COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager’s Office

DATE:

September 30, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 19, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Employee of the Month for October 2004

Recommendation
Honor Karen Colbourn as Employee of the Month for October 2004 and authorize the President of the Board to sign the commendation.

Background
The Employee of the Month program was established in December 1984 to recognize and honor County employees who consistently demonstrate an outstanding level of performance.

Our Employee of the Month for October 2004 is Karen Colbourn, Administrative Secretary III in the Mental Health Division of the Health Services Agency.

Discussion
A County employee for 32 years, Karen is the Administrative Secretary for the Mental Health Division at the North County Mental Health Clinic. Karen is appreciated by her supervisors and peers as a great co-worker who is very professional, exceptionally reliable, energetic, competent and well-organized. Karen also has a great sense of humor, is warm and personable. One of the employees who nominated Karen stated that she has a “fine balance of interpersonal competence and organizational effectiveness.”

Karen takes the initiative to help others, especially in her role at the front desk. She is always ready to pitch in, handling a busy desk and at the same time, treating clients in a caring and respectful manner. She has also acted as the Patient Services Supervisor in the supervisor’s absence, including once for four weeks during which she also handled her normal duties. Additionally, Karen is always willing to share her excellent computer skills with others.

Our County is fortunate to have Karen Colbourn as one of its outstanding employees.