We Are The Chapions (Of The World) Queen

As always, our Recognition Quality Team (RQT) has been quite busy these days. Since autumn, the team has presented 3 TOPS Awards, 2 LINQ Awards, and hosted 2 Expresses and 1 Person to Person Gathering. Financial Management also continues to recognize peers with 72 Bravos, 2 CARE Awards, 362 Recognition Treats and 2 quarterly Recognition Rewards drawings! Way to go, FM! Here are the details of the awards presented:

TOPS Awards:

Diversity Team:

The 2005-2006 Diversity Team was presented with a TOPS award on Monday, November 20, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. in Gerberding 26.

The team was recognized for continuing the goals to enhance awareness and appreciation of diversity at the UW and in Financial Management. This team was a merged team which focused on the mentoring program, culture talent show, newsletter and brown bag sessions.

Treasury Debt Team:

Sam Senturia and Chris Malins and Wayne Sugai were recognized with a TOPS award for their work on the Debt Database project. This TOPS was presented on November 27, 2006. They streamlined the University's paying and reporting process, helped FM better understand the characteristics of the debt portfolio, improved portfolio management and are supporting the internal bank initiative. The project is a long-term improvement with a creative outcome and provides a cost and time savings as well as improvements to customer service.

Non-Resident Alien Payroll Team:

Heather Norberg Stewart (Payroll), Sam Senturia (Treasury), Tammy Yanez (Payroll), and Cindy Gregovich (Payroll) were presented with a TOPS award on Tuesday, December 5, at 9:30 a.m. in Schmitz 170.  They were recognized for automating the current employment authorization process required to comply with federal regulations for employment of non-resident aliens (I-9 forms).

This project was undertaken when it was found that over 93 employees with expired work authorizations were still employed at UW.  Before the process was automated, Payroll spent many hours following up with employees and departments to get the proper documentation required to continue employment. The new automated process allows Payroll to run the notifications and complete the follow-ups in less than 8 hours per month! By automating the process, this team reduced the risk of fines/reputation with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Homeland Security).

LINQ Awards:

Ted Mordhorst:

On December 14, 2006 Ted Mordhorst, Assistant Director for Compliance, Research Accounting and Analysis, was presented with a LINQ award for being Approachable, Trusting of Others and Trustworthy.

Ted is approachable in that he is an expert, so everyone goes to him when they have questions.  He always drops what he is doing to answer questions and to help solve problems - he never turns anyone away.  Because of his depth of knowledge and experience, Ted is a great sounding board. 

Ted is trusting of others and is there for guidance and support but is very comfortable allowing others to take the lead. He is very clear and concise in his answers but at the same time provides enough information so that you are equipped in the future to reason out the answer yourself. 
Ted's extensive experience makes him a trustworthy authority on compliance issues. His co-workers feel very comfortable when he is in the office because his knowledge enables him to answer most questions regarding compliance. He almost always has a good answer and, of course, is willing to help. On the rare occasions when he doesn't know the answer, he will admit that he doesn't know and will then try to find the answer.

Sue Camber:
Sue Camber was presented with a LINQ award for being “Trusting of Others” on January 31, 2007.
Sue is trusting of others because she:

• Shares information willingly
• Values others for their varied and unique abilities
• Considers all points of view and involves the right people in decision making - When she presents an idea, she wants support for it, but she listens to concerns and other ideas and takes them into consideration when making decisions. Sue listens and encourages feedback. She allows her staff to have differing opinions, then works to get consensus
• Allows individuals to learn by making mistakes – She is a “coach” and will not chastise for making mistakes. She has a “Don’t be afraid to ask” operational style.
• Shows courtesy in working with others – She really cares about her staff and is a great listener.

Recognition Rewards:

The winners of the quarterly Recognition Rewards drawings were:

In October 2006-Anita Bingaman from Payroll
In January 2007-Leah Ramos from Payables

Thank you for saying thank you!