GUIDELINES TO NRDC feb 24 2014

Appendix A--Informal Staff Language, ContinuedLoose cannonSomeone out of control whose ill-conceived schemes cause upheaval.Muddy the watersAdd confusion or uncertainty to an action by injecting opposition or technicalities.Nonstarter (that dog won't hunt)A flawed program or proposal that won't work.Out of pocketSituation in which one is unavailable for duty, usually for personal or confidential reasons.PackageAll documents pertaining to an action assembled for coordination or signature (summary sheet,tasker, tabs, implementing papers).Pass actionTransfer responsibility for working an action to another office.Peanut galleryStaff officers and other staffers who sit in back or along a wall during a briefing.Pre-briefA preliminary briefing to key players which precedes the final briefing to the decision maker.Used to fine-tune final presentation or as a trial balloon.Read-ahead (read-ahead package)Material sent to officials to prepare them for upcoming visits, conferences, or briefings.Sandbox (turf, rice bowl)Area of operations or responsibility jealously guarded by the owners.SanitizeUse innocuous language or omission of facts when reporting on a sensitive event to outsiders--especially one that affects national security.ScrubMake final revision or fine-tune an action.ShepherdPersonally guide an action through the coordination process.Shotgun coordinationSend out duplicate coordination packages to several offices simultaneously to save time.NRDC GRC – Staff Handbook A-4