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Quietly Making a Difference

More so than any Pubic Service Recognition Week I can remember, federal employees are feeling uncertain about what the future holds.

It seems like every week a new attack on their pay, benefits, or jobs emerges from the media and Capitol Hill, casting a dark shadow over their work lives. In this toxic environment anxiety, disillusion, and uncertainty – or some combination of the three – should logically rule the day.

But oddly enough, I have sensed a strong sense of optimism among our members. Although the road has been tough – even to the point where many felt like throwing in the towel – federal workers continue to show up to work every day proud to serve their country, quietly go doing the essential work our nation has come to expect from them.

Despite the pay freeze, retirement cuts, and budget tightening, these dedicated women and men have taken it all in stride, and carried on with their mission. They come to work every day to be stewards of our national parks and forests, to provide care for our veterans, and to find housing for the needy. They come to work every day to make sure terrorists don’t get passports, to ensure that our oceans, waterways, and skies are safe, and to see that our troops go to battle with the best support our nation can provide.

Federal employees come to work every day and make a difference – sometimes in the lives of millions, and sometimes in the life of just one. They are federal employees because there is a job to be done, and they are not just proud, but honored, to do it.

They are not asking for recognition – this week or any other week. All they ask for is the ability to serve their country.

So throughout this Public Service Recognition Week, let us honor the silent sacrifices that our nation’s civil servants make for all of us – every day. It is their selfless contributions that help keep our country great.

William R. Dougan

Organizing Tip of the Week: Tools to Help You Help Your Local

Friday, August 5, 2011

(National Federation of Federal Employees)

As NFFE representatives, our duty is grow our Locals and provide them with the quality representation that our members expect of us. However, carrying out these essential union functions can often be a challenge. Official time is hard to come by, and even when we do get some, it never seems to be enough. Resources may be scare or a particular case may be outside of your area of expertise. What can you do in these situations?

To address these common problems, look no further than the NFFE Toolbox – your one-stop shop for all of the representational and recruitment resources you need to get the job done. Inside the NFFE Toolbox you will find several ‘toolkits’ which each contain valuable resources about a particular union function. Need help filing a ULP or grievance? Go to the Stewards Toolkit. Interested in starting a Local newsletter of website? Go to the Communicators’ Toolkit. Need resources for an upcoming organizing drive? Visit the Organizers’ Toolkit.

You can find these invaluable tools and many more by visiting the NFFE Toolbox on our website, www.nffe.org. For more information, see the Q+A below, or use this brief training presentation.

What is the NFFE Toolbox?

The NFFE Toolbox is a new area of the website where you can access each of NFFE’s six “toolkits.” Each toolkit contains resources to help you in your day-to-day work as a union representative.

What Type of Resources Are in the Toolbox?

Inside you will find links to the Stewards’ Toolkit, Officers’ Toolkit, Communicators’ Toolkit, Legislative Action Center, Organizers’ Toolkit, and Disability Resource Center.

Where do I Find the Toolbox?

The Toolbox is located on the right-hand side of the homepage of the NFFE website, www.nffe.org. Just click the button labeled “NFFE Toolbox” and you’re there! (See picture below)

Why Create a Toolbox?

The idea behind the NFFE Toolbox was to place all of NFFE’s toolkit resources in one easy-to-find location. The days of hunting around the website to find information for stewards, or communicators, or legislative chairs are over.

Questions?

Contact NFFE Communications Director Cory Bythrow at (202) 216-4458 or cbythrow@nffe.org.

Click Here to Visit the NFFE Toolbox

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