 1996 the National Associations recognized the need to split the Associations along the mission areas of the respective agencies.  In the fall of 1996 the Minnesota association followed suit and split into two associations - the Minnesota Association of Credit Specialists - RD and Minnesota Association of Credit Specialists - FSA.  MNASE was the resulting association for FSA FLP support employees.

At the 1998 MACS annual meeting discussion was entered into concerning a merger of the Minnesota Association of Support Employees and MACS.  The MACS constitution was revised to allow membership by the support employees at the 1999 annual MACS meeting.  MNASE subsequently voted to cease operations at the state level and opted to become members of MACS.

By resolutions from members, member involvement in task forces, advisory committees, Association committees and consultation with State and National Office administration been able to:
 

• Promote, test, and support the expansion of computer equipment and programs for field offices.
• Participate in the formulation of management policy and program delivery as stated in AO 1164 and AO 1202.
• Initiated and supported the upgrading of county office support positions.
• Provided information and instructions on use of GLS system to supplement official instructions.
• Work for improvement of the workload measurement system as it relates to FLP.
• Obtained GS-12 FLM grade and continues working to re-establish equitable application of this grade.
• Consult with the State Office on employee detail process, computer deployment, training, program delivery and office structure, workload, and individual members concerns.
• Participate in the task forces converting FmHA procedures to FSA Handbook format.
• Formulated and presented recommendations for forms, automation, policy, procedures, reports, -etc., to aid in the delivery of all FSA programs.

These are just a sample of actions of the associations.  MACS membership assists in supporting all employees in FSA program delivery to better serve FSA clients.