The DOT Store: enhancing worklife quality and--all this month!--celebrating DOT employees

Sometimes, I have to get local and give some time to the DOT--not as an instrument of policy or as a safety agency--but as a family of colleagues. This afternoon, it was a pleasure to help DOT's Employee Recreation Association launch Employee Appreciation Month at our own DOT store.

The DOT store supplies all things DOT-related, from sundries and office supplies to a nice array of mugs and caps proudly sporting our DOT logo. There are even some really nice golf shirts and fleece sweatshirts that make fine gifts. I'm a little disappointed not to see any Ray LaHood merchandise--authorized or unauthorized--but I've been assured it's on back-order. 

In all seriousness, the great thing about the DOT store is that some of the revenue stays in the family, in our Employee Recreation Association. In turn, the Rec. Association helps support the DOT Headquarters Fitness Center, an extraordinary asset to DOT worklife. The Rec. Association also offers discounted tickets for trips and area events. But the most important value of the DOT Employee Recreation Association is probably its generous annual contribution to our Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) efforts.

For those readers outside the federal government, the CFC is a huge fundraising drive in which federal employees are encouraged to donate to hundreds of non-profit organizations serving people across the country and around the world. Last year, DOT employees gave $1.5 million. Without the support of the Employee Recreation Association, we would not have achieved that milestone.

And without the DOT store, the Rec. Association could not provide that leadership.

So, many thanks to Min Yoon, the store's proprietor, and to Veronica Pannell, president of the Employee Recreation Association. Both of you are instrumental in helping DOT continue to raise the bar for CFC generosity and worklife quality in federal service.

Comments

[Michael E. Bailey]

This is a great program that benefits the employees and the communihty at the same time. It is a great example for others in business and government at all levels to follow. Sadly, there are a few decision makers who still dont see transportation as important. One of them is on the OCTA Board. He said, "Does Orange County really need a bus system?" Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[D Traver Adolphus]

No online store, Mr. LaHood? That might be kind of cool.

[David]

Sadly, the employee store provides a strange assortment of items that are not always in line with what employees would like or need.

This should not be a problem, if there was a way for employees to indicate what it is they would like to be carried in the store.

As a simple example: When I departed there was no way to purchase a foam board with the DOT logo on it for colleagues to sign. This is common place in other departments, cheap enough that colleagues would be willing to pay for it out of pocket if it were available, and the DOT logo would be an elegant symbol to adorn a new office. Alas, it is not possible, and the DOT store expressed no interest in considering it.

Please encourage the store to solicit input from DOT employees!

Thank you,
A Former DOT Employee

[Jon]

Great info. Way to go Min Yoon, and Veronica Pannell!

[Marlene Mahoney]

Unfortunately, no online store that would enable State and Local Government workers to utilize.
That's a bummer.
Also, does anyone know who the photographer was that took the picture of all the State Transportation leaders back in February? Where are the rest of the photos of the Tiger Team?
Also, why was it necessary to temporarily reassign railroad safety inspectors on Aug. 31 (for the week of) to the U.S.House of Representatives? Where can I get the info on that one?
Also, still looking for that interview CBS did in June.

[Andy Anderson]

CONGRATULATIONS!! 1.5mil through the efforts of the CFC.. Great Job.

[Mike]

Yes im looking for that interview also

[Golf GPS]

Hats off to the DOT employees and the support of the ERA which enabled the generous donations.

[Mark]

It´s been a long time since this article is written and would like to know how DOT store is doing now, it is quite impossible to find relevant info on web.