Helping Hand Nominees -- Group Category
Awarded to Awarded to a unit or small group who has gone out of their way to help a fellow UGA Libraries employee in a unique situation of unusual stress. This concerns how the nominee went outside of normal work expectations in a specific instance for the benefit of the UGA Libraries mission as a whole and the benefit of a specific employee in the particular situation.
Chinese Book Exchange Exhibit Coordinators
Sophie Dong (Cataloging) and Will Langford (Acquisitions)
What was the specific situation that required special/emergency help?
Special help: One day around the first of the year Sophie asked me if I'd heard of any Chinese books arriving in the library. Apparently this wasn't just a few boxes of books--there are around 1,200 titles given to UGA by the Chinese Counsulate. Sophie mentioned that there probably would be a ceremony. Indeed there was a ceremony, with Michael Adams, Heidi Davidson, Hu Yeshun, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Houston, and other important people I'm sure.
The ceremony was held on April 29th on the steps of Main library. Afterwards, there were refreshments, and people toured a wonderful exhibit which was set up in the display cases, and in the lobby.
How did the nominee help you in the situation you described in the previous question's answer?
Will and Sophie didn't help me, exactly. I'd say they helped the Libraries put on a really good face for this ceremony. They created the exhibit that people saw when they came for the ceremony. They put so much care into which books and materials to showcase. They hung photos in the display cases, mapped out and set up a special, additional display area in the lobby (for which they borrowed display cases from Russell). They even chose a DVD from the collection which was playing while people were touring the exhibit. They were able to put up part of it in advance, but the rest they had to wait 'till the day of. So in addition to planning there was rushing to set up....and then take it all down afterwards.
What was the outcome of the aforementioned situation?
It was fabulous! As I write now, part of it is still up in the lobby display cases. On the day of the ceremony, there were more books and materials showcased in the lobby. There was a screen and a sign about the exchange; there was a DVD playing with Chinese dance and music. I think people really enjoyed it (I know I did).
What else do you think the ASSET Awards Committee should know about your
nominee?
Thanks to Will and Sophie, the Libraries looked good for this ceremony. Sure the ceremony could've happened whether or not there was such a great display, but I think the display really really showed the Libraries' appreciation for this material.
Sophie and Will put a lot of time and effort into the exhibit. The day before the exhibit, as I was leaving, I saw them looking at yet another DVD to see if it would be a good one to play for people. They just looked so tired....
It would be wonderful if they were recognized for their hard work.
Board of Visitors Meeting Rescue Team
Debbie Dove and Kathy Shuck (Administration)
Please Note: This nomination was originally submitted for Other Duties as Assigned, but reclassified by the ASSET Awards Committee
Please describe the specific situation in when an employee was asked to complete an unusual task.
Events are part of Debbie and Kathy's job description. But our last Spring Board Meeting Dinner was way beyond the norm. Working with a first time caterer to pull off an event that included our entire board, two of our largest donors, the mayor of the town and the University President and VP for External Affairs.
What was the nominee asked to do that fell outside of his/her job description?
Debbie and Kathy were the set up crew, bartenders, servers, decorators and incredible hostesses during a most caotic event. Talk about scramble, these girls deserve the award for greatest hustle, staying calm when EVERYTHING is going wrong. We were the only ones who knew this was on the verge of being a disaster.
How did the nominee overcome/complete the task?
Debbie and Kathy kept their heads -- when most people really would have lost it and they helped the caterer make it through the evening.
(Optional) How bad was the situation/task?
We knew we were in trouble when the caterer asked what we had ment by "passed hor'd oervers" and was very surprised to discover that we liked our white wine chilled! Also that we were short for forks for half the group, our centerpieces didn't work, power to the house where the cooking was happening kept going out and dinner was delayed by an hour, there were no containers for salad dressing, no water on the table or at the bar for mixers. Thank God the food was great when it finally did arrive!
What else do you think the ASSET Awards Committee should know about your
nominee?
These ladies can pull rabbits out of the hats -- and everyone had a wonderful time!
