\u201cIt\u2019s more about recognizing that we\u2019re all human beings and sharing times,\u201d Spear, a project manager, said. \u201cWe work together, so we\u2019re creating an environment of inclusion. That\u2019s the benefit. That\u2019s what we get to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
The CARE Committee, which is supported by employee participation and donations (more on how to give later), has been around, but off and on in its activity, for more than 15 years. About seven years ago, a department head wanted a system to recognize employees who excel in their work. There was one, he was told, it just hadn\u2019t done much in a few years. With that, the committee was formed, with Spear at the head. Williams, a project manager with Facility Services, soon joined him, and treasurer Dennis Zickefoose<\/strong> came on just a little while ago when he started his position as administration associate with planning, design and construction. The committee is charged with raising funds and using them to support individuals and build community within the team.<\/p>\n That recognition started simply, Spear said. They threw parties for people who were retiring, sent cards and flowers for celebrations in their employees\u2019 lives and for the sad moments as well. They gave awards for individuals and groups who went above and beyond, like responding to emergency plumbing situations in the middle of the night.<\/p>\n They also started the Caught You Caring campaign, an opportunity for employees to recognize and thank their coworkers a little more officially.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to just celebrate the awesome we see around us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n From there, they moved to events. The annual winter feast, which takes place toward\u00a0the end of the fall semester, was soon joined by the summer barbecue, both of which are catered by Sodexo. The fall chili cook-off and the spring bake-off followed, with employees bringing their own culinary creations to share, taste and, for the brave souls willing to take a bite of every type of chili, vote on.<\/p>\n \u201cIt turns out the simplest things we do are the best things we do,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n Not that their other events aren\u2019t popular. The committee didn\u2019t put on the summer barbecue this year\u2014Spear said they need an additional $50 a month in donations to do all four activities, and they just couldn\u2019t find the money this year\u2014people missed it and asked about it.<\/p>\n They are hoping, as more people participate and appreciate what the committee does, that more people will donate to the fund. It is, the three organizers say, absolutely worth the investment.<\/p>\n \u201cI enjoy being part of a team that shows people we care,\u201d Spear said. \u201cIn work environments, it\u2019s easy to make it all about work. Most people forget the majority of our waking hours are spent at work, and to have a positive influence on that, to create a space that is fun to be at, to have an attitude of, \u2018OK, let\u2019s go!\u2019\u2014that\u2019s what I enjoy, is just being part of the positivity.\u201d<\/p>\n To support the Facility Services team with a one-time or recurring gift to the fund, visit Givi<\/a>ng at NAU<\/a>. Employees from any NAU unit may also give using payroll deduction for an ongoing or onetime gift. To set up payroll deduction:<\/p>\n Facility Services employees also can contribute by participating in semiannual split the pot raffles, in which the winner gets half of the money raised and the other half goes to the committee to fund its activities.<\/p>\n![\"Fall](\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/chili-cookoff.jpg\")
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