End of the semester

Today I got a strong realization that the end of the semester is coming near.  The reason  I got such a strong realization of that fact is because of the last couple of projects due in my classes in order to graduate.  One project in particular is causing some stress.  A little bit of stress is always a good sign that I am about to be done with my classes but,  I don't know if the stress I am feeling this time is due to the fact that I have a project due or the fact that in order to complete my project, I need to rely on other people whose participation is beyond my control.  It wouldn't be that bad if their participation wasn't such a large part of my project but, because of the nature of the project, their participation is vital.  I have a couple more days left before I will have to think of an alternative idea in order to compensate for this issue.  Tune in to the blog in a week to see what the answer to the issue was.

Internship Comparison

I had the opportunity to work on a Human Resource paper today for one of my classes.  It is so interesting to do research and see how certain practices have worked in different organizations, and then reflect on my company, and my internship, and compare and contrast the differences and similarities.  In the county, we are going through some issues with the budget and it is interesting to see how the higher ups are responding to it.  The higher ups being the Board of Supervisors.  They relay their plans to our department head, and then, over time, the rest of the office gets filled in as information is circulated around our office.  As far as the budget shortfall goes, our office has not seen too many effects as of yet but, I am sure that our time will come.  Going back to first couple of sentences; I think it is interesting to note the types of things you discover as you conduct a little bit of research.  I think every organization would benefit immensely if they would, from time to time, read up on the latest trends in HR.  If they were to do that, I believe they would be able to uncover a lot of neglected responsibilities.  And, if that happens, maybe they could correct them.

Cross Training

This last week I had the opportunity to do some additional things for my internship.  I sat down for a while with one of my co workers and participated in paying bills for the Treasurers office.  I was shown some of the bills that the Treasurers office receives and learned about how some of the bills were paid.  Some are paid by a company credit card on a monthly basis while others are paid by a wire every three months or so.  However the payments were paid, each had their own respective process. 

Although this first opportunity to sit down and help make payments was not very involved, it was nice to get an opportunity to see how other things in the Treasurers office work and it was good at helping me to piece together how a few parts of the company work together to help form a whole. 

County Charitable Campaign presentation

 Today at work I was able to give another presentation to my co workers.  Today's presentation was on the County Charitable Campaign (CCC).  Part of the reason I gave the presentation was because I am a representative of the CCC for the county Treasurers office.  As part of my presentation, I introduced the CCC's purpose to those employees that were unfamiliar with it, presented different types of fundraisers we are doing, and gave information about how donations to the CCC will be spent.

The presentation was well taken by my co workers and I was able to answer a few of the questions that some of them had about the CCC.  Hopefully the message was conveyed in a way that will encourage some of the employees to make donations to the CCC or, at least, motivate them to take some time and look into the program in their free time.

Community Involvement

With the passing of the recent elections, I think most people would agree that at least part of the huge turnout at the polls was due to organized efforts by community based groups.  One of the things we are learning about in my Community and Institutional conflict class is the power that people can have in creating change.  Whether it be a change in government policy or issues in a neighborhood organization, change can come as people get involved in the issues that affect them.  

I think one of the problems people have when there is an issue that is unfavorable to the people in a community is a lack of knowledge in getting a group organized to contest the issue.  Tonight I learned that there is a strategy to combating issues.  This strategy is a 5 part process. First, need to have goals (what are we going to accomplish?).  Second, need to have a group to target.  Third, need to have tactics (things we will do to bring target back to us).  Fourth, need to be aware of constituents, allies, and opponents (who they can help or harm you). And fifth, need to understand our own organizational considerations (what are our resources?).  

Community involvement can be a powerful tool as communities and people get involved and become aware of the resources available to them.

Softball

Oh yes! It's softball time again!  I just got done playing a game last night and I am going to have to say, it was probably the best game I have ever played in.  Funny thing is, I hated softball just a couple of months earlier.  Now, I love it!  I guess it is funny to think about different experiences that you have and how perceptions change over time.  Sometimes your outlook changes through an accumulation of many experiences while other times, it just takes one or two.  Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that softball has changed my life but, I am saying that the experience I have had with it over this short period of time this season has allowed me to give it a chance and appreciate it more.  Yah for softball!

Tax Week

This has been a crazy week down at the county Treasurers office.  The first half portion of property taxes is due by November 3rd this year and so most people in Maricopa county have almost collectively made a decision to come down to the office to pay their taxes together this last week.  As an office, not much happens during this part of the year except for post payments and help tax payers.  everything else has been put on hold.  In addition to taking in a lot of payments for taxes, the office has also been doing a lot of overtime to help compensate for the amount of payments that are coming in.  

One thing I have been able to take note of with regards to working in the Treasurers office is that people are creatures of habit.  I have worked for the county for over a year and it is so interesting how many people wait until the due date to come in and pay their taxes.  It is also interesting to note the type of conversations customers will make when they come up to the counter and make their payments.  It doesn't matter what economic class people are in, all will make comments about the high price of taxes.  

As the 1st half due date comes to a close, we should be able to finish taking in the payments, post them, and then get ready for the next tax period.