Mind Award 2010
Back when I worked in Texas state government during the 1990s, I was referred to as a "change agent". While that phrase is supposed to have a positive definition, you can imagine that in this particular setting it came across more as a pejorative. }:)
Now, though, I work at Animal Humane Society (AHS) where creative thinking is valued and encouraged. As evidence, I present to you this award that I received at our all-staff retreat earlier today. It is a first-ever award, which carries an extra bit of specialness. It was given to a few individuals for standout performance in certain categories.
Our Mission Statement is: "To engage the hearts, hands, and minds of the community to help animals." The awards followed those same categories. They were given to people who exemplified the compassion (heart), the dedication (hand), and the creativity (mind) that the organization needs to accomplish its work. They also awarded a fourth recognition for overall achievement. I received the Mind award for 2010.
Janelle Dixon, our CEO, spoke about each recipient and the reasons they were selected among the other candidates. She mentioned that my job isn't one that puts me in contact with animals like so many other (lucky) people in our organization, but that I manage to find myself there anyway. *laugh* For instance, I've attended Volunteer training, I've attended a Wildlife conference, I visit the animals before work, I arranged to ship fur to the Gulf oil spill, and none of that stuff involves the daily data/tech issues that I normally work on. She even mentioned my recent involvement with Hope, the kitten that I've been fostering these last few weeks.
I was quite surprised by the honor associated with this selection. I was lucky to have "a little bird" that warned me that something was up for today's event, but I was still frazzled by the attention. I hope the photo of me with Janelle doesn't come out looking too "Terrified Deer Stares Into Headlights". I don't desire to be the center of attention for 250 (I think?) people, even though they were quite generous and supportive and well intentioned people. I do like working at AHS, truly. Everyone is quite committed to helping critters, so I'm very surprised and honored to be singled out from a non-animal section of the organization. But I still look forward to never repeating that experience. *laugh* Tonight, though, I'm finally doing better. I've had food, I've had aspirin, and I've had whiskey. I'm starting to calm down. :)
I had (mostly) made a decision about Hope prior to the meeting, but now emotions have muddled my thinking again. I take her back to AHS in the morning, so she can soon have spay surgery and then move on to the adoption floor. I still have a day or two to get back to rational thinking mode.
Now, though, I work at Animal Humane Society (AHS) where creative thinking is valued and encouraged. As evidence, I present to you this award that I received at our all-staff retreat earlier today. It is a first-ever award, which carries an extra bit of specialness. It was given to a few individuals for standout performance in certain categories.
Our Mission Statement is: "To engage the hearts, hands, and minds of the community to help animals." The awards followed those same categories. They were given to people who exemplified the compassion (heart), the dedication (hand), and the creativity (mind) that the organization needs to accomplish its work. They also awarded a fourth recognition for overall achievement. I received the Mind award for 2010.
Janelle Dixon, our CEO, spoke about each recipient and the reasons they were selected among the other candidates. She mentioned that my job isn't one that puts me in contact with animals like so many other (lucky) people in our organization, but that I manage to find myself there anyway. *laugh* For instance, I've attended Volunteer training, I've attended a Wildlife conference, I visit the animals before work, I arranged to ship fur to the Gulf oil spill, and none of that stuff involves the daily data/tech issues that I normally work on. She even mentioned my recent involvement with Hope, the kitten that I've been fostering these last few weeks.
I was quite surprised by the honor associated with this selection. I was lucky to have "a little bird" that warned me that something was up for today's event, but I was still frazzled by the attention. I hope the photo of me with Janelle doesn't come out looking too "Terrified Deer Stares Into Headlights". I don't desire to be the center of attention for 250 (I think?) people, even though they were quite generous and supportive and well intentioned people. I do like working at AHS, truly. Everyone is quite committed to helping critters, so I'm very surprised and honored to be singled out from a non-animal section of the organization. But I still look forward to never repeating that experience. *laugh* Tonight, though, I'm finally doing better. I've had food, I've had aspirin, and I've had whiskey. I'm starting to calm down. :)
I had (mostly) made a decision about Hope prior to the meeting, but now emotions have muddled my thinking again. I take her back to AHS in the morning, so she can soon have spay surgery and then move on to the adoption floor. I still have a day or two to get back to rational thinking mode.