Employee of the Month: Rayna Harkness
Our August employee of the month is Rayna Harkness! Read on to learn what initially sparked her interest in working with EA Family Services, how she practices self-care, and more!
How did you come to work with the organization?
My mother-in-law had an EA girls group home. I enjoyed seeing the change in the young ladies that came to the group home, and I wanted to be a part of that. It was great to share with them how to cook, clean, and have fun!
What does your best day on the job look like?
Definitely playing with the little kids, they're so much fun! I love the laughter and smiles they bring into the office.
What do you wish people knew about working in your field?
Being an office manager requires you to wear many different hats. The gardener, lawn ranger, weed whacker/puller, office janitor, and fixer of staplers. Just the other day I took on the duties of an animal control officer. A cat must have been struck by a car on Main Street. He'd found his way through the fence, and expired on the lawn. The local deer population loves the flower beds, so they have to be run off daily to protect our flowers.
How do you practice self-care?
I read my Bible daily, and share it with others. I try to exercise at least five times a week, and I love having fresh veggies from the garden, eggs from our chickens, and home grown beef. I have a flower garden that I love maintaining, that definitely helps me relax.
What's a hidden talent you have, or something about yourself that would surprise most people?
I played the flute for eight years. I haven't played in a while, but I'm pretty certain I could still do my scales! I'm also blessed to live on 1,000 acres. Our family has over 300 cattle that we raise, and I enjoy all the work involved with that. From the winter feeding, spring gathers, branding and doctoring, weening and selling, to shipping in the fall, and I get to do it all while riding a working cow horse! It's so much fun!