PUBLIC DIPLOMACY (PD)

• Post continued to develop and execute its growing public diplomacy program, which was featured in State Magazine as a model for small posts beginning PD programs from scratch and without funding. (http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/prd/hrweb/er/statemag/2007/March_2007.pdf March 2007)
• Benefits: Facilitates strong and effective communication of Consulate messages to the Bermuda public.

Consul General Slayton organized and led the second bilateral diplomatic visit of Bermuda’s Premier and senior political leaders to Washington D.C., laying the basis for making this an annual event. 

• Benefits: Strengthening the bilateral relationship that is important to both Bermuda and the USA.

• The Consulate’s profile in the community continued to move from strength to strength as Post’s relationship with the media deepened and matured.
• Benefits: New focus on PD led directly to hundreds of positive TV, print and radio features that has clearly elevated the positive perception of the US overall.


• Together with the American Society, Post organized, fundraised, and oversaw execution of July 4^th extravaganza for 6,000+ guests themed “Celebrating Freedom; Giving Back to Bermuda,” once again building the groundwork for making this an annual event.   US Congress members G.K. Butterfield and Diane Watson attended.  Island-wide media coverage of the event was extremely positive.
• 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.
  
• Post sponsored its third consecutive Voluntary Visitor Exchange, sending a team of Bermudian leaders in the field of healthy children/families to visit their counterparts in successful U.S. programs, with emphasis on those at-risk.  Post expects to send a VolVis team to the U.S. every year going forward.  
• Benefits: Bi-lateral exchange and education benefits both societies.
  
• In a solemn ceremony on September 11, 2007, Bermuda watched as the island’s only memorial to the victims of the terrorist attacks six years ago was dedicated.  Consul General and Mrs. Slayton designed the memorial and fully-funded its construction and installation by the Bermuda College. Many dignitaries, including Deputy Premier Paula Cox, attended the dedication in the Botanical Gardens.
• Benefits: Honors the memory of those who fell on 9/11, including two Bermudians, and reminds all of common challenges and sacrifice.
  
• Post co-hosted with the Centre on Philanthropy a reception honoring Bermuda’s charitable leaders, featuring a screening of the State Department-provided PBS documentary, “The New Heroes,” about social entrepreneurs around the world.
• Benefits: Acknowledges the important role that charities and volunteers play in US and Bermuda society, while encouraging others to get involved.


• Post re-established a commercial/economic division, providing the first commercial service to Americans wishing to do business in Bermuda in more than a decade.  First up was the publication of the Investment Climate Report, followed by Post’s first-ever Country Commercial Guide. http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov/uploads/images/MsjEoNosTjZAIAo_jr3EeA/ICR07publishcopy.pdf

http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov/uploads/images/K3VvbFS_vTqvmtWN3KmRRg/CCGfinalcopy.pdf

• Benefits:  Assists Americans seeking to do business in Bermuda.

• Post continued to host “piggyback” public diplomacy events: 1) a benefit concert featuring four Harvard glee clubs in aid of Bermuda’s Habitat for Humanity; 2) a Residence reception for 200 Bermuda leaders featuring the glee clubs; and 3) a Christmas concert showcasing world-renowned pianist Regina Shamvili.
  
  • Benefits: “Piggybacking” allows Post to engage in no-cost public diplomacy while benefiting a Bermuda charity. It also promotes engagement and mutual understanding.
  
  
• Consul General Slayton hosted numerous representational events at the Official Residence, including a dinner honoring Congresswoman Diane Watson, a reception in honor of Congressman G.K. Butterfield, a “Cup of Cheer” reception for approximately 100 staff contacts and a holiday reception for government and business leaders.
• Benefits:  Promotes engagement and mutual understanding.


• Post worked with the U.S. Navy and the Government of Bermuda to bring the U.S. Fleet Forces Band to Bermuda - for the first time in more than a decade – to participate in the Bermuda Day parade and perform at local schools and senior homes.
• Benefits: Celebrated the close relationship between the U.S. and Bermuda.


• Post co-hosted with the American Society the Thanksgiving 2007 inter-faith service and reception for 250, attended by many of Bermuda’s leaders.  The Consul General wrote a Thanksgiving op-ed that was the lead in that day’s Royal Gazette and read the President’s Proclamation to guests.
• Benefits:  Celebrated common values.


• Post nominated two outstanding Bermudians to attend fully-paid training courses on intellectual property rights offered by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
• Benefits: Demonstrated US interest in keeping Bermuda apprised about current IP regulations
  
• Consul General Slayton delivered numerous keynote speeches, such as those to the Bermuda International Business Association’s Annual Conference, the Bermuda Captives 2007 Conference and the International CrimeStoppers Conference.
• Benefits: Provided a forum to discuss the importance of the U.S.-Bermuda partnership.


• Post continued to develop its website as an outreach tool.
• Benefits:  Provided customers with up-to-the-minute information on Consulate activities and programs.


• The Consul General continued his “Congratulations Letter Program,” recognizing over 150 regular Bermudians throughout 2007whose performance, achievement and/or service was of real benefit to Bermuda and/or the USA.
• Benefits: Demonstrated the Consulate’s interest and involvement in local issues.

CONSULAR AFFAIRS (CA)

• Post successfully implemented the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and the on-line reservation system with virtually zero problems.  Post designed and implemented two broad spectrum multimedia public information campaigns to alert the public to upcoming changes.
• Benefits: Alerts the public to customer service upgrades.
  
• Post successfully reduced wait times for visa waivers from an average of six months to an average of two months.
• Benefits:  Improves customer service.Post ramped up its outreach efforts to encourage Bermudians to keep themselves off the so-called “Stop List.” 


• New in 2007 were the high school stop list competition, resulting in the production of banners, posters and hugely-popular stickers; and the appointment of a local sports hero as spokesman for the campaign.
• Benefits: Continued to reinforce the public service message that criminal behavior has long-term negative impact on being able to travel to and through the U.S.


• The Consulate launched its new monthly radio program – “Ask the Consulate” – on local radio station KJAZ.
• Benefits:  Consular officer fields audience questions and provides information on Consulate initiatives.
  
• The Consulate issued nearly 1000 passports to U.S. citizens, compared to 794 in 2006, and 2,000 nonimmigrant visas, compared to 1,821 in 2006.  Post issued 70 immigrant visas, compared to 97 in 2006, and processed over 200 waivers of ineligibility for Bermudians.

MANAGEMENT

• The Deputy Principal Officer participated in the Bermuda government’s emergency preparedness planning exercises in what should be an on-going Consulate/GOB/UK collaboration.

• Benefits:  Established a precedent for the American Consulate to become involved in emergency preparedness, critical to advising Americans on the island about hurricanes and other disasters.

• The years-long problem of the lack of electronic salary transfers for locally employed staff was successfully solved.

• Benefits:  Brought the Consulate in line with current management practices.

• Post upgraded the technical security of the consulate facility, including the destruction of excess classified holdings; installed hurricane-resistant windows; and tented the building to kill termites in the ceiling. 

• Benefits: Brought the Consulate in line with security and facility upgrades appropriate for lock-and-leave posts, while lessening post’s vulnerability.

• The relationship between the Consulate and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection continued to steadily improve over the past year.  As an example, CBP provided space at its airport facility to store Consulate furniture, thus providing a secure, sorely-needed, temperature-controlled storage area.
  

  • Benefits:  Avoids having to pay exorbitant local storage fees and provides protection for valuable Consulate property. 

   

• Post held its first disposal sale in five years, netting approximately $10,000.

• Benefits:  Provided the opportunity to spring clean. 
   

• Post’s ICASS Customer Service Survey response rate and overall ratings were significantly above EUR mean.
  

• Post established an FSN committee to provide more diverse channels of feedback for LES staff and post management.
  

• Solving a long-standing problem, country clearance telegraphic process for U.S. naval visits of all kinds was standardized and clarified through DAO London.
  

• Effective liaison established with a broad spectrum of public and private schools, broadening educational choice for employees at Consulate and Pre-clearance.