Compassion, experience during crisis earns State Police civilian employee highest honor LATHAM — As a communications specialist for the New York State Police, Dowell Harrell has seen, or, in her case, heard, her share of crisis while taking 911 calls from across the Capital Region. Her calm, Harrell compassionate manner in helping others in times of need and an outstanding work ethic have recently earned Harrell the agency’s 2014 Civilian Employee of the Year, its highest civilian employee honor. Harrell was formally honored with the award at a recent ceremony at the Troop G Headquarters. “I was thankful for the award and I also felt appreciated,” said Harrell, who has served in her current title during much of her 29-year career. After working the night shift, Harrell, a CSEA activist who serves as president of the union’s New York State Police Headquarters Local and 1st vice president of the CSEA Capital Region, frequently stays on to handle union issues. Off the job, she is also active in her community. The citation accompanying the plaque reads, in part, “In addition to your normal duties, you also serve as Union President for Local 697, where CSEA members dunk childhood hunger PLATTSBURGH — How can taking a bath help kids in need? Members of CSEA’s Clinton County Local have the answer: sponsor an event, build a dunk tank and volunteer to get wet. That’s exactly what local members did recently by participating in the annual Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO) of Clinton and Franklin Counties’ Community Action Field Day. The agency’s services are particularly important in these North Country counties, where poverty rates are high. CSEA Clinton County Local members helped sponsor the ever-popular dunking booth and other games and events at the field day, held at a local park. In the booth, CSEA activists and local officials took turns at getting wet. Their “baths” helped raise hundreds of dollars for the JCEO’s BackPack Program, which fights childhood hunger. “The backpacks are filled with you work to improve the working conditions of union members as well as maintain a positive relationship with management. Your outstanding work ethic and positive attitude is truly appreciated by your supervisors and peers.” Harrell credits a combination of training and on-the-job experience as keys to keeping composed in a crisis, but the emotional nature of her work can take a toll. “What affects me most are the calls from the elderly, children and victims of domestic violence or sexual assault,” she said. Harrell finds comfort in knowing that she is helping people. “We lean on each other in difficult circumstances,” she said. “After the call is over, you get a lot of support from your co-workers.” Harrell has seen dramatic changes in the flow of information and inter-agency work as a result of technology. The use of 911 cellular technology has meant the difference between life and death on busy highways and rural, remote parts of the Capital Region. Perhaps more important than technological advances is the ability for people to work together to help other people. “Teamwork is critical in making it all happen,” Harrell said. — Therese Assalian Photo by Cynthia Gallicchio, Clinton County Local Clinton County Local members staffed game stations at the recent Community Action Field Day to raise money for the JCEO’s BackPack Program that fights childhood hunger. food and then given to children at local elementary schools to take home for the weekend,” said Clinton County Local President Joe Musso. Children enrolled in the program are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches at school. The food in the backpacks helps ensure the children are provided nutritious meals during the weekends. The JCEO website noted that 90 children were enrolled in the BackPack Program last year. “CSEA members are instrumental in keeping the BackPack program running,” said Kathy Bishop, JCEO development specialist. “We thank CSEA for all their help and support.” The union’s participation in the field day is organized through the local’s Strong Communities Work Committee, chaired by Bill McNierney. McNierney and Clinton County Local Secretary Cynthia Gallicchio also serve on JCEO’s Community Action Angels Advisory Board. The private, not-for-profit council helps administer numerous services and programs, including Head Start, food pantries and utility assistance, to help low-income residents fill basic needs and help them become more self-sufficient. CSEA represents more than 50 private-sector JCEO employees in numerous titles that include teaching assistants, family and home support workers, bus drivers, food services and clerical workers. “We are very proud of the Clinton County Local’s continued commitment to bettering the North Country communities our members live in,” said CSEA Capital Region President Kathy Garrison. — Therese Assalian 8 The Work Force September 2015
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