How can I thank some US National Parks employes?
May 7, 2011 1:52 PM Subscribe
I just got back from a brilliant fieldwork stint in a remote location - an experience that was made possible due to the assistance of some National Parks employees. What can I do to say thanks?
A group of US National Parks employees (ranging in seniority from ranger to a very senior NP employee) recently invited me to join them for fieldwork in a remote, and scientifically-significant (not to mention stunningly beautiful) location. I paid my own way entirely, but these folks really went beyond the call of duty to help me out in a variety of ways, helping to jump-start the fieldwork component of my current research project.
I'm Australian, and if this happened at home I would take them a case of beer, or invite them to my house for drinks and a bbq. But I only have the vaguest knowledge of the rules and regulations regarding what US government/ National Parks employees can accept, and I suspect that a case of beer etc might be a no-go area.
SO metafites, what is the most appropriate way to say thank you to these NP folks?
A group of US National Parks employees (ranging in seniority from ranger to a very senior NP employee) recently invited me to join them for fieldwork in a remote, and scientifically-significant (not to mention stunningly beautiful) location. I paid my own way entirely, but these folks really went beyond the call of duty to help me out in a variety of ways, helping to jump-start the fieldwork component of my current research project.
I'm Australian, and if this happened at home I would take them a case of beer, or invite them to my house for drinks and a bbq. But I only have the vaguest knowledge of the rules and regulations regarding what US government/ National Parks employees can accept, and I suspect that a case of beer etc might be a no-go area.
SO metafites, what is the most appropriate way to say thank you to these NP folks?
First thing I'd do is send a note praising them (could be email, could be a letter) to whoever their supervisors are - that kind of thing is gold in an employment file. (If you do it by email, copy them. If you do it by letter, you could include a copy with a separate card/note for them.)
If you're looking for a monetary type gift, I'd think that a gift certificate to either a sporting goods store you know they like, or to Amazon if you're not sure would be a good move - that way, they could select something they like. A donation to the relevant park (or maybe whatever the local emergency rescue squad is?) might also be nice, but that feels a bit less personal - if you go this route, I'd definitely send along handwritten notes for each of them.
Or, alternately, if you could send something from Australia that's related to your subject of research/what you did with them, but that's not easy to get in the US, that might be really cool. (For example, a detailed photo album with notes of the equivalent of what you research in Australia, books about the relevant topic from Australian publishers, etc.) Shipping's sort of pricy, but if they're all in one location, and you don't mind it taking a while, it shouldn't be too horrible to send lighter books.
posted by modernhypatia at 2:20 PM on May 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you're looking for a monetary type gift, I'd think that a gift certificate to either a sporting goods store you know they like, or to Amazon if you're not sure would be a good move - that way, they could select something they like. A donation to the relevant park (or maybe whatever the local emergency rescue squad is?) might also be nice, but that feels a bit less personal - if you go this route, I'd definitely send along handwritten notes for each of them.
Or, alternately, if you could send something from Australia that's related to your subject of research/what you did with them, but that's not easy to get in the US, that might be really cool. (For example, a detailed photo album with notes of the equivalent of what you research in Australia, books about the relevant topic from Australian publishers, etc.) Shipping's sort of pricy, but if they're all in one location, and you don't mind it taking a while, it shouldn't be too horrible to send lighter books.
posted by modernhypatia at 2:20 PM on May 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes: notes work wonders, especially when supervisors are cc:ed. My wife was an NPS employee, and used to do this for people who did her favors. She was (and still is, as an academic) happy when people did it in return for her.
The photo album idea is great, too. The parks and employees usually like to keep whatever info they can on what goes on in the parks.
posted by paselkin at 2:56 PM on May 7, 2011
The photo album idea is great, too. The parks and employees usually like to keep whatever info they can on what goes on in the parks.
posted by paselkin at 2:56 PM on May 7, 2011
+1 for the notes to them and their supervisors.
But I also like the idea of inviting them out for a friendly meal. A case of beer is probably a no-go, but I think a dinner out might be ok -- they'll let you know if not.
(But maybe I'm just behind this idea because a dinner out with some awesome parks employees and a visiting Australian researcher sounds like an excellent way to spend an evening right now...)
posted by pantarei70 at 2:59 PM on May 7, 2011
But I also like the idea of inviting them out for a friendly meal. A case of beer is probably a no-go, but I think a dinner out might be ok -- they'll let you know if not.
(But maybe I'm just behind this idea because a dinner out with some awesome parks employees and a visiting Australian researcher sounds like an excellent way to spend an evening right now...)
posted by pantarei70 at 2:59 PM on May 7, 2011
A thoughtful thank you note on nice stationary is the start. I recommend the following format: start with a thank you, "thanks for your support and direction this summer." Follow this with a reference to how this is useful to you: "this experience will allow me too....." Finish with a reference to the experience and your hope to maintain a relationship or network with these people in the future. If you still feel like feeding them or buying them scotch, I'm sure they will be thrilled. I would avoid the email option. You want to show them that you sacrificed your time for them, and a handwritten note indicates such.
posted by isawthat at 3:20 PM on May 7, 2011
posted by isawthat at 3:20 PM on May 7, 2011
Best answer: It is my understanding that federal employees are not allowed to accept gifts with a value larger than $20. Cite. I have had occasion to work with federal employees and they wouldn't even let me buy lunch.
posted by misskaz at 3:28 PM on May 7, 2011
posted by misskaz at 3:28 PM on May 7, 2011
Response by poster: Misskaz, that is exactly what I'm concerned about. I'd love to just invite them out for dinner, but I'm worried that it will cross the line of what federal employees are allowed to accept.
So a little refinement to the question: what are federal employees allowed to accept?
NB. I like the idea of the letters, but I should note that I'm a research fellow (ie. not a grad student or postdoc) - this is a scenario of thanks being extended to a group of professional peers.
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 3:45 PM on May 7, 2011
So a little refinement to the question: what are federal employees allowed to accept?
NB. I like the idea of the letters, but I should note that I'm a research fellow (ie. not a grad student or postdoc) - this is a scenario of thanks being extended to a group of professional peers.
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 3:45 PM on May 7, 2011
Here is everything you ever wanted to know about US Federal Govt gift rules, and more.
posted by yarly at 5:09 PM on May 7, 2011
posted by yarly at 5:09 PM on May 7, 2011
Best answer: I have been in this exact situation. You really can't do more than write them a nice letter. Emphasize how much they helped you with your research. Being a little specific doesn't hurt. If you send it to them and their immediate supervisor, you will do them a significant favour.
The other thing you can do is recognize them in any publication that derives from this work. Inclusion in an Acknowledgment is standard practice for this and only polite. If you feel that they went really above and beyond and/or contributed in a material way, you can consider co-authorship on a paper. In either case, be sure to send them a copy of the publication (or poster, or whatever). They'll be tickled/proud of this too.
Sending a card during the holidays is a nice gesture too. We get cards from (and send cards to) most of our collaborators.
posted by bonehead at 5:54 PM on May 7, 2011 [3 favorites]
The other thing you can do is recognize them in any publication that derives from this work. Inclusion in an Acknowledgment is standard practice for this and only polite. If you feel that they went really above and beyond and/or contributed in a material way, you can consider co-authorship on a paper. In either case, be sure to send them a copy of the publication (or poster, or whatever). They'll be tickled/proud of this too.
Sending a card during the holidays is a nice gesture too. We get cards from (and send cards to) most of our collaborators.
posted by bonehead at 5:54 PM on May 7, 2011 [3 favorites]
Come to think of it, we had t-shirts made for a recent cross-boarder project. People seemed to like that.
posted by bonehead at 6:03 PM on May 7, 2011
posted by bonehead at 6:03 PM on May 7, 2011
Yeah, you can give them food or gifts under $20, but you can also write that thank you and tell them you gave to NPCA in their honor. Doesn't help them directly (so allowed), but it shows that you value the NPS and all they do!
posted by ldthomps at 6:11 PM on May 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ldthomps at 6:11 PM on May 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
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posted by maxim0512 at 1:57 PM on May 7, 2011