Oklahoma Corrections Professionals

"My Take" by OCP Legislative Liaison, J'me Overstreet

To our valued public servants: 

On behalf of the Oklahoma Corrections Professionals Board, Executive Director Amanda Ewing, and I would like to say once again, “thank you”!!  Thank you for your continual dedicated service and commitment to public service.  Thank you for making a difference in lives each day, protecting your community and fellow workers and being a part of something bigger than all of us.

This morning began with a 9am memorial service on the front lawn of the Department of Corrections administration building lawn to honor the 19 employees, dating back as far as 1914, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty: their lives.  As I looked around at the crowd, listened to Director Justin Jones and Chaplain Ron Hood speak I was once again reminded of how being a public servant is to be a part of something so much bigger than yourself. 

Director Jones spoke about the employees' sacrifices on a daily basis and directed comments to the family members and friends of the victims regarding the loved ones they had lost.  He thanked the Oklahoma Correctional Employee Memorial Foundation and the Oklahoma Corrections Professionals for working together to help make this become a reality.

Chaplain Hood gave a moving service and reminded us that we were all standing on blessed ground.

Later today, Correctional Officers, Supervisors and Probation/Parole Officers of the year were recognized on both the House and Senate floors.  Of course, they received standing ovations.  Again, I thought to myself, that’s nice, but if those people only really knew what these employees give of themselves each day they would be doing cartwheels not just standing and clapping.  I urge you to continue in your humble and silent public service, but when given the opportunity, consider letting members of the legislature and the public know what you do and what you need.  Your voice does matter.

The month of May brings to our attention a cause to honor and celebrate many people for many things.  Don’t let the month of May be the only time you tell your employees or co-workers how much you appreciate them.  Make it apart of who you are and how you operate each minute of each day.  Some of us are more comfortable in giving praise than others.  There are many ways each of us can find a comfortable way to tell those we work with that we notice and we care.  Here are some suggestions, and I hope at least one of these methods would work for you:

• A genuine pat on the back
• Tell someone they did a good job or how having them as a co worker helps you
• Send a nice email or better, a personal  note
• Smile
• Consider, if not already doing so, engaging in at least 1 act of random kindness for a coworker each week (a smile counts)…

And that’s “my take."