Good Morning,

 

Please ensure that the following message is posted for all employees:

 

I am grateful that we had a safe and quiet Thanksgiving week. During the holiday season, we will all be more relaxed and at ease. While that is to be expected, we must remain vigilant at work. Those who would do us harm, escape our custody, or cause other trouble will certainly use our ‘holiday spirit’ against us. Following policy, using proper procedures, and paying attention to detail are our best defense. I am reminded constantly that on any given shift we are only as good as our weakest employee. Please do not be the weak link that ruins the holidays for hundreds of SCDC employees. Bring your ‘A-game’ to work so that everyone can go home safely.

 

 

 

As you all know, I am not a proponent of unnecessary meetings or ‘touchy-feely’ exercises intend to make everyone feel good. However, as we prepare to enter a new year, and a second term for this administration, I do want to take time to look ahead in a rational and realistic fashion.

 

To do that, I need your help.

 

Specifically, I would like for all wardens and division directors to begin to think about two issues and prepare written responses.

 

First I do not think that we can look ahead in a vacuum. So, I would like your honest assessment of what we have accomplished in the last four years. Many of those changes/ accomplishments were literally forced upon us by loss of resources and people. Others have been the result of more ‘voluntary’ decision making. Please take time to review the past four years (you can go back further if you like) and make a list those changes, improvements, additions, deletions, modifications, etc. you believe are most significant. Please discuss this with your staff and give them the opportunity to have input. Please list at least five but not more than ten items.

 

Second, please create a similar list of new goals, ideas, changes that we should focus on over the next four years. As you do so, be mindful of the cost and benefit of each goal, idea, change, improvement, addition, deletion, etc.  Where do we need to improve and how can we get better in a way that makes a measurable difference in our mission accomplishment?  Again, list at least five and up to ten.

 

Both of these fields are wide-open. Input can be broad or narrowly focused.

 

I want everyone to have as much freedom as possible to generate new ideas and areas ripe for improvement. So, I have asked Bob Petersen ( Petersen.Bob@doc.state.sc.us ) to receive your email responses and to consolidate both lists without reference to anyone.

 

As soon as possible in the New Year we will get together to review both lists and to focus on goal setting for the future. 

 

Have a great week.