March is Procurement Month
City of Cleveland Department of Finance Division of Purchases and Supplies
March is Procurement Month The City of Cleveland’s Division of Purchases and Supplies did not allow Procurement Month to go unnoticed during National Procurement Month recognition this past March. In fact, Commissioner, Tiffany White Johnson announced her expectations of a great celebration to her management team right before she prepared for an extended leave, awaiting the arrival of her first-born in early January! Commissioner Johnson is an avid believer in procurement transparency. She consistently seeks methods to broaden her team’s knowledge and enthusiasm about procurement, whether through training; quarterly symposiums; local, small business events; “best idea” contests, and by encouraging participation in PPANO and NIGP meetings and events. Fueled with excitement from their commissioner and the ambition to pull off a great celebration; Vendor Self-Service Manager, Eboni Holman and Contract and Purchasing Supervisor, Deborah Midgett set forth to plan a fun and memorable experience in honor of Procurement Month for the City of Cleveland. The division’s kick-off event, Procurement Jeopardy was played once, every week in March by the division’s staff, the Mayor’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO), and divisional procurement leads. While the game was in action, Eboni worked on obtaining approval from Mayor Frank Jackson to proclaim the month of March as Procurement Month for the City of Cleveland. Approval was amiably granted as well as a meeting and pictures with the mayor. In the meanwhile, Deborah worked on ordering “March is Procurement Month” t-shirts endorsed with the Procurement Month logo, to be worn on picture day. During the last week of Procurement Month the Procurement Jeopardy winner was announced and the Division of Purchases and Supplies, along with Finance Director, Sharon Dumas; OEO Director, Melissa Burrows; the Commissioner of Accounts, Lonya Moss-Walker, and its internal partners and supporters joined together in Mayor Jackson’s office for the presentation of the proclamation, pictures, and a candid discussion about the City’s future in procurement. Deborah provided a thorough overview of the division’s role in City procurements, whereas others asked the mayor questions about his outlook on procurement for Cleveland. Additionally, Scott Veley of the City’s Water Department was presented with a Procurement Jeopardy certificate and a $40 gift card. Each attendee received a signed copy of their individual pictures with Mayor Jackson. Written By: Eboni Holman, May 19, 2015 | Division of Purchases and Supplies
The celebration receded with the Division of Purchases and Supplies hosting a luncheon in the office for the procurement team. Festive décor of red, white, and blues filled the office. The team used its creative and sustainable skills to produce hand-made plate mats using copies of the NIGP Procurement Month flyers and plastic inserts to decorate the party table! The team looks forward to next year’s celebration! March is Procurement Month 2015 was a great success for the City of Cleveland. The Procurement Jeopardy game exposed people to fun facts about the City’s procurement processes and history; a proclamation was established, the t-shirts can be worn every year in acknowledgement, and Mayor Jackson provided his insight and direction for procurement going forward. Next year, the division plans to collaborate with procurement contacts in its region, like the Regional Sewer District and Regional Transit Authority for fun-filled contests, networking opportunities, and a grander luncheon with guest speakers. For now, the City of Cleveland’s Division of Purchases and Supplies will continue to strive to live by its motto and….. “Purchase for a Better Cleveland.”
Written By: Eboni Holman, May 19, 2015 | Division of Purchases and Supplies
March is Procurement Month The City of Cleveland’s Division of Purchases and Supplies did not allow Procurement Month to go unnoticed during National Procurement Month recognition this past March. In fact, Commissioner, Tiffany White Johnson announced her expectations of a great celebration to her management team right before she prepared for an extended leave, awaiting the arrival of her first-born in early January! Commissioner Johnson is an avid believer in procurement transparency. She consistently seeks methods to broaden her team’s knowledge and enthusiasm about procurement, whether through training; quarterly symposiums; local, small business events; “best idea” contests, and by encouraging participation in PPANO and NIGP meetings and events. Fueled with excitement from their commissioner and the ambition to pull off a great celebration; Vendor Self-Service Manager, Eboni Holman and Contract and Purchasing Supervisor, Deborah Midgett set forth to plan a fun and memorable experience in honor of Procurement Month for the City of Cleveland. The division’s kick-off event, Procurement Jeopardy was played once, every week in March by the division’s staff, the Mayor’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO), and divisional procurement leads. While the game was in action, Eboni worked on obtaining approval from Mayor Frank Jackson to proclaim the month of March as Procurement Month for the City of Cleveland. Approval was amiably granted as well as a meeting and pictures with the mayor. In the meanwhile, Deborah worked on ordering “March is Procurement Month” t-shirts endorsed with the Procurement Month logo, to be worn on picture day. During the last week of Procurement Month the Procurement Jeopardy winner was announced and the Division of Purchases and Supplies, along with Finance Director, Sharon Dumas; OEO Director, Melissa Burrows; the Commissioner of Accounts, Lonya Moss-Walker, and its internal partners and supporters joined together in Mayor Jackson’s office for the presentation of the proclamation, pictures, and a candid discussion about the City’s future in procurement. Deborah provided a thorough overview of the division’s role in City procurements, whereas others asked the mayor questions about his outlook on procurement for Cleveland. Additionally, Scott Veley of the City’s Water Department was presented with a Procurement Jeopardy certificate and a $40 gift card. Each attendee received a signed copy of their individual pictures with Mayor Jackson. Written By: Eboni Holman, May 19, 2015 | Division of Purchases and Supplies
The celebration receded with the Division of Purchases and Supplies hosting a luncheon in the office for the procurement team. Festive décor of red, white, and blues filled the office. The team used its creative and sustainable skills to produce hand-made plate mats using copies of the NIGP Procurement Month flyers and plastic inserts to decorate the party table! The team looks forward to next year’s celebration! March is Procurement Month 2015 was a great success for the City of Cleveland. The Procurement Jeopardy game exposed people to fun facts about the City’s procurement processes and history; a proclamation was established, the t-shirts can be worn every year in acknowledgement, and Mayor Jackson provided his insight and direction for procurement going forward. Next year, the division plans to collaborate with procurement contacts in its region, like the Regional Sewer District and Regional Transit Authority for fun-filled contests, networking opportunities, and a grander luncheon with guest speakers. For now, the City of Cleveland’s Division of Purchases and Supplies will continue to strive to live by its motto and….. “Purchase for a Better Cleveland.”
Written By: Eboni Holman, May 19, 2015 | Division of Purchases and Supplies
