I think the Grinch stole Christmas in our organization!     Not really, however, with all the budget cuts, I think our Christmas planning this year will be very slim.  I am not ordering Christmas cards, and our annual party has been slimmed down to a reception.  No gift cards for the employees either, but I think we are all thankful to have our jobs! 

The title is all about perception and we want the respect we deserve.  I work for the president of a once 'rural' hospital, and when I was hired, the position was posted as "executive secretary".  After about a year, I learned the system and my boss, so I approached him and suggested my title be changed from executive secretary to Assistant to the President.  He was very receptive and told me "we do need to catch up with the times".   I also serve as Secretary to the Board of Directors and that title remained the same.  Once my title changed, I gained more respect among the employees and the community. 

You work long, hard hours and you have to learn to speak up for yourself - no one is going to do it for you!   You just have to ask. 

You could always invite someone from another department to come to your meeting and do an inservice or an educational piece.  I will also set up time for a "safety check" in our department,  check equipment, discuss any 'fishy' business that might be taking place, etc.  In today's society, you cannot ignore the little things.