You will submit the final research-based persuasive report in TWO parts – a rough draft (3a) and then a final draft (3b). The rough draft is 10% of your grade; the final draft is 25%. You will participate in a peer review of the rough drafts in groups.
You must have no less than 75% (1500 words) of your paper completed for the rough draft submission. The more you have completed, the better.
The final report will be graded on the following criteria.
- Contains the following sections – use the model attached.
- Title page
- Letter or memo of transmittal
- Table of contents
- Executive summary
- BodyClick here for more on this paper.......
- At least TWO visuals to support your proposal
- Conclusions and recommendations
- At least five appropriate sources cited using APA format
- Quotes used sparingly – no more than 10-15% of your total word count may be direct quote
- 2000-3000 words TOTAL – all sections included in the word count from title page to references
- Shows skillful application of persuasive strategies
- Audience appealed to appropriately
- Argument developed well; relevant evidence supports your claims
- Image of credibility establishedClick here for more on this paper.......
- Purpose of each section is clear and well supported
- Organization is clear: separate ideas in separate paragraphs; not organized by source
- Useful headings
- Helpful transitions between/within paragraphsClick here for more on this paper.......
- Each paragraph has clear topic sentence stating main point, focusing the material
- Each paragraph fully supports its topic sentence with very specific material appropriate for thesis, audience: details, examples, reasons, explanations, evidence
- Well-designed graphics that you created, not just copied and pasted from another source
- Sentences are well-written: emphatic, condensed, varied in structure, fluent
- Words are specific, precise, concrete, accurate; voice is consistent and appropriate
- Document is proofread well
- Correct APA citations and reference format
15 - Includes 2000-3000 wordsClick here for more on this paper.......
15 - Follows assigned formatting
60 - Free of grammatical and mechanical errors
25 -Clearly outlines the problem being addressed
25 - Effectively provides solution(s) to solve the problem
20 - Integrates sources into the proposal to support the solution
20 – Includes at least two graphics that effectively support the proposal
20 - Contains no more than 15% direct quote**
20 - Cites five sources; interviews may be used but only ONE interview counts toward the five sources
15 –Cites all sources listed on the references page in the body of the proposal
15 – Cites sources using APA both on the References page and in-text
250 POINTS POSSIBLE
*Any proposal found to contain more than 15% direct quote will be subject to scrutiny for violation of Policy of Academic Integrity and point deduction could be substantially higher depending upon the prevalence of direct quote.
Attachments:Click here for more on this paper.......
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MEMORANDUM OF TRANSMITTAL
To: Roberto Miranda, Director, Office
of Administrative Services
From: Shirley Moore-Hall, Budget Analyst,
Program Office
Date: August 12, 2012
Subject: Proposal to Renovate Restrooms
Thank you for approving my request to research the
need to upgrade the restrooms in headquarters.
My research suggests that renovating the restrooms would be beneficial
to the Agency. The renovations will
provide a safer and healthier environment for staff and visitors.
Although it will cost the Agency immediatelyfor the
renovations, the cost will be minimized since full construction is not
required. This renovation is merely a
makeover to upgrade the current systems.
By upgrading the systems now, the Agency will ultimately recognize a
savings on future utility and supply costs.
There are currently 32 restrooms (4 on each floor)
in the building. The renovations will
cause minor disruptions by using a phased-in approach. Each floor has two restrooms for the ladies
and two restrooms for the men. During
the renovations, one restroom will remain available for the ladies and one will
remain available for the men on each floor.
Attached you will find an executive summary and a
detailed report with my conclusions and recommendations.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Restroom before/after photos ….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
The restrooms in headquarters have not been upgraded
since moving to the building in 1996.
Because of this, the restrooms have become a daily annoyance. So much so, that many employees avoid them
altogether and use outside facilities.
The restrooms are not the worst out there, but definitely need
attention. When observing newer or
upgraded facilities, it is clear that the restrooms in headquarters are
outdated and potentially dangerous.Thetoilets are constantly over-flowing;the
toilet handles oftenstick, causing water to constantly run; water is always on
the sinks and floors from spillage and leaks;and tissues and paper towels are
always on the floor because there are insufficient waste baskets.
Renovating the restrooms to an automated and
touch-less system is urgently needed to prevent the spread of germs and to
reduce the likelihood of injury. The
cleaning department is doing their part in regard to keeping the restrooms
clean. However, with the number of staff and visitors
constantly streaming through the restrooms on any given day, it is impossible
to keep the restrooms tidy. Of course, employees
could do more to help in this endeavor.
They could assist in preventing the spread of germs by washing their
hands. It has been noted that a number of
employees have not recognized the benefit of washing their hands. Others just need reminders to pick up after
themselves. Although employees and
visitors can do more to keep the restrooms clean, we have no control over their
behavior and the plumbing is still an issue.
An automated, touch-less system can lower the chances of passing germs
and will help prevent waste. Water-flow for
toilets and faucets are controlled and therefore, reduce the cost of utility
and supply costs. Controlled water-flow
will also decrease the amount of water on sinks that usually ends up on the
floor and can result in a fall.Click here for more on this paper.......
Click here to have a similar A+ quality paper done for you by one of our writers within the set deadline at a discounted The
renovations should also include removing the doors to the restrooms. Rather, an open entry to the restrooms (same
as the galleys) will provide easier access for persons with disabilities and
one less contaminated surface for passing germs.
Full construction is not required, minimizing the
cost for the renovations. In fact, most
of the existing structure will be used. The
downside to the renovation is the up-front cost and the small disruption to the
staff during the renovations. However, the
benefits far outweigh the downside of renovating so the recommendation is to
move forward with the renovations by: 1)
schedulinga meeting with GSA, Office of Acquisition and Assistance, and the
Chief of Accounts to discuss next steps; and 2) prepare a Statement of Work to
solicit the best contractors for the renovations. A detailed report is attached for your
reference.
RESTROOM
RENOVATIONS IN HEADQUARTERS
INTRODUCTION
The staff in Headquarters moved to a brand new
state-of- the-art building in 1996. This
move brought staff together that were located in various buildings into one
location, one with eight floors, four restrooms on each floor, and a galley or
kitchenette on each floor. Since that
time, the staffing level in headquarters has tripled(SeeFigure 1 - Staff Chart).After
16 years of use and with the increase in staff, the restrooms in headquarters
need to be renovated. By renovating the
restrooms, there will be a better working environment for employees. Morale will increase and the Agency will realize
a cost-savings as outlined in this proposal.
Figure 1 – ChartClick here for more on this paper.......
Morale
The average employee spends 40 or more hours working
at headquarters each week. Renovating
the restrooms will show the staff that you value their dedication and will
in-turn increase morale. Millàn (2012) notes that
“Restrooms not only have to serve an obvious functional need, but if done right
can also support an organization’s culture and present facility managers as
forward thinking, understanding their employees and visitors as whole people”
(p. 1). With so many employees using
the restrooms, it is difficult for the cleaning department to keep the
restrooms tidy. Water constantly runs on
the sinks. The soap dispensers are broken, leak, or are in need of
refills. In addition, toilets are
constantly running, or clogged.Click here for more on this paper.......
Click here to have a similar A+ quality paper done for you by one of our writers within the set deadline at a discounted A number
of our staff, including myself, would rather use the public restrooms in the
lobby of our building than use the restrooms in our suites. Although these are public restrooms, they are
well lit, decorated nicely, and clean.
The public restrooms are equipped with touch-less toilets and faucets,
providing a cleaner environment. Renovating the restrooms is not just about
appearance. Denver based consulting firm
President (Frank 2003) agrees that “it all has to be touch-less” (p. 19). A touch-less restroom facility provides a
healthier environment. Also, a study
conducted by Georgia Pacific Corp, an Atlanta based paper-product giant, found
that “twenty percent of respondents grab a paper towel before touching fixtures,
forty percent push the flush lever with their feet, and sixty percent don’t
touch anything as a matter of policy” (p. 19).
It is imperative that the restrooms be upgraded to provide a healthy andenvironmentally
friendly facility for employees.
Health
The first defense in promoting a healthy environment
is to encourage staff to wash their hands.
Numerous signs, in the restrooms as well as the outside corridors, note
that washing your hands will prevent the spread of germs. However, many employees ignore this advice. Entering
the restrooms requires touching the doors, retrieving paper towels requires
touching the lever, flushing the toilet requires touching the handle, turning
the water on requires touching the faucet handles. Each time these surfaces are touched, germs
are transferred. Click here for more on this paper.......
Click here to have a similar A+ quality paper done for you by one of our writers within the set deadline at a discountedThis means that if the
person has a cold, for example, their germs are now on the paper towel
dispenser and the next person that touches that dispenser gets sick. As you are aware, once one person catches a
cold or flu, it spreads. Recent news
reports have suggested that the common cold and other diseases are passed, not
through the air, but through person-to-person touch or from touching
contaminated surfaces. Hundreds of hands
are touching these surfaces on a daily basis providing an enormous amount of
cross-contamination.
Touch-less restrooms would help prevent the spread
of germs and promote a healthy environment for employees. Instead of using manual dispensers, where
each person has to touch the handles, it would be better to have blow-dryers or
at least touch-less paper towel dispensers.Also, touch-lessfaucets are ideal
for cutting down, if not eliminating, cross contamination.Hundreds of hands are
touching these surfaces on a daily basis providing an enormous amount of
cross-contamination. By upgrading to a
touch-less system, the environment will be healthier and cleaner.According to
Yetzer (2001), “automatic faucets, which operate on batteries or by infrared
sensing, also reduce the amount of bacteria lurking around the bathroom” (p. 62). Click here for more on this paper.......
Click here to have a similar A+ quality paper done for you by one of our writers within the set deadline at a discountedInstalling blow dryers or touch-less paper
towel dispensers will significantly reduce the number of paper towels found on
counters and floors. Can we all do more
to keep the restrooms clean?
Absolutely! Each person who
visits the facility has the responsibility to clean up after themselves. If a
paper towel is dropped on the floor, (usually when aiming for the trashcan) it
should be picked up.Upgrading to a touch-less system will add to an
eco-friendly environment.Doors to the restrooms could be eliminated. Not only would there be one less surface to
contact, it would be beneficial to those with disabilities.
Persons
with Disabilities
Currently, each restroom is equipped with a handicap
button to open the restroom door. There
are two problems with this function:
1) The
buttons or door controls are always out-of-order; and
2) The
buttons provide another contaminated surface to touch
Up-to-date
restrooms generally provide an open space so there are no doors or buttons to
push. When the buttons do not operate
properly, it prohibits entering the restrooms safely for all employees, but
especially those that have disabilities.Click here for more on this paper.......
Click here to have a similar A+ quality paper done for you by one of our writers within the set deadline at a discounted
This impediment was recognized for the galleys and when they were
renovated, the doors were removed.There are no longer any doors on either side
so entering and exiting the galley is easy for everyone, but especially thoseon
crutches and/or wheelchairs. The same
concept can be used for the restrooms; although, a privacy wall or border would
be needed. This is how many public
restrooms are being constructed: Giant Food Stores, Wal-Mart, movie theatres, and
other renovated or constructed spaces, for example, no longer provide a door to
the restrooms. Instead, anextended wall in
front of the entrance or hallway provides privacy to the interior restrooms. This concept could work in headquarters since
each restroom has an exterior wall and door and an interior wall and door. The doors can be removed with some type of
finishing to make the openings smooth and attractive, but no major construction
would be required to adapt this concept.
Removing the doors eliminates one less surface for contamination and
provides easier and safer access for all employees, but especially those with
disabilities.
SafetyClick here for more on this paper.......
Doors
that do not function properly can be a hazard to anyone, but especially to
those who might need the assistance of a cane or crutches. If the doors are not adjusted correctly, they
can be too loose or too tight: too loose and they can swing too wide and hit
someone on the other side; too tight, you have to struggle to open the
door. Employees may have briefcases or
notebooks in hand may be challenged to open the doors when they are not
functioning properly. By eliminating the
doors, it is much safer for all entering and exiting the restrooms.
The
touch-less faucets and paper towel dispensers not only provide a healthier
environment, but a safer environment as well.
Having controlled faucets, decreases the amount of water on sinks that
ultimately ends up on the floor for slippage.
Wet paper towels on the floor can also be a hazard. This brings us to the last point which is the
cost of renovating the restrooms.
Cost-benefit AnalysisClick here for more on this paper.......
Renovating
the restrooms may sound costly, but willactually save the Agency resources in
the long-run. According to the Federal
Energy Management Program website, “federal sites are required to purchase
WaterSence labeled or equivalent private faucets and showerheads per the
instructions for implementing Executive Order 13423” (p.1). Renovating the restrooms will save the
Agency on energy and supply costs. In
addition, if an employee injures themselves because of these faulty conditions,
a law suit would be imminent. Renovating
the restrooms is the most economical approach.
It may not eliminate a future law suit, but the chances of a law suit
are greatly reduced. For example, in an
article entitled, “Talking Dirty”,Fowler notes that “many of these systems can
be installed without changing your existing dispensers with easy-to-use
retrofitting equipment provided by the manufacturer” (2000).
It
would be possible to save up to 50 percent on paper towels depending on the
choice of blow dryers or touch-less paper towel dispensers. The touch-less paper towel dispenser can be a
saver because the dispenser releases one sheet at a time. The touch-less faucet has a sensor and only
dispenses water when an object is positioned under the sensor.Click here for more on this paper.......
Click here to have a similar A+ quality paper done for you by one of our writers within the set deadline at a discounted The flow of water streaming from the faucets is
also controlled which cuts down on utility costs as well as waste. In a feature Article on the benefits of
restroom automation, Lewis (2005) notes that automatic faucets save water and
this feature is not just for the conservationists, but also for the budget-
conscious” (p. 39). Touch-less toilets work the same way. No handles for employees to pull on that
occasionally stick and water continues to run.Sensor’s automatically flush the
toilets, providing another sanitary and cost-effective measure. One of the Agency’s goals is to provide clean
water to areas where there is no water or water is contaminated. Many of the Agency’s Employees work on the
water program and recognize the benefits of saving on the consumption of water. Because many of the employees are working on
the water and other health programs, we can show that the Agency does not just
talk the talk, but walk the walk.”
Construction optionsClick here for more on this paper.......
Since full construction is not
required, renovations to the restrooms can be accomplished easierthan the
galley renovation. There is only one
galley per floor so staff had to use the galley on other floors. This was an inconvenience (although
temporary) for all. However, because
full construction is not required and there are multiple restrooms on each
floor, a phased in approach will work.
There are twenty-four restrooms with four restrooms on each floor. Out of the four, two are for women and two
are for men. Construction should be
limited to two restrooms leaving one restroom available for women and one for
men at all times. Following this
approach for each floor, all the restrooms could be renovated during the same
timeframe.
CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATION
The restrooms in headquarters should be upgraded
immediately. Due to the economy,
government agencies are being encouraged to streamline costs. Renovating the restrooms now will assist in
this endeavor and save the Agency on costs in the long-run. Automaticfaucets, toilets, blow dryers, towel
dispensers, and lights are guaranteed to provide a cost savings in utility and
supply costs. In addition, implementing
these measures promotes a healthy environment for employees. Based on the above
research, it is recommended that:1)Click here for more on this paper.......
Click here to have a similar A+ quality paper done for you by one of our writers within the set deadline at a discounted a meeting is scheduled with GSA, Office of
Acquisition and Assistance, and the Chief of Accounts to discuss next steps;
and 2) a Statement of Work is prepared to solicit the best contractors for the
renovations.
REFERENCES
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Eliminating
the Human Touch. (2003). Chain Store
Age. 2(1). 19.Click here for more on this paper.......
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Federal
Energy Management Program. (2011). Best
Management Practice: Faucets and Showerheads. Retrieved 8 August 2012, from
http://ww1.eere.engergy.gov/femp/program/waterefficiency_bmp7.html
Eyde
Company. (2012). Restroom photograph.http://www.eyde.com/news/article/renovations-open-to-great-reviews-at-eyde-corporate-headquarters
Fowler,J.W.
(2000).Talking Dirty.Journal of Property
Management, 65(6),44.
Lewis,
M.M. (2005) Benefits of Restroom Automation Touchless Technology promotes
facility’s sanitation-and image. Nursing
Homes-Washington Then Cleveland, 54(7), 36-39.
Millàn,
N. (2012, March). Restroom Redesign: Benefits for Facility Managers. Retrieved
from http://www.facilitiesnet.com/PlumbingRestrooms/article/Restroom-Redesign-Benefits-for-Facility-Managers--13092
Yetzer,
E. (2001). Companies offer products that conserve water, labor. Hotel & Motel Management, 216(10),62.
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