Smoke signals., November 01, 2009, Page 13, Image 13

NOVEMBER 1,2009
Smoke Signals 13
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Tribal employees being honored are:
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Lusaint (Mark) LaBonte, Housekeeping Supervisor, was nominated by Employee Benefits Specialist Sheila
Elliott-McDonald: I would like to nominate Lusaint (Mark) LaBonte for the job that he does as a supervisor of his ,
femDlovees and especially in reeards to benefits oaDerwork. safetv and care of the emnlovees under him. Mark i?
very prompt with keeping me, the Employee Benefits Specialist, informed with issues dealing with FML'and
Workers' Compensation. Mark keeps on top of these issues and the employees to make sure things are turned in to
be processed in a timely manner.
Deborah Bachman, Education Senior Administrative Assistant, was nominated by the CTGR Higher Educa
tion Staff: We would like to nominate Deborah ("Debbie") Bachman, Senior Administrative Assistant in the Educa
tion Division, to be recognized for her diligent everyday work habits and efforts. She continually goes above and
beyond what is expected of her and does it with a positive attitude and a smile. One example of this is her desire to
ensure that classrooms are always prepared to high standards for the hundreds of meetings, trainings and events that
occur in our building. This requires careful scheduling and management, as well as coming in early or staying late to
arrange 20-plus tables in a particular format or make coffee for a crowd of 50 or more people. She is truly the heart
of our department. From reviewing and organizing department budgets to processing check requests and purchase
orders, to assisting staff with student files, she does it well and makes it look easy. We appreciate her willingness to
put up with us on a daily basis and don't know what we would do or our students would do without her.
Dean Rhodes, Publications Coordinator, was nominated by Public Affairs Director Siobhan Taylor: Our depart
ment was approached by Social Services about three weeks ago. They needed a 13-minute video on their interven
tion program. That wasn't a problem. But they needed it finished and ready for presentation by Oct. 20 for a
conference in Washington, D.C. I was headed out of town that week so Dean Rhodes, publications coordinator,
stepped up. He wrote the script and worked with our videographer to film interviews. He worked closely with Dave
Fullerton to make sure Social Services was getting the quality product they needed and he completed the project's
final edits with me on Friday, Oct. 16, making the Oct 20 deadline with room to spare. This required dedication a
positive outlook and a commitment to our Tribal and departmental goals. Dean did so without complaint and with
good grace.
George Neujahr, teacher aide, was nominated by Education Services Coordinator Elaine Lane: When one of the
ECE bus drivers resigned days before school began, George agreed to work in his regular position as a teacher in the
Chinuk immersion classroom as well as drive the bus for ECE on a daily basis. He has been doing this now for over
a month without any complaint.
Toni Lockwood and Kristina Jaquith, teachers, Jessica Cruickshank, assistant teacher, were all nomi
nated by Education Services Coordinator Elaine Lane: Toni, Kristina and Jessica have filled in for the aftercare
position as needed when no other coverage was available so that ratio standards were met. They have worked these
10 hour shifts with no complaint in order to help the program.
EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE
Jilcnc Mercicr, Spirit Mountain Community Fund secretary, was nominated by Community Fund Director
Shelley Hanson: Jilene's job involves a lot of phone contact with our grant applicants. She consistently works to
explain our criteria and works with our applicants on using our Internet-based application system. Sometimes when
an inexperienced user doesn't understand the system, she even logs on to the system for them to see where they are
at, what they need to do and then walks them through completing their online application. Our applicants consis
tently comment on her friendliness, patience and support. Jilene deals with up to 90 applicants each quarter, so her
ability to communicate effectively and efficiently is critical to her job performance.
Kluanc Bear, Spirit Mountain Community Fund administrative assistant, was nominated by Community
Fund Director Shelley Hanson: Kluane's job involves a lot of phone contact with our grant applicants. She consis
tently works to explain our criteria and works with our applicants on using our Internet-based application system.
Sometimes when an inexperienced user doesn't understand the system, she even logs on to the system for them to
see where they arc at, what they need to do and then walks them through completing their online application. Our
applicants consistently comment on her friendliness, patience and support. Kluanc takes great pride in helping our
customers and her work is appreciated by them as well as our staff and board members.