| News from UMKC Staff CouncilSept. 2025
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Staff Council Voting Member Nominations Open
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Staff Council voting member nominations are open through Oct. 1 at 4:59 p.m. Nominate a colleague or yourself, and each nomination form enters you into a raffle for a Fall Raffle Basket. Voting members serve two-year terms, attend monthly Staff Council general body meetings, and join one Staff Council committee. For questions, email staffcouncil@umkc.edu.
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Roo Recognition: Celebrate Colleagues, Win a Prize
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Recognize a fellow Roo staff member and be entered to win. Each month, Staff Council randomly selects one person who submits a Roo Recognition card and one who is recognized to receive a prize. Share a card for a colleague who went above and beyond, is celebrating a birthday, is new to campus, or just deserves a shout-out. Both you and your colleague will be entered in the monthly drawing. Show appreciation and spread positivity—submit your Roo Recognition card today.
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Crafty Critters: Start Your Semester with UMKC Pride
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Join the first Staff Council Engagement Committee Crafty Critters event Sept. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. in Scofield Hall, Room 109 (Great Hall). Make a pony bead kangaroo keychain in UMKC blue and yellow while enjoying lunch and creativity with colleagues. No registration required, but supplies are limited. Feel free to bring your lunch.
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Lead to Read Children’s Book Drive
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UMKC Staff Council is partnering with Lead to Read KC to host a campus-wide children’s book drive Sept. 27-Oct. 8. Lead to Read is a local nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every child has access to the power and joy of reading. Last year, UMKC collected over 200 books, and this year the goal is even higher. Drop-off locations include:
- Miller Nichols Learning Center, south entrance
- Administrative Center, first- and second-floor entrances
- Staff Council meeting, Oct. 1
UMKC is also organizing a One Day, One Book event at a nearby school Oct. 29 during the lunch hour. Volunteers will serve as reading buddies. More details will be shared soon. Email staffcouncil@umkc.edu for more information, or to arrange a book drop off.
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Virtual 5K Registration Now Open
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Run, walk or bike anywhere between Sept. 27 and Oct. 5. Registration is $25 and all proceeds support the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center, which provides food assistance to Roos in need. Register by Sept. 26.
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Volunteer with UMKC at Boo at the Zoo
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Join UMKC at the Kansas City Zoo for Boo at the Zoo on Oct. 25-26. Staff volunteers will hand out candy and UMKC goodies to trick-or-treaters. Free zoo admission is included, and you can explore before or after your shift. Sign up by Oct. 20. Questions? Contact staffcouncil@umkc.edu.
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Human Resources Offers EAP Resources and Employee Referral Incentives
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UMKC Human Resources offers opportunities and resources to support staff, including:
EAP Resources: The Health and Wellbeing topic focuses on helping youth build confidence, stay safe, and feel understood. Resources include parenting tips, digital safety, emotional resilience, and body image. Learn more.
Employee Referral Incentive: UMKC is hiring! Explore a variety of faculty and staff positions across campus and help us grow by referring exceptional candidates. Look for the flame icon in eRecruit to find roles eligible for a $500 referral incentive. Learn more.
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Staff Resources and Upcoming Events
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Digital Accessibility at UMKC: New digital accessibility requirements affect course content, websites, emails, PDFs and more. Efforts are underway to meet the April 2026 deadline at both UMKC and the University of Missouri System. New rules also apply to university social media accounts. Accessibility includes alt text, captions, graphics and more. Register any UMKC social media accounts you manage by Oct. 1, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, Threads and others.
JCPenney Suit Up Event: UMKC staff are invited to the JCPenney Suit Up Event Sept. 11, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Overland Park Mall. Attendees can get up to 45% off professional attire, enjoy perks and refreshments, and should check in at the south entrance for an exclusive coupon. The event is open to staff, faculty, students, and alumni. Event details.
KC Fiesta Hispana: Volunteer with UMKC Admissions at KC Fiesta Hispana, Sept. 12-14 at Hy-Vee Arena. The Midwest’s largest Hispanic Heritage celebration includes music, dance, vendors and exhibits. Sign up here.
Fall Sports Are Back: Catch men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball at KCRoos.com or on the free KC Athletics app. Season tickets start at $50, with BOGO deals for UMKC staff and faculty plus perks like free food and drinks. Join fellow Roos for free UMKC Faculty-Staff Nights at these home events: Sept. 21 (men's soccer), Oct. 9 (women's soccer), Oct. 15 (women's volleyball). Use code FAC-STAFF at checkout to get $5 guest tickets. For details and tickets, visit KCRoos.com or call (816) 889-8758.
First Gen Student Success Summit: Join the second annual summit Oct. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union. Faculty and staff can submit proposals by Sept. 21 to share research, best practices or reflections. Presenters will receive a share of a $500 stipend. RSVP today.
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Next UMKC Staff Council Meeting: Oct. 1 at 8:30 a.m.
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All staff are welcome to attend Staff Council meetings. Staff Council typically meets the first Wednesday of each month from 8:30 to 10 a.m., both in person and via Zoom.
The next general body meeting is scheduled for Oct. 1 in Bloch Heritage Hall, Room 006, and via Zoom. Subsequent Fall 2025 meetings will be held Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.
Attendees are encouraged to dress for monthly themes for a chance to win a raffle prize: Oct.—fall/Halloween; Nov.—UMKC spirit/Roo recognition; and Dec.—ugly sweater.
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