WORKING TOGETHER – Voice Of The Township

A couple of years ago AEP determined that the trees along our property were interfering with their electric lines. Our twenty-year-old row of sunburst locusts had to be removed. That uncovered the fact that more changes were needed to prevent erosion and other damage along the portion of ground facing Superior Street, and new landscaping was needed. We went after bids to do this work which is in process right now. Something I’m particularly proud of is that my staff learned that if we did some of the work ourselves the cost would be reduced. So that’s what they did. Earlier this month staff members carried off rotting timbers and pulled out all of the well-established yew bushes growing along the side of the building. This effort saved Wayne Township taxpayers over $5000—a real team effort.

I am a great proponent of teamwork, both at work and in the home, and I’m proud to say that my staff believes in teamwork, too, especially in teaming up with our clients to improve their lives and the lives of everyone in our community.

When people think of a team, they think of a sports or work team. However, some think of their family as a team, with each member working together to provide a stable environment and 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 decide on each person’s role in the household. Family members must be able to communicate and share ideas, and there needs to be a feeling of respect in place for each team member’s contribution.

Family members can have unnecessary conflicts with one another when some on the team feel like their ideas are not being heard or are not important to others. Members should listen to what others have to say. You may need to practice and work to improve your listening skills. “Win/win” solutions come about when 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.

This time of year you hear discussion about football teams and the teamwork involved in ensuring a winning season. I like these quotes by Vince Lombardi: “People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society” and “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

When it comes to our work here at Wayne Township, we function as a team with all the members working 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 to enrich the lives of all the citizens of our township.