Sample Events and Activities
Proclamation
Ask elected officials to make a proclamation for National Public Works Week. Contact the official's office at least one month in advance. Write a brief cover letter and enclose a draft of the proclamation. In the letter, request a time to photograph the official presenting the proclamation to the designated public works representative during a scheduled public works event or a meeting. Sample proclamations are available on the Proclamations page.
Environmental Campaign
Develop a week of activities to improve the community's environment and show how public works departments contribute to your community's environmental health. Invite garden clubs, civic groups, historic preservation societies, schools, and scouting councils to join you in an environmental project or suggest their own project. Organize a tree-planting ceremony, recycling drive, public grounds clean-up, or free, safe disposal of oversized items and household hazardous wastes. Launch a campaign to solicit organizations to adopt a highway or public park.
Public Works Exhibit
Create an exhibit to spotlight your organization's recent successes and emphasize how they benefit all citizens. Arrange to display your exhibit at libraries, community centers, and shopping malls. You may be able to take advantage of a captive audience by exhibiting at a scheduled community event. Feature public works equipment, display photos of facilities, and provide information on upcoming public works projects. Show a film or video of public works in action. When practical, have a department staff member at the exhibit to answer questions and provide information.
Roadeo/Equipment Show
Display equipment your department uses in day-to-day operations. Give public works employees the opportunity to show the skill required to operate public works equipment. Select a location with high visibility, such as a parking lot, city park, or public gathering place. Allow adequate time to research and reserve a location. Invite elected officials to participate in an activity during the event. Sponsor a regional contest and challenge other municipalities to a test of skills necessary to operate a backhoe, garbage pickup, forklift, and lawn tractor. Emphasize safety; highlight your equipment and vehicles' cost-effective measures and unique features. Have representatives from various departments show equipment and answer questions.
Open House or Tour
An open house or tour offers participants a new perspective on public works and gives you an opportunity to discuss the daily operation at your facility. It also is a good time to gather community members' opinions of public works projects and services. Plan the open house in conjunction with a dedication ceremony, an anniversary, or a celebration of a completed project. Select employees to serve as ambassadors or tour guides. Provide a forum for citizens to learn about various departments and their functions. Develop a survey to gather attendees' opinions about a public works project or service important to your organization.
Employee Appreciation Day
Acknowledge the many accomplishments public works employees contribute throughout the year with a special recognition event. Sponsor a banquet to recognize outstanding performance, special achievements, safety records, and attendance. Include family members of honorees. Award honorees with a gift registration to a seminar, an engraved plaque, a special proclamation, or a cash award. Invite elected officials. Hold your event in a public works facility. For example, host a barbecue in an equipment garage.
Sporting Event
Promote healthful living by sponsoring a sporting event. Plan the route of a race to end at a facility or project you believe deserves attention. Sponsor a golf tournament and arrange for the proceeds to be dedicated to a public works project, such as purchasing playground equipment in a community park. Sponsor a public works night at an organized or professional sporting event. Arrange for a message about public works to be announced during the game.
Outreach to Schools
A T-Shirt Design Contest encourages students to be creative while they learn about public works. It's an excellent activity for elementary school-age students. Design subjects include parks and recreation, recycling, road repair, and street cleaning. Print the winning design on T-shirts and distribute T-shirts to students and members of the organization to wear during National Public Works Week.
Bringing an Equipment Show and Tell to a middle school lets students see firsthand the equipment you use in daily operations. Recycling vans, refuse trucks, pavement recyclers, road graders, and lift trucks hold fascinating possibilities for students this age. This activity is ideal if you have limited resources. You could schedule an Equipment Show and Tell at a different school every day of National Public Works Week.
A Job Shadow Day enables a high school student to experience a workday in the life of a public works professional who performs a job of interest to the student. In the process, students learn that public works services employ a variety of professionals, technicians, and administrators who have been schooled and trained in various fields.
Planning Calendar
The sooner you begin planning National Public Works Week, May 19-24, 2024 events and activities, the more successful you will be. Using committees is a good way to divide up the work.
Suggested Committee Structure
Planning Committee: Oversees and manages all activities and events.
Event Committees: One committee per event organizes and completes all tasks associated with the event.
Education Committee: Organizes all activities associated with the educational objectives of the celebration.
Promotions Committee: Organizes all activities associated with the promotional objectives of the celebration.
Sample Planning Calendar
February/March
- Schedule a kickoff meeting to organize your celebration. Invite individuals from all public works departments, the chamber of commerce, the public affairs office, community schools, and area businesses (vendor partners).
- Select a Planning Committee and chairperson.
- Discuss goals, set objectives, and define target audiences.
- Determine the events and activities that will allow you to meet your objectives.
- Select an Education Committee, a Promotions Committee, and a committee for each event; select a chairperson for each committee; clarify and assign responsibilities.
- Discuss how to capture information during your events. This will provide content for you to share online and with stakeholders and enable you to evaluate your success.
- Determine an operating budget and share information with committees.
- Develop a master calendar with milestones.
- Develop a schedule of meetings to review progress with committee chairpersons.
- Order your National Public Works Week posters.
April
- Committees meet to organize and plan.
- Committee chairpersons begin meeting with the Planning Committee chairperson to report progress and obtain support.
May
- Celebrate National Public Works Week! Record the information necessary to evaluate your success.
June
- Celebrate your success with committee members.
- Send thank-you notes to supporters, committee members, corporate sponsors, and volunteers.
- Collect information from each chairperson about the success of their activity or event.