{"id":4627,"date":"2024-10-11T10:27:43","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T17:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.piercecountywa.gov\/executive\/?p=4627"},"modified":"2024-10-11T10:29:22","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T17:29:22","slug":"awesome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.piercecountywa.gov\/executive\/2024\/10\/11\/awesome\/","title":{"rendered":"Awesome!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If someone was counting the number of times I used the word \u201cawesome\u201d during the annual Employee Incentive and Recognition (EI&R) evening, they would have needed all their fingers and toes!  It was just that kind of night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while awesome is a great word to describe the celebration, so would be inspiring, touching, and funny!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theme of the event was \u201cBuilding a Legacy of Service\u201d and it was spot on!  (Lillian Scott from the Executive Team submitted that idea.  Congratulations Lillian!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The entire evening was about the individual legacies our colleagues are building AND our combined legacy of service to the people of Pierce County!\u00a0 The elements of the celebration included: long-term service to our community; significant investments in leadership development; recognizing our newest Gold Leaders; and highlighting our\u00a02024 Standing Ovation Award winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there were also other aspects that revealed our legacy and who we are.\u00a0 First, I was excited to see retired Deputy Prosecutor Diane Clarkson in the audience.\u00a0That she would join us for the evening is telling.\u00a0 Also, now retired but long-time EI&R Planning Committee member Kelvin Brown was not only back but still volunteering on the committee!\u00a0 And I particularly appreciated seeing so many spouses, partners and family members in the audience.\u00a0 It meant a lot to me that they were part of celebrating the tremendous work their loved ones are doing for our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, it was only fitting that we used the event to give back to our community.\u00a0 The highly creative departmental \u201cgift basket\u201d raffle raised nearly $3,000 to the Tacoma Area Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities (TACID).\u00a0 Serving members of our community since 1980, TACID has a legacy of helping people overcome challenges and living their best lives!\u00a0 And the Planning & Public Works (PPW)\u00a0M&O\u00a0team won the coveted gift basket theme competition with their “Backyard Bonanza – Get Out and Play” submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once again, PCTV\u2019s expertise and creativity was on full display – not only supporting the evening with camera coverage reflected on the \u201cbig screen,\u201d but their videos of the celebrants were exceptional – as you can see featured below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, here\u2019s a glimpse of the awesome evening!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2024 Standing Ovation Award (SOA) Winners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vibrant Communities: <\/strong>The evening\u2019s first SOA awards recognize employees whose actions made Pierce County a better place to live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The team award was presented to \u201cIf You Can Eat It, We Can Compost It.\u201d We are leading the state in reducing food waste in our landfills and associated methane gas production, and diverting that waste to be composted and sold as fertilizer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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