Major Consulate Accomplishments 2006

Bilateral Diplomacy

• Organized and led historic bilateral diplomatic visit of Bermuda’s Premier and senior political leaders to Washington D.C.      
  
• Benefits: Reviving once strong bilateral relationship that is important to both Bermuda and the USA.

 

• Nominated, funded and sponsored Voluntary Visitor Team of local government and non-profit leaders to work with counterparts at successful U.S. charities in family/youth arena.
  
• Benefits: Bilateral exchange and education benefits both societies.

 

• Arranged visit by USCG Eagle to host a reception for 150 top Bermuda leaders and HRH Princess Anne to celebrate 100^th anniversary of the Newport-Bermuda race. 
  
• Benefits: Celebrated and highlighted the special friendship between the U.S., the U.K., and Bermuda and demonstrated U.S. commitment to Bermuda.

 

• Brought “Arts in Embassies” Program to Bermuda for first time in many years.
  
• Benefits: Enabled richer bilateral dialogue to include the arts.
  

 

Public Diplomacy

• Dramatically ramped up United States’ positive profile in local media.
  
• Benefits: New focus on Public Diplomacy led directly to scores of positive TV, print and radio articles and interviews that has clearly elevated the perception of the U.S. overall.

 

• Organized, raised $300,000 for, and oversaw execution of, July 4^th extravaganza for 4,000+ guests entitled “Celebrating Freedom; Giving Back to Bermuda.”
  
• Benefits: Largest “by invitation” dinner party in Bermuda’s history celebrated common values and stimulated friendship between Americans and Bermudians of all classes and backgrounds, while netting over $100K for local charities.

 

• Hosted Residence reception for 200 Bermuda leaders featuring Harvard Glee Clubs.
  
• Benefits: Promote engagement and mutual understanding.

 

• Hosted Thanksgiving 2006 inter-faith service and reception for 400.
  
• Benefits: The celebration of common values included most of Bermuda’s leaders.

 

• Quarterly Breakfast Series: Consul General hosted breakfasts with prominent Bermudians in key non-profit fields, such as educational leaders, youth development leaders, spiritual leaders. 
  
• Benefits: Underscored U.S. interest in key Bermuda issues and provided venue for sector leaders to meet for off the record discussions, mutual support & alliance building.

 

• Nominated and supported outstanding Bermudians for big events in the U.S., such as the World Scholar-Athlete Scholar Games and US Patent and Trademark Office’s training courses.
  
• Benefits: Demonstrated U.S. interest in helping underprivileged, young Bermudians.
  

 

Management

• Implemented a comprehensive, client-service-focused Mission Statement for all Consulate employees.
  
• Benefits: Helped all Consulate staff understand and work together on common priorities.

 

• Established, for the first time ever, a Press Affairs Office and a Commercial/Econ Section (at zero net cost to the U.S. taxpayer).
  
• Benefits: Significantly expanded Consulate’s range of services at no additional cost.

 

• Dramatically reformed the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS) delivery system, personnel and procedures.
  
• Benefits: Raised average client service rating from 3.1 (Oct 2005) to 8.1 (April 2006) out of 10.

 

• Corrected Consulate procurement operations to bring into compliance with federal/department regulations.

• Benefits:  Ensure accountable and efficient use of every single U.S. taxpayer dollar.

 

• Completed successful Office of Inspector General audit and have now implemented all Hamilton-Action recommendations.
  
• Benefits: Helping ensure effective use of every U.S. Government (USG) tax dollar spent by Hamilton Consulate.

 

• Brought Consulate up to date with all State Department and other U.S. Government-required reports – some of which had been as much as five years overdue.
  
• Benefits: Implemented accountability to get Consulate back “up to speed” with respect to reporting deadlines.

 

Consular Affairs (CA)

• Consul General and senior staff engaged in dozens of media appearances to promote the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
  
• Benefits: Informed thousands of travelers about significant changes in U.S. admission requirements.

 

• CA made a successful transition to 100% on-line nonimmigrant visa applications.
  
• Benefits:  Reduced in-office processing time/time spent in waiting room by half. 

 

• Ongoing outreach effort on “Stop List”- senior staff gave many radio/television/press interviews, visited local schools, etc. to explain the “Stop List” and how to stay off it.
  
• Benefits: Explained negative effect of criminal behavior on visa eligibility.

 

• Cut in half wait time for those Bermudians applying for waivers of ineligibility – with another 50% cut in wait times projected for this year.
  
• Benefits: Continued improvements in efficiency and effectiveness of Consular Operations allow continued improvements in client service.

 

• Issued 799 passports to U.S. citizens and almost 2,000 non-immigrant visas (Note: Bermudians do not need visas to enter the US as tourists), while providing services for the approximately 9,000 American citizens living in Bermuda and the almost 500,000 annual American visitors to Bermuda.
  
• Benefits:  Facilitated legitimate travel between the U.S. and Bermuda, strengthening our social, cultural and economic ties.