The City of Atlanta’s customer service program successfully assists departments in maintaining efficient and effective services for Atlanta residents.
“I Am the City of Atlanta: Committed to Serving You” was spearheaded two years ago by Mayor Shirley Franklin. To implement the program department-wide, the City partnered with Georgia Power, who volunteered an executive-on-loan from its award-winning customer service division.
Better information-sharing between departments, strategic planning and training have been chief among the program’s major goals. A detailed City directory allows departments to direct residents to the appropriate division with speed, accuracy and efficiency.
Last week, Mayor Franklin and Lynnette Young, City chief operating officer, helped to unveil the newest aspect of the program – the customer service incentive awards. Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) department employee, Claudia Nash, was the first awardee.
Nash was recognized for, among other things, voluntarily establishing business partnerships for donated items to assist fire victims. In 2005, she used her personal income to restock AFR’s supplies for fire victims. Nash received a $50 American Express Point Card.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) has developed a list of time-saving tips to help passengers prepare for travel through the world’s busiest passenger airport this holiday season.
City Hosts Roundtable Discussion on the Impact of Women’s Leadership
Last week, Mayor Shirley Franklin led the quarterly Atlanta Women’s Agenda breakfast roundtable discussion which addressed the economic, employment and social factors that contribute to female leadership.
“The Real Impact of Women’s Leadership” was held in the City Hall Old Council Chambers. More than 240 attendees were present – the highest number since the roundtable launched.
Mayor Franklin began by discussing her recent participation in the first-ever global “Gender Equality for National and Local Governments” workshop, held in Atlanta. The workshop was born out of a 2000 United Nations (UN) meeting with global leaders, who identified gender equality as one of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for creating a better world.
Other roundtable participants included Rhonda Mims, president, ING Foundation; Cindia Cameron, national organizing director, 9to5 Working Women; Marie Wilson, CEO, The White House Project; and Deborah Richardson, CEO, The Atlanta Women Foundation. The roundtable was facilitated by Stephanie Davis, City of Atlanta Policy Advisor on Women’s Issues.
“When women seize their power and lead, we see how our world, our city, our workplaces and our communities can be different,” said Davis. “The Atlanta Women’s Agenda believes that the world will be a different place—indeed we see how the city of Atlanta already is—when women step up.”
The Atlanta Women’s Agenda is an initiative of Mayor Shirley Franklin to highlight issues affecting women and bring together partners for change. For more information, visit http://www.womensagenda.com/.
“The Real Impact of Women’s Leadership” was the topic of the recent Atlanta Women’s Agenda roundtable discussion, held in the City Hall Old Council Chambers. Pictured: Mayor Shirley Franklin joins (l-r) Rhonda Mims, president, ING Foundation; and Deborah Richardson, CEO of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, at the quarterly roundtable. |
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Atlanta Fire Rescue Partners With Kidney Fund to Save Lives
The Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) Department has joined forces with the American Kidney Fund to launch a new program that will assist kidney disease patients with funding for treatment.
The “Box Program” was announced yesterday during a news conference at Fire Station No. 21. As part of the program, clothing receptacles have been placed at 14 City of Atlanta fire stations for donations. The donations are collected by the American Kidney Fund and sold. Partial sales proceeds will be given to kidney disease patients to help offset the cost of their treatment.
Each year almost 88,000 people die from kidney failure. Last year, the American Kidney Fund provided $63.5 million in grants to 62,000 kidney patients.
“Atlanta Fire Rescue recognizes the extreme contribution that the American Kidney Fund makes to this country and is excited to be able to assist in any way to help reduce the number of lives lost as possible,” said AFR Chief Dennis Rubin.
For more information on this program, visit the American Kidney Fund at www.akfpickup.org or call 770.441.2220 for pickup information. For more information on other AFR programs, visit http://www.atlantaga.gov/Government/Fire.aspx.
Donation receptacles like the one pictured above will be placed at 14 City of Atlanta fire stations. Partial sales from the clothes will be given to kidney disease patients to offset the cost of their treatment. |
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International and local government leaders came together in Atlanta to discuss “Gender Equality for National and Local Governments” – a United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goal. The workshop was sponsored by CIFAL-Atlanta, an affiliate of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Click here to go to the Video On Demand (VOD) webpage where you can watch the workshop.
This is just one of the many videos you can view on the VOD page. Video clips include many of the programs you see on City Channel 26, like news conferences, groundbreakings and other events, as well as special programs that profile City departments and services.
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Rave Reviews!
- Mayor Shirley Franklin has nominated Elizabeth B. Chandler to serve as the new City Attorney. Pending final approval by the Atlanta City Council, Chandler will replace Linda DiSantis, who has served as City Attorney since 2002. “After a highly competitive process, I am excited to nominate Elizabeth Chandler to be our new City Attorney,” said Mayor Franklin. “Elizabeth has broad experience in all aspects of law and will bring a wealth of experience and perspective to the position. We embrace her and look forward to the Law Department progressing under her leadership.” Chandler’s previous positions include as vice president for Mirant Corporation and as a partner at Troutman Sanders LLP.
Elizabeth Chandler has been nominated as the new Atlanta City Attorney. |
- Mayor Shirley Franklin recently joined more than 40 international leaders to tackle the issue of gender equality on the local government level during a workshop hosted by CIFAL-Atlanta, the North American affiliate of the United National Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Gender equality was identified as one of eight critical Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by a group of national leaders during a 2000 meeting held at the United Nations. Mayor Franklin currently serves as the chair of the board for CIFAL-Atlanta, and was the host, along with Fulton County Commissioner Nancy Boxill, for this extraordinary workshop.
Last week, Mayor Shirley Franklin (center) joined female leaders from across the globe for the first workshop on “Gender Equality for National and Local Governments.” The workshop was hosted by CIFAL-Atlanta, the only United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in North America.
Mayor Franklin works alongside Fulton County Commissioner, Nancy Boxill (sitting to the right of the mayor) and other female leaders during the first workshop on “Gender Equality for National and Local Governments.” |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- In Atlanta, every day is an opening day … Atlanta’s only outdoor ice skating rink at Centennial Olympic Park is open now through January 7. Admission is $6 per person for a 90-minute session. Skate rentals are $2. A kiddie rink made of synthetic ice allows parents and their children to skate together. For hours and additional information, visit http://www.centennialpark.com/events/ice.html or call 404.222.PARK.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
Email us at citynewsbytes@atlantaga.gov