Choctaw Nation Fixed Assets Team (Photo by STEPHENIE OCHOA)
Finance department helps nation to “Go Green”
By STEPHENIE OCHOA
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
DURANT– The Choctaw Nation Finance Department participated in a departmental recycling challenge to support the “Going Green” efforts of the Nation. As one of the largest departments within the Choctaw Nation, 15 sub-departments consisting of around 127 people were able to collect 54,657 pounds of recycled goods that translates to around 16.3 pounds of trash per person.
The contest began early May and each team was responsible for the collection and drop off of recycling materials at the recycling center. Participants collected plastics, cell phones, newspapers, office paper, magazines, aluminum cans, printer cartridges, Styrofoam items, shredded paper, medicine bottles, phone books, cardboard and steel cans. The winning teams received certificates and the first place team won a certificate as well as a pizza party.
The average pound-per-person team results are as follows:
• 5th Place – Accounts Payable – 400 pounds
• 4th Place – Employee Services and Payroll – 515 pounds
• 3rd Place – Purchasing – 1,189 pounds
• 2nd Place – General Fund – 1,635 pounds
• 1st Place – Fixed Assets – 1,892 pounds
The Fixed Assets team is comprised of only six members including Tracy Sikes, Karra Huffman, Patricia Lilley, Jeremy Loper, Willie Toombs, and Violet Wilson but surprised the Nation with its team contributions. Lori Taylor from the Finance Event Committee said, “We chose recycling as a group project to help encourage teamwork and boost employee morale and we think that we successfully accomplished that.”
Senior Executive Director of Finance Ryan Garner said, “I was amazed at everyone’s enthusiastic response to the challenge and the amount of recycling turned in during the four-week period.”
The 54,657 pounds of recycled goods were received and processed by the Choctaw Nation Durant recycling center located at 3108 Enterprise Drive in Durant. The center is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For additional information about the recycling and the Choctaw Nation visit Choctaw Nation and Going Green.