Building Culture During Covid

Culture

In a September Forbes article titled, “Building A Strong Company Culture In The Time Of COVID-19” (September 23, 2020) a Forbes Council Member defines culture as “the glue that holds organizations together during the good times and bad.” The article also states that culture has always been important, but especially critical in the time of COVID-19.

In the manner that we ended the 2019 school year and began the 2020 school year, so much more has been demanded of all of our teachers and staff. Our dedicated staff members have given much more of their time and talent this year as part of their tireless commitment to all of our students and to one another of this Mater Dei family. This is also the reason we have joined together as a staff this year to be the co-chairs of the annual fund.

We have been blessed this year to be back in school and to have the ability to give back to our hard working staff members of this Mater Dei family. Through the financial support of the Mater Dei Friends and Alumni (MDFAA), we have been able to offer a variety of ways to say thank you, including donut and coffee deliveries to the classroom, a Friday food truck stop and prize winning opportunities. Through the President’s Council we have been able to offer take and bake meals for our staff and their families as well as prizes for our upcoming staff Christmas party. Through private donations we have been able to offer a BBQ take home meal for our staff’s families as well as ice cream from GD Ritzy’s. Mater Dei also budgeted for staff appreciation this past year and we have been able to cater in meals from the Faux Festival booths in October.

Building During Covid By Andy Morris

We also have a weekly lottery drawing to win $20 cash. Whenever a staff member catches someone doing something extra or helps another person out, they can put that person’s name in a bucket to win the weekly lottery. That person is also recognized each week for their efforts.

It is important to give back to our staff members for everything that they are doing to make this school year successful and to show our appreciation. It is also important to give back time to our staff members. The take home meals allow our staff members to take dinner home to their families and have one less thing to worry about in the evening with a ready to eat meal. In the two occasions we have done this in the fall semester, we have fed over 60 staff members and over 200 people total each time.

COVID-19 has made us change everything we do and reshape every part of our normal processes. Just as the article referenced, building culture is always important and we have been working diligently to do this, even before the onset of COVID-19. What COVID-19 has shown us is how significant these efforts are in building our community and teamwork more than ever. These are efforts we will continue to keep a focus on as we move through the years to come.

Thank you to those who supported us through these times and even before. Your sacrifice is truly our benefit and we graciously thank you.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” (Luke 6:38)