So, it’s already nearing the end of April and summer will be here before we know it (hard to believe with this spring weather, but it will come).  In about 6 weeks, my daughter’s school year will be ending and I’m putting together ideas for activities to keep the kids busy all summer-long!  I’ve been already gathering lots of information and schedules from the public library and the parks & recreation department, as well as other events going on around the area.

What types of activities are available in your area this summer, and how have you made the community aware of them?  If you haven’t yet, here are some ideas:

-If you’re promoting park programs or activities, send seed packets or a seeded mailer printed with your organization’s website and event calendar.  The seeds can then be planted, and be a reminder of your organization, activities or events.

-Hand out items at local schools, such as sun safety products imprinted with the hours of the community pool or animal shaped key tags along with brochures to let parents know about special activities at the local petting zoo.

-Tote bags are a practical way to communicate special programming at the library.  Include a flyer with a printed calendar of events, and keep them near the library entrance.

Regardless of weather, many kids will be done with school by early June and parents will be looking for ways to keep them busy!  Let them know what is going on in your area!

Summer is a crazy time in Oshkosh (where our 4imprint offices are located).  There are music festivals of all types, fairs, and of course, the world-renowned EAA AirVenture.  Something is always going on, bringing many people into the city and surrounding areas.  In fact, estimates for EAA alone are over 200,000-300,000 visitors each year.

With so many people at these events, and any events in your region, it is important to be sure all attendees, tourists, and visitors are safe.  Check out some of these ideas for your next community event:

Flashing lights that clip-on to bags and clothing, or reflective wristbands are fun ideas for evening events – kids love them, too – since they make pedestrians visible to passing vehicles.

There are bound to be trips, falls, and bug bites when the events are outdoors.  Have first aid kits and bandage packs available as needed, or hand out to the crowds.

Keeping visitors protected during events will keep them coming back year after year – have a safe and fun-filled summer!

As the next few weeks bring some warmer weather (hopefully!), and we begin to move into the summer season, many people will be embarking on outdoor activities. Make their adventures fun and memorable by providing them with a little something useful with your name on it.

Visitors to the local campground will appreciate the fun and quirky new Kuzil line of products – perfect kitchen tools for the camper, or unique S’mores kits for a cozy evening campfire!

Sturdy backpacks and multifunctional tool kits, including carabiners, flashlights and more, make practical giveaways for those trekking through a state or national park.

Families participating in local park activities will enjoy out door activities even more with sunscreen and hand sanitizers readily available, to keep the kids safe and germ-free!

To see some of these products and additional ideas, check out our Community Activities and Recreation Store!

It has been a long, cold winter in Wisconsin.  At least it feels that way, but this week,  we set our clocks ahead for more daylight, and it looks like the weather may be taking a turn for the better!  Highs near 50 by the end of the week!

What does that mean?  To me, the longer, warmer days, mean playing outside with the kids after work – one of my favorite ways to spend an evening.  It also means construction season, as it is affectionately known here.

Construction is a time when we all experience a little frustration, wondering how to get where we need to go.  Although there has been a lot of construction here and everywhere over the last couple of years, including some very long-term projects, our local government has been very open and forthcoming about when and where construction is occurring.  There are websites, such as http://www.us41wisconsin.gov/ which outlines timelines, closures, and city hall even has a scaled model of the upcoming changes.

Do you have any major projects coming up in your communities?  How are you communicating them? Check out 4imprint’s newsletter, Construction Communications, for ideas!

I was reading recently that in July the House passed a bill guaranteeing that eligible federal employees could work remotely at least 20% of the time.  I know that this is a very popular topic across many industries, and there are pros and cons.

4imprint published a newsletter regarding this very topic.  If you are looking for ways to promote this option to existing and potential staff, take a look.

I come from a very politically minded family – my parents, brothers, husband and I all take voting very seriously.  At family gatherings, there is sure to be at least one conversation that is political in nature.

I do my research, especially at election time, to understand the candidiates’ platforms and agendas.  I know this is not always the norm, though.  I know many that do not vote, or vote randomly.  This may be for a number of reasons – maybe they don’t understand what the issues are, if they can actually make a difference, or they are not concerned.

Whatever the reason, if you are reaching out to the community, it is important that your agency communicates the right message to the appropriate group of people.  Using social media is one idea – I am a Facebook follower of candidates I support – or start by developing a civic education program.  4imprint recently published a newsletter with some ideas on starting a program to educate your community.

It is never too late to begin a program, and with fall elections just around the corner, it may be the perfect time.

As I was driving through town the other day, I pulled over to to let some firetrucks, with their lights and sirens on, go by.  My daughter asked me why we were stopping, so I told her that the firetrucks needed to get to an emergency.  She then replied, oh yeah, because firemen save people and so do policemen.  I thought she put it well, in very simple terms.

Even though it isn’t Fire Prevention Week, or Crime Prevention Week, or Public Service Recognition Week, it’s important to take time out of our day to thank and acknowledge the men and women that keep our communities safe throughout the year.  Often a simple thank you is enough, but how about showing support with caps, tees, and sweatshirts emblazoned with the logo of your local fire or police departments?  What more pride could be felt by your local public safety teams when they see community members proudly sporting their logos?

Let’s not forget what they do for us day in and day out.  After all, they save people.

I came across an interesting article on privacy in the public sector, that happens to coincide with a recent Workplace Privacy Blue Paper published by 4imprint.

The US Supreme Court is reviewing a case and is expected to rule on whether or not public sector employees can expect privacy when using government issued technology, such as cell phones, computers, pagers, etc.  There are questions of potential abuse, by either the employee or agency; Fourth Amendment concerns; and civil liberties that the court is evaluating in their ruling.

We have all made plans, taken a call from our kids’ school, or sent a funny joke, but when does it become a business issue? When does it affect productivity?  It should be interesting to see where the Supreme Court lands on this issue, so stay tuned!

A quality customer service experience has never been more necessary as it is today.  Customers can make choices, and with technology at their fingertips, they do research on companies and products before they commit to any sort of purchase or relationship.  Communication is also widespread, with customers indicating their likes and dislikes through social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.  One customer’s negative experience can define a company in the eyes of many.

Customers not only expect good customer service in the private sector, but also when interacting with the government.  According to a 2007 study by Accenture, there are 3 primary aspects which public sector service should be measured:

• Service maturity – is the government available and accessible online?  To what extent? 10% of the overall score was based on this factor.
• Customer service maturity – how well do agencies manage communications with citizens and business? This piece considers multi-channel integration (i.e. – mail, internet, and phone), agencies working together to provide services, and proactive communication.  This resulted in 50% of a government’s score.
• Citizen voice – what did citizens have to say about service experiences with their government?  This customer feedback accounted for 40% of a government’s score in the study.

As you can see, 90% of the scores were based upon communications and interactions with citizens and businesses.

The countries that ranked the highest in the study were Singapore (1^st), Canada (2^nd), and the United States (3^rd).  Singapore’s development of a nationwide broadband system will allow for integrated processes across the government sector.  They’ve involved private sector businesses and the public in development of this strategy.  Ultimately, the focus of this strategy has been on creating value for the citizens and businesses of Singapore.

Canada ranked 2^nd in the study, and though their focus is also of putting citizens at the center of initiatives, the primary difference between Canada and Singapore is that Canada’s public has not perceived much improvement in the system over the last few years.

The eGovernment program in the United States has put it in the 3^rd position of the study results.  This internet-based program has allowed citizens and businesses to interact with the government in a stream-lined process.  Also, since quarterly results of measures agreed upon by agencies are made available to the public, they are motivated to meet and exceed the goals.

Focus on the citizens, and their perception of government is important for each of these 3 countries, and has resulted in high customer service rankings.  What is the focus of your municipality as it relates to customer service?  What are you doing to achieve it?