Staff Picnic 2010

As I drove to work this morning, the smell of rubber palm trees in my back seat prompted me to reflect on our staff picnic last Friday. More than 200 CMCA employees gathered at Cosmo Park in Columbia to enjoy the day, good food, and good company. While I expect there are always a few that would rather be in their office or Head Start center catching up, I think it is important to have this one day each year to just unwind. Our Transformation Plan says that "Staff members . . . are recognized as the Agency's most valuable resource" and that the "Agency culture is aligned with the agency's mission, vision, and values." One of the ways to honor these commitments is to take staff out of their stressful, often emotional, busy days and give them the opportunity to just have some fun. We played volleyball, limbo, tug-o'-war, cards, frisbee, and don't even get me started on the egg toss (where I was pummeled by a dozen eggs from a handful of "fun-loving" deviants that will pay dearly when the time is right). We also gave out some donated prizes and honored several staff for their service and commitment. Employees across the agency nominated peers for the Starfish Thrower Awards to recognize colleagues who regularly go above and beyond their job description for the sake of those we serve and each other. From those, the Leadership Team selected the following for the 2010 Starfish Thrower Awards: "Team Awesome" (Andy Prevo and Chris Gunther), Brooke Smith, Administrative Services Coordinator, Andrea Langton, Callaway County Family Advocate, Shere Bruner, Cole East Head Start Site Assistant, and Brenda Jenkins, Cook Assistant and Custodian at Cole West. Thanks to these individuals for their stellar commitment. We also recognized 'Smilin' Bob Green for recently being selected as the National Support Staff of the Year by the National Head Start Association. What an honor to have a national award winner as part of the CMCA family!

We also recognized the following staff for benchmark years of service that they will complete during the 2010 fiscal year. Their years of service add up to a significant commitment to the work we do at CMCA.

5 Years of Service = Vickey Rathburn, Colita Harvey, Brooke Eskridge, Angela Hirsch, Brandy Tallman, Chris Macy, Jessica Cook, Tawnya Pace, Liz Jungmeyer, Jackie Cornell, Lesley Fannin, Darin Preis, Bryon White, and Kathleen Saleh.

10 Years of Service = Melissa Chambers, Lisa Cumins, Donisha Nevins, and Julie Kratzer.

15 Years of Service = Brenda Rose

20 Years of Service = David Gregory, Tori Schlemmer-Sims, and Pat Lockwood.

35 Years of Service = Suzie Williams-Bragg

Keep an eye out for pictures from this awesome event.