Page 9 - The MIL Connection: Fall 2024

The MIL Social Committee mission

By: Liza Reed

How important is socializing with your coworkers – does it have an impact on your everyday work life? Socializing with your
work colleagues, on both a professional and personal level can have a positive impact on your perception of the workplace,
office morale, and overall productivity.
MIL’s Social Committees for Charleston, DC, SoMD, and the Gulf Region are responsible for organizing Employee Engagement
Events. We organize social events such as employee mingling/networking events, charity sponsorship/donations, tickets to local
sporting events, award dinners, and family events. These activities and events allow employees to interact with their coworkers
on a completely different level.

Our goals and what we hope to accomplish through these events include:
Charitable Activities
By supporting local charities, MIL provides an opportunity for the staff to support charities
that are near and dear to their hearts. We want to give back and support local charities and
organizations that have a special meaning to our staff and community.
Staff Engagement and Morale
Engaged employees are happy employees. By organizing social activities for both the staff and
their families, we hope it will reinforce the message that MIL is interested in enhancing their
quality of life outside of normal work hours as well. Studies have shown employees with close
friendships at work are twice as engaged as those without. Engaged employees correlates with
and has a direct impact on employee retention, productivity, and company culture.
Enhance Interdepartmental Communication
We can mingle with our own team members; however, it can be difficult to interact with
fellow MIL employees on other teams. And with the current hybrid work model there is
less in-person interaction, even within our own teams. Making it easier for the staff from
different departments to meet and network benefits MIL through increased interdepartmental
communications that extends beyond typical work-related conversation. Making connections
in other areas can help employees learn about new roles, foster camaraderie between different
teams, and help with career development by providing mentorship opportunities. It is much
easier to share feedback or offer advice to someone you have built a solid rapport with and have
invested in the relationship.

Empowerment of Staff to Direct Activities
We consistently ask for feedback, send surveys before and after events, and ask for suggestions
from the staff. We want to make informed decisions on the types of activities we organize by
selecting charities that have meaning for our staff and choosing events that will align with the
interests of the staff. We want the staff to feel empowered and engaged and have a voice in the
activities we organize.
A positive and nurturing work environment leads to more innovation, creativity, and is
not only beneficial to the individual but for the MIL organization as well. Friendships can
strengthen collaboration and team dynamics. Henry Ford said, “Coming together is beginning,
staying together is progress, and working together is success.” We want to live the motto of
People Making the Difference and continuously uphold all the reasons that MIL is the best
place to work.

To submit suggestions for activities and events, offer feedback, or if you want to be part of the
magic and join our committee, please contact Rebecca Helms.

Keep in touch!
K ee p i n t o uc h!

Be sure to follow MIL on Facebook,
Instagram, and LinkedIn.

spring 2024 | the MIL connection | 9
fall 2024 | the MIL connection | 9