2005 STATE EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION WEEK
CELEBRATION - HISTORY AND RECAP

History
“Public Employee Recognition Week” was created by the Public Employees Roundtable to acknowledge public sector employees in all fields of government. Five years ago, the National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE) in partnership with the National Governors Association initiated “State Employee Recognition Day.” The event is recognized on Wednesday of Public Employees Recognition Week. In her third year of celebrating the week, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm expanded her commemoration from one day to a week-long celebration of employee appreciation.

Recap of Events – 2005
Governor Granholm proclaimed the week of May 2 through 6, 2005, “State Employee Appreciation Week.” State departments planned a variety of events to honor their employees. For example, the Department of Information Technology hosted pizza luncheons, ice cream socials, movies, and other events for their employees; the Department of Labor & Economic Growth hosted pizza luncheons, breakfasts, and various other activities throughout the state; the Department of Education hosted a breakfast for their administrative support staff, an ice cream social, and a popcorn break; the Department of State Police held a Fallen Trooper Memorial Ceremony and other recognition ceremonies; the Department of Transportation held a tailgate party, luncheons, and pizza parties; the Department of Management and Budget Director and Chief Deputy Director visited various locations to personally thank employees; the Departments of Agriculture, Environmental Quality, Military and Veterans Affairs, Civil Rights, Civil Service, Community Health (Medical Services Administration), and the Office of the State Employer sponsored ice cream socials; and the Bureau of State Lottery held employee appreciation luncheons. (We apologize if we missed your event!)

Governor Granholm conveyed her continued appreciation for the efforts of state employees in many ways, including the following:

	Held “meet and greets” with employees in the Capitol Complex area, Secondary Complex and at Detroit’s Cadillac Place.
	Offered employees free admittance at Michigan’s state parks from May 2 through 8.
	Held a telephone conference with hard-to-convene Department of Corrections employees.
	Highlighted State Employee Appreciation Week on her website.
	Prepared a letter of thanks to state retirees for publication in the State Employees’ Retirement Association (SERA) newsletter.
	Sent congratulatory letters to employees having milestone anniversaries.
	Recorded a voice mail message to all employees to close the ceremony.

In addition, Governor Granholm unveiled the MI Parent Resources Directory. The Directory provides employees access to invaluable information on child-rearing. It can help with locating child care facilities, learning about nutrition, health and well-being, child safety, Internet protection, educational programs and literature, bargaining unit language and Civil Service Rules governing leaves, and much, much more.

Visit the website at www.michigan.gov/miparentresources for more information.