Staff Bulletin
From the Rutgers School of Social Work Staff Council
February 2022
- Step away from my computer/workspace to go enjoy a coffee or tea
- Binge watching a show over the weekend (if you're looking we have recommendations!)
- Prioritizing sleep to be fully rested
- Doing something creative - ie. new indoor plants or photo wall
- Plan a trip, even if local - NJ has some amazing spots for day trips (for foodies too!)
- Take some me time, even if it's 5 Minutes
- Dance
- Take your dog for a walk
- Exercise (RU even has a competition to put some Spring in your Step)
New Staff Representatives!
IIDEA Committee --> Thomas Benjamin
- Thomas Benjamin, a project assistant at the Center for Research on Ending Violence (formerly the Center on Violence Against Women and Children), is also a graduate student in the Master of Communication and Media program at Rutgers-New Brunswick. I have worked at the Center for just over three years. I am delighted to team up with other Committee members to help inform the Dean and other leadership personnel on policy and practices that make students, staff and faculty know that they are valued. No member of the School of Social Work should have the slightest worry that their identity may threaten their growth, achievement, self-worth or safety. I look forward to drawing upon the concerns of my colleagues and my personal experiences to proactively surveil social blind-spots, maintain equitable pathways to success and promote professional, academic, and personal well-being.
Staff Council --> Kathy Gilbert
- Kathy Gilbert, a Business Specialist working in the Business Services Unit of SSW. Having been a member of the School of Social Work for 7 years, spending the majority of that time working with the Institute for Families and the past two years with Business Services. I feel now, more than ever, it is important to be involved in educating and training both myself and others in the critical matters relating to social and economic justice. The Staff Council has done an excellent job of this, and I would consider it an honor to work towards furthering their mission.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Coffee with the Council
We heard you and recognize that there hasn't been as much time as we've hoped in our previous All Staff Meetings to share with you the Council's Priorities and have time/space to hear from you!
- Looking forward to seeing you next week on February 23 from 10am to 11am for our first session. Join via Zoom by using this link --> 2/23 Coffee with the Council
- Share your questions ahead of time via our Anonymous Suggestion Box.
ICARE in Partnership with the Institute for Families
- March 15th Registration Link
- 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 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
- Black History Month | Check out how RU is celebrating
- Lunar New Year | 2022 is the Year of the Tiger & the Rutgers Asian American Cultural Center is celebrating today!
- The Future of Work Task Force | RU is asking to hear your voices, experiences, and views about the future of work at the University. Register here.
- RU Employees First Initiative Webinar Series | Webinars on physical, financial, mental and social well-being. Take a look!
- OntheBanks | Interested in following the RU Men's Basketball team & other sports, this podcast is run by an RU Grad!
- Explore | Maple Sugaring 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.
- Mermaids | Are back at the Adventure Aquarium!
- De-Stress | RU Recreation has it's own Massage Therapy Offerings
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 10 spots for 2022!
Spencer Nitkey
- What is your name/nickname?
Spencer Nitkey - What is your position and how long have you been with the School of Social Work?
Evaluation Coordinator on the Research and Evaluation team of the Institute for Families. I've been with the School of Social Work since August 2019. - What was your first job?
This is my first post-graduation job! My first job ever was as a writing tutor. - Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Tea. I can't handle very much caffeine. - If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza. You can get all your major food groups that way, if you're brave enough. - What is your favorite holiday and why?
Probably valentines day. In lieu of pink and chocolates, my wife and I spend every valentines day doing a movie marathon for a weekend. In past years, we've marathoned all of Lord of the Rings, all of Pirates of the Caribbean, almost every Miyazaki movie, and a few other marathons. We still aren't sure what we're doing this year, so if you have any fun movie marathon ideas, let me know! - What fictional place would you like to visit?
This is a tough question. So many of my favorite books aren't necessarily set in places that sound like a relaxing vacation spot. That being said, I'd love to visit Rivendell, from Lord of the Rings. It's beautiful, peaceful, surrounded by forest, filled with wise elves, and they seem to eat a lot of fruit there, which checks most of my vacation boxes.
Featured LinkedIn Learning Courses
SSW Staff Council
Email: staffcouncil@ssw.rutgers.edu
Website: https://sswadministrativeservices.rutgers.edu/staff-council
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Twitter: @RutgersSSW