Regular external communication with your customers and ongoing internal communication with your staff is important to build positive relationships. Many times, you’ll have your own content to convey, but if you’re at a loss for what to say or write, take advantage of observances.

 
Observances can be a day, week, or month long. There are state, national, and world observances. Some are more serious in nature; others are light-hearted. Use observances to pass along valuable information, to provide recognition to public utility workers, or to just have a little fun.
 
You might want to check for observances a quarter, or at least a month, ahead of when they happen. That way, you can plan ahead for how you might want to observe them. Often times, organizations have materials that you can use for op-ed submissions, media releases, proclamations, social media posts, images, videos, and more.
 
Organizations such as the American Public Gas Association, American Public Power Association, and the American Waterworks Association have information on their sites related to observances for those specific utilities.
 
For example, here is a link to the APGA’s page on Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day, which is held yearly on March. 18. (Put it on your calendar; it will be here before you know it.) On the page, you’ll find a logo, video, proclamation, sample op-ed piece, sample press release, and sample social media posts and images.
 
Here is a link to some fun observances: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/year-at-a-glance/. Find at least one or two days to observe each month. You can also get creative in how to tie in a utility message.
 
Be sure to check IAMU’s Facebook Page regularly, too. We often include social media posts related to observances. You’re always free to share them. In fact, we would love for you to share them.