Happy Friday from #OneUtah, a weekly update from the office of Gov. Spencer J. Cox. Here’s your recap of what we did this week, what's on the horizon, and more. Reply to this email with any questions or suggestions regarding the newsletter. And thank you for subscribing!

A new state flag

It’s official! Last week we were honored to join the Utah Symbols Commission, the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, the Utah State Flag Task Force, Sen. Dan McCay, former Rep. Steve Handy and more for a ceremonial flag raising of our new state flag at the Capitol. 

Like many states, Utah has a wonderful historic flag that showcases our state seal. We love the rich history of our state that the historic flag represents and glad it will continue to fly at the Capitol. 

We’re proud of the work that went into designing the new flag; the public input and guidance was instrumental. The Beehive Flag is a symbol of our beautiful state with its red rocks, blue skies, snow-capped mountains and, of course, the beehive, a symbol of our industry and cooperative spirit. View photos from the ceremony here.

Spirit of Service

We’re excited to announce the third annual Governor’s Spirit of Service Award! Like so many Utahns, we are constantly looking for opportunities to listen, learn from one another and improve people’s lives. The goal of the Governor’s Spirit of Service Award is to recognize individuals and groups who are making a difference in our community through acts of service. 

Service is an integral part of our administration – and a core part of who we are as people. Utah leads the nation in volunteerism, and there are so many of you engaged in important service work that too often goes unnoticed. So we want to recognize you!

Our third annual “Governor’s Spirit of Service Award” will be given to four individuals and four organizations at an award ceremony this fall. To nominate an individual or organization doing extraordinary service, please fill out this form. We will be accepting nominations through April 30, 2024.

Feed Utah Day

Tomorrow – Saturday, March 16 – is the annual Feed Utah Food Drive with the Utah Food Bank! We were honored to kick off this annual event that helps so many Utahns this week. 

No family should have to choose between a roof over their head or food on their table, but unfortunately, 317,000 Utahns and one in 10 Utah children are at risk of missing a meal today. 

Please support the Utah Food Bank and members of our community facing hunger by filling a bag with non-perishable food items. Be sure to leave it next to your front door tomorrow by 9 a.m. and volunteers will pick it up! Read our declaration for “Feed Utah Day” here.

Social Media Town Hall

We took to social media this week to answer questions asked by you, the people of Utah! In our first Virtual Town Hall of 2024 we discussed a wide variety of topics including water, litter, immigration, housing and more. Watch the full town hall here, and stay tuned for our next Virtual Town Hall this summer!

A Meeting with the Delegation from Vietnam

On Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and her team met with Hoang Anh Tuan, Ambassador of Vietnam, and his team. Utah and Vietnam are leaders in the high-tech sector, including in the development and manufacturing of semiconductors. They talked about the many opportunities of working together in the future. See pictures of the event here.

Governor’s Award for Excellence Highlight

Each week, we’re highlighting a state employee who was recently awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence. This week we’re recognizing Laraib Sial with the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.

Laraib has been a pillar of the GOEO office for the past seven years. She started with the office as an intern, progressed to team analyst and then team lead and is currently the Compliance Director. During this time Laraib worked closely with her peers to build policies and procedures including the training use of those procedures. Her reputation for quality work and attention to detail have allowed those in our office and external partners to have confidence in the work product. This past year she has taken on a new role as the Compliance Director and is thriving. She developed the audit sample standard which is used to meet state and federal requirements while giving greater weight to higher risk areas. She pursued a Master’s Degree in Accounting and has also achieved her CPA designation while working full time for the office. Her team looks up to her and respects her because she has taken the time to walk the path she is now having them walk.

Thank you, Laraib, for your dedication to the state of Utah. Keep up the great work! To read about the Governor’s Awards for Excellence, click here. 

ICYMI

• Great to be at the Women Tech Council’s SheTech Explorer Day this week! This is a special occasion where young women from around the state can interact with business professionals and role models who want to help women in STEM. Congratulations on the largest SheTech ever! View photos here.

• We’re still in the bill signing period! Keep track of what bill’s we’ve signed into law here.

Coming up

Get involved!

Looking for a new job opportunity? From great employee benefits to versatile work schedules, the career opportunities with the state are truly endless. Join Team Utah today! 

Those looking to volunteer can also consider more than 300 boards and commissions. Find out which openings are available and how you can get involved here!

Get in touch!