NO RT H CA RO L IN A OF F IC E O F STATE HUM AN RESOURCES
Fourth Quarter 2018
State Employees Volunteer to Boost Hurricane Recovery
Governor’s Awards for Excellence
Making Wellness Work: Resolutions
Meet the Secretary Larry Hall Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Message from THE
DIR ECTOR We are proud to celebrate Veterans Day and all that the
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs does every day to support our state’s active military, veterans and their families. In this issue’s Meet the Secretary feature, I learned a great deal about what inspires DMVA Secretary Larry Hall and his team to work so hard on their behalf and to keep North Carolina’s military bases strong. (Spoiler alert: It has a little something to do with a hero dad who jumped out of airplanes and a mentor mom who pushed him and his siblings toward academic success and a life of service.) Be sure to spend some time poring over the stories and photos that show generous state employees volunteering in communities hard hit by Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael. In the spirit of “neighbor helping neighbor,” an additional 16 hours of Community Service Leave was awarded to all full-time permanent employees to encourage them to volunteer their time and talent to support recovery efforts.
Barbara Gibson
I had the opportunity to visit Bunnlevel in Harnett County, which was swamped by floodwaters from the Little River. I toured work sites with Phil Addison, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church and local coordinator for Baptists on Mission. The devastation was stunning, but the tireless dedication of volunteers to help residents recover was deeply inspiring. If you can volunteer to help people who have lost so much in these storms, talk to your supervisor about using Community Service Leave. Remember, the current allocation of up to 40 hours will expire on Dec. 31.
Barbara Gibson with Phil Addison, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Harnett County
If you’re looking for a special outing with family and friends during the holiday season, be sure to check out the behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to transform the state’s many historic and cultural sites into scenes of wintry wonder. Employees and volunteers devote countless hours to decorating these Department of Natural and Cultural Resources facilities each season. Visit their online guide to learn about opportunities to take in special exhibits and delight in holiday splendor.
Since we may not connect again until 2019, allow me to send the best wishes of the entire Office of State Human Resources for safe and happy holidays – and sincere thanks for all you to do help state government provide essential services and resources to all who call North Carolina home.
Barbara Gibson, Director Office of State Human Resources
Review and Update Your Personal Data When was the last time you checked the My Personal Information tab in the Integrated HR Payroll System (formerly
known as BEACON)? Just as the time change is a reminder to change batteries in our home smoke alarms, the Office of State Human Resources suggests that state employees use annual Open Enrollment – which just concluded on Oct. 31 – as a reminder to check their information and make any needed updates. If you haven’t done so already, checking and updating your personal data takes just a few minutes. Start by logging into the Integrated HR Payroll System portal. Select the My Data tab (top left of screen), then review entries in My Personal Information. Ensure that all fields have information that is current and correctly spelled. Note that the Office of the State Controller just added a county field to the Address link. Your county should auto-populate in this field but check to ensure that it is accurate. Complete and correct addresses are needed to issue W-2 forms in early 2019. Before closing out of the system, be sure to verify details for your emergency contact(s). Update as needed and, importantly, save any information that has changed.
Host Families Needed for Governor’s Page Program
The Governor’s Page Program is looking for state employees or others who can house Governor’s Pages for the three nights they are in Raleigh (Monday through Wednesday). Each time there is a need, the potential hosts would receive an email to see who can help that week. The Governor’s Pages receive a stipend. From this money, the Page pays $100 to the host for housing and meals, including breakfast and dinner. If you are interested in helping these high school achievers from farther regions learn and volunteer with the state, complete a Page Host Application, or email govpage@nc.gov.
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After Hurricane Florence H ELPI NG PUT LIVES BAC K TOG ETH ER
State employees in agencies across North Carolina have responded to
Governor Cooper’s call to volunteer to help people impacted by Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael. They have done everything from pull river-soaked insulation from under flooded homes to tear out floor boards and dispose of fouled personal possessions; cook and feed meals to hundreds of displaced residents, first responders and other volunteers; and collect and distribute tons of donated cleaning and rebuilding supplies, food and household goods. In the spirit of “neighbor helping neighbor,” rules about Community Service Leave (CSL) have been temporarily expanded and an additional 16 hours of CSL has been provided to permanent, full-time state employees. The goal was to make it easier for state employees to apply their time and talent to volunteer work that will help hard-hit communities recover. Remember that the current allocation of up to 40 hours of CSL expires on Dec. 31. Talk to your supervisor in advance of volunteering to ensure that you may apply CSL. If you need help identifying a volunteer opportunity, visit the Governor’s Commission on Volunteering and Community Service, also known as VolunteerNC, or call 919-814-2000.
Stories on the following pages were contributed by the featured agencies. Writers include:
Maggie Bizzell, advisor for strategic communications for the Department of Information Technology Angella Dunston, director of communications and government relations for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Chena Flood, director of the Division of Non-Public Education, Department of Administration Beth Gargan, deputy secretary for communications and external affairs for the Department of Commerce Schorr Johnson, director of public affairs for the Department of Revenue Jamie Kritzer, assistant communications director for the Department of Transportation Jill Warren Lucas, communications director for the Office of State Human Resources Tricia Smith, public information officer for the Division of Marine Fisheries, Department of Environmental Quality Michele Walker, public information officer for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
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Department of Information Technology Jon Minshew is the chief customer officer for the
Department of Information Technology. He volunteered with the Baptists on Mission local chapter in Lumberton and was paired with a demolition group of nine people from Polkville Baptist Church. The team was assigned worksheets pertaining to work that hurricane survivors needed to be done at their residence. Projects ranged from patching a hole in a roof to completely clearing out someone’s home. Minshew’s groups was first assigned to the home of a single mother who needed soggy sheetrock to be removed. Minshew and the crew tore out sheetrock in two places so that the roof rafters could be treated for mold. Next, they traveled to the home of an elderly couple, which had been totally flooded and had sheetrock damage that needed to be removed due to mold and water
damage. As part of the process, sheetrock was removed to a level of four feet from the floor and throughout the entire home. Minshew and the group also removed all of the couple’s damaged belongings as well as flooring and insulation so that the home could be treated for mold. The couple’s entire belongings were damaged and had to be placed on the curb to be picked up by waste management.
John Minshew tears out ruined floor boards in a flood-damaged home in Lumberton and helps another volunteer carry the homeowner’s ruined personal possessions to the curb for trash collection.
“When you see devastation on TV, it is nothing compared to being there in person and seeing every home on the street being emptied,” said Minshew. “It was humbling to see this devastation up close, and everyone is going to need all of the help they can get. I am very thankful to have met and worked alongside the folks from Polkville Baptist. To see people who care so much and give so effortlessly really inspires to do more for the community.”
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Department of Commerce When Ebony Rogers read the email from Governor Cooper encouraging state
Ebony Rogers
Once that task was completed, they transitioned to helping elderly people complete paperwork and obtain needed supplies.
employees to volunteer to assist with storm recovery efforts, she responded immediately. The receptionist for the office of Secretary Anthony Copeland chose the Brunswick County Family Assistance program to volunteer with because much of her family resides in the stormbattered county.
“When people came in to the recovery site, I refused to treat them like a number,” Rogers said. “Each one of those people was family to me while I worked with them. We hugged, laughed, and lifted each other up.” After seeing the devastation all around her in Brunswick County, Rogers vowed she’ll be back. “This experience made my urge to support this community in any way I can even stronger,” said Rogers, who could see the big impact that even small acts of kindness could make. “I truly support this initiative and as Volunteers sorted a massive pile of long as there is a supplies donated to relief efforts in need I will be there Brunswick County. for service.”
“I knew that this opportunity would give my son a sense of community, knowing that he is playing a part in healing the area where he grew up,” Rogers said. “I also chose Brunswick County because they were one of the hardest hit areas in the state, and I want the residents there to know that people in Wake County care about what they’re going through and want to help. We’re willing to do whatever it takes and however long it takes to help serve and rebuild.” When Rogers and her 16-year old son, Marcus, arrived in Leland on Oct. 17, they spent the morning unloading and sorting water, baby formula, toiletries and food items.
Ebony Rogers (center, black shirt) joined a group of tired but happy volunteers. “We hugged, laughed and lifted each other up,” she said.
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Governor Cooper Leads Volunteer Efforts
Governor Cooper encourages North Carolinians to volunteer to help people impacted by Hurricane Florence. In the weeks since the storm, he has traveled to hard-hit areas to work with and thank volunteers. Pictured above, he volunteered with Baptists on Mission in New Bern on Sept. 17 to pass out hot meals to storm survivors.
Department of Administration The staff from the Division of Non-Public Education in the Department of Administration volunteered to support recovery efforts in Lumberton on Oct. 8. The community was selected because Michelle Moore, program coordinator for the division, was once a resident of Lumberton. When Moore expressed a desire to help those affected by Hurricane Florence, DNPE contacted the international aid organization Operation Blessing. The team was assigned to a feeding operation at West Lumberton Baptist Church, where they assisted with preparation of lunch meals and distribution to families.
Deanna Robinson, Marcus Anderson, Kristy Daughtry, Chena Flood and Michelle Moore of the Division of Non-Public Education (from left).
The team also spent time speaking with many people who were immediately impacted by the storm. Survivors not only received a hot meal and fellowship but also cleaning supplies and non-perishable food. “It was a great effort,” Flood said. “People were appreciative of the aid being provided by Operation Blessing and volunteers from around the state and beyond.”
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Staff from DEQ’s Wilmington Regional Office were dubbed FishCutters Tree Service by grateful residents. From left: Joe Facendola; Brent Fodrie (friend); Casey Knight; Andrea Perry (kneeling, spouse); Claire Edmondson (spouse); Lucas Edmondson; Chris Stewart; Colton Williams; and Anne Mark. Standing in rear with chainsaws: John Perry and Matthew Stokely.
Department of Environmental Quality The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries facilities in Wilmington and Morehead City sustained damages from Hurricane Florence, forcing office closures. Electricity and internet service was scattered, and in some cases nonexistent, so many staff went out on foot to serve their colleagues and communities. Several division staff who work in DEQ’s Wilmington Regional Office, along with some of their family and friends, gathered with their own chainsaws and yard tools. They went as a group to help other staff who had downed trees in their yards.
John Perry, Fisheries Management Section, and Matthew Stokes (in tree), Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water Quality.
Some staff members found a conduit of service through their churches.
“I think the group grew as they went from house to house,” said Anne Deaton, after the group helped clean up her yard. “I was so grateful.” Deaton joked that the group could start a side business and call themselves the FishCutters Tree Service. A hundred miles or so up the coast in Morehead City, staff in the division’s headquarters office found a different way to serve.
The Habitat and Enhancement Section staff, which uses trucks, trailers and other heavy equipment, contacted the Carteret County Emergency Operations Center and coordinated with emergency officials to put the division’s gear to use. Staff used division trucks to help deliver needed supplies to the hard-hit Down East communities. Deliveries included taking cots to the Otway and Davis fire departments. They even used division trucks to pick up trash in these communities, and they loaned a division trailer to one of the emergency agencies.
Chris Stewart, Fishery Management Section.
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Matt Dawson, with the division’s Artificial Reef Program, used one of the Habitat and Enhancement Section’s trucks to deliver cleaning supplies from a donation hub at Ann Street United Methodist Church in Beaufort to down east communities. Dawson, and other area volunteers, loaded five-gallon buckets filled with bleach gloves and other items needed to clean after a flood.
Department of Health and Human Services
DHHS volunteers Bellal Hossain, Phil Protz and Vedavyas Durbhakula (from left) volunteer to help a homeowner in Lumberton.
Employees of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have been part of a groundswell of
Protz said that he and the other DHHS team members worked throughout the day “providing practical assistance ranging from stacking wet sandbags, organizing and conducting inventories of supplies and tools, and setting up living quarters for incoming volunteer groups, to removing flood damaged HVAC ductwork and debris from dark and damp crawl spaces for a very appreciative homeowner.”
neighbors across our state helping neighbors to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael.
While some employees focused on helping residents in and near their own homes, others formed groups that joined larger volunteer opportunities through faith communities and relief organizations.
Demonstrating DHHS values as agency ambassadors, Protz said the teammates “also benefited from a memorable opportunity to get to know each other as direct teammates for the day while meeting the practical needs of the operation and members of the immediate community.”
Responding to Governor Cooper’s call to action, a team of six DHHS employees based on the Dorothea Dix campus traveled to Lumberton on Oct. 20 to join the Virginia Beachbased disaster response ministry, Operation Blessing. The team looked forward to making a difference as it deployed to East Lumberton in Robeson County, an area hit for a second time in two years with epic flooding of the nearby Lumber River. Team member Phil Protz reported that the team set up at East Lumberton Baptist Church and provided relief services to Lumberton-area families adversely impacted by Hurricane Florence. The DHHS team included Bellal Hossain and Vedavys Durbhakula, Information Technology Division; Sharon Smith, Division of Services for the Blind; Carlotta Dixon, Division of Social Services; and Protz and Tara Myers from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
“This was a most humbling and rewarding experience,” said Myers, Senior Director for the Divisions of Vocational Rehabilitation, Services for the Blind, Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Disability Determination Services and the Office of Economic Opportunity. “The opportunity to unite with fellow DHHS employees, as well as the coordinators and other volunteers from Operation Blessing to provide basic assistance, was incredible. The devastation remains present and the needs are still great. I would encourage others to offer their time and talents to our communities still reeling from the lasting effects of Hurricane Florence.”
DHHS volunteers included: Sharon A. Smith, Bellal Hossain, Vedavyas Durbhakula, Carlotta Dixon and Tara Myers (from left).
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Office of State Human Resources Reed Altman’s skill as an organizational effectiveness consultant in the Office of
State Human Resource’s Talent Management Division was put to good use in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Through his church, Umstead Park United Church of Christ (UCC) in Raleigh, Altman connected with a network of other UCC congregations to deliver supplies, muck out damaged homes, plan mold remediation training, and offer hopeful consolation to affected residents across the disaster region. OSHR’s Reed Altman volunteered with his church to help clear debris from storm-damaged
Altman was among a group of homes, like this one in Lumberton. volunteers from Raleigh, Fayetteville, Lumberton and Greensboro that went to Lumberton to assist with needs assessment and thanks to collaborative effort between the Center and action planning. Some neighborhoods have become virtual McCormick Chapel AME Church. ghost towns while others were buzzing with the noise of recovery efforts. His team met with City Councilman Chris “We are trying to stay positive and focused on sustainable Howard, provided cleaning supplies and helped ready the solutions for these poor folks’ problems,” Altman said. Center for Community Action at UNC-Pembroke to host a “Given what they have been through, many are showing mold remediation training. Residents later received training great courage. I can’t say for sure I would have that kind of courage if I were in their shoes.” “They were very excited to have our group come and volunteer,” said Kristin Baldwin, office manager. “They asked us to please come back soon with more people.”
DOR employees James Miles, Matthew Morrow and Holly Anders sort food donations for hurricane victims.
Department of Revenue Employees from the Department of Revenue’s service center in Asheville recently traded in their
tax law books and audit papers for boxes and packing tape to help get supplies to areas affected by Hurricane Florence. The employees used the additional Community Service Leave time available for hurricane recovery work and spent the day on Oct. 19 working with a local nonprofit to sort and organize donated items, which were then packed into boxes and shipped to people in parts of the state impacted by the hurricane.
The volunteer day got its start when Juliana Ferguson of Collections suggested it to Baldwin. The nonprofit, Hearts with Hands, had collected thousands of pounds of supplies, but needed help packing them for shipment. Baldwin encouraged Ferguson to let everyone in their office know they could use extra community service leave. Almost every employee in the office agreed to volunteer. Thanks to their efforts, Hearts with Hands was able to ship more than 5,000 pounds of food, clothing, diapers and cleaning supplies. The DOR employees worked hard, finishing all the tasks they were assigned with time left over. They ended the day by sweeping the floor. “All of us were so, so sore, but it felt good to be able to help,” Baldwin said. The employees who volunteered were: Ferguson, Heather Rice, Caitlin Poteet, Brenda Wester, Lynnora Smith, Bryan Fruend, Jeremy Waters, Amanda Cantrell, James Miles, Sandra Smith, Matthew Morrow, Jessica Rohrbaugh and Holly Anders.
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DOT volunteers work with Baptists on Mission and local church members to remove debris from a flood-damaged home in Ivanhoe.
Department of Transportation A team of employees from the Department of Transportation used Community Service Leave to help a family whose home was badly damaged during Hurricane Florence. On Oct. 24, 12 staff members in the agency’s Structures Management Unit traveled from their Raleigh headquarters to Sampson County. They worked with Baptists on Mission and local church members to remove flood-damaged subfloor and insulation from a threebedroom home in Ivanhoe. The daylong effort helped make the dwelling safe before it could be rebuilt. The team also brought with
them cleaning supplies such as paper towels, mops and disinfectant that was distributed to residents in the community still recovering from Florence. Kevin Fischer, DOT’s assistant state structures engineer who coordinated the team’s efforts, said staff from his unit volunteered to help others after other hurricanes, including Matthew in 2016. “With something like this, you wonder how you can do anything to make a difference,” Fischer said. “We made a big difference in one family’s life.” The team remove ruined subfloor and insulation.
Volunteers completely gutted this residence. “We made a big difference in one family’s life,” said Kevin Fischer, DOT’s assistant state structures engineer. Fischer coordinated his team’s volunteer efforts.
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Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Several State Parks employees from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Bob Taber, coastal region trails specialist for State Parks, volunteered in his neighborhood of mostly retired, senior citizens, helping his elderly neighbors clean up storm debris from their yards and setting up sump pumps to pump flood water out of crawl spaces.
volunteered to help members of their communities affected by Hurricane Florence. Christy Maready, administrative associate for Pettigrew State Park in Tyrrell and Washington counties, and her husband, Gene Maready, a Marine Patrol officer in the Department of Environmental Quality, delivered donated supplies to a shelter and distribution center in Beulaville. They also delivered supplies to family members who had lost their homes to flood waters and spent two days helping to clean up flood-damaged homes.
And Gaylene Goodwin, office manager at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in Chatham County, has been volunteering steadily since Hurricane Florence made landfall. She has vacuumed water out of two homes on Emerald Isle, and joined a group in Morehead City that collected trash and storm debris, and helped some families DNCR Secretary Susi Hamilton (right) volunteered with one find places to stay. She also of World Central Kitchen’s food trucks near Wilmington to helped serve food in New Bern help distribute hot food to survivors of Hurricane Florence. Steve Rogers, superintendent at the Red Cross headquarters. at Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County, She plans to continue volunteering, going to eastern North volunteered to help collect and transport a trailer load of Carolina most weekends to distribute items collected and supplies and food to Glad Tidings Church in Morehead volunteer serving food or distributing pre-packaged boxes City, and worked with other volunteers to prepare meals for to those in need. storm victims. “Every trip breaks my heart,” Goodwin said. “What Laura Fuller, accounting clerk for State Parks, volunteered has been accomplished is just a drop in the bucket in at Kennedy Home, a program of the Baptist Childrens’ comparison with the reality of what needs to be done.” Homes of North Carolina in Kinston. She helped a group from her church clean a cottage that had been uninhabitable since Hurricane Matthew last year.
In the weeks following Hurricane Florence, Temporary Solutions has recruited about 175 temporary workers to the Disaster Reservist cadre of N.C. Emergency Management in the Department of Public Safety. These workers are supporting recovery efforts in disaster-declared counties that are separate from the scope of volunteer activities. Temporary Solutions also is collaborating with the new Office of Recovery and Resiliency on staffing for time-limited positions. 10
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Despite damage to his home in hard-hit New Bern,
Jerry Robertson of the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs’ Veterans Service Center in Greenville stepped up to provide essential services to his community during Hurricane Florence. A disabled Marine Corps veteran with more than 15 years of honorable service, Robertson used social media to effectively relay calls for help to first responders. His actions were directly responsible for saving several residents who may have been facing life-threatening flooding. Robertson continues to volunteer to help other military families devastated by hurricane damage. He is one of several DMVA staffers who have been actively working to help North Carolina’s affected veterans, active military members and their families rebuild and recover. Secretary Larry Hall and colleagues visited several Red Cross shelters, including one in Wake Forest, where they connected with a veteran from Wilmington who had not been able to learn if his home was safe, and who needed a new wheelchair as well. DMVA was able to secure this soldier a new wheelchair and a ride back to his intact home to the Port City. The Secretary also toured damage at the Wilmington VA Medical Center with the Federal Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie. Secretary Hall visited another Red Cross shelter set up at True Vines Ministries Church in Fayetteville, where he joined other volunteers in providing hot meals to displaced residents still unable to return home. He met a young woman whose mother is a veteran and needed assistance in finding housing and locating her medical records. Note: DMVA encourages veterans and family members in need of storm-related resources to contact them online or by calling 844-624-8387.
DMVA Secretary Larry Hall (center, back row) joined Red Cross volunteers in Fayetteville to serve hot meals.
W H AT ’ S T H E N E X T
s t ep?
VolunteerNC can help you to connect with volunteer opportunities related to hurricane recovery or other programs. Register to volunteer or make a disaster donation, or call 919-814-2000.
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N O R T H C A R O L I N A A M E R I C A N I N D I A N H E R I TA G E M O N T H
A Celebration of Many Colors‌ 12
For many of us, November marks the beginning of the holiday season. It is a special time for giving
thanks while celebrating with family and friends. It is also a season of giving. The Commission of Indian Affairs in the Department of Administration has been instrumental in giving North Carolinians an enriched gift of culture and art during the annual North Carolina American Indian Heritage Celebration. This year will be no exception. On Nov. 16-17, the 23rd annual celebration will be held at the North Carolina Museum of History. All eight North Carolina Indian tribes and associations recognized within the state’s general statute will be honored, including the Coharie, Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony, and Waccamaw Siouan. Photo courtesy of N.C. Museum of History, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
“A state rich with American Indian heritage and history must not be contained but shared by all.” – Greg Richardson
“According to data generated from the 2010 U.S. Census, North Carolina has the largest population of American Indians east of the Mississippi river and the third largest American Indian population in the U.S.,” said Greg Richardson, Commission of Indian Affairs executive director. “A state rich with American Indian heritage and history Greg Richardson, executive director must not be contained of the Commission on Indian Affairs but shared with all.” Richardson’s team coordinates with museum staff to support activities that attract thousands of visitors from across the state. The American Indian Heritage Celebration typically is the largest and best attended event presented by the museum each year.
Celebration will kick off at noon with a grand parade of tribal leaders, state officials, traditional dancers, singers, drummers and more. “This celebration gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the meaningful contributions and cultural impact of the Indian heritage to North Carolina,” said DOA Secretary Machelle Sanders. “The celebration brings citizens together and supports the diversity of our state.” For a complete schedule of events, visit the American Indian Heritage Celebration on the Museum of History website. ____________________________________________ By Aldesha Gore, assistant communications director for the Department of Administration / Photo of Greg Richardson by Jayce Williams, DOA
The Commission also supports Governor Cooper’s decision to proclaim American Indian Heritage Month. This occassion not only helps to spread awareness of North Carolina’s diverse cultures but also the extraordinary traditions of the state’s first people. On Nov. 16, students and school groups from across the state will visit Museum of History to experience American Indian exhibits and demonstrations that help to define the diversity of North Carolina’s American Indian history and culture. On Nov. 17, the American Indian Heritage
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N E W P U B L I C S A F E T Y H R D I R E C T O R S TA R T E D
Career as Correctional Officer
Twenty-four years ago, as a struggling college student, Michael
Dail started his state government career as a correctional officer at Greene Correctional Institution. In October, he returned to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) as the agency’s new Human Resources Director. “Becoming a correctional officer was a good job opportunity in my home community, and a natural fit,” said Dail, whose father served as a deputy sheriff in Greene County. Dail said managers recognized his initiative, providing promotional opportunities that included investigations, fire arms certification and teaching. He also became a member of the Prison Emergency Response Team, which activated during major incidents. Eventually, Dail transitioned to human resources for the former Department of Correction, now part of DPS. In this role, he consulted and provided HR training for prisons and Community Corrections in the state’s eastern region. He left state service for a few years to become a human resources manager for Lowe’s Companies, providing staffing services and improving morale and sales at Triangle-area stores. Dail later returned to serve in HR roles at the Department of Transportation, Office of State Human Resources and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). He was promoted to Assistant HR Director at DHHS in Fall 2014, where he remained until being named to the DPS position last month. “It’s great to be back,” said Dail, who appreciates the opportunity to support his department’s diverse law enforcement units. “I really feel like this is where I need to be.” Dail said his experience as a correctional officer provides special insight into the challenges his agency continues to face in recruitment and retention. “We want to make sure the word is out that we are looking for and hiring great staff,” he said. “We need folks who understand the environment and want an opportunity to make a positive impact.”
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Ask HR coming to The Resource To help state employees better understand the inner workings of their agency Human Resources (HR) Office and the role of the Office of State Human Resources in overseeing statewide HR policy and practice, The Resource will launch a new column in the First Quarter issue in 2019. Ask HR will address your questions about how things work in HR. Potential topics include: • How are job descriptions developed and used? • What does a classification specialist do? • What is a continuous posting and why are they used for recruitment? Would a user’s guide to HR-speak be useful? Directions for how to set up job alerts in your interest area? We’ll also look at ways the state provides resources to support employees in gaining skills that boost their effectiveness and position them for advancement, as well as onthe-job learning that is helping more temporary employees transition to permanent jobs. No need to wait until the new year to submit your questions or suggestions. Reach out anytime with an email to the.resource@nc.gov.
Governor Cooper and DMVA Secretary Larry Hall mark publication of the agency’s 2017 Resource DMVA Guide.
M E E T
T H E
S E C R E T A R Y :
Larry Hall
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
he Department of Military and Veterans Affairs was created three years ago to
address the evolving needs of about 120,000 active duty military serving at five bases in North Carolina, and more than 800,000 veterans who choose to live here. DMVA Secretary Larry Hall’s top priority is ensuring that his agency is responsive in helping them access the benefits and resources earned through their military service. Hall is the second leader of the organization, which formerly operated as a division within the Department of Administration. The son of a career officer in the U.S. Army, Hall served 16 years with distinction in the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserves. Hall also served a dozen years in the N.C. House of Representatives, where he chaired the Homeland Security, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. A graduate of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte and UNC School of Law in Chapel Hill, Hall was in private practice in Durham before joining the Legislature. He credits mentorship from civil rights leaders Floyd McKissick Sr. and Mickey Michaux with inspiring him to shift his public service focus from the military to elected office. With 243rd anniversary of the Marine Corps founding on Nov. 10 and Veterans Day on Nov. 11 – this year, the auspicious date also marks the centennial of Armistice Day, the official end of World War I – we asked Hall to reflect on his childhood as “an Army brat” and the formative events of his life that brought him to his current role.
DMVA Secretary Larry Hall responds to reporters. / Photo courtesy of Governing Magazine.
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Where did you grow up, and what was your childhood like?
master, the one who makes sure you get out of the door safely. There’s a story that always come to mind in seeing him jump. You can’t really pick people out, but my mom would always tell me where he was. They had a bleacher near the drop zone and we’d wait for him. It wasn’t until years later that I learned she actually couldn’t make him out, but it was always very exciting for me as a child.
I was born in Durham, which was my mother’s home. Six months later, I was on a transit ship to Okinawa, where my father was serving. I learned to speak Japanese before I learned to speak English. We came back to Fort Bragg for three years, then moved to Durham when my father went overseas for a tour of Korea. I went to Durham public schools through high school. My mother was a strict proponent of education. When my sister went to college in Washington, D.C., she took us to visit her. It was us three boys, traipsing behind my mom to see whatever my sister was doing. We took in that message about the importance of education and participation. At home, she was very involved in our education. We had to be on the honor roll, and we had to get our homework done before we could go out and play. She made sure we understood how incentives worked.
Who most influenced your career path?
After law school, I worked for two giants in civil rights law, especially in the African American community. I initially worked for about a year and half for Floyd McKissick Sr. in Oxford. After he was appointed as a judge, I went to work for Mickey Michaux in Durham. I saw how they did public service and the practice of law. In fact, I’d say they sparked my interest in public service as elected office, as opposed to the military. “I continue to be inspired by Rep. Michaux,” said Hall. “ I continue to find value in his willingness to put himself out on issues to effect change.” / Photo courtesy of N.C. General Assembly
I continue to be inspired by Rep. Michaux, who is retiring. I continue to find value in his willingness to put himself out there on issues to effect change. I have an affinity for helping people in need and am fortunate to have different vehicles by which I could do that.
Who and what influenced you as a child?
My mom and my dad, for sure. My dad was a career Army officer. Because of his deployments, I spent a lot of time with my mom, taking in her activities and values. I was the baby, so I got special access and a special place in her heart. I think I got the best treatment of all.
What was your college major?
I had a double major of business and political science, then went directly to the Marine Corps as a commissioned officer. I think I was influenced to later study law by my uncle, Frank Brower, who was a lawyer who went to N.C. Central. He ended up moving to Raleigh and practicing in Raleigh. He was a journalist and community activist. He wrote a column for The Carolina Times of Durham called “Browsing with Brower,” mostly about the Legislature but also the city council. I have copies of some of his articles framed at home.
My dad was my hero when I was young child. He was in the 82nd Airborne Division, a paratrooper. He was a jump
Before law school, I thought I would continue to be a military officer. I loved the Marine Corps – the camaraderie, travel, the discipline. I loved the training and the dependability of your peers. There is a high value on doing what you’re supposed to do in your unit and organization. It continues to inform everything I do.
Are you drawn to military themes in books and movies?
Of course. But you have to pinch yourself and remember that you’re watching a fantasy. You have to draw back and say, this is entertainment. Some days in this job, you see things that you think can’t be real. When we looked at damage caused by Hurricane Florence, it looked like a scene out of a movie about the end of the world. We saw the destruction of nature and buildings, knowing that
Secretary Hall joined Governor Cooper and military leaders for the centennial celebration of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in May 2017.
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DMVA Secretary Larry Hall preares to fly in a F-15 Eagle, a tactical fighter jet, while visiting Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro. / Photo courtesy of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
What is your vision for DMVA?
people lost their lives and properties and livelihoods. You take things for granted in life. When you get in your car, you expect traffic signals to work. You expect clean water to come from your tap. We don’t think about the people and systems that make these things work. Government plays such a critical role, and the importance of that can’t be overstated.
More than 15 percent of the veterans in North Carolina are 60 years old or older, which means we work with a large number of veterans who have family members transitioning into being their advocates. They need to notify us to help their aging parents get the benefits they have earned. I recently visited with Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. You can’t help but be reminded of the human toll, and the generations affected, by the removing of a mother or father, aunt or uncle, from the family tree. We want to make sure the benefits rightfully earned, whether it’s medical care or a scholarship for a child preparing for college, are provided.
What motivates you?
I have an opportunity to make a difference, almost every day. It’s exciting and motivating to see what I can do, what our department can do, to have a tangible benefit to the folks we serve. We want to make the system better, make their lives better, and provide a better future.
What is your mission as DMVA Secretary?
Military is the second largest industry sector in North Carolina. There is $66 billion a year in federal payroll that comes in for active employees and retirees. That is a tremendous thing. We’ve got about 800,000 veterans, and 120,000 uniformed people on the ground at five military bases. We want to make sure those bases stay strong and vibrant. They are in counties that, as a result of their presence, have less tax base. This loops around and affects their families and their communities. We try to stress all the time: The No. 1 need for bases is education. Their children are in public schools and the strength of those schools is vitally important. It’s interesting that we have to be advocates for education as well as the defense industry. We’re getting our investment back by having a lot of military trained personnel stay in North Carolina and get jobs here. We get a lot of that talent to stay here and build our communities.
Larry Hall after being confirmed by the Senate as DMVA Secretary.
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T H E C E RT I F I E D P U B L I C M A N AG E R P RO G RA M :
Your Investment in Learning and Leading
Public Manager (CPM) program can equip you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to serve effectively in this critical way. North Carolina’s CPM program is among the oldest in the nation, having gotten its start in 1982, and the program has consistently met stringent national accreditation standards since its inception. To qualify for the program, candidates engage in a rigorous application process, and accepted participants complete 18 months of classroom and online learning sessions, one-on-one coaching with faculty, self-development growth and learning, and ultimately a capstone project that improves a process, solves a sticky problem, or even initiates a new program for their agency.
Annis Barbee commends the 2018 CPM class as members prepare to receive their certificates from agency leaders.
But statistics and history aside, what is it about this program that makes it so beneficial for public managers? Does it give you another framed certificate for your wall and a set of initials after your email signature? Yes, graduates are entitled to these completion badges, but your impact on the North Carolina public and your own growth and development are perhaps the greatest hallmarks of your work in the CPM program.
You are a public manager. You have a passion to
serve the people of North Carolina in a leadership role. You want to manage employees as good stewards of taxpayer dollars. But you know that, unlike managers in private industry, public managers are not developing products that will compete for and win customers. You are leading employees and your agency to protect and serve the people of North Carolina. This is the primary role of a public manager, and the North Carolina Certified
As a graduate, you will join Jennifer Street, Dashonne Knight and Tracy the ranks of Howell of the Department of Health and more than 750 Human Services (from left). North Carolina Certified Public Managers whose projects have saved tens of thousands of dollars for the people of our state. You will step into a world of problem-solving and program development at its finest, and you will challenge yourself to grow as a leader in ways you never thought possible. So take the first step, and invest in learning and leading. The application period opens Jan 30 and closes March 30, with the new class to begin in July 2019. For more information on the North Carolina Certified Public Manager program and application dates, consult the Office of State Human Resources web page or the NC Learning Center under the Leadership tab. ____________________________________________ Forty-four public sector employees from 13 agencies completed the rigorous CPM program and were honored Oct. 1 during a ceremony at the N.C. Museum of History.
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By Annis Barbee, manager of the North Carolina Certified Public Manager Program and Learning & Organizational Effectiveness Manager for the Office of State Human Resources / Photography by Elaine Darby, OSHR
governor's awards for excellence
Congratulations to the 2018 Governor’s Awards for Excellence winners. The annual event, managed by the Office of State Human Resources, recognizes outstanding employees nominated by state agencies and universities. This year, 20 honorees were selected for awards in six categories: Customer Service, Efficiency and Innovation, Human Relations, Outstanding State Government Service, Public Service and Safety and Heroism. / Photo by Katy Warner, Department of Transportation
Honoring the Best of Our State Employees 20 state employees were honored with the Governor’s Awards for Excellence during a
ceremony on Oct. 23 in the Museum of History. The award is highest honor a state employee may receive for dedicated service to the state and the people of North Carolina and recognizes accomplishments and actions that are outside of the usual scope of their job duties. Recipients received their awards from Julia White, deputy chief of staff to Governor Cooper, and leaders from their agency. The honorees’ extraordinary accomplishments and actions set them apart from a total of 116 nominations across state government.
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A full description of each recipient’s winning qualities and videos that share their story are posted to the Office of State Human Resources website. “The state employees honored have provided extraordinary service to the people of North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Some risked their lives to save those in danger, while others created innovative solutions to workplace challenges. These awardees reached above and beyond their daily responsibilities to embody the state motto, ‘To, be rather than to seem,’ and we are grateful for their service.”
a celebration to remember...
WRAL news anchor David Crabtree congratulates David Setser, N.C. State University, for recognition in the Safety and Heroism award before a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion.
During the ceremony, Safety and Heroism honoree Megan Hess of DPS, received a surprise visit, and a grateful hug, from the man she saved.
Trainers from the Correction Enterprises, Department of Public Safety, were honored in the Efficiency and Innovation category for their work in providing LEAN training to personnel across Correction Enterprises.
Tanya Dearmon of Revenue, was named in the Human Relations category for inspiring colleagues to provide a year of community service to organizations in and around Greensboro.
N.C. National Guard Staff Sergeant Cory Hinkle was honored in the Safety and Heroism category for rescuing a young mother trapped in her car.
“By going above and beyond their normal duties, they’ve left an enduring legacy of accomplishment.” –Barbara Gibson, OSHR Director
The honorees attended a luncheon in the Executive Mansion before receiving their awards at a special ceremony in the auditorium of the Museum of History. WRAL news anchor David Crabtree emceed the event. The Office of State Human Resources presented the ceremony with the support of the North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation. “For these state employees, a career in public service is about being a part of something bigger than
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themselves,” said OSHR Director Barbara Gibson. “It’s about making a meaningful contribution to society. By going above and beyond their normal duties, they’ve left an enduring legacy of accomplishment.” ____________________________________________ Photography by Katy Warner, Department of Transportation and Elaine Darby, Office of State Human Resources.
the 2018 governor's awards for excellence honorees are: cu s to m e r s e rvi ce
e fficie ncy & innovation
Michael Last
Brian Maney
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of North Carolina System Office
ef f ic ie n cy & i n n ovat i o n From left: Robert
Leon, Tony Danks, Tracey Goodwin, Billy Robbins, Sharon Jones, Jamie Murphy and Tass Jansen
e fficie ncy & innovation
Dane Johnston North Carolina State University
Department of Public Safety, Correction Enterprises
e ffi ci e n cy & i n n ovatio n
hu m an r e l at ions
David Josephus
Tanya J. Dearmon
North Carolina State University
Department of Revenue
o u ts ta n d i n g s tate g ove r n m e n t s e rvice
pu b lic s e rv ice
Roy Jackson Marshall, III
A. Michelle Bryant Department of Public Safety
Department Natural and Cultural Resources
p u bl i c s e rvi ce
s afe t y & he roism
Paula C. Gillikin
Dwight L. Braswell
Department of Environmental Quality
Department of Public Safety
s a f e t y & h e ro i s m
s afe t y & he roism
Richard Dickerson
Megan Kathleen Hess
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Public Safety
s a f e t y & h e ro i s m
s afe t y & he roism
Cory M. Hinkle
David Setser
Department of Public Safety, National Guard
North Carolina State University
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BEHIND THE SCENES:
Scores of DNCR Staff Transform Sites with Holiday Splendor Starting in October, scores of Department of
Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) staff and volunteers begin spreading holiday cheer at state venues throughout the state, hanging thousands of yards of fresh greenery and ribbons, lighting candles, stringing enough lights to wrap the dome of the State Capitol, creating fresh fruit centerpieces, and baking countless cookies. It’s all Members of the N.C. Symphony meant to delight visitors dress for the season during a during the holiday season. holiday pops concert.
Fireworks over Tryon Palace, a Christmas Flotilla at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort, Christmas by Candlelight at state historic sites and Canary Christmas at Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum in Gibsonville are a few of the unique holiday experiences awaiting North Carolina families. State parks offer wonderful ways to experience nature during the holidays, including First Day Hikes to start the new year off right. “Our sites offer so many diverse and fun experiences during the holidays,” says DNCR Secretary Susi Hamilton. “You can see how North Carolinians celebrated the season during the Colonial era with a trip to Historic Bath and Edenton, visit Santa Under the Sea at an aquarium or take a ride on the Polar Express at the N.C. Transportation Museum. Each year, I’m amazed by the beautiful and detailed decorations and the wonderful programs dreamed up by our talented staff.”
Statue of George Washington is surrounded by holiday finery at the State Capitol Rotunda.
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Some popular annual holiday events sell out quickly, so get your tickets early if you’re interested in “The Polar Express” train ride at the N.C. Transportation
Visitors can step into the 1770s to experience a candlelight Christmas at Tryon Place in New Bern.
Birds get to enjoy holiday treats at Town Creek Indian Mound, an archeological site in Mt. Gilead.
Museum, A Candlelight Christmas Celebration at Tryon Palace, or the N.C. Symphony Holiday Pops concerts. Visit the DNCR website for a complete list of holiday events across the state. ____________________________________________
.
By Michele Walker, public information officer at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which also provided photography.
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial site in Asheville presents Christmas as the author of “Look Homeward, Angel� might have experienced it in the early 1900s.
Santa visits delighted children at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores features a Santa by the Sea Program.
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N.C. Transportation Museum Tranforms into a Winter Wonderland for “The Polar Express” Train Ride
DNCR employees and volunteers decorate train cars to recreate the magic of “The Polar Express” for holiday visitors. Families are encouraged to wear pajamas for the ride, which includes a reading of the beloved children’s book, cookies and hot chocolate, and a visit with Santa upon arrival at the North Pole.
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W E S AV E P R O G R A M :
Use WeSave to Save on Gifts for Friends and Family during the Holidays WeSave is your one-stop-shop for grocery coupons,
discounts on movie tickets, theme parks, vacations and more. Best of all, it’s a free benefit for you as a North Carolina State Employee. WeSave offers deals on products and services throughout the year, but you might find some discounts that are especially appealing for holiday giving – even as a gift to yourself. Is someone in your household hoping that Santa will tuck a new computer under the tree? WeSave members enjoy access to special pricing on Lenovo PCs, laptops, tablets and accessories.
If you over-indulge during the holidays, WeSave even has an offer to help with your New Year’s Resolutions. GymNetwork360 offers discounts for gym memberships, exercise videos, fitness trackers and more.
Looking for a holiday getaway? WeSave offers discounts for travel to Orlando, as well as deals on tickets and lodging at DisneyWorld, Universal Resort, SeaWorld and LegoLand. If you prefer something closer to home, consider WinterFest at Carowinds. The Charlotte theme park will present the family-friendly event Nov. 18 through Dec. 31.
Log into your WeSave to learn more about this benefit program – and more ways you can save.
If something fresh and green is on your shopping list, you might appreciate a 25 percent discount on festive floral and fruit bouquets ordered through Florists.com. Or enjoy the gift of local produce delivered to your door by The Produce Box. The Raleigh-based business, which curates assortments of the best in seasonal produce from a number of local growers, is temporarily waiving its annual membership fee for state employees.
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While the holiday season is a time of good cheer with family and friends, it has also become synonymous with overspending. Sadly, many people find themselves in serious financial distress as the New Year approaches, bringing more tears than cheers. How do you enjoy the gift-giving season traditions without ruining your budget? Let’s discuss some cost-saving tips. DRAW NAMES: Purchasing gifts for everyone on your list can become pricey. With large (and even not so large) groups of family or friends, consider drawing names and have each person list a few items on their wish list. Purchasing for one is much more budget-friendly than buying for many!
DONATE: Not sure what to get someone? Consider donating to his or her favorite charity. It’s a wonderful way to honor that special someone while assisting others in need. It doesn’t have to be a large donation to make a big difference. Additionally, some charitable contributions may be tax-deductible, which could also be beneficial when tax season rolls around. (Consult with a tax advisor for information regarding the deductibility of charitable donations.)
SET SPENDING LIMITS: Gift giving shouldn’t be a competition on who can spend the most. Have everyone agree to a pre-determined limit for gift-giving and stick to it. This will help keep your budget on track.
SAVE ALL YEAR LONG: Regardless of whether you spend a little or a lot, extra money is still coming out of your budget. Consider saving in advance by automatically transferring funds each month to an SECU Holiday Cash Club account. On the last business day in October, the balance of the account will be automatically transferred to the SECU checking, regular share, or money market share account of your choice just in time to begin your holiday shopping. Contact your local branch, call 888-732-8562, or visit ncsecu.org for more information regarding SECU’s Holiday Cash Club account.
GIVE CRAFTY CREATIONS: Why not break out your artistic side and make a one-of-a-kind creation for special people in your life? Handmade gifts are greatly appreciated and often are more economical. VOLUNTEER TOGETHER: Many nonprofit groups such as food banks and pet shelters need extra hands, so pick a group whose mission you all value and donate your time. Not only are you helping out, you’re spending time together, which is a priceless gift especially in today’s busy world. It’s a win for all involved.
Don’t let this time of year become a season of overspending. Make a budget-friendly holiday plan so the good cheer can follow you into January and beyond! _________________________ This article was provided by the State Employees Credit Union.
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MAKING WELLNESS WORK:
How to Make New Year’s Resolutions That Will Last Are you a list maker? For people who are,
Instead, use them as reminders to get up and move. See how many crunches or jumping jacks you can fit in during one commercial break. You might be surprised.
the resolution-making tradition of the new year can lead them to plan, list, organize and, sometimes, bury themselves in more tasks. Some may create such long resolution lists that they give up on them by midJanuary. This is because the changes simply don’t fit their lifestyles and schedules.
Not big on packing lunches? Give this a try: Make healthy dinners more often. This saves time and money if you use the leftovers in your lunch the next day. Keep in mind that almost any leftovers can go nicely on a bed of spinach or other healthy greens to make an interesting and tasty salad for lunch.
But by applying a few proven strategies, you’ll be more successful in turning your New Year’s resolutions into healthy lifestyle routines.
There will be slip ups and challenges along the way, but don’t use these as excuses to give up. Remember that when you encounter a problem, chances are the solution involves loving more, not loving less. Be kind to yourself, celebrate the changes you’ve adopted that have worked, and continue your path to a healthier you! Maintain, Don’t Gain This
You may already have a picture in mind of your ideal 2019 self. Remember: Major life changes take time. Depending on the other responsibilities that you have, it may not be realistic to suddenly devote an extra two-hour block each day to cooking and working out. All too often, we start out strong in January and fizzle by the end of February, if we even last that long! Try these tricks to increase your likelihood of lifelong success.
Many Americans gain between one and five pounds each holiday season. While this may not sound like much, most people never manage to lose the extra pounds. Benjamin Franklin’s famous adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is true, especially when applied to maintaining weight. It is much easier to achieve New Year’s resolutions of better health and fitness, if you can maintain your current weight and fitness level through the end of the year.
Start Slowly
Pick one or two small changes that you are ready to tackle, and you can start right now. Swap your sugary soda for spring water or start asking for sauces and dressings on the side and use them sparingly. Once you’ve incorporated these changes into your lifestyle to the point where they are natural habits, then you’re ready to tackle the next change.
For strategies and resources to help maintain your weight throughout the holiday season, join the 12th annual Eat Smart, Move More, Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge. The challenge is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health and the Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less Program. ____________________________________________
Acknowledge the small positive changes you make along the way. Practicing patience will keep you moving toward long-term goals.
Holiday Season
Get Creative
By Jen Sohl-Marion, MPH, RDN, LDN, Healthy Eating and Communications Coordinator for the Division of Public Health, Community and Clinical Connections for Prevention and Health Branch of the Department of Health and Human Services.
You don’t have to give up everything you love to work healthy habits into your routine. Not ready to give up your favorite TV show? Don’t skip the commercials.
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N ORT H CA ROL I N A OFFICE O F STATE HUM AN RESO URCES
BARBARA GIBSON , Director, Office of State Human Resources JIL L WARRE N LUCAS , Communications Director
the.resource@nc.gov Design by Patricia Campbell | Cover photograph by Elaine Darby, Office of State Human Resources