In April, we collaborated with HRIC and Chancellor Haefner to announce the You Rock! Awards, which “promote a culture of appreciation and recognition that is more immediate and touches people outside the limelight.” Taking inspiration from the Morgridge College of Education’s Inclusive Excellence Committee, the You Rock! Awards collect stories and compliments – from acknowledging the invisible work of staff to sharing a student compliment with a colleague – via an online form. The form results in an electronic certificate to the recipient and monthly prize drawings. In the first month, the VFPA received 285 You Rock! nominations. Of those 285, 15 faculty and staff members were drawn for the monthly prize (Confetti! YouRock! stickers!) and will receive a personal note.
Inspired by Tina Roth Eisenberg, a designer and innovator, this month’s awardees are receiving confetti because everyone needs a confetti drawer.
Supervisors of You Rock! recipients will be informed whenever a recognition is submitted to HRIC and the VPFA. The goal is change our culture and, as Ken Pinnock, HRIC’s community director of people development points out, “Recognition is something that is sought after and desired in our community.” We know this from the results of our COACHE faculty and ModernThink employee results. And who doesn’t need a little more joy?
Let your colleague know: You Rock!