Special events and activities provide the opportunity to interact with the community outside the daily work environment. They are an excellent opportunity to build relationships with diverse populations and expose the community to public works in a different light. Use the information that follows to spark creativity within your organization

There are two primary considerations when choosing events and activities: the message and the target audience. Take the time to ensure that the event communicates your intended message to the target audience. Also make sure each event and activity you plan will meet at least one of the measurable objectives established for the celebration. Following are sample events and related activities.

Environmental Campaign

Public Works Exhibit

Rodeo/Equipment Show

Open House or Tour

Employee Appreciation Day

Sporting Event

Event Enhancers

Proclamation

Slide or Video presentation

Retrospective

Sample Event and Calendar

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Develop a week of activities to improve the community's environment. Show the many ways public works departments contribute to your community's environmental health.

Thought starters:

• Invite garden clubs, civic groups, historic preservation societies, schools and scouting councils to join you in an environmental project, or suggest a project of their own.
• Organize a tree-planting ceremony, recycling drive, public grounds clean-up or free, safe disposal of oversized items and household hazardous wastes.
• Launch a campaign to solicit organizations to adopt a highway or public park.

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Create an exhibit to spotlight your organization's recent successes and emphasize how they benefit all citizens. Arrange to display your exhibit at libraries, community centers and shopping malls. You may be able to take advantage of a captive audience by exhibiting at a scheduled community event.

Thought starters:

• Feature public works equipment, display photos of facilities and provide information on upcoming public works projects.
• Show a film or video of public works in action.
• When practical, have a representative from various departments staff the exhibit to answer questions and provide information.

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Display equipment your department uses in day-to-day operations. Give public works employees the opportunity to show the skill required to operate public works equipment.

Thought starters:

• Select a location with high visibility such as a parking lot, city park, or public gathering place. Allow adequate time to research and reserve a location.
• Invite elected officials to participate in an activity during the event.
• Sponsor a regional contest and challenge other municipalities to a test of skills necessary to operate a backhoe, garbage pickup, forklift and lawn tractor.
• Emphasize safety; highlight the cost-effective measures and unique features of your equipment and vehicles.
• Have representatives from various departments show equipment and answer questions.

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An open house or tour offers participants a new perspective on public works and gives professionals an opportunity to discuss the daily operation at their facility. It also is a good time to gather community members opinions of public works projects and services.

Thought starters:

• Plan the open house in conjunction with a dedication ceremony, an anniversary, or a celebration of a completed project.
• Select employees to serve as ambassadors or tour guides.
• Provide a forum for citizens to learn about various departments and their functions.
• Develop a survey to gather attendees' opinions about a public works project or service of importance to your organization.

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Acknowledge the many accomplishments public works employees contribute throughout the year with a special recognition event.

Thought starters:

• Sponsor a banquet to recognize outstanding performance, special achievements, safety records and attendance. Award honorees with a gift registration to a seminar, an engraved plaque, a special proclamation or a cash award.
• Include family members of honorees.
• Invite elected officials.
• Hold your event in a public works facility. For example, host a barbecue in an equipment garage.

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Healthy people are happy people. Promote healthful living by sponsoring a sporting event.

Thought starters:

• Plan the route of a race to end at a facility or project you believe deserves attention.
• Sponsor a golf tournament and arrange for the proceeds to be dedicated to a public works project, such as the purchase of playground equipment in a community park.
• Sponsor a public works night at an organized or professional sporting event. Arrange for a message about public works to be announced during the game.

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The following ideas can enhance any event, used alone or in combination.

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Ask elected officials to make a proclamation for National Public Works Week.

Thought starters:

• Contact the official's office at least one month in advance.
• Write a brief cover letter and enclose a draft of the proclamation. In the letter, request a time to photograph the official presenting the proclamation to the designated public works representative during a scheduled public works event or a meeting.
  
  Click here for a sample Proclamation