Anyone ever tell you we can do whatever we want?
We do. We used our Public Affairs “budget” (really, our organization’s budget) to build bus stop shelters because we could, we wanted to, and it was the right thing to do.
Situation: visitors on foot had to check in with security before going through the gate. When we had lots of visitors, they patiently waited in line. Sometimes, it rained, so our visitors became wet and miserable.
Since we’re communicators, we considered the message this sent: it wasn’t a good one. “Screw you, visitor. We don’t care about you, stand in the damn rain until we’re ready to check you in.”
Not anymore … we ordered and had constructed some metal and glass shelters big enough to fit several folks and a small table for their bags. It’s not fancy, but it is effective.
The project took a few months to complete, and a fair amount of coordination with the facilities and security team. Because nothing’s easy, we had to figure out contract requests, vendors, quotes, concrete foundations, leveling, and contractor escorting. We had to see it through, all while focusing on mission and all our daily PAO requirements. It would’ve been very easy to decide the project wasn’t worth the time and effort.
Because it needed to happen, we made it happen.
I drive past the bus shelters every morning. They remind me we can do whatever we want.
What kind of bus shelters does your organization need you to build?
(Photo by Sgt. Manda Walters, DVIDS)
