This month I'd like to introduce you to some of our staff members who make up our Fun Committee.
For the past several years, we have been designated as a Detroit Free Press Top Workplace and Crain's Detroit Cool Place to Work (see available employment and internship opportunities here). We are proud to have a culture that allows us to work hard, but take time to enjoy each other's company and basically have fun. We feel that having this, along with a solid work-life balance is necessary and very important for our employees.
Back in 2008, one of our founding committee members, Karen Pluger, senior accountant, along with a fellow employee pitched the idea of creating a new committee, named the Fun Committee. The goal would be to provide employees with a break from their daily workload by giving them an opportunity to meet and get to know other people in our organization. We found that this program helps our staff eliminate some stress and re-energize.
Karen shares that the committee was created, "To help foster a culture of fun and levity by planning creative, exciting and fun events, games, contests, lunchtime activities and rewards. Originally we tried to create a way for employees to just simply have some fun at work - whether it was a theme day, potluck or game. We even held an offsite picnic one evening for employees and families, as a way to get to know each other better."
The committee plans several annual events a year: holiday cookie exchange, chili cook off, and U of M vs,
MSU Tailgate party. They also take advantage of other special days, such as an Eclipse party with themed food and eclipse viewing opportunities (safety glasses provided), March Madness basketball contest and Leap Year celebrations. They are also part of the planning process for our annual staff retreats.
Let's turn to a few of our Fun Committee members to share their thoughts on how our Fun Committee helps make us such a great place to work.
Karen Pluger: Senior Accountant
I think it's great when we can get the entire office to
participate
in an event. This happened with our very first, "Talk Like a Pirate Day" event; it was epic
! There was a team scavenger hunt, a potluck, pirate costumes, games, and everyone was even given a pirate name!
Carrie Wrubel: Operations Assistant
I think the Fun Committee events help create a sense of community within CHN by giving everyone from different departments an opportunity to interact and get to know each other!
Maggie Perry: Director of Operations
The Fun Committee makes CHN a great place to work because events they organize help relieve stress, boost happiness, and create an atmosphere where everyone can enjoy themselves, no matter what their role is at CHN.
Nickie Bassi: Accounts Payable Clerk
Th e Fun Committee - Bringing coworkers together one Fun Committee event at a time.
Kim Henderson: Executive Assistant
The Fun Committee is a great community builder! This avenue of fun allows our colleagues an opportunity to come together to learn, experience and enjoy some of the individual talents that we possess on a personal level, and share them in a professional fun-loving environment! I experience something new every time. We're building both community and connecting through food, fun and fellowship, which helps make this such a great place to work!
Lois Wiggins: Administrative Assistant
The Fun Committee makes CHN a fun place to work because they work as a team to listen and consider all suggestions and ideas in order to make all the events fun with food, a competitive spirit, gifts and prizes.
I am grateful for our Fun Committee's hard work, as well as the work of all CHN team members.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
