Together Everyone Achieves More

By Mark Kaheru, Public Information Officer, RSCE

The International Client Service Week at the Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE) is held every 1st week of October and is one of the most engaging events of the year.

It is an opportunity for the RSCE to reaffirm their commitment to client service and for staff to bond with each other as they engage in several activities.

As is now tradition, the week starts with a ‘Meet & Greet” where Managers line up and say a hearty good morning to each staff member as they come into the office. An event that many look forward to as it is a chance to interact with Managers they would normally never do.

This year, a marching band led a procession of all Service Lines to a Townhall event at the Kofi Annan Hall to mark the official start of the week. The week’s schedule was laid out and the Deputy Director RSCE, Ms. Nalini Contreras, urged all staff to take time and participate in the planned team building events.

“I have been in several offices, and I have not yet seen an event like the Client Service Week where we take time out and appreciate the work we do and appreciate each other for the work we do to serve our clients. This is a good opportunity for us to keep thanking and encouraging each other to deliver client service excellence.” She said.

Every day of the week had its own dress code that included formal Monday, denim and all shades of blue, twinning with teams dressing up in similar colors, cultural wear complete with a fashion show and sportswear to round up the week.

Staff took well to the dress code idea with some notable service lines like Uniformed Personnel, Education Grant and Vendors Service Lines going above and beyond.

Some of the week activities included team huddles where they each took turns to appreciate their colleagues verbally.

The team bonding experience put a smile on everyone’s face as they felt the genuine remarks from colleagues. Another team bonding exercise was a jigsaw puzzle competition.

Each team was given a jigsaw puzzle to complete in the fastest possible time to be able to win. The sounds of laughter and camaraderie could be heard all over RSCE. The winning team was announced at the end of week Townhall, and winners rewarded with branded mugs.

Other activities included team lunches and potlucks, distribution of eThank You cards and the launch of the first Kudos Board for staff to continue with individual appreciation.

On Thursday cultural wear day, staff put on a fashion show to show off their cultural dress. The colorful event was held at the cafeteria dubbed Place2Be and staff came out in big numbers.

“It was refreshing to see everyone come out proudly celebrating their culture. This is reminiscent of the UN Day when staff usually show off the different flags of the UN through their clothing and it was much fun. A good way to unwind and celebrate each other.” Said one staff member.

Friday too was a fun day as Service Lines delivered very innovative live and pre-recorded presentations on how they work as a Team to deliver as one.

The highlight of the presentations was the Uniformed Personnel Service Line who put on a colorful musical and very energetic skit demonstrating peacekeeping in Africa pre1930.

Friday was also Family Day. Some staff brought their children to the UN Base in Entebbe to participate in the week. Children participated in team activities as well that included arts and crafts and there were mentors on hand to talk to them. They also toured the campus and were given a walk through on what the RSCE does for peace in Africa.

The theme TEAM: Delivering as ONE was surely lived during this Client Service Week.

To catch up with the week’s activities, pictures and presentations, please follow link to Client Service Section Page: here