The Tribune

SENATOR Julian Russell told a gathering of public officers in Grand Bahama that the pursuit of excellence in the workplace must be their mandate.

Mr Russell was addressing civil servants at the Hilton Outten Auditorium for the Third Annual Public Service Administrative Professionals Day.

The occasion was used for the crowning of the Administrative Assistant and Manager of the Year Award.

Taking the crown as Manager of The Year was Dr Paul Ward, Medical Chief of Staff at the Rand Memorial Hospital, while Mrs Carolyn Ferguson, Chief Clerk/Officer-in-Charge of the West End Post Office was named the Administrative Assistant of The Year.

Senator Russell told the gathering that their theme for the occasion: ‘Professionals who Ignite Change’, was a very appropriate and timely one, as the world is constantly evolving, and people find themselves having to adapt to change whether they want to or not.

“The role of the public officers can be as diverse as the responsibilities of government, and for many administrative professionals in the public service, particularly long standing officers, change is not only intimidating, but can also be overwhelming,” he said.

“We are living at a time when the status quo is no longer good enough. The pursuit of excellence in the workplace must be your mandate in the public service in order to meet global standards and demands as we provide essential services to the general public. In other words, you must continuously strive to be professionals who ignite change,” he said.

Continuing, Senator Russell told the civil servants that as administrative assistants and managers in their various departments they are required daily to serve the public’s interest and to uphold the public’s trust.

“As nominees for the titles of Public Service Administrative Assistant and Manager of The Year, in the eyes of those with whom you work daily, you are recognised as public officers who are not satisfied with the status quo, but rather, you are recognised as officers who take the initiative to ignite change within your work environment,” he said.

Mr Russell told the nominees that they had demonstrated commitment, enthusiasm and hard work as agents of change, and that they had initiated change in a professional manner to enhance the efficient operation of their agencies.

“You have asked questions and committed yourselves to finding the answers. No doubt, you have worked late into the evenings and arrived at work early in the mornings to ensure that the machinery of the public service continues to run smoothly every day. This demonstrates your unwavering commitment and dedication in your pursuit of excellence,” he told the nominees.

He called on all public service administrative professionals to continue to administer public service with the highest professional standards.

He also challenged them to conduct themselves every day with honesty and integrity; provide honest, impartial and objective advice when necessary; carry out the decisions and policies of the elected government; exercise good and responsible stewardship of public resources and information and serve the public’s interest and uphold the public’s trust.