Vol. 2 No. 3 A quarterly e-newsletter from Cornell University’s Employee Assembly

Hello from the Employee Assembly! We hope you’ll take this opportunity to take a quick glance at news from members of the Employee Assembly as well as campus information and events targeted to CU staff. Feedback and ideas are always welcome at ea@assembly.cornell.edu.

• Congratulations to Terri Natoli, administrative assistant in the Department of Neurobiology, who was recently honored as the 174th recipient of the George Peter Award for Dedicated Service. Nominations are currently being accepted for the EA’s George Peter Award, given to Cornell staff members who are great at their job, extend themselves to help others, and go “above and beyond” on a daily basis. Details at <http://assembly.cornell.edu/EA-GeorgePeter/Home>.
• Want a free lunch? Send your Staff Kudos in for publication in the next EA News. The Kudos giver and receiver will be invited to an Employee Assembly Staff Kudos luncheon at the end of the academic year. So recognize your colleagues by sending in your Staff Kudos to ea-staffrecognition@assembly.cornell.edu.

• Join the EA! The Employee Assembly is looking for staff members interested in having a voice about staff issues on campus. Now is the time to become involved! The Assembly is increasing its membership from 13 to 19 representatives and seeking both exempt and non-exempt candidates. Be part of the large turnout of staff members interested in running for a spot on the assembly. Interested candidates should fill out a candidacy statement at the EA Office or on the EA website (materials available February 17). Two campaign informational meetings will be held at 12:15pm on March 23 in B16 Day Hall and at 12:15pm on March 29 in 109 Day Hall. The deadline to submit candidate materials is 12pm, April 1. Voting begins on April 11.
• Take eCornell online learning classes in human resources, financial management, project leadership and much more! Cornell University employees are eligible for special tuition rates for eCornell courses through an arrangement with the Office of Human Resources. Courses are available for $100.00 each (regularly priced at $575 to $1145) and may be purchased with a Cornell University Procurement Card or credit card. eCornell courses range in length from 6—12 hours and unfold across a period of 2—4 weeks. During that time you will use email and online discussion to interact with your fellow learners and with an eCornell instructor who is an expert in the subject matter. Following the formal end of the course, you will have access to the course material for an additional 4 weeks. To find out more about eCornell courses or certificate programs please contact your Client Services Manager, Heidi Conover at 607–330–3218 or email her at clientservices@ecornell.com.
• Interested in being involved with the Employee Assembly? Join one of our committees! We are looking for members for all our committees: internal operations, elections, communications, education, personnel policy, finance, and staff recognition and awards. For information on joining a committee visit the committee webpage.
• The Employee Assembly received an update on the Mental Health Initiative/Means Restriction plan from University Architect Gilbert Delgado and Director of Mental Health Initiatives Tim Marchell at its February 16 meeting. Not only is there a comprehensive mental health strategy for helping those in crisis that includes ways in which we can all be the eyes and ears of those in need but major steps are taking place towards means restrictions on our campus and community bridges. Look for pre-schematics on mean restrictions designs coming in a series of meetings on March 2. For more information visit the Mental Health Initiative/Means Restriction website.
• Bring a Child to Work Day is scheduled for April 28, 2011. Online registration will begin April 7 at 9 a.m. and will end April 17 at 5 p.m. The list of learning sessions will be available online on March 15. Pre-registration and supervisor permission are required. The event is open to children ages 8 through 16, accompanied by a Cornell employee.
• Did you know there was a Cornell University CARE Fund? Previously known as the Emergency Grant Fund (managed by the Employee Assembly), CARE is a program offering financial assistance to faculty and staff who have experienced a non-recurring sudden or emergency-related financial hardship due to an unforeseen or unavoidable event. CARE is administered confidentially through the Office of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion (WDI) in conjunction with the university’s Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. For more information visit http://www.hr.cornell.edu/life/support/care_fund.html.
• Do you know someone who is a Real Hero? Someone who has gone the extra distance to save a life or do something way beyond expectation or duty? Think about the heroes you know — teachers, soldiers, doctors, teenagers, firefighters, pets, your neighbor down the street. The Tompkins County Red Cross would like to honor acts of heroism at the First Annual Red Cross Real Heroes Celebration at TC3 on April 29th, an event to recognize those special local heroes among us in Tompkins & Cortland counties. For more information http://www.tompkins-redcross.org.
• You’re Invited to Soup & Hope!
  • Step away from your desk ~ Enjoy free soup & bread ~ Fuel your body, mind & spirit ~ Thursdays @ Noon ~ Sage Chapel.
  • http://www.curw.cornell.edu/soupandhope11.html
  • Members of the Employee Assembly will be serving soup on March 17 and 31. EA elections information and materials will be available.
• For news on staff opportunities, events and programs, access <www.pawprint.cornell.edu>.
• Do you have child care or other parenting related needs? Are you caring for an aging, ill, or disabled family member or friend? Cornell University has resources to assist you. Eileen McCoy Whang is the university’s Dependent Care Consultant and is available to help you in finding campus/community resources related to your caregiving needs. Contact Eileen at emw76@cornell.edu or 255–1917 for more information.

United Way Volunteer Opportunity

1. Do you have an interest in improving the quality of life in Tompkins County?
2. Are you familiar with health and human service programs in Tompkins County?
3. Can you work with substantial amounts of program and budget material?
4. Do you have a general understanding or interest in learning about United Way’s philosophy and activities?

United Way of Tompkins County is currently recruiting Fund Distribution and Evaluation Volunteers to provide leadership for review of grant applications through various United Way funds awarded to area nonprofits. Volunteers evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of programs to decide where to invest United Way of Tompkins County donors’ dollars.

Training will take place during February and March with most time spent volunteering during April and May. Additional meetings take place throughout the calendar year. To sign up to volunteer, please visit the following link: www.uwtc.org/volunteer. If you have questions, please contact Meg Cole, Chief Program and Information Services Officer for the United Way of Tompkins County at 607.272.6286. For more information about the United Way of Tompkins County, please visit their website: www.uwtc.org

• If you or your unit have items that you would like to see included in the next EA E-News please send to ea@assembly.cornell.edu.