It’s Happening at Chinook Winds...
4th Quarter
Superstar
Celebration
The Jan. 25 fourth quarter
Superstar Luncheon for 2000 turned out
to be a little more exciting than planned.
The food was terrific, the turnout was
good, and the planning impeccable. No
one could have anticipated, however,
the lights going out in the middle of
the ceremony!
Although the convention center
was transformed into a “black hole”
when the electricity went out, everyone
sat quietly until the dim lights came
back on. Even then it was too dark to
see clearly, so Human Resources
Director Phil Rilatos read the
nominations with the aid of a flashlight
and everything continued without
a hitch.
The Superstar for 4th Quarter
2000 is Teri Tomlinson - Bingo! Several
customers wrote nominations for this
employee, including the following:
She has to be the most gracious
and helpful person in the department. She
always has a ready smile and great sense
of humor! We dearly love her and
appreciate her wonderful thoughtfulness.”
Has always been a very friendly and
helpful employee.” “Among your best
casino representatives!” “You have an
asset to your casino, she’s definitely a star.
A big shining Superstar!”
Tomlinson received a plaque, a fish
pin, a check for $1,000, and a marble tile
that will be displayed at the front of the
casino in recognition of her achievement
Lisa, con’t from page 13
“It's really sad,” she says.
“They’re really starving for it.”
Bud Lane, a member who
received a tribal grant to create regalia
and who trained Brown, says without
people like her stepping forward to help,
the tribe would not be making the
cultural recovery it is.
He speaks with pride about the
large cedar dance house that took two
years for the tribe to finish.
“Now the dance lines are so big we
can’t hardly get everybody in,” says Lane.
The third aspect to Brown’s
business is social and, interestingly
enough, the original inspiration for
Water of Life.
Superior Teri Tomlinson (front row center) is surrounded by nominees (front row. I to r) Joe Padilla. April Murphy Mike
Blacketer, Ed Smock, and Uster Walters. and (back two rows. I to r) Jerry Marzan. Barbara Kellar U^an ^Ro ce
Johnston, Karen Vanderzanden, Rose Moon and Debbie Davis (upper right).
Others nominated for the
Superstar award were: Royce Johnston,
Security; April Murphy, Marketing;
Mike Blacketer, Winner’s Circle; Rose
Moon, Winner’s Circle; Logan Smith,
Food & Beverage; Sandy Jess, Food &
Beverage;
Jerry
Marzan,
Transportation; Lester Walters, Food &
Beverage; Edward Schmock, Facilities;
Joseph Padilla, Bingo; Maria Watts,
Food & Beverage; Debbie Davis, Guest
A 20-year, self-professed
beading addict,” Brown is also trained
in alcohol and drug addiction
counseling. Her passion is to combine
her work with her play to help make a
difference with young people in trouble
with drugs and alcohol.
There are a lot of simple yet
powerful lessons to be taught through
beading, says Brown.
“When you do peyote stitch bead
work, it’s one bead at time which,
because of my addictions background,
is one step at a time,” she says.
“Sometimes you make a mistake. So
you either have to figure out if you’re
going to go back and fix that mistake
or not. And also how are you not going
to make that mistake again in the future?
Services; Scott Hansen, Food &
Beverage; Karen Vanderzanden,
Facilities; and Barbara Kellar,
Guest Services.
To receive the “Superstar” award,
an employee must perform his/her
duties at a high standard of excellence
on a consistent basis. He/she must
exhibit above-the-norm internal and
external customer service and be a team
leader by example. Instances of
“It’s a concept to problem solving
for young people. And it’s one that
they understand.”
Brown recently worked with a
group of at-risk kids creating four
directions key chains. The young people
raised $350 for their youth group selling
the key chains at conferences and ended
up being assistant teachers at a summer
culture camp.
“Projects that are easy and quick
to finish are a priority for youth,” she
says. “By being able to complete the
project in one or two sessions, youth
gain a sense of accomplishment and
increased self-esteem.
“Many projects use the four
directions colors, plus blue for the sky
and green for the earth, which teaches
exemplary performance must be
documented. After a person is
nominated for the award, the
nomination goes through several
reviews before the final selection is
made. With more than 700 employees
and only four of these awards given each
year, it s a real honor to be chosen as
the “Superstar.”
students about diversity and respect for
all these things.”
Brown's biggest goal is to develop
a non-profit organization that would
train individuals how to use art,
sculpture, or bead work to do therapy.
Mafch 2001 * □
Sllétìl^ews * □
21“