Page 19 - March April 2026 Vol 43 No 7

scheduled community event. Feature completed project. Select employees to OUTREACH TO SCHOOLS
Public Works equipment, display photos serve as ambassadors or tour guides.
of facilities and provide information on Provide a forum for citizens to learn A T-Shirt Design Contest encourages
upcoming Public Works projects. about various departments and their students to be creative while they learn
functions. about Public Works. It’s an excellent
Rodeo/Equipment Show – Display activity for elementary school age
equipment your department uses in Employee Appreciation Day – students. Design subjects include parks
day-to-day operations. Give Public Acknowledge the many accomplishments and recreation, recycling, road repair and
Works employees the opportunity to Public Works employees contribute street cleaning. Print the winning design
show the skill required to operate Public throughout the year with a special on T-shirts and distribute T-shirts to
Works equipment. Select a location with recognition event. Sponsor a banquet students to wear during National Public
high visibility such as a parking lot, city to recognize outstanding performance, Works Week.
park, or public gathering place. Allow special achievements, safety records and
adequate time to research and reserve attendance. Include family members of Bringing an Equipment Show & Tell to a
a location. Invite elected officials to honorees. Award honorees with a gift middle school enables students to see
participate in an activity during the event. registration to a seminar, an engraved firsthand the equipment you use in daily
Emphasize safety; highlight the cost- plaque, a special proclamation, or a operations. This activity is ideal if you
effective measures and unique features cash award. Invite elected officials. Hold have limited resources.
of your equipment and vehicles. Have your event in a Public Works facility. A Job Shadow Day enables a high school
representatives from various departments For example, host a barbecue in an student to experience a workday in the
show equipment and answer questions. equipment garage. life of the Public Works professional who

Open House or Tour – An open house or Sporting Event – Promote healthy living performs a job of interest to the student.
tour offers participants a new perspective by sponsoring a sporting event. Sponsor
on Public Works and gives professionals a golf tournament and arrange for the Please make plans to take photos
an opportunity to discuss the daily proceeds to be dedicated to a Public and share how you celebrate
operation at their facility. It also is a good Works project, such as the purchase of NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
time to gather community members’ playground equipment in a community in your municipality.
opinions of Public Works projects park. Sponsor a Public Works night at an
and services. Plan the open house in organized or professional sporting event. We want to share your creativity
conjunction with a dedication ceremony, Arrange for a message about Public in a future issue of TPW.
an anniversary, or a celebration of a Works to be announced during the game.

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