EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER Region launches its new website
Fill up this summer for free!
Day of Pink
Happy cyclists enjoy the Bike to Work Breakfast put on by TravelWise staff as part of the Commuter Challenge
Commuters tops in Ontario! Waterloo Region commuters took the top spot in Ontario and second place in Canada during the 12th Annual Commuter Challenge. The local challenge is organized and promoted by staff at the Region.
connections@regionofwaterloo.ca
Mark Your Calendars Save a Vacation Day – You Don’t Want to Miss Out! Sunnyside Foundation Golf Tournament Monday, Sept. 12, 2011
Rebecca, Sheri, Marie, Tori, Mary, Julie and MaryLouise enjoying a spot of tea at the Royal Wedding Tea Party at 99 Regina St. S.
Conestoga Golf & Country Club Shot Gun Start - noon $135 per golfer – includes lunch, buffet dinner, cart, green fees, golfer gift, after golf massage, silent/live auction, raffle and $35 donation receipt. To register, email Brenda Schmidt at bschmidt@regionofwaterloo.ca
Live Music Sundays at Waterloo Region Museum Enjoy live music Sunday afternoons on the Waterloo Region Museum patio in June, July and August from 1 to 3 p.m. Stroll through the picturesque Doon Heritage Village, then enjoy live music on a beautiful outdoor patio, all for the price of admission! Come rain or shine. Musicians will perform in the museum building if it rains. July 17 Juneyt Yetkiner (Flamenco/Classical Acoustic Guitar) July 24 Mary Humphreys & Anahata (British Isles Folk Duo) July 31 Erick Traplin (Children’s Performer) August 7 - Paul MacLeod (Indie Folk Singer/Songwriter) August 14 - Tom Nunn & Norm Tellier (Bluegrass Band) August 21 - Waterstreet Blues Band (Blues Band) August 28 - Ian Bell & Geoff Somers (Traditional Folk Singer/Songwriters) Visit waterlooregionmuseum.com for details or call 519-748-1914.
2
Staff from Corporate Resources help celebrate Walter Gaspirini’s retirement by wearing the W with pride.
Christine Kliewer, Coordinator of Customer Service for MobilityPLUS was awarded the Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region inclusion award. The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presented the award to Christine at a ceremony in June for her efforts to ensure that everyone has access to transportation in our community. Congratulations, Christine!
connections@regionofwaterloo.ca
Staff Spotlight
Michele Hopkins Michele is the Supervisor of the Ayr Branch of the Region of Waterloo Library. She lives in Cambridge with her husband Dennis and their children Tristan, 12, Leila, 6, and Iris, 3. They have three dogs as well, so it is a busy household!
What do you consider the biggest challenge in your job? What is the most rewarding?
The biggest challenge in my position is to always be flexible and able to manage frequent interruptions. Because we are always on the public desk in the library, it is always important to remember that service comes first. Often deskwork is interrupted and staff on the desk must be flexible to shift gears and assist our library patrons with their needs and requests. Service at the desk is always the priority. However, the most rewarding part of my job is actually working with the public and helping to meet their needs. There is always a sense of accomplishment and pride when we assist people with their requests. Often patrons will also share their appreciation for our assistance. I truly feel that we make a difference in people's lives at the library. The library is also a real community space and I find it rewarding to be a part of the growing community of Ayr. What personal skills are essential to the work you do?
I think communication skills are essential to the work I do – both in terms of assisting our library patrons and with fellow employees. We deal with the full spectrum of people coming in to the library and it is
essential that we fully understand their requests and respond appropriately. As all staff at the Ayr Library work part time, it is also critical for us to have effective internal communications in order to keep up to date with the many new and exciting things going on in the library. What do you do to relax after a long day?
I have a passion for dance and I enjoy taking dance classes and teaching dance whenever I can. Surprisingly after a long day, this clears my mind, relaxes me, gives me more energy and keeps me on my toes! What is your favourite meal?
I love any kind of curry and make it as often as possible. My husband and I love to experiment with spices. What is your favourite holiday and why?
My favourite holiday would be the Victoria Day long weekend. I love May 24th even though it can sometimes be cold and rainy because it always marks the beginning of trailer season for my family and our first weekend up north at the beach. We have a trailer just north of Sauble Beach in Red Bay. If you could travel to one place, where would you go?
I would have to say Italy. I love art, culture and history and Italy is brimming with this!
Regional Employees Volunteer on Camp Day Employees from Information Technology Services (ITS) and Transportation Planning rallied their coworkers and headed over on their lunch hour to volunteer at Tim Hortons for Camp Day on June 1. Five employees collectively raised $69.36 to help kids go to camp. “We had a great time helping the staff serve coffee, toss ice cream and make smoothies!” said David Trinh from ITS. “We all felt really good about helping underprivileged children attend summer camp this year.”
connections@regionofwaterloo.ca
3
What do you consider the biggest challenge in your job? What is the most rewarding? This is a new position to the Region, which is a challenge in itself, as there is no previous position to assume duties from. On the flip side that makes the position rewarding, as I have the opportunity to create a role that will be a great addition to the Division.
Staff Spotlight
Tanya Postma Tanya is the new Supervisor of Administration for Design and Construction. She lives in Kitchener with her spouse, Jeremy, two children, Jenna, 11, and Aidan, seven, and two step-children, Austin, eight, and Wyatt, six.
ing in the Region of Waterloo Are you on board? The Region of Waterloo Employment and Income Support (E&IS) department as well as Childcare Subsidy have already set sail on a provincial staff development initiative known as Supportive Approaches through Innovative Learning (SAIL). So far, the Region has had a successful SAIL launch and employees have completed the first two of five modules charted for 2011. For those new to the voyage, SAIL is
4
not around I go to a cardio kick boxing class and play slo-pitch. What is your favourite meal? I love Indonesian food, it is full of great flavours. I also enjoy seafood, especially lobster!
What personal skills are essential to the work you do? Interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and knowledge of the engineering environment, which helps a lot!
What is your favourite holiday and why? My favourite holiday is going to the Outer Banks in North Carolina with the family. We rent a beach house and play in the surf and sand, and just relax in the sun. I also enjoy winter holidays to sunny destinations and it’s just Jeremy and I.
What do you do to relax after a long day? I spend time with my family, and at the very end of the day when all the kids are in bed, I like to just sit quietly with Jeremy and talk about our day and watch a little TV. When the kids are
If you could travel to one place, where would you go? I don’t think I could narrow it down to just one place – I love to travel, but, I would love to take my family to Holland to meet my aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Do you know someone who would like to be spotlighted? Do you have suggestions for new Spotlight questions? Email your ideas to connections@regionofwaterloo.ca the professional development program for Ontario Works staff. It strives to recognize and build on existing staff competencies to help our clients achieve their goals and objectives. SAIL incorporates coaching concepts such as communication skills, intervention skills and problem-solving techniques and addresses many employability issues facing citizens today. This initiative is co-ordinated by a dedicated group of representatives from all areas of E&IS staff and Childcare Subsidy. The committee meets regularly to plan SAIL events and promotions, and to make sure each training session allows for the maximum learning potential of all participants. Sparked by the desire to have each session flow smoothly, the
committee has arranged for one committee member to attend each session as an assistant to the facilitator, in addition to attending as participants. Smaller projects, such as the development of a SAIL electronic resource, are managed by sub-groups. The committee also meets for evaluative purposes and to determine strategies to keep the wind in our SAILs in the workplace. Look for more good things on the horizon from SAIL and from the SAIL committee.
connections@regionofwaterloo.ca
2011 Annual Food Drive
This year was the most successful year yet for the Annual Food Drive! Participants included Children’s Services, Sunnyside Home, Employment and Income Support, Public Health, Crime Prevention and Housing. This year, the Food Drive was held April 4 to 15, starting with a Kick-off Event held in several locations, of a “Donation Only” Chilli Lunch and Bake Sale. The Kick Off included raffles with a variety of prizes, including dinner for eight by a local renowned chef, gift
baskets of chocolates and other divine items! Following the Kick Off, a variety of events took place, including food collections of “Healthy Non Perishable Food Items, “Donate to the Food Bank and Dress Casually Days”, as well as special departmental challenges! As a result of all of these efforts, the group raised $5,187.60 in cash donations, and a whopping 2,038 pounds of food for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region and the Cambridge Food Bank. Food Drive Volunteers were invited to
a Wrap-Up Pizza Luncheon on April 15, where thanks, congratulations and certificates were handed out for a job well done. Co-Chairs Roxanne Pendergast and Denyse Loehndorf would like to express their thanks to all who volunteered their time and hard work, and to all Regional employees who so generously participated in all events. Collaboration! Innovation! Once again, our Regional values are reflected in everything we do!! Thanks everyone …and see you next year!!
50/50 Draw Winner Gwenanne Jorgenson from The Food Bank of Waterloo Region presents a $2,444 cheque to Joan Crocker from Housing. Joan was the winner of this year’s 50/50 draw, which raised $2,444 for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region and the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank. Special thanks goes to Water Services, Healthy Returns Program, Edith MacIntosh Children’s Centre, Waste Management, Public Health, McPhail’s (King Street, Waterloo), CarryOn Comics (King Street, Waterloo), Ontario Seed Co. (Phillip Street, Waterloo), OW Sports (King Street, Waterloo), State of the Arts Supplies (King Street, Waterloo) and Iain MacNeill from Social Services for donating additional prizes. A big thank you also goes to Corporate Publishing for donating their services for printing tickets and to all of our ticket sellers. Thank you to all who participated!
connections@regionofwaterloo.ca
5
The Region launches its new website and sub-sites Now more than ever before people are getting their information from the internet. As a provider of many important services to the people of Waterloo Region, we must all become more aware of this and ensure we provide easy access to our services and information through our website. To help us all do this better, the Region has launched a new website and several new sub-sites. The new website and sub-sites all feature improved navigation and search capabilities. Users can follow our Region news items through an RSS feed, check Region events on various event calendars and share links directly to their favourite social networking site. The organization of the site is based around our services and how various audiences and citizen groups may need to access our services. We must
organize and write our content in a way that makes sense to the public, not to our internal needs and structure. The goal is to get people the information they need in the fewest clicks. A new governance structure, modelled after the Region’s Communications Protocol, is being developed. It will determine who can post new content, how the content should look and who can approve new content. Be sure to get to know the staff in your area that can
post or approve content, so that you can get relevant information posted on the site in a timely manner. More information on this will be posted on the employee portal. Be sure to check out all the new sites so that you can find Region-related information for yourself and for the people we serve! Region of Waterloo main site – regionofwaterloo.ca Region of Waterloo Social Services site – regionofwaterloo.ca/socialservices Region of Waterloo Public Health site – regionofwaterloo.ca/ph Region of Waterloo Library rwl.library.on.ca Region of Waterloo International Airport – waterlooairport.ca Grand River Transit – grt.ca
Region of Waterloo Employee Suggestion Initiative – 2012 Budget We value INNOVATION. Therefore, the Region of Waterloo would like to tap into your creative ideas and/or solutions to help with 2012 Budget challenges. Do you have suggestions for process improvements, cost reductions or revenue increases? Employees from all levels and departments are encouraged to participate and no idea is too small. Perhaps you see a way to improve service in your area or work
✂
more efficiently. There could be a way to use fewer supplies, shorten a process or purchase in bulk to save costs. These are changes we can all benefit from. How it Works Suggestions can be sent directly (through interoffice mail or email) to the Budget Manager in the Finance department pholling@regionofwaterloo.ca. If you want to follow up on your idea, simply
provide Finance your name when you call to inquire. Suggestions should be presented in a positive, constructive way, in as much detail as possible, using the form below. Thanks in advance for all your creative ideas and for helping to make a difference every day. Please contact Peter Holling at ext. 4705 with any questions.
Employee Suggestion Initiative - Budget 2012 Form
Date of Submission ____________________________________ Name (optional) ________________________________________________________ Suggested budget savings for Department/Division ________________________________ Idea - State the idea in as much detail as possible and attach additional documentation if applicable. Why or how is this is an improvement over the current state? Would this proposal change or impact service? Financial saving. (Reduced expenditures or increased revenues…do you know how much can be saved?) Submit to: Budget Manager 150 Frederick 4th floor. Submit ideas by Sept. 15, 2011 for the 2012 budget. Questions? Call Peter Holling ext 4705.
6
connections@regionofwaterloo.ca
Fill up this summer for free! When on the go this summer, remember to take your reusable bottle filled with tap water. It’s clean, safe, and a great value for your money. There is no better way to quench your thirst and this summer it will be even more convenient to get your tap water on the go. The Region of Waterloo along with the Municipal Tap Water Providers are working hard to make it easy to choose tap water with these two programs. Mobile tap water station Look for the water wagon at outdoor events this summer. The water wagon is a mobile drinking water station with eight spigots for filling your reusable water bottle, eight water fountains and two dog dishes. Everything needed for the entire family to enjoy a refreshing drink. For more information on the water wagon and event dates, visit online at www.waterontap.ca. Tap water refilling network The Blue W Program is coming to Waterloo Region. This tap water refilling network identifies local businesses and public facilities that will refill your reusable bottle with tap
water free of charge. Finding a Blue W location is easy: • Look for the Blue W sign posted in storefronts; or • Go to bluew.org to find the closest location using the online mapping tool (supports both computer and smart phone applications) Businesses that join this free program benefit from promotional listings in the website database and increased walk-in foot traffic. Other benefits include positive recognition through Blue W’s marketing efforts and being identified as a progressive, community-oriented business. For more information on Blue W, visit online at www.bluew.org. The website includes information on Blue W, the online mapping tool and downloadable smart phone applications. Businesses interested in participating can also register online. The Region of Waterloo and the Municipal Tap Water Providers are working hard to bring clean, safe tap water to you. So the next time you leave home, remember your reusable bottle.
Who are the Municipal Tap Water Providers? The Municipal Tap Water Providers (MTWP) include staff from the Region of Waterloo, the cities, the townships and the City of Guelph. The group was created to promote municipal tap water as a safe, costeffective, convenient and environmentally friendly choice and improve access of tap water throughout the region.
Justice Dinner – Creating Social Change On Wednesday, May 25, 2011 the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council hosted its 33rd Annual Justice Dinner. This year’s theme was “Creating Social Change” and featured Canada’s youngest advocate for the homeless and hungry, Hannah Taylor, 15, from The Ladybug Foundation. Over 400 guests were entertained by the talented local youth that make up KW Glee. Over $1,100 was raised for the Ladybug Foundation to further promote awareness Keynote Speaker of and assist organizations that provide Hannah Taylor, 15, food and shelter to the homeless and Founder of the hungry. To learn more about Hannah and Ladybug Foundation her foundation, visit with her ladybug www.ladybugfoundation.ca. mascot
Christiane Sadeler, Executive Director (CPC); Ken Seiling, Regional Chair; Hannah Taylor, The Ladybug Foundation; John Shewchuk, CPC Chair; Mike Farwell, Master of Ceremonies; Barbara Hill, Justice Dinner Committee Chair
connections@regionofwaterloo.ca
7
On June 15, Regional Council approved the Region’s rapid transit project. It’s rare that Council has an opportunity to approve a project that is so closely linked to so many elements of the Region’s vision. If we take a look at the Region’s vision, the rapid transit project addresses each of its main points: Waterloo Region will be an inclusive, thriving and sustainable community committed to maintaining harmony between rural and urban areas and fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Implementing rapid transit will provide better transportation choice for more members of our community; it will strengthen our economy and help us to be more sustainable as a community, both financially and environmentally. Rapid transit will help us to manage growth by attracting development to our downtowns rather than developing out into the countryside, helping us to protect and preserve valuable farmland and environmentally sensitive areas. This transformational project will provide opportunity now
and into the future by creating jobs, attracting new talent, and ensuring a more livable community for generations to come. Here’s what some of our Regional Councillors had to say at the Council meeting on June 15: “This is a long term vision of what our community will require to sustain itself.” “Without a transformational decision regarding public transit, the countryside line will continue to be pressured for even more greenfield development.” “…it is time for all of us to gather our tools, come together as a community in the tradition of barn-raising and build this infrastructure, not for us but for our children, our grandchildren and great grandchildren.” It’s encouraging and inspiring to see the organization take such a significant step towards fulfilling the Region’s vision. I look forward to working with many of you as we implement this transformational project. I hope you all have a safe, relaxing and enjoyable summer!
Do you have a question for Mike? Send it to connections@regionofwaterloo.ca
DayofPink The Region of Waterloo celebrated International Day of Pink on April 13. DayofPink is the International Day against bullying, discrimination and homophobia in schools and communities. Stories of the Pink action from around the Region: ● The Tobacco and Cancer Prevention Group wore pink and ate pink treats. They also included a pink diversity activity by cutting out a shape that represented themselves and wrote words that were representative of their individuality – things they like about themselves, things that make
them different and things that people have made fun of. They shared their shapes and hung them in their offices. ● ISS North Team 6 of the Social Services department, Council and Administrative Services, and the Finance Department all wore pink and decorated each of their work areas. ● Crime Prevention Council hid pink treats throughout 99 Regina for staff to find. ● Provincial Offences Court Administration Kitchener ate pink popcorn, Easter eggs and pink beverages with Day of Pink labelled cups. ● Child Care Subsidy celebrated
as a group as part of a staff meeting and dressed up and feasted on pink favourites. They included an activity in their meeting by challenging staff to list as many words using the word “diversity”. The winning group had 33 words in five minutes. ● The ISMP group at Public Health went all out. They set the mood with pink decorations, they had a Perfectly Pink Picnic Potluck full of pink menu items – salmon, quinoa custard, lemonade, tuna Thai bites, pepper pinwheels, strawberry yogurt, garlic shrimp, pepper hummus and pitas and cookies – yum! They topped it off with a Think Pink Olympics including a pink relay, pink pincher portage and the bunny chain.
connections@regionofwaterloo.ca