1 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:08,840 Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. 2 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:15,960 StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers. 3 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:22,080 Megan McKoy-Noe: How can you turn "take our kids to work day" into a career adventure? 4 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:26,120 That's what we'll be talking about on this episode of The StoryConnect Podcast. 5 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:31,560 Hi, I'm your host, Megan McKoy-Noe, one of the storytellers here at Pioneer Utility Resources. 6 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:38,120 And I am joined by Sarah Johnson, Chief Operating Officer at Clatskanie PUD in Oregon. 7 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:41,320 Sarah, thank you so much for joining us today. 8 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:43,680 Sarah Johnson: Thank you for inviting me, Megan. 9 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:46,520 I love talking about take your kids to work day. 10 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:52,600 Megan McKoy-Noe: I mean, it's an exciting topic. And I've got to say, I was surprised this is your first time on the podcast, 11 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:56,000 but I have been getting ideas from you for years. 12 00:00:56,320 --> 00:01:02,930 You are a huge influence in the Northwest, so it is a treat to introduce you to our podcast audience. 13 00:01:02,930 --> 00:01:09,170 I have no doubt that you will be back talking about all the other wonderful things that you do for folks in the Northwest. 14 00:01:09,330 --> 00:01:13,690 But I walked into a conversation with you . 15 00:01:13,690 --> 00:01:18,370 You were talking about putting kids to work at your utility, and then paying them, 16 00:01:18,370 --> 00:01:21,610 and then having a huge staff family celebration. 17 00:01:21,610 --> 00:01:27,050 At the end of the day, I have to know more, which is why I asked you on the podcast today. 18 00:01:27,330 --> 00:01:32,050 Tell me about Clatskanie PUD's take our kids to work day. 19 00:01:32,530 --> 00:01:36,610 Sarah Johnson: All right. Well, it started years ago with more just the general. 20 00:01:36,650 --> 00:01:38,850 Bring your kids, we'll get together. 21 00:01:38,850 --> 00:01:41,170 We'll bring in pizzas for lunch. 22 00:01:41,330 --> 00:01:45,890 We'd have a few demonstrations, but, you know, I wasn't satisfied with that, 23 00:01:45,890 --> 00:01:53,490 so I took it up a notch. And now we have themes, and we do some kind of educational lesson for the 24 00:01:53,490 --> 00:01:57,170 kids to learn, you know, just a basic adulting lesson. 25 00:01:57,210 --> 00:01:59,290 Megan McKoy-Noe: Wait. Okay, well, I need adulting lessons. 26 00:01:59,290 --> 00:02:05,410 We can talk about that offline. But themes I know, and you are a woman with themes. 27 00:02:05,410 --> 00:02:09,930 I've seen how you get around the holidays. What are some sample themes that you've had for this event? 28 00:02:10,370 --> 00:02:15,170 Sarah Johnson: So our first one was superheroes, because we took like a lineman and made them a superhero. 29 00:02:15,170 --> 00:02:19,970 So we said the kids would also be superheroes, so we gave them masks and capes. 30 00:02:19,970 --> 00:02:25,970 They got to decorate their capes and kind of just made the activities around that. 31 00:02:26,210 --> 00:02:33,930 Last year, we did a whole like investigation spy type thing with the 32 00:02:33,930 --> 00:02:41,450 hats, and yeah, they literally had glasses, and we gave them a mystery to 33 00:02:41,490 --> 00:02:49,290 solve. They had pads of paper with pens with disappearing ink, and they created their 34 00:02:49,290 --> 00:02:51,490 own mystery that they had to solve. 35 00:02:52,810 --> 00:02:58,620 Megan McKoy-Noe: And by solving it, I assume you involved all the different departments at the PUD? 36 00:02:58,940 --> 00:03:01,140 Sarah Johnson: Yes. And the departments were involved. 37 00:03:01,140 --> 00:03:08,580 The part that I was talking about with the adult life lessons is we incorporated that they had to fill out a time 38 00:03:08,580 --> 00:03:15,700 sheet. So as they did these different activities and went around to the different departments to hear about what we do here and 39 00:03:15,700 --> 00:03:20,660 all the different departments' presentations, they got to mark off their time sheet. 40 00:03:21,460 --> 00:03:27,740 Then they took that to the finance department, and they literally got paid with fake money that looked like real 41 00:03:27,780 --> 00:03:29,100 hundred dollar bills. 42 00:03:29,540 --> 00:03:30,020 Megan McKoy-Noe: Nice. 43 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:33,620 Sarah Johnson: They had their paycheck, and they took their cash. 44 00:03:33,980 --> 00:03:41,380 Then they went down to my department because in their backpacks that we had given them that morning was an electric bill that 45 00:03:41,380 --> 00:03:42,300 they had to pay. 46 00:03:43,100 --> 00:03:45,980 Megan McKoy-Noe: Oh no! You gave them money, and then you're taking it away?! 47 00:03:46,020 --> 00:03:50,580 Sarah Johnson: And then taking it away because they had to pay for the power that they use. 48 00:03:50,620 --> 00:03:52,980 Megan McKoy-Noe: Adulting is hard, Sarah. 49 00:03:53,020 --> 00:03:57,580 Sarah Johnson: Adulting was hard. It was hard. So they came down to customer service, 50 00:03:57,900 --> 00:04:02,660 presented their bill at the front counter, handed over some of their hundreds. 51 00:04:02,660 --> 00:04:04,340 We didn't take all of their money, but a lot of it. 52 00:04:04,340 --> 00:04:08,620 Megan McKoy-Noe: Okay, okay, I was wondering if they would be in arrears or something at the end o f the day. 53 00:04:08,860 --> 00:04:16,780 Sarah Johnson: No, we gave them chocolate gold coins for change, and there's a cookie store here in Clatskanie 54 00:04:17,020 --> 00:04:20,220 called Cryptid Cookies that does custom cookies for us. 55 00:04:20,460 --> 00:04:27,100 And we made light bulb cookies to represent the power that they had for paying their bill. 56 00:04:27,100 --> 00:04:30,900 So they got a cookie as well. So that was [inaudible] 57 00:04:30,900 --> 00:04:31,740 Megan McKoy-Noe: Did they have to pay for th eir cookie? 58 00:04:32,780 --> 00:04:35,260 Sarah Johnson: Yeah, they did, because the cookie was their power. 59 00:04:35,500 --> 00:04:35,700 Megan McKoy-Noe: Yeah. 60 00:04:35,700 --> 00:04:36,860 Sarah Johnson: So they were paying for it. 61 00:04:38,020 --> 00:04:45,780 Megan McKoy-Noe: I love that so much , especially the reality check with their adulting class is 62 00:04:45,780 --> 00:04:53,660 fantastic. S o let's get a sense of the scale for this for folks who have not been able to visit 63 00:04:53,790 --> 00:04:56,910 your beautiful office in Oregon. 64 00:04:57,470 --> 00:04:59,110 How many staff members do you have? 65 00:04:59,150 --> 00:05:04,190 How many kids participate? And do you open it up to grandkids of staff members too? 66 00:05:04,230 --> 00:05:07,070 Because I'd imagine this could be pretty popular. 67 00:05:07,590 --> 00:05:15,550 Sarah Johnson: It is popular. We have 38 staff members total, and we had 48 kids 68 00:05:15,550 --> 00:05:16,430 last year. 69 00:05:17,110 --> 00:05:18,750 Megan McKoy-Noe: You were outnumbered by t he k ids? 70 00:05:18,750 --> 00:05:22,390 Sarah Johnson: They do outnumber us. Yes, well, we have several large families. 71 00:05:22,590 --> 00:05:22,990 Megan McKoy-Noe: Okay. 72 00:05:23,030 --> 00:05:26,750 Sarah Johnson: And we do open it up to grandkids because several of us, you know, 73 00:05:26,790 --> 00:05:28,950 our kids are in their 20s and 30s. 74 00:05:29,230 --> 00:05:32,790 So, grandkids are welcome, also nieces and nephews. 75 00:05:32,790 --> 00:05:38,230 So for a few people that have never had kids, but they have a close niece or nephew, 76 00:05:38,550 --> 00:05:44,870 they're allowed to bring them in as well, because our whole point is to inspire kids on what kind of 77 00:05:44,910 --> 00:05:52,390 careers they could have in our industry, and just in general, to have that sense of family for our 78 00:05:52,470 --> 00:05:52,990 staff. 79 00:05:53,710 --> 00:05:59,390 Megan McKoy-Noe: Oh, I love that so much. W hen are you holding it this year? 80 00:05:59,390 --> 00:06:01,350 Because I know some folks do it in April. 81 00:06:01,430 --> 00:06:05,870 Sarah Johnson: We do. We do it the fourth Thursday in April, which is the national day. 82 00:06:05,870 --> 00:06:08,910 There's a couple different organizations that sponsor it. 83 00:06:09,230 --> 00:06:13,950 I've always looked at the materials from the original one that started in the 90s. 84 00:06:13,990 --> 00:06:18,270 That was "Take Our Daughters to Work Day," because originally that was what it did, 85 00:06:18,310 --> 00:06:21,750 and I used to bring my daughter to mailboxes, etc. 86 00:06:21,750 --> 00:06:26,470 when I was managing then, and then I kept it going at West Oregon when I was there. 87 00:06:26,470 --> 00:06:30,950 And so then they added boys, so my son got to come and participate. 88 00:06:30,990 --> 00:06:33,350 Now it was not the kind of activities we do here. 89 00:06:33,350 --> 00:06:37,630 Then it was really just I brought them to work, and I had them help me do things. 90 00:06:37,990 --> 00:06:43,630 Megan McKoy-Noe: Yes. And I think a lot of folks do that and have heard of that traditional approach to it. 91 00:06:43,630 --> 00:06:49,510 And I love that you've been involved with this since it was "Take Your Daughters to Work Day," and it has been evolving over the 92 00:06:49,510 --> 00:06:56,520 years, I think last year, Junior Achievement took over the reins for the national organization of it, 93 00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:00,520 and they've got great ideas and options on their website. 94 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:05,520 They've got – let me see. There's a toolkit, there's branding, sample schedules, 95 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,080 activity guides based on grades. 96 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:12,280 All of that's available for free, if you're interested in that and seeing what's already there. 97 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:17,080 You can go to pioneer.coop/podcasts, and we'll have the links in this episode. 98 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:19,200 But Sarah, I feel – 99 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:23,760 Sarah Johnson: And activity sheets are important, like especially like first thing in the morning when because we 100 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:27,080 start at 7 a.m., right, with our 4-10 schedule. 101 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:32,240 So we have a movie this year since we're doing an outer space theme this year, 102 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:38,680 we're doing "The Magic School Bus" goes to outer space." So that will be on when the kids are first coming in. 103 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:41,520 I am actually dressing up as Miss Frizzle. 104 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:46,080 So we're we're taking this to a whole new level. 105 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:53,530 Our apprentice will be an astronaut doing a pole climbing demonstration to save a green blow up 106 00:07:53,530 --> 00:07:54,130 alien. 107 00:07:55,090 --> 00:08:02,090 Megan McKoy-Noe: Wait. I have so many questions. Okay, okay, so it's outer space. 108 00:08:02,130 --> 00:08:06,930 Sarah Johnson: Yes. M ission Power Up. 109 00:08:07,570 --> 00:08:07,970 Megan McKoy-Noe: Oh. 110 00:08:09,170 --> 00:08:10,090 Sarah Johnson: This is the whole ianvitation. 111 00:08:10,090 --> 00:08:14,890 Megan McKoy-Noe: For folks that are not watching on YouTube, S arah just showed us the invitation for the kids. 112 00:08:14,890 --> 00:08:18,290 Can you send us an example of that that we can share with folks if they want to see? 113 00:08:18,330 --> 00:08:18,890 Sarah Johnson: Sure, I'll be happy to. 114 00:08:18,890 --> 00:08:26,490 Megan McKoy-Noe: Love it. And you are dressing up as Miss Frizz, which if anyone does not know The Magic School 115 00:08:26,530 --> 00:08:28,530 Bus, look it up and – 116 00:08:28,570 --> 00:08:29,810 Sarah Johnson: Highly recommend it for kids. 117 00:08:29,810 --> 00:08:32,250 Megan McKoy-Noe: I highly recommend it for adults too. 118 00:08:32,290 --> 00:08:36,290 I mean, adulting, it's a beautiful, beautiful way to engage folks. 119 00:08:36,290 --> 00:08:40,050 So you start the morning 7 a.m., right? 120 00:08:40,090 --> 00:08:43,570 And they're going to watch an episode of The Magic School Bus. 121 00:08:43,610 --> 00:08:45,490 Sarah Johnson: The one where they go to outer space. 122 00:08:45,890 --> 00:08:48,690 Megan McKoy-Noe: Nice. And then what happens from there? 123 00:08:48,970 --> 00:08:51,770 Sarah Johnson: They get their backpack. We do all the sign-ins. 124 00:08:51,770 --> 00:08:55,410 They have activity sheets. We give them breakfast snacks. 125 00:08:55,570 --> 00:08:57,770 They hang out with their parents for a while. 126 00:08:58,330 --> 00:09:06,290 Then we usually about an hour in because some of the kids come a little later because their staffs' partners 127 00:09:06,290 --> 00:09:08,490 will bring the kids in, especially our littles. 128 00:09:08,490 --> 00:09:14,690 We have a lot of two and one year olds, and we didn't want to exclude them like some places have to have 129 00:09:14,690 --> 00:09:17,850 certain age things, but we didn't want them to be excluded. 130 00:09:17,850 --> 00:09:22,850 So they come a little later. Then that's when we'll start the tour of the building, 131 00:09:23,290 --> 00:09:27,730 the different demonstrations. This year, instead of a time sheet, 132 00:09:27,770 --> 00:09:34,690 they have a map of the planets, and they'll get a star on each of the planets that represents the 133 00:09:34,690 --> 00:09:36,050 different departments. 134 00:09:36,330 --> 00:09:37,770 Megan McKoy-Noe: Oh, okay. 135 00:09:37,810 --> 00:09:42,450 Sarah Johnson: And then they get a spaceship cookie when they complete their map of planets. 136 00:09:43,290 --> 00:09:45,530 Megan McKoy-Noe: Okay. But they don't have to pay their bill this time. 137 00:09:45,530 --> 00:09:47,020 Sarah Johnson: They don't have to pay their bill, this time. I figured we couldn't get away with that every year. 138 00:09:47,060 --> 00:09:49,820 Megan McKoy-Noe: It's not like the planet of power. 139 00:09:50,180 --> 00:09:53,980 Sarah Johnson: Yes, because we have a lot of repeat kids. 140 00:09:53,980 --> 00:09:57,660 There's been kids that have done this now the last five years. 141 00:09:57,660 --> 00:10:02,980 Well, we didn't do it during Covid, but you know, they've had at least 5 or 6 years that they've come 142 00:10:02,980 --> 00:10:04,460 to the different years. 143 00:10:04,500 --> 00:10:08,220 Megan McKoy-Noe: Covid ruined a lot of fun things, so I completely get that. 144 00:10:08,460 --> 00:10:10,500 So you've mentioned backpacks a couple times. 145 00:10:10,500 --> 00:10:16,540 Are these branded PUD backpacks that they get to keep, or is it something they check in and out? 146 00:10:16,780 --> 00:10:23,060 Sarah Johnson: No. Branded PUD backpacks that they get to keep, and we have snacks in them. 147 00:10:23,060 --> 00:10:26,500 We have on themed things that are helpful. 148 00:10:26,500 --> 00:10:28,460 This year, it'll be an activity. 149 00:10:28,500 --> 00:10:31,900 We've got little jars that's called My Pet Alien. 150 00:10:32,180 --> 00:10:36,900 And so they will actually put the little alien together as an activity when we're in the group room, 151 00:10:36,900 --> 00:10:42,980 when we're in the board room. And then they also have paperwork. 152 00:10:42,980 --> 00:10:45,940 If there's anything like electrical safety. 153 00:10:45,980 --> 00:10:50,380 Any other kind of lessons that we're trying to teach, those will all be in the backpack as well. 154 00:10:50,900 --> 00:10:52,860 And their map of the planets. 155 00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:58,060 Megan McKoy-Noe: I love that so much. So I know you're getting excited about this. 156 00:10:58,060 --> 00:11:00,940 I heard you mention it to some friends, and I freaked out and said, 157 00:11:00,940 --> 00:11:04,020 I need to know more about this. But we're adults. 158 00:11:04,580 --> 00:11:06,980 How do kids react to this event? 159 00:11:06,980 --> 00:11:09,860 And what kind of an impact does it make on your staff too? 160 00:11:10,060 --> 00:11:16,860 Sarah Johnson: They actually love it. I have several of our staff members that tell me that their kids are asking all the time when they get to 161 00:11:16,900 --> 00:11:20,620 come back to work. They look forward to it. 162 00:11:20,660 --> 00:11:25,820 We have several that have made friends, like the kids continue to be friends outside of work, 163 00:11:25,820 --> 00:11:27,620 and they love to see each other. 164 00:11:28,020 --> 00:11:33,820 We also have a Santa event in December, so the kids are at least seeing each other twice a year with our 165 00:11:33,820 --> 00:11:41,700 family events. And it is so rewarding to see all of them play together and share, 166 00:11:41,820 --> 00:11:45,750 because with the activities, they get to share, like crayons and markers. 167 00:11:46,110 --> 00:11:52,870 And sometimes, well at Christmas, we decorate stockings so they get to use glitter and all kinds of 168 00:11:52,870 --> 00:11:57,470 fun stuff. And it's just so nice to see the older kids helping the younger ones. 169 00:11:58,110 --> 00:12:00,870 So it really is creating a whole nother family. 170 00:12:00,870 --> 00:12:05,830 Besides our staff being a family, we've got a whole family of kids that are helping to support each 171 00:12:05,870 --> 00:12:06,310 other. 172 00:12:06,710 --> 00:12:14,390 Megan McKoy-Noe: Well and learning early on how incredible that community culture is within your staff family too. 173 00:12:14,430 --> 00:12:21,670 I mean, that's wonderful. So I'm going to ask a question about how this works just because it's good to know. 174 00:12:21,790 --> 00:12:26,110 A s you mentioned, a lot of folks celebrate Take a Child to Work Day, 175 00:12:26,350 --> 00:12:29,350 fourth Thursday of April every year. 176 00:12:29,350 --> 00:12:35,790 So when you celebrate, do you have to coordinate it with your local school system for kids to get the day off? 177 00:12:36,270 --> 00:12:40,110 Sarah Johnson: Given that a lot of our employees actually live outside of our area, 178 00:12:40,110 --> 00:12:44,800 that would be a lot of schools to be coordinating with because we pull from across the river as well. 179 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:47,440 We have employees that live in Longview and Kelso. 180 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:51,200 I actually live in Scappoose. That's at the other end of our county, 181 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:54,720 like we come in from a lot of different areas. 182 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:58,320 So that's part of why we always keep it on the national day. 183 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:01,960 So schools are more aware that, you know, this is a possibility, 184 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:09,400 and we help do like a form. And I believe I've gotten that off of one of the websites that's helped for the national day 185 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:16,000 that people can use for the excuse to be able to make it easier than sending a note with the kids the next day. 186 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:23,600 Megan McKoy-Noe: That's what I was wondering, if there was a form that you used, and that you then just send like is in the backpack with all the 187 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:27,800 other materials, or you give it to the staff members so they can share it as an excuse. 188 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:33,840 Sarah Johnson: Yes, we also have a liability waiver that a parent needs to sign. 189 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:38,040 They can put all of their kids' name on the same one, but they have to sign one. 190 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:43,080 Megan McKoy-Noe: This is important because a lot of things can happen when you go to outer space, 191 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:50,840 and you want to make sure that all kids stay inside the school bus and have a safe journey there and back. 192 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:54,200 Sarah Johnson: And we do go to the bowling alley in the afternoon. 193 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:55,760 Megan McKoy-Noe: Of c ourse you do. 194 00:13:55,800 --> 00:14:01,731 Sarah Johnson: We close the office early at 3:00 instead of going till 5:30, and we go over to Longview, 195 00:14:01,731 --> 00:14:07,640 which is the closest bowling alley we have in our area, and bowl from 3:30 to 5:30. 196 00:14:07,680 --> 00:14:11,640 And a lot of times, that's when some of the older kids will join us, 197 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:16,640 because sometimes they have school activities that they just don't want to miss the whole day at school. 198 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:24,520 But families will then get the older kids, spouses come, and we end up taking over the whole entire bowling 199 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:24,960 alley. 200 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:32,240 Megan McKoy-Noe: I love that, so really, it becomes a family event for all of your staff too. 201 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:36,960 Have you, I know you've been doing it like this the last five years, 202 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:42,730 and you mentioned West Oregon. You were there before you came to Clatskanie PUD. 203 00:14:43,330 --> 00:14:51,250 H ave you seen any kids that have been exposed to careers at the PUD or at 204 00:14:51,250 --> 00:14:55,850 the co-op, then come back and apply for jobs or apply for internships? 205 00:14:56,330 --> 00:15:00,850 Sarah Johnson: There are some. Yeah, there have been several that have done internships in the area. 206 00:15:01,170 --> 00:15:08,930 And last year, our finance manager, two of his boys came up and told me that their plan is to 207 00:15:08,970 --> 00:15:14,130 work here when they graduate. And they, yeah, so they want careers. 208 00:15:14,170 --> 00:15:17,130 They said they don't know exactly what they want in public power yet, 209 00:15:17,130 --> 00:15:22,010 but they want to work here, or at least at another co-op or PUD. 210 00:15:22,570 --> 00:15:24,290 Megan McKoy-Noe: Well, because it's a feeling, right? 211 00:15:24,290 --> 00:15:26,730 It's that community focus. It's the fun. 212 00:15:26,730 --> 00:15:34,530 It's the family. I t's definitely attracts a certain person to want to serve in public power. 213 00:15:34,530 --> 00:15:36,690 So I love that you all are doing that. 214 00:15:37,090 --> 00:15:39,370 L ast question before I let you go. 215 00:15:39,410 --> 00:15:46,010 I mean, I could talk to you about this for ages, but I'm hoping that this sparks ideas for other folks and that 216 00:15:46,010 --> 00:15:51,050 they end up reaching out to you. Because, Sarah, you're an amazing resource for folks in the community. 217 00:15:51,450 --> 00:15:53,210 Sarah Johnson: I always love to help. 218 00:15:53,890 --> 00:15:58,930 Megan McKoy-Noe: You do. I mean, for folks that don't know, Sarah also organizes the Northwest Regional Group, 219 00:15:58,930 --> 00:16:02,530 which she helps and has for more than a decade. 220 00:16:02,730 --> 00:16:04,650 You have been organizing. 221 00:16:04,850 --> 00:16:05,730 Sarah Johnson: [inaudible] the chair yeah. 222 00:16:06,050 --> 00:16:13,770 Megan McKoy-Noe: You've been the chair for a long time to help bring together utility pioneers from Washington and Oregon and just 223 00:16:13,770 --> 00:16:15,930 visiting different utilities and sharing ideas. 224 00:16:15,930 --> 00:16:19,970 Just small groups of 20 or 30 people, but they're so valuable. 225 00:16:19,970 --> 00:16:26,010 So that's why I was surprised. This is your first time on the podcast. B ut to get folks started, 226 00:16:27,010 --> 00:16:32,690 if someone has heard this idea, and they're like, "Oh, we can really supercharge our career day 227 00:16:32,730 --> 00:16:37,300 at the utility." So if they want to create a career adventure day, 228 00:16:37,420 --> 00:16:42,460 just like yours, whether it is, you know, an outer space theme, a, 229 00:16:42,500 --> 00:16:50,500 you know, solving a mystery and then having adulting lessons wrapped in with that what should they do to 230 00:16:50,540 --> 00:16:52,460 start? What would your advice be? 231 00:16:53,420 --> 00:16:57,140 Sarah Johnson: I the thing that I find most valuable is I have a committee. 232 00:16:57,140 --> 00:16:59,860 That's the events committee that I help get ideas. 233 00:16:59,860 --> 00:17:06,140 So people that currently have young kids have a say in what we're putting together for the agenda. 234 00:17:06,300 --> 00:17:10,100 So, you know, having a group of your staff does help. 235 00:17:10,100 --> 00:17:12,100 I keep it at about 5 or 6 people. 236 00:17:12,420 --> 00:17:17,900 And then just knowing kind of get an idea of how many kids would you have. 237 00:17:17,940 --> 00:17:20,780 You know, what kind of scale are you able to do? 238 00:17:20,820 --> 00:17:26,500 Because not everyone like at West Oregon, we weren't able to do like a big thing like what I'm doing here. 239 00:17:26,940 --> 00:17:32,740 S o just knowing what you will be able to pull off, what your area can do. 240 00:17:33,220 --> 00:17:35,660 Can you do a full lunch for everyone? 241 00:17:36,140 --> 00:17:38,620 Just things like that is a great place to start. 242 00:17:39,060 --> 00:17:41,340 And you don't have to start with big themes. 243 00:17:41,380 --> 00:17:43,500 Like we had fun the other way too. 244 00:17:43,860 --> 00:17:51,820 I just had to keep adding to it, and I'm happy to help anyone that would like to contact me at sj 245 00:17:51,820 --> 00:17:55,580 ohnson @clatskaniepud .com. Happy to help. 246 00:17:56,340 --> 00:18:00,420 Megan McKoy-Noe: We'll have your contact information in there as well if folks want to reach out to you. 247 00:18:01,220 --> 00:18:06,820 Sarah, you are always a treasure to mine for ideas and just to hang out with too. 248 00:18:06,860 --> 00:18:11,740 But thank you so much for sharing your story with utility pioneers. 249 00:18:12,100 --> 00:18:18,500 She is Sarah Johnson at Clatskanie PUD, and I'm your host, Megan McKoy-Noe at Pioneer Utility Resources. 250 00:18:18,500 --> 00:18:21,540 And until we talk again, keep telling your story. 251 00:18:22,380 --> 00:18:29,940 Outro: StoryConnect is produced by Pioneer Utility Resources, a communications cooperative that is built to share your story.