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Updates from the Benefits Team
The benefits team is hard at work making more offerings available to campus and we have two updates to share! First, the adoption credit for campus will increase from $3,000 to $7,500 on January 1st. We won't send a full campus email about this right away, but want this team to be aware of the changes.
Second, many of you are familiar with Virgin Pulse from the pilot program that HR participated in earlier this year. We are working toward a January 30 launch to campus and will be meeting with various teams in the coming weeks to ensure you have the information needed prior to launch. You will notice in upcoming communications we will be calling the program the Well-Being for Life Platform powered by Virgin Pulse to ensure that faculty and staff understand that the platform includes many of the Well-Being for Life resources. We hope you will all register and participate in the well-being platform when it launches!
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Save the Date: Walk the Walk Week 2023 and HR Unity Summit
This year, Walk the Walk Week will take place from Thursday, January 19 - Friday, January 27. More information on the three keynote events, as well as other events scheduled for the week can be found here. As part of this week, HR will host a Unity Summit on Friday, January 27. All are strongly encouraged to attend. More information about the Unity Summit will follow in the coming weeks.
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Lynn Kalamaros,Sr. Equity and Faculty Affairs Specialist
What is one thing your colleagues should know about you? - I have volunteered for 12 years and currently serve as Vice President of the Board of Directors at the Readiness Center, a community educational center in Benton Harbor, MI. The Readiness Center provides preschool, parenting, afterschool and teen-mentoring programming to the community. I started out volunteering with the preschool program when my children were younger and could come with me and was impressed by the model where a parent attends with the child, working with their child and then separately learning important life and parenting skills. The ability of the Center to make a difference in the long-term success of its students inspired me to invest more time and energy in its mission. My three children have all volunteered at the afterschool program. I feel lucky to have found this unique place where I can contribute and make a difference.
What is one of your proudest achievements in your career thus far? - As I thought about what case or project I would consider my proudest achievement, I concluded it was not a singular achievement but instead successfully navigating the challenges of maintaining a rewarding career path while raising three children. I left a partner position in a law firm to spend more time at home with three children under six, something I never imagined doing before I had children. I continued with my adjunct teaching in the law school and then independently worked on Title VII and Title IX cases and eventually started working at Notre Dame, weighing each move based upon the balancing of my time at work and time at home. No amount of advice prepares you for the surprises at each stage of your child's growth, the continued attention they need at each stage or the career choices you may find in response to those challenges . . . but I'm proud of the path we've navigated so far, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for continued success in the balancing act.
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To Becky and Rachel for all the support they provide the People Services team. You are so gracious and kind with the endless amount of questions we bring you. Thank you!
Shout out to Shannon who has been sharing her creative talents to enhance the visuals of our newsletter - Thank you!!! - Emily
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HRC Christmas Tradition
Each year the HRCs gather for a white elephant exchange. This is always great fun and full of laughs exchanging what they can find in their closets that others may find value in. Lots of stealing of gifts and laughs to kick off the giving season.
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Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bedding Drive Update
We are now confirmed for a January 25 day of service with SHP to build 20 beds for children who are not as fortunate to have a bed. As we've done in the past, we will close the office for this day of service. More details will follow in the coming weeks.
Just a reminder that we are still collecting bedding sets! We are 13 sets away from hitting our goal of 20! Please consider donating if you have not already. If you choose to donate, please fill out the spreadsheet so that we are able to track what has been purchased. All sets must be new and unused and you can purchase a set on Amazon or at any store and have it shipped directly to Kristy’s home, drop it off at Kristy’s desk, or if you would prefer, you can make any kind of monetary donation. Kristy will coordinate the delivery to SHP.
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It’s a pajama day!
You are invited to close out the year as comfortably as possible, on Thursday, December 22. Come to work wearing your favorite pajamas for the last day in the office.
Additionally, a hot chocolate bar will be available in the break room starting at 9 AM. So, come grab a cup of cocoa, and don’t forget some whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate chips and peppermint candy!
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Enjoy these local options for christmas light viewing ~
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Now that we have a basic understanding of ways in which to find sustainable gifts during the holiday season, how do we address wrapping those gifts? Think about the amount of virgin paper and plastic that gets thrown out (never recycled) during the holiday season. There are four tips I can give for wrapping more sustainably this season:
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Supporting Local Businesses
Are you still working through your nice list? Think about shopping local! The South Bend/Michiana area has tons of great local artisans and businesses to choose from. Don’t know where to start? Check out this article about local stores featuring truly unique items that can only be found in the Bend. Happy shopping!
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Please be sure to empty the fridge!
In advance of the break next week, please be sure to empty out any food you might have in the fridge. Anything still in the fridge at noon on Thursday the 22nd will be thrown out.
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- Anyone who might be struggling with mental health or are missing a loved one during the holiday season
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If you have information you'd like included in future newsletters please send those to Emily. Any content received by noon on Thursday each week will be included in Friday's newsletter. Thank you!
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