While the National Academy of Public Administration may conjure up images of that dreaded word "bureaucracy", this important independent non-partisan organization chartered by Congress plays a vital role in assisting federal, state, and local governments in improving their effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability. On their site, users can learn about the Academy, its mission, special initiatives, and in addition, very diverse projects, such as those for Bonneville Power, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Transit Administration. Visitors can also learn about the Academy's five centers, which include those on government performance, human resources, intergovernmental relations, and management studies. Each area provides a brief overview of each center's work and equally helpful, access to its latest publications. Finally, the site also provides a calendar of relevant conferences and events, along with a search engine.