Staff Bulletin
From the Rutgers School of Social Work Staff Council
March 2022
March is Social Work Month! This year’s theme is The Time is Right for Social Work. The Time is Right for Social Work theme underscores the contributions social workers have made to this nation for more than a century and how the services they provide are needed more than ever as our nation addresses economic inequality, systemic racism, the need for improved health and mental health care, Covid-19 and other issues. Thank you to our social work team here! Keep an eye on the SSW News site for some amazing contributions by our own SSW Faculty.
In the spirit of this month and celebrating all of the work that is done to support Social Work, our students, and our mission, we are exited to announce the re-release of the SSW Staff Recognition Form (can also be found on our website here). Have you noticed one of your collegues going above and beyond to provide exceptional service to the School and our mission?! Please take the time to give them a kudos by completing the form. The Staff Council will be reviewing all entries and sending out notifications to our stellar employees and their managers!
*NEW* - Staff Open Forum via Teams!
- General
To be used as an open forum of sorts for all staff to chat and share experiences; including the best lunch spots!
- SSW Garbage Games
One of the simplest ways we can support our communities is making sure they are clean and healthy. Show us a quick pick up - before and after! We hope you take part as the weather starts to warm up, plus there's a prize that will go to our first two posts!
- Standing in Solidarity
We recognize that words may not be enough, but we want to have a space to acknowledge injustices and tragedies that impact those in our beloved community.
- The Secret Life of SSW Pets
Whether nudging us while we're working from home or patiently waiting for our return from the office, they aren't just our pets but a part of our family! Share the secret life of your pet.
- What's your Wordle
Share your score, tips, tricks and secrets to becoming a Wordle Master! The one rule, don't share the word!
UPCOMING EVENTS
ICARE in Partnership with the Institute for Families
- March 15th Registration Link - REGISTER NOW!
- March 29th Registration Link
- Objectives include: understand terms and concepts relevant to the LGBTQ+ community; knowledge of laws and policies relevant to the LGBTQ+ community; ability to provide LGBTQ+ affirming and culturally sensitive care for members of the community; familiar with communication techniques and interpersonal interactions with the LGBTQ+ community.
SSW Faculty & Staff Service Recognition | March 28 from 3pm to 4pm
SSW All Staff Meeting | April 21 from 10am to 12pm
SSW Staff Council Brown Bag Sessions
These are brief sessions where we will be looking to bring an expert to discuss a specific topic or just gather a group of staff members together for an open forum. No registration will be needed, just drop in! All sessions will be held on the days noted below from 12pm to 1pm.
- Session 2 --> March 16 | Teams – Tips, Tricks & Best Practices w/Clarence Bernardo, IFF Project Manager
- Session 3 --> April 19 | HR Open Discussion w/Associate Dean Sharon Fortin
- Session 4 --> May 17 | Staff Benefits - What's Out There & Available?
- Session 5 --> June 21 | Presenting Yourself Professionally on Social Media w/Laurie Zazenski, SSW Director of Communications
- *the Zoom link for these sessions will always be the same - you can click here to attend!
- *Please share your questions ahead of time via our Anonymous Suggestion Box!
Staff Spark Notes
- Women's History Month | Lots of ways to celebrate in NJ.
- Free COVID Testing | Employees can receive free at-home testing through the State of New Jersey OR through the new Federal Program released in partnership with USPS.
- Docket | The new and improved way to keep your COVID-19 vaccination record on hand.
- PTO | Beat the June 30, 2022 deadline & plan your vacation. Employees may review their available vacation time by viewing the Absence Balances and Details information in Employee Self Service.
- Donate Vacation Time | Employees who are not able to exhaust all accrued vacation time in excess of the one year carry over allowance may wish to support colleagues suffering from catastrophic medical conditions by donating excess vacation time to either the Compassionate Leave Program or the Staff Leave Donation Program (Guidelines may vary.)
- Top 100 | Rutgers Makes Forbes 2022 Best Large Employers List.
- Summer Camp | Registration is open for Rutgers Rec & Scarlet Kids Camp Programs!
- News | Did you know the digital editions of WSJ and NYTIMES are free to RU Staff?
- RU-Newark | Amazon Partnering with RU-N and other NJ Colleges to Fund Tuition for Front-Line Employees.
- Joy | Need a pep talk? Check out this new hotline that is sure to brighten your day.
- De-Stress | Listening to one of these top rated podcasts for your Mental Health.
- Taste | This easy Cheesecake Pudding recipe!
- St. Patrick's Day | Learn an Easy Irish Jig!
Meet a Staff Member
Each month we'll highlight another submission as a way to connect and get to know our colleagues beyond emails and Zoom. We are looking for NEW SUBMISSIONS to fill 9 spots for 2022!
Jessie Garcia
- What is your name/nickname?
Jessie Garcia (I've never had a nickname) - What is your position and how long have you been with the School of Social Work?
Research assistant to the Institute for Families; about 4 months - What was your first job?
My first ever job was my work-study placement at the Rutgers Psychology Child Development Center, which I also still work at. - Do you prefer coffee or tea?
I prefer coffee; I only drink chamomile tea when I have a cold. - If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I could probably eat pizza everyday for the rest of my life since I could change toppings and styles frequently. - What is your favorite holiday and why?
My favorite holiday is the Day of the Dead for the cultural significance and traditions. - What fictional place would you like to visit?
The protagonists of my all time favorite sci-fi book series Lorien Legacies were from a planet called Lorien and from the way the books described it, it seemed like a beautiful planet so I would like to visit it.
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SSW Staff Council
Email: staffcouncil@ssw.rutgers.edu
Website: https://sswadministrativeservices.rutgers.edu/staff-council
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Twitter: @RutgersSSW