Virtual Shout-Outs – Bulletin #42

September 10, 2024 - Defence Stories

Summer may be coming to an end, but there is still time to submit a Virtual Shout-Out!

"Take time to appreciate employees, and they will reciprocate in a thousand ways."

Do you know of a co-worker who deserves a special shout-out or are you looking for a way to recognize someone who has made an impact, big or small? Virtual Shout-Outs are a quick and easy way for you to publicly recognize a colleague, or team of colleagues, for a job well done.

Here's how to submit a Virtual Shout-out:

• Email your shout-outs to the Corporate Awards and Recognition Secretariat and
• Provide the email(s) of the person(s) being recognized.
• Shout-outs are collected on an ongoing basis.

Note that shout-out recipients will be given the option to "opt out" of having their message displayed on the Bulletin Board (accessible only on the National Defence network) on the Maple Leaf and the Defence Team intranet, and submissions can remain anonymous.

Don't delay! Virtually shout-out your hard-working colleagues today!

I wish to give a shout out to all DND/CAF Culture Evolution personnel, i.e., Culture Evolution Coordinators, and members of the DND/CAF Intersectional Focal Point Network (Senior Intersectional Advisors, GENADS, and Intersectional Advisors), for your role in implementing the Culture Evolution Strategy's Big 5 activities over the last several months. Through your hard work the Defence Team is beginning to see tangible results of how conditions are being set within your Level 1 organization, and indeed all of DND/CAF, to move Culture Evolution efforts forward, allowing us all to bring our best selves to work in a safe and inclusive environment. As we all know, there is a significant staffing shortage within DND/CAF. Most of you are performing your Culture Evolution duties and responsibilities as your secondary task. I would like to take this opportunity to commend and thank you for your hard work and commitment to in ensuring we all delivered on this initial implementation phase of the Culture Evolution Strategy. Together, DND/CAF will be Stronger.

A huge shout-out to the incredible CFSACO Tech Team for their outstanding dedication and hard work in keeping our school running smoothly! This four-person team, consisting of Sgt Jeff White, Sgt Grant Krygsveld, Cpl Roger Zwicker, and Caleb Fontaine, has gone above and beyond their required tasks, ensuring our simulators, network, and security systems remain operational.

Not only did they excel in their regular duties, but they also took on the challenge of setting up new classrooms, our conference room and the Mess, making sure everything was ready and functional.

Their tireless efforts and commitment do not go unnoticed. Thank you for your exceptional service and for always stepping up to ensure CFSACO is a top-notch place for learning and growth. Well done, team!

When Darby Marshall's Co-op and FWSEP employment with the Engagement and Strategic Partnerships (ESP) Team in the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC) began in July 2023, he hit the ground running (sprinting) to support the team wherever and whenever his skills were needed or sought. His time in this organization is marked by steadfast commitment to supporting, progressing, and showcasing the ESP Team's efforts, as well as key CPCC initiatives. Thank you, Darby, for your flexibility, unwavering work ethic, extreme reliability, exceptional eagerness to learn, and a strong ability to collaborate and contribute effectively to our team and organization's projects.

In just under one year, as an FSWEP and Co-op student on the Engagement and Strategic Partnerships (ESP) Team in the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC), Margaux Knoerr has made an ever-lasting mark on the organization through her dedication and leadership on several key and notable engagement projects and initiatives. Margaux has gone far above and beyond the expectations of student employment and is an exemplary public servant and champion for diversity and inclusion. Her dedication to her work is displayed through her time and effort in both her primary duties and volunteer secondary duties in becoming a Positive Space Ambassador, supporting the Defence Women's Advisory Organization (DWAO), CPCC Social Committee, and CPCC COS Ops Fitness planning. Thank you for everything you have brought to this team and organization, Margaux!

I would like to give a special shout-out to David Wu for his outstanding contributions to the development of a "proof-of-concept" PowerApp for a Preventive Medicine Inspection Dashboard. David's leadership and expertise have been instrumental in addressing a longstanding issue of tracking PMed inspections across Canada. His dedication and innovative approach have significantly reduced the time required to move from an idea to a scalable solution. Such a quick and agile digital development will allow Canadian Forces Health Services to gather accurate and reliable data, which is essential for resource allocation and task prioritization.

David's efforts have not only demonstrated the quick development capabilities of PowerApps but also provided a robust foundation for future improvements in our workplace inspection processes. His vision, commitment to this project and willingness to provide hands-on support have been invaluable.

Please recognize David Wu for his exceptional work and dedication.

I would like to send a shout out to WO Terra Derkson from RSCU (Central) J8 Finance for her outstanding leadership, compassionate personality, and her willingness to recognizing different learning styles. She carries herself with great deportment and is continually supportive of the team.

A big shout-out to Maj Nicky Sapera for keeping the entire team on track in completing the tasks related to NATO Defence Planning Step 3. You are the glue keeping this process together. Your hard work and attention to detail are very much appreciated.

I wish to recognize Sargent Colleen Purdy for always putting her troops first, and for continuously displaying top-notch leadership and problem solving. Sgt Purdy always finds a way to utilize her troops in ways that coincide with the life skills and abilities they bring to the table to make day to day tasks efficient for her platoon. Keep up the good work Sargent, we stand with you!

I would like to nominate a colleague, Mary Bellamy, for a virtual shout-out for her outstanding efforts on the Corporate Reporting Team. Mary eagerly hit the ground running and quickly integrated into the demands of the team and her role. Mary has demonstrated an exceptional work ethic, a positive attitude, and goes above and beyond for the team every day. We are so incredibly grateful for her, and the support she brings to our small but mighty dream team.
Thank you Mary! 😊

I recently restarted with the public service and came to a new job where I have learned an amazing amount of information. While learning I wanted to look at my leave credits for the year. I found out they were in a negative balance. Troubled, I reached out to HRSS, where I was told to go to get his fixed. They attempted to fix the problem but with nil results. This went on for about 3 months and needless to say I was getting frustrated with the whole process. I had tried every avenue I could think of. Then I was sent to a person who sent me to Sarah Shields.

Sarah Shields is the team lead for the Director Civilian Compensation and Benefits Services. I new she would fix my problem because she told me just that and convinced me that she could. Within a matter of two weeks she had verified what the problem was, something no one up until this point could do. I was awestruck. She asked me to give her a couple of weeks to get this sorted out and I did. She did not disappoint me. She had it fixed and not only for this year but for the remainder of my time with DND.

Thank you, Sarah Shields!!! Please continue to do the miraculous things that you do.

Shout out to Noah Leroux for always being there to help whenever I have questions and always going above and beyond. He is a huge asset to the team and always bring great energy into the room. 😊

Shout out to Kassandra Barnabe! Kass is always so committed to her team and is always there to help people achieve their goals, thank you for your constant support!

I want to acknowledge Marie-Eve Michaud for her amazing leadership and support. She is always there when I have a question and provides support and encouragement every day!

I wanted to take a moment to personally recognize and thank Carly Proulx for her exceptional hard work and dedication. Your willingness to go above and beyond, even during peak periods, and your consistent focus on client-centric service have not gone unnoticed. Your ability to embrace feedback, adapt swiftly, and keep your clients well-informed truly sets you apart. Your efforts made a significant impact on our team and our clients, and I'm deeply grateful for your commitment to excellence.

Thank you for everything you do!

The ACSV PG team would like to send a shout out to Ms. Alyssa Davidson for the meaningful contribution she is making since her arrival in the ACSV project. Ms. Davidson has created and maintained a SharePoint site to foster collaborative work for departmental reporting which allows for timely returns. Ms. Davidson has also created financial forecast sheets for PMO section heads and ENGs to provide updates at each (Qs) forecasts; Ms. Davidson has simplified the information in the PMO presentation deck section about the roles and responsibilities of the Procurement (PG) team. Ms. Davidson is detail oriented, reliable and a great Team player. Thanks for all that you do Ms. Davidson!

I would like to give a shout out to Lt(N) Denise Beland at J4 Movement section of Regional Cadet Support Unit Pacific (RCSU Pacific). All her hard work and extra hours she put in to support the movement requests for Summer Cadet Training Centre (CTC) programs keep every Cadets and their parents smile and feel safe to travel all over the country to experience amazing Cadet programs. It will be her last Summer CTC and she will be retired next Spring. Her work ethic spreads out and absorbed by entire J4 section and the unit. She won't be replaceable and will be missed.