Page 8 - March-April25 Vol42 No7

PUBLIC WORKS WEEK: MAY 18-24, 2025 APWA
HOW TO: National Public Works Week

Every year National Public Works clubs, civic groups, historic preservation Public Works employees contribute
Week gets bigger and better. The number societies, schools, and scouting councils throughout the year with a special
of participating municipalities continues to join you in an environmental project or recognition event. Sponsor a banquet
to grow, which means the number of suggest a project of their own. Organize a to recognize outstanding performance,
citizens who are exposed to the value of tree-planting ceremony, recycling drive, special achievements, safety records and
public works grows. At APWA one of our public grounds clean-up or free, safe attendance. Include family members of
main goals is to educate the public about disposal of oversized items and household honorees. Award honorees with a gift
the value and necessities of public works hazardous wastes. registration to a seminar, an engraved
projects throughout North America, Public Works Exhibit – Create an exhibit plaque, a special proclamation, or a cash
as well as internationally, and public to spotlight your recent successes award. Invite elected officials. Hold your
works professionals like you are our best and emphasize how they benefit all event in a Public Works facility. For
ambassadors. citizens. Arrange to display your exhibit example, host a barbecue in an equipment
Since 1960, APWA has sponsored at libraries, community centers and garage.
National Public Works Week. Across shopping malls. You may be able to Sporting Event – Promote healthy living
North America, our more than 32,000 take advantage of a captive audience by by sponsoring a sporting event. Sponsor
members in the US and Canada use this exhibiting at a scheduled community a golf tournament and arrange for the
week to energize and educate the public event. Feature Public Works equipment, proceeds to be dedicated to a Public
on the importance of public works to display photos of facilities and provide Works project, such as the purchase of
their daily lives: planning, building, information on upcoming Public Works playground equipment in a community
managing and operating at the heart projects. park. Sponsor a Public Works night at
of their local communities to improve an organized or professional sporting
everyday quality of life. Rodeo/Equipment Show – Display event. Arrange for a message about Public
This year’s theme, “People, equipment your department uses in Works to be announced during the game.
Purpose, Presence,” highlights three day-to-day operations. Give Public
cornerstone ideals that motivate public Works employees the opportunity to Outreach to Schools
works professionals to serve in their show the skill required to operate Public A T-Shirt Design Contest encourages
communities every day. Meeting the Works equipment. Select a location with students to be creative while they learn
needs of people is what gives public works high visibility such as a parking lot, city about Public Works. It’s an excellent
its sense of purpose. Many times, public park, or public gathering place. Allow activity for elementary school age
works professionals will never meet adequate time to research and reserve students. Design subjects include parks
those whose lives have been impacted a location. Invite elected officials to and recreation, recycling, road repair and
because when things are going right, no participate in an activity during the event. street cleaning. Print the winning design
one knows that public works is there. Yet, Emphasize safety; highlight the cost- on T-shirts and distribute T-shirts to
with or without fanfare, public works is effective measures and unique features students to wear during National Public
ever present, working in the background of your equipment and vehicles. Have Works Week.
to advance quality of life for all. representatives from various departments
SAMPLE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES show equipment and answer questions. Bringing an Equipment Show & Tell to a
middle school enables students to see
Open House or Tour – An open house or
Proclamation – Ask elected officials to tour offers participants a new perspective firsthand the equipment you use in daily
make a proclamation for National Public on Public Works and gives professionals operations. This activity is ideal if you
Works Week. Write a brief cover letter an opportunity to discuss the daily have limited resources.
and enclose a draft of the proclamation operation at their facility. It also is a good A Job Shadow Day enables a high school
(can be found on the APWA website). time to gather community members’ student to experience a workday in the
Request a time to photograph the official opinions of Public Works projects life of the Public Works professional who
presenting the proclamation to the and services. Plan the open house in performs a job of interest to the student.
designated Public Works representative conjunction with a dedication ceremony,
during a scheduled Public Works event or an anniversary, or a celebration of a
a meeting. Please make plans to take photos
completed project. Select employees to
Environmental Campaign – Develop serve as ambassadors or tour guides. and write a story sharing how you
a week of activities to improve the Provide a forum for citizens to learn celebrate NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS
community’s environment. Show the about various departments and their WEEK in your municipality.
many ways Public Works departments functions. We want to share your creativity
contribute to your community’s Employee Appreciation Day –
environmental health. Invite garden in a future issue of TPW.
Acknowledge the many accomplishments
8 TPW March/April 2025