Employee Appreciation Day is observed on the first Friday of March.  This year it falls on Friday, March 6, and is part of Employee Appreciation Month.  Please take time to reflect and find ways to show gratitude to your team and colleagues for their hard work, dedication, and effort on this day, this month, and throughout the year.

During the month, also take a break and join in on one or more March activities listed below.  Details on these activities and other appreciation month resources can be found on the Employee Appreciation Month webpage.

Fun Team Trivia.  Join All Staff Council on Monday, March 23 from 2:30-4 p.m. in Parents Hall North (Upper level, Olmsted Center) for some friendly trivia competition. You are welcome to form your own team of 4-6 people or come as an individual and join a team. Everyone is welcome. Medals will be handed out and there will be a popcorn bar to curb those munchies. Then stick around for the March Drake Provost Social in the same location. It is sure to be an afternoon of fun! Register at  https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1IaKSUMYwhrbdps.

Photo Scavenger Hunt. Looking for a group activity you can do anytime in March? Recruit a colleague (or group), bring your cell phone, and have fun with this photo scavenger hunt.  Send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu to receive a list of locations around Drake’s campus. At each location, take a fun photo.  Once you complete the list, send an email with all your photos by March 31 to linda.feiden@drake.edu.  One entry will be randomly drawn from the submitted entries and a tasty prize awarded to the winning group!

Give a shout-out.  Shout outs are a wonderful way to recognize your fellow Drake faculty and staff. Simply write a sentence or two thanking a colleague or team for going the extra mile or showing support to others. Submit your shout-outs to linda.feiden@drake.edu between now and March 25, and they will be compiled and posted in OnCampus.

In addition, there will be three BUILD classes offered in March, including one on the employee assistance program services offered through Employee & Family Resources.  This is a great opportunity to learn something new and spend time with others across campus. Click HERE for a list of classes and registration link.

Please take some time this month to let others know you appreciate their efforts and know that YOUR efforts are appreciated.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources