Employee Newsletter October 1, 2007 Real Lives. Real lmpact. 2007 United Way campaign is beginning Submitted by Mary Posing, co-chair of the United Way campaign The annual fund drive for United Way of Kankakee County is beginning with a Denim Day this week and an official kickoff event next week. Donate dollars, wear jeans & help United Way A Dollars for Denim jeans day will be on Friday, Oct. 5 at KCC. If you are interested in helping the United Way carry out their numerous charitable programs, and you want to wear jeans to work, bring your $5 donation to me, Mary Posing, in Corporate and Continuing Education. Participants will receive a sticker to wear on Oct. 5 to show they have donated to United Way and that they have the right to wear denim jeans on that day. All money collected will go directly to the United Way of Kankakee County. United Way kickoff event This year, the United Way of Kankakee County has set a goal to raise $1 million and your help is needed to reach it. I invite everyone at KCC to make a positive impact on our community by making a donation to United Way through payroll deduction, one-time cash, check or credit card gift. Donations support 44 health and human service programs provided by 24 member agencies in the county. The KCC United Way kickoff will be Thursday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cavalier Room. This year's kickoff will feature two new raffles. "We want to encourage staff who have not donated to the campaign in the past, to make a donation this year," stated David Cagle, campaign co-chair. "By doing so, they will be entered into a separate 'first timers' raffle making them eligible to win valuable prizes." In addition, we are offering staff who increase their pledge by at least $1 per pay period to be placed in a separate raffle with a number of fabulous prizes. With your support, we can fund programs that make a difference in the lives of community residents. For more information about United Way or the fund drive, contact me, Mary Posing, at ext. 8202 or David Cagle at ext. 8128. Quick links Campus Events Food Service Menu KCC Job Openings Update Archives Safety tip The following safety tip was provided by the Kankakee County Sheriff's Police. Tips are being provided every two weeks. Tip 9: When approaching or being overtaken by an emergency vehicle with it's emergency equipment operating, please pull to the right side of the roadway and stop. After allowing the emergency vehicle to pass, signal and safely resume your trip. Next for AQIP: prep for new Systems Portfolio The AQIP process is continuing as members of the AQIP Leadership Team are now beginning to work with people across campus on the next Systems Portfolio in preparation for a reaccreditation decision from the Higher Learning Commission in November 2008.
There are nine AQIP categories to be addressed in the Systems Portfolio, and each category has a category manager and a member of the President's Cabinet or an AQIP co-chair. The nine categories are Helping Students Learn, Accomplishing Distinctive Objectives, Understanding Students/Other Stakeholders' Needs, Valuing People, Leading and Communicating, Supporting Institutional Operations, Measuring Effectiveness, Planning Continuous Improvement and Building Collaborative Relationships. Between now and February 2008, the category managers will be seeking information from people around the college to create the Systems Portfolio. Information on upcoming holidays and options Floating holidays All full-time supportive staff and administrators with fringe benefits may select one of the following dates to use as a "floating" holiday: Oct. 8, 2007; Nov. 9, 2007; or Feb. 18, 2008. Each employee must notify the human resources office of which date he/she plans to use. Administrators will fill out an absence from work report after the day is used; supportive staff will mark "H" on their payroll time sheets. "Coordination within departments is key in order to maintain proper coverage," said David Cagle, director of human resources. There are two options for notifying the human resources office of how the people within each department will utilize the floating holidays. Option 1 is to provide a listing of employees within a department or office area along with each person's chosen date. Option 2 is for individuals to turn in a vacation request form where "vacation" is crossed out and "floating holiday" is written in. Winter break The KCC campus will be closed from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1 for winter break. Just like last year, full-time support staff and administrators do not have to use vacation, comptime or other methods to account for any of the days during winter break. Anyone with questions regarding the holiday schedule and options should contact David Cagle at ext. 8128 or e- mail dcagle@kcc.edu. Sculptors coming to present their ideas Two sculptors will make one-hour presentations about their careers and artwork as part of the process to select new art for campus. On Wednesday, Oct. 3, sculptors Ed McCullough and Evan Lewis will make one hour presentations about their careers and artwork in Room R116 in the Arts and Sciences Building. McCullough will present at 10:30 a.m. and Lewis will present at 1 p.m. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend. Lewis' works include kinetic, wind-powered art, primarily metal, mostly in stainless steel and aluminum. Several of Lewis' sculptures were featured in the 1996 movie "Twister." McCullough's sculptures also are primarily metal. Around Illinois,
his art is on display at locations including Dominican University in River Forest, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the KCC campus. Both artists are being considered for a sculpture commission at KCC as part to the Capital Development Board's Art-in-Architecture Program. The Art-in-Architecture Program commissions Illinois artists to complete artwork for public buildings constructed with state funds. Following the presentations, one artist will be selected by a KCC committee. Weighing in on Weigh In... Weight Off Submitted by Michelle Driscoll, contest coordinator It is now the third week of the Weigh In... Weight Off contest and I hope teams continue to be energized by their individual and team progress. Here is what is happening with the contest this week and in the near future: On three days this week, there will be free cholesterol and blood pressure screening (check schedule below for which tests are available which days). To participate in the cholesterol screening, you must fast for eight to 10 hours beforehand. The schedule is: -- Monday, Oct. 1 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in Room V116, offering both blood pressure and cholesterol screenings; --Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 9 to 11 a.m. in Room S103, offering blood pressure screenings; and --Wednesday, Oct. 3 in from 8 to 10 a.m. in Room S110/S112, offering cholesterol screenings. Beginning this week, team leaders will receive wellness notebooks to record and track daily progress and fitness successes. Food intake and fitness plans also can be recorded. When they arrive on campus, the notebooks will be distributed to team leaders. The team leaders will be responsible for communicating to team members and giving them out. Finally, Id like to share my story for wanting to lose some weight. My hope is that others will share their reasons in future weeks. The idea to begin this contest started when I spoke with my brother about attending my 20 year high school reunion next year. My brother is one year older than me and he knew most of my class, so he wanted to know if he could go with me. After this discussion, I thought about how we both have changed over the years, especially physically. My brother has gained several pounds because he has been diabetic since age 14. I recognized that while he has had difficulty with his weight due to his illness, I really had no valid excuse. I wanted something to help motivate me, but I also wanted support in this quest... and the idea for the contest was formulated. Since this contest has begun, I have been approached several times by contest participants thanking me for giving them an opportunity to find a supportive environment to lose weight. I'm thrilled to see so many people participating and to hear such positive comments. Please help encourage and support team participants as we all work toward achieving our goals. Show poetry skills -- applications now available
Those who enjoy writing poetry are invited to submit entries for the KCC Invited Guest Poetry Reading. Chosen poets will read their poems in an open setting from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19 at KCC. Entries will be accepted from all community residents. "Poetry is thoughts and feelings that move to a beat," said Dorothy Wright of Kankakee, a KCC poetry student. A classmate, Nicholas Elfering of Kankakee, also gave his viewpoint that poetry is "the process of placing a piece of one's soul upon paper." Alicia Johnson of Ashkum, another KCC poet, encourages people to participate in order "to feel that others appreciate your writing as much as you do." More than one submission will be accepted from each poet, but each entry must include a separate submission form. Entries will be accepted by e-mail, mail and hand delivery. Submission deadline is Oct. 20, and selected poets will be contacted the week of Nov. 5. For more details about the event, or to receive an electronic copy of the submission form, e-mail Penelope Stickney, KCC writing professor, at pstickney@kcc.edu. Disney reps coming to look for interns A recruitment day for current college students to apply to the Walt Disney World College Program Spring 2008 internships will take place at KCC on Thursday, Oct. 11. Students selected for the program will have the opportunity to live, work and learn at Walt Disney Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. KCC currently has three students participating in the Walt Disney World College Program for the Fall 2007 semester. A presentation on the program will be at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in KCC's Iroquois Room. To take part in the interviews, students must first attend the presentation in the Iroquois Room. For more information, phone Kim Harpin at KCC, at ext. 8472 or e- mail kharpin@kcc.edu. Get ready, Hoopla time almost here It's October, and the retail world is preparing for the holiday shopping season. The traditional kickoff--at least at KCC--to the holiday season is the Homespun Holiday Hoopla. The Hoopla is an extravaganza showcasing homemade items from KCC employees and their close relatives. The 19th annual Hoopla will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 in the Board Room and adjacent President's Conference Room. To reserve a booth at the show or for more information, contact Cathy Collings at ext. 8206 or Ellen Skelly at ext. 8279, or e-mail Cathy or Ellen. Last year, craft sales topped $900 dollars, not including special order items for later delivery. Entry deadline is Oct. 30. Equal access--note takers Submitted by Sherry Kinzler,coordinator/interpreter for Learning Services
Note takers are a common accommodation for students with a variety of disabilities. However, KCC does not pay note takers. It is the responsibility of the student to ask the instructor to help identify possible note takers, if necessary, or to make arrangements to get copies of the instructors notes. This does not mean the students should not pay attention during class. The Special Populations office encourages students to make an effort to take some notes himself or herself to reinforce the note-taking skills. Carbonless notebooks are available, free of charge, to students qualified for this service. Invitation extended to Art Stroll The Community Arts Council of Kankakee County will transform the 100 block of North Schuyler Avenue in downtown Kankakee for a Fall Art Stroll from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7. Dozens of professional visual artists and musicians will be on hand displaying their works and performing. Other artists scheduled include architects and landscape designers, glass blowers, quilters photographers and jewelers. Local arts organizations also will be represented and the Friends of the Kankakee Public Library will hold a used book sale. Fall-themed landscaping at the north and south entrances will guide visitors to exhibits and performers located in tents along the street. Included will be booths with kids art projects. Another attraction will be sidewalk cafes serving sandwiches, desserts and seasonal fruits. The event is free. For more information visit www.communityartscouncil.org or call (815) 933-ARTS. Rehmpke@kcc.edu Forward email Email Marketing by This email was sent to rehmpke@kcc.edu, by rehmpke@kcc.edu Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe Privacy Policy. Kankakee Community College 100 College Drive Kankakee IL 60901