The 2023 OSTI Homecoming event took place September 19-21, 2023 at NCWCP in College Park, Maryland. The first day focused inward on our culture, the Organizational Health Index trends, and on an inclusive brainstorming approach known as the Six Thinking Hats. The group then considered these concepts while taking in the feature film Moneyball, which focuses on transformational change and leadership. These activities set the stage for individual program and division break out sessions, which took place the following day. Each working group within OSTI got together to celebrate accomplishments and successes of the past year and discuss upcoming priorities.

On the last day of the meeting, the group gathered together in plenary to hear brief outs on NWS’ Modeling priorities for the future, the Probabilistic IDSS Ken’s 10 team summary to date, and the vision for the newly created Social Behavioral and Economic Science Program. In addition, Steve Smith, OSTI Director, shared the Last Critical Mile vision, linking OSTI’s research projects and priorities to national level vision.  To round out the meeting, our NWS Director and new Chief Operating Officer addressed the group, reinforcing Steve’s remarks, stating their national-level priorities of supporting operationally-linked innovative R2O and service delivery tools and methods - essentially welcoming OSTI to the “Operations side of the house”, as OSTI will soon report to the Office of the Chief Operating Officer.  Finally, we ended the meeting celebrating the accomplishments of our staff, including Length of Service Awards.  Overall, the meeting was a great success in bringing OSTI together to collaborate via in-person engagement and brainstorm about our future!