PEOPLE WHO WORK TOGETHER, WIN – Voice Of The Township

This time of year there’s a lot of talk about football and the teamwork involved in ensuring a winning season. This brings to my mind what the great Vince Lombardi said about teamwork, that “People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society.” He also said that, “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

I, too, am a strong believer in the effectiveness of teamwork, not just on the playing field but at work, at play and in the home.

Typically we think of a team in terms of sports or teams at work. However, some people view their family as a team, with each member working together to provide a stable environment and a great home life for all members of the team.

A team is most effective when the members understand their roles and responsibilities within the group, and try hard to achieve them. Some families function in a traditional manner with responsibilities split up such as the male in the family the outside chores, and the female doing the inside housework and cooking. Some families consider who likes to do what, or who does what the best, to determine each person’s role in the household. Family members must be able to communicate and share ideas, and there also needs to be a feeling of respect in place for each team member’s contribution.

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Family members can have conflict with one another, especially when some feel like their ideas are not being heard or are not important to others. Members must listen to what others have to say. You may need to practice and work to improve your listening skills. Search for “win/win” solutions, so that everyone’s contributions can be respected and used. Be positive and give recognition for one another’s ideas and accomplishments. When issues arise, attack the issue not the person. Work at not putting others on the defense.

At the Wayne Township Trustee Office, our employees function as a team to provide prompt, necessary relief to eligible citizens and residents of our community. Our Intake Department welcomes the clients, gathers information about their needs, and sets appointments for assistance. Our Investigations Department gathers additional information from the clients and works to provide the needed assistance for the clients. Our Workfare Department assists the clients in performing volunteer work at nonprofit agencies, to improve their work habits and interpersonal skills. Our Employment Department provides training and job leads for the clients, with the hopes of eliminating employment obstacles. We continually study our statutes and then work within the eligibility guidelines to provide assistance and guidance to the clients. Our employees team with one another, our clients, and other community resources to accomplish goals and enrich the lives of the citizens of this township.

So one of my goals for 2017 is to encourage everyone to see the value of working as a team. It’s a good practice in all walks of life, and not just our favorite football team.

Richard A. Stevenson, Sr.
Wayne Township Trustee
www.waynetownship.org