|
Updates and Announcements
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Open Positions - Please help us spread the word! Share with building contacts and community partners or on your social media: http://cismidamerica.org/careers/
- Director of Grants (Central Office/Remote within Network)
- AmeriCorps VISTA Members – 4 open spots (Communications, Development, Program Operations, and Volunteer & Alumni)
|
|
- We are excited to share details about this year’s Summer Engagement Conference with you. Check out the website to learn important details: SEC event website.
|
|
- Leadership Series (Coming soon)
- We are putting together a 4-part (optional) series that addresses the top two training needs reported in the 2022 Staff Needs Assessment: Leadership & Time Management. Stay tuned for more info!
|
|
- Receipt reminder: when you are expensing a meal, you need to get itemized receipts. These are the receipts that list out each items purchased and the cost (drink, appetizer, entrée, etc.). Most every place will provide an itemized receipt and it is rare they won’t be provided (but it can happen with some small places in certain locations). If you cannot get an itemized receipt you need to make a note of what was purchased in the description on the expense report and list what was ordered.
- Commercial Card Center (where you check your credit card transactions and balances) is ending services 3/24/2023. Online access is moving to Card Center Direct. Card Center Direct is an upgraded online experience for your Business Credit Card, with improved account visibility and security.
- You will need to enroll is online banking (again!) at the link here: https://www.cardcenterdirect.com/Login/Login/ The information required is linked to your current credit card. You will need to ensure that the “Account Type” is ‘Business Credit Card’ and don’t forget the Zip Code is the Zip Code of the Central Office (66046).
|
|
|
ADMIN/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
|
|
|
- In the coming weeks, the Central Office will be gearing up for spring and summertime constructions projects and maintenance. Office Manager, Sabine Jones will be reaching out as we get closer to these different projects (landscaping, cubicle remove, parking lot paving, storage room) and letting folks know what to expect along the way.
|
|
- Happy Spring Break Season! – Student Support Coordinators will all have a spring break sometime in March or early April. Hope everyone is able to unplug from work and recharge over their breaks.
- Please submit your interest in participating in the ISS Model Development workgroups by end of day on Tuesday, March 21st. Staff who sign up to participate will receive more details from their workgroup facilitator by Monday, March 27th, with the workgroups starting in early April.
|
|
- As mentioned in February’s Newsletter, we will kick off the collection and implementation of an organization-wide visualizations dashboard this month. Is there data in your functional area that would be inspiring or good to know for any staff member at Mid-America? Please share those goodies with your VP, as D&E will connect with them soon to gather ideas!
- Some pursuits underway from the Project Evident recommendations: creating an A360 Issue/Idea Ticketing system, implementing an executive dashboard for an overview of student supports and outcomes, and streamlining data entry in A360. (just the beginning, folks!)
- Standards and standards!! We are reviewing not only CIS accreditation standards but also the National Guidelines for Integrated Student Support, among a few others, to prepare us for not only identifying a set of standards to serve our new journey but to help us strive to go beyond those standards to increase the value of our work as we grow.
|
|
- Alumni Allies Network – 66 alumni are on caseload and connected for ongoing supports. 50% of Alumni Allies Network members are having regular monthly meetings with Leslie Harmon. This is a strong level of engagement given the fact that supports and services are no longer place-based in a school and require students to make the initiative to regularly connect.
|
|
|
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY RELATIONS
|
|
|
- The Government & Community Relations team continues to travel our network connecting with community champions, school staff, legislators, and friends to share the work being done each day by all of us.
|
|
- It’s springtime and we’re thinking of end-of-school-year events and planning for back-to-school already, too! Check out some of the upcoming events you can share with friends, family, and community members as appropriate.
- FutureNow: Finance events are always looking for additional volunteers to share their “life” experiences with students. Check out these opportunities with a link to specific volunteer times available:
- Don’t forget to plan now for these fun back-to-school events if you’re in the northeast Kansas or Southeast Kansas areas in August or September.
- August 26th -- Bo’s Hog Wild Kidsfest with BBQ, Brews, and Bands – Baldwin City, KS
- And, save the date for our upcoming golf tournament!
|
|
- Our new podcast, A Seat at the Table, is a show for students by students. We're extending an invitation to all Student Support Coordinators who may have students interested in participating as guests/hosts. Brooke Hopper will work with students to develop the theme and talking points, and the communications team will make sure everyone has what they need to make a great recording. Interested? Send Brooke an e-mail for more information.
|
|
- March Employee of the Month: Nate Thies, Program Director for Team Empower. Here's what the nominators had to say about Nate:
|
|
|
|
Here is what the nominator had to say about Nate: It has been very enjoyable to team up with Nate. His leadership style gives his teammates that very feeling - that we are on the same team, and in this together. Nate uses his past experiences as a SSC to empathize with his team, which is a huge asset to the relationship that Nate has with us. One of Nate's leadership styles that has been a great help to me, and I'm sure the other members on our team, is his ability to assist me in working with my weak points. Nate took hold of that and really has used this as an opportunity for me. The great thing is, Nate has the uncanny ability to give constructive criticism without making a person feel bad or inadequate.
Then there's the idea of approachability. This is where the true colors come out. There have been times when Nate could have taken an idea of thought the wrong way, but he's always quick to think and slow to talk. Lastly, Nate is always willing to make himself available to the Team and me. Whether it be a weekend, or later in the evening, he will answer the "plea for help." Again, he never gives off the feeling of "I'm too busy for you." For these reasons, I'm nominating Nate Thies for the EOM. Nate is more than a Team Director. He's a very valuable asset to CIS of Mid-America!
|
|
|
|
Click here to nominate an employee or AmeriCorps VISTA Member for the Employee of the Month award.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
