Saving Lives Every Day! - August 2023

Employee Monthly Newsletter                                                                      August 2023

Message from Director Robinson

Greetings Team DMV! Happy back-to-school! I hope your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews have an exciting 2023-24 school year! Thank you for taking the time to read our August 2023 employee newsletter. I hope you find this month's edition to be fun, informative and engaging. Remember, this newsletter is for you and your feedback is always welcome. This month's issue features several announcements, including: ✔️ A Special Dedication to Motor Vehicle Inspector Patrick Perry ✔️ Exciting Information About Your New Colleagues ✔️ "It's Back-to-School Time!" Submit Photos from Pre-K or Kindergarten ✔️ What's Going On at #TeamDMV ✔️ HR's Corner ✔️ News You Can Use Around the District and much more... Lastly, as we celebrate Labor Day on Monday, September 4, I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday, while spending time with friends and family. -Gabriel

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure."
~Colin Powell

Dear Patrick 🙏

May You Be Well by Joanna Fuchs

May you be well.
May you be cleansed and purified
of all that isn't health.
May every cell in your body
wake up and fight.
May the powerful light of healing
move into every part of you.
May you return to being purely YOU.
May you be well.

❤️❤️

Please continue to keep Patrick and his family in your thoughts and prayers. He is a champion fighter and with much love AND support from his work family, it's expected he'll make a FULL recovery.

Welcome to Team DMV

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Welcome back to a new school year! Whether it's the first day of pre-K or the first day of college, this is the most exciting time of the year. An opportunity to open doors - make friends, set goals and dream BIG.

Hope everyone has a fantastic school year! 🏫📚🍎🙂

Meet Vehicle Services Administrator Rakonda Cobb's grandbabies, Zaria and Zaniya Lewis. Monday, August 14 was their first day of kindergarten. 😍

Note: For the September 2023 employee newsletter, Kellye Underwood will be putting together a #TeamDMV back-to-school section and would like to include photos of everyone from pre-K or kindergarten. If you have a photo you would like to submit, please send it to Kellye by Friday, September 8. A surprise gift will be available for whomever can guess the most correct answers in the "who is in this photo" challenge. 📢🥳

Mayor Bowser Celebrates Back-to-School Month

Mayor Bowser encourages students, families and educators to attend upcoming back-to-school events hosted by District agencies and community organizations leading up to the first day of school. Here are a few events. Visit mayor.dc.gov for more information.

End of Summer Back to School Event 
Join DC DPR for getting ready for another successful school year, with a giveaway of school supplies, amusements, refreshments, music and more.

🗓️ When: Thursday, August 24, from 12 - 4 pm 
📍 Ridge Road Community Center (830 Ridge Road SE)  

DCPS Back to School Block Party
Join the DC Public Schools community for a fun event with free food and activities, the ability to learn more about city resources and student performances to celebrate the start of a new school year with families and neighbors.

🗓️ Saturday, September 23, from 11 am - 2 pm
📍 McKinley Tech (151 T Street NE)
Register

2023 Back to School Guide

Mayor Bowser's 2023 back-to-school guide is now available This one-stop-shop resource offers information for families to start the school year STRONG. Whether your student is entering pre-K 🖍️ or starting their final year of school 🎓, this guide is for you!

What's Happening at #TeamDMV

Thank You Message From Terrence Butler

Dear DMV Family,

Our family would like to thank you all for your tremendous support in attending the Celebration of Life ceremony for my son Terrence. His life was cut short unexpectedly and it has been devastating for me trying to navigate moving forward without him. I was truly hit by surprise and moved by the outpouring of support with close to 2000 people attending his celebration and burial on a Thursday. We had support from US Senators, NBA executives and coaches, news media, numerous clergy, family and friends and multiple people who lives he touched in his 21 years on this earth. My biggest joy was seeing my DMV colleagues show up big time in support from both drives and vehicle services. One after another came through and you guys brought me so much joy. DMV really represented. I want to thank everyone of you that came out, those that shared with us online and those that were there in spirit with your prayers. It was not in vain as your presence has made this process much easier for me to bear. I am proud to be part of such a caring organization and a group that I can consider true friends.

With the utmost sincerity,
Thank you,
Terrence Butler Supervisory Legal Instrument Examiner/Friend

Zumba with Zaida

Let's be fit together, #TeamDMV! Join Zumba with Zaida on Wednesdays, from 5:30-6:30 pm at the SW Service Center. The last class for the summer is Wednesday, August 30.

Hope to see you there! 🕺💃

Happy Retirement, Denise and Lujuan!
We Will Miss You at the Office!

Happy Retirement by Kelly Roper

It is difficult to say that you are retiring and leaving,
Because so much of you will be left behind in the heart of us all.
You taught us to grow and to do the best we can.
Your wisdom and guidance helped us to strive to be the best that we can be.
Look back on your years with pride
And know that the gifts you have left behind will continue to guide us.
Denise and Lujuan, look back with pride and look forward with dignity.
It is your time to reap the rewards of your commitment.
And, we want you to know, we will always remember your dedication.

Thank you for the over 70 combined years of dedicated service! Cheers to your second act! May it be even more fantastic than the first. 💜❤️

View photos from the retirement party, which was held on Saturday, August 19.

Employee Spotlight Meet Arfan Alam, CDL Examiner at #TeamDeanwood! Arfan Alam started his DC DMV career as a CDL Examiner in 2020. Before joining DC DMV, Arfan was also a CDL Examiner at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Arfan provides excellent customer service to both his internal and external customers. He is extremely knowledgeable and a true asset to the CDL office. He’s always willing to assist the management team and goes above and beyond with everything that he does. Thank you, Arfan for your hard work and dedication to DC DMV and District residents. 💖🥳

#KudosTeamDMV

(Compliments from our Social Media Fans)

"@dcdmv big shout out to Deangelo Baucum for the help today and great customer service. We appreciate him 🙏🏾 Thank you sir. #FromWisconsinToDC" ~D'Mario [compliment for Deangelo Baucum]

"@dcdmv Oscar Fuentes was awesome today at the dc inspection center!" ~William Miller

"In and out of the DMV in under 35min?! Shout out to me and @dcdmv 🙌" ~Megan R. Smith [compliment for Nyla Carthens]

"@dcdmv wanted to thank Operator KD-12093 for her excellent and efficient service obtaining a ROSA Exception. I know good service doesn’t get enough recognition, but I’m happy with this pleasant experience and it needed recognition. Thank you again, I wish I had her name ❤️ #DC" ~Romi [compliment for Keara Davis]

"Just want to shout out @dcdmv for a 10/10 experience at the Rhode Island DMV! 🎉 Super efficient, friendly, in and out with a new driver's license in 30~ minutes. (I look like a serial killer in my photo but that's not their fault, what can ya do!)." ~Tori Taylor [compliment for #TeamRhodeIsland]

Deangelo Baucum (August 1) | Gina Walton (August 2), Tomika Barkley (August 2) | David Best (August 4), Tracey Jackson (August 4), Eduardo Portillo (August 4) | Rachelle Johnson (August 5), Franklin Norris (August 5) | Odessa Scruggs-Nance (August 6) | Montii Osei-Djan (August 7), Claude Thomas (August 7) | Jamie Edwards (August 9) | Yolanda Deloatch (August 11) | Oscar Fuentes (August 13) | Natorie Ashton (August 14) | Carleshia Kidwell (August 16) | Marcel Dixon (August 17), Alicia Roshell (August 17) | Joseph Davis (August 18), Dora Prince (August 18) | Donald Lynch (August 20) | Talayna Clements (August 21) | Chrystal Boyd (August 25) | Demaria Corley (August 26), Walter Wadley (August 26) | Brandie Douglass (August 29)

HRs Corner

Update your resume and sharpen up your skills. -Future #TeamDMV positions coming soon.

Updating Your Personal Information in PeopleSoft

In accordance with the DC Department of Human Resources, all DC Government employees must keep their personal and emergency contact information on file and up-to-date in PeopleSoft. The collection of emergency contact information is part of the District’s emergency planning process. If your contact information changes, then you must update your record within 10 business days of the change taking place. This information will be accessed by human resources staff or other authorized personnel in the event of an emergency or crisis situation.

The emergency contacts information is in PeopleSoft under the 'personal details' icon.

Navigation Process to Update Personal Information In PeopleSoft

✔️ Click on PeopleSoft button on Agency Intranet site
✔️ Login Using Your User ID & Password
✔️ Click on Personal Information
✔️ Click on Personal Details
✔️ Click on Emergency Contacts
✔️ Click the + to Add Emergency Contacts

For questions, please contact DC DMV's human resources team.

Back to school, traveling and the upcoming flu season serve as a few reasons why people of all ages require timely immunizations to protect their health and well-being. Staying up to date on annual vaccinations will not only help to prevent personal illness and potential medical problems but also helps to protect those around us who may be more vulnerable.

Never skip a beat! Visit DCHR's employee wellness page for more information on your employee benefits.

Did you know the first step of saving is controlling your debt? Don't let debt take away your peace of mind. Join the Department of Insurance, Securities & Banking (DISB) on Friday, August 25, from 11 am - 12 pm for the Financially Fit DC at Work Controlling Debt Webinar. Register

News You Can Use Around the District

DC DPR's fall programs are now available for registration. Available for all ages, enjoy activities such as ballet, basketball, cheer and dance, fitness, swimming and much more. Eligible families can receive up to 75% off all fee-based programs. Learn more

Find a Summer Meal Site

For more information, please visit OSSE's website.

Free Weekly Veggies DC residents, stop by DC DPR's weekly veggie giveaway, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until November 30 (weather permitting). You can get free fresh and organic produce: kale, collards, lettuce, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, herbs, flowers and more! Learn more

Have Some Exciting News to Share?

Have some exciting news to share with your colleagues? It can be a family recipe, birth announcement, vacation, sporting event, prom or graduation, etc.

Send your photos and a small write-up to Kellye.Underwood@dc.gov by Friday, September 8, 2023.