The Employee Engagement Team (EET) is made-up of a diverse group of employees who are passionate about engagement and have a willingness and capacity to participate in member meetings and activities. The Employee Engagement Team was created to give employees representation and a voice to senior leadership to enhance the workplace experience with the goal of being the voice of team members at every level and create a bridge between leadership and employees. More specifically, the purpose of the Employee Engagement Team is to enhance employee relations and increase employee morale by: 

1. Promoting a positive team culture for all City of Savannah employees.
2. Identifying employee concerns and recommending solutions.
3. Assisting in the development of employee relations programs.
4. Encouraging effective communication throughout the organization.
5. Educating employees about the benefits and perks of employment.

Since its first official working meeting in August of 2022, the EET team has truly invested time in focusing on both the successes and challenges of employment with the City of Savannah. Through the use of city-wide surveys, feedback sessions, and conversations with fellow members of team Savannah, the EET has the opportunity to bring employee thoughts, suggestions, and concerns to members of leadership that can create programs and initiatives that both recognize accomplishments and find creative solutions to challenges. 

Some of the current projects include:

• Employee of the Quarter/Employee of the Year rewarding everyday heroes and amazing acts.
• A revamping of the Years of Service program into a robust recognition initiative.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion education.
• Exploration of programs and policies that meet the needs of changing work cultures to increase recruitment and retention. 
• Employee raffles for local events such as concerts and sporting events.
• Creating opportunities for full employee involvement and engagement such as partnering with Government Operations for the city-wide clean-up day and pushing for the first annual Team Savannah Kickball game which included participants from all service centers.

The members of the Employee Engagement Team would like to present the winner of the 2023 Employee of the Year to City Council and City of Savannah Residents. Mr. LeQuinton Kates has been nominated by his peers for this recognition for 2023 and was chosen as the first ever Employee of the Year. He is the Manager of the Moses Jackson Advancement Center and has been with the City of Savannah since December 2019. This incredible individual embodies everything it means to be a member of Team Savannah and encompasses all of the City's values as a great public servant to the citizens and guest of Savannah. 

Approval

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