Connections Newsletter Fall 2016

EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTERFALL 2016 Fall is for Falls Prevention Golfers raised $21,000 for and Collaboration new dementia program Thousands attend 2nd Golfers couldn’t wait to get on the green at this year’s sold-out Annual Aviation Fun Day Sunnyside Foundation Golf Tournament! With the support of 10th Annual Say Hi Day – everyone who participated, the tournament raised $21,000. Ola, Ciao, Salaam Proceeds will help fund a new initiative in Seniors’ Services that helps inspire and engage people living with dementia, providing them with opportunities for joy, purpose and something meaningful to do each day. Jamal Murray visits children Jamal Murray visits and youth at a Region- Community Housing owned community housing complex in Waterloo on NBA shooting guard and Kitchener-born Jamal Murray Labour Day weekend. visits children and youth at a Region-owned community housing complex in Waterloo on Labour Day weekend. Jamal signed autographs and handed out school supplies from Staples and Microsoft. “Getting the chance to meet a professional basketball player who grew up here can provide inspiration to children and youth as they prepare for their return to school,” said Mina Fayez-Bahgat, Region of Waterloo Housing Manager who helped organize the event. The NBA guard for the Denver Nuggets said of the event, “I grew up not far from here, I immediately wanted to see how I could make a difference and lift the morale in this community.” [email protected]

Fall is for Falls Prevention and CollaborationThis fall, members of the Injury and Substance MisusePrevention program are taking steps to raise the profileof falls prevention. “Through the promotion of FallsPrevention Month, and our work on falls preventionacross the lifespan, we hope to raise awarenessabout the topic, and inspire collective action towardspreventing falls within our community,” says DanielleLodwick, Health Promotion and Research Analyst.Danielle is a new Regional employee who has shared Danielle Lodwick (lower left) with members from theher passion for falls prevention through involvement Board of Directors for a local Adult Day Program.with the Board of the local Adult Day Program. Using A falls prevention framework will be released in lateinsights from her previous experience with Halton November and can be used by Regional employees asRegion Public Health, Danielle is currently working on a tool to support a culture of falls prevention acrossa Falls Prevention Across the Lifespan Development the lifespan.Framework. “As one of our Regional values,collaboration has been an important component to theprocess, and my involvement with past collaborationshas allowed me to remain connected with dozensof organizations that are passionate about fallsprevention. These connections have been mutuallybeneficial through the continuous sharing of ideasand research.”Regional Baseball League all about family funShalon Wagner has been the Regional Baseball league convenor for the Ann Marie Hagey up at batpast four years and loves the family aspect of the Region baseball league. during the Regional baseball“Our team, Smack that Ball, is the most family-oriented team you can get.Both my dad and brother play on the team and my mother and husband tournament in August.come out to watch most games.”Regional employees and family members make up the nine teams in theleague. Employees from across the organization participate, includingemployees from Community Services, WRPS, GRT, Paramedic Services,Sunnyside, PH and Waste.The family atmosphere has an inclusive feel as the league has modifiedthe rules for players with special needs. Ann Marie Hagey fromCommunity Services bats for her team without being required to field.“I’d really like to thank my team and the other players for including meand making me feel part of an experience, and letting me participate2 [email protected]

Thousands attend 2nd Annual Aviation Fun DayAn estimated 4,600 people came helping to provide much needed food Non-Stop Dailyout to enjoy the Aviation Fun Day on items as children return to schoolAugust 20, with many participating and the expected increase of those Chicago & Calgaryin the Runway Run. In lieu of an using our Food Bank this fall,” saidadmission fee, donations were Pat Singleton, Executive Director for Non-Stop Weeklyaccepted for the Cambridge Self the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank.Help Food Bank and The Food Bank Cari Howard, Project Manager at Waste Orlandoof Waterloo Region. In total 1,526 Management, rests after the Runway Run Until April 28pounds of food and $3,490 in cash along with a friend and her son Owen.were collected. “What a great 2015 AAINRDPOFRIGTUFRAECSTSevent and it couldn’t have come at abetter time,” said Wendi Campbell, 153,963 passengersExecutive Director of The Food Bankof Waterloo Region. “Summer is a used the airport in 2015difficult time for food banks.” Onein 20 households are struggling toput food on the table and food banksare struggling to keep food on theshelves.“The food and monetary donationscollected will go a long way inaccording to my ability.” Ann Marie, who uses a wheelchair, just There are overcompleted her forth season with the league.The league season runs from mid-May to mid-August with games 100,000played at Homer-Watson/Pioneer Park baseball fields on Wednesdaynights. Family members of Regional employees 16-years of age and aircraft movementsolder are welcome to join. (take-offs or landings) annually In 2013 YKF contributed YFK is one of the $86 MILLION TOP 20 BUSIEST to the Region’s economy† airports in Canada OVER 250 25 BUSINESSES private & charter operate from the aircraft are based airport employing over 300 people at the airport †A copy of the Wilfrid Laurier University Economic & Social Impact Study is available at www.waterlooairport.ca“Fowl Balls” won this year’s Regional tournament. 3 [email protected]

10th Annual Say Hi Day – Ola, Ciao, SalaamOn Thursday, September 22, 2016 Students who participated in theschools across Waterloo Region will first annual Say Hi Day in 2007celebrate the 10th Annual Say Hi are now Say Hi ambassadorsDay, an initiative championed by the in secondary schools, colleges,Waterloo Region Crime Prevention universities, work places andCouncil in partnership with the neighbourhoods.Waterloo Region District SchoolBoard and the Waterloo Catholic Saying “Hi” to others can be anDistrict School Board. easy first step towards a much bigger goal of growing a safe andSay Hi Day has the potential to reach healthy community within schools.over 100,000 students each year. Ultimately, a community whereStudents from JK-Grade 12 take children and youth experiencepart in activities aimed at promoting being and feeling safe translatesinclusion, belonging and respect into a community that is safe forwithin their schools. everyone… and where every day isNow in its 10th year, Say Hi Day has a say “Hi” kind of a day.influenced a whole generation of To learn more: www.sayhi.castudents who have come to embody Follow us on Twitterthe principles and attitudes of @SayHiDay2016inclusion and social engagement.Accessibilityis part of everything we do Do you know your part?Check the portal for accessible communications resources. Training coming soon.4 [email protected]

A look at employee developement Employee DevelopmentContinuous learning and develeopment supports employeesto develop new or existing skills at all career stages.Remember that “upward” movement is not the only way:• Lateral Movement: Change in position, but not Tip: Development is a necessarily a change in status or pay shared responsibility between• Job Enrichment: Change within current employees and supervisors. job to provide growth experiences Employees should demonstrate ownership of their development• Career Exploration: Identification of other jobs by initiating actions that will that align with current skills and interests lead to career goals• Downshifting: An assignment or job at a lower level of responsibility and/or salary to try something new or to achieve better work life balance• Change Work Setting: Transition to a different boss, organization or employerAdapted from: Individual Development Planning; U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Human Resources Management APPLY ONLINE Do you check the Region’s job postings regularly? The preferred methd ofapplying for jobs at the Region.. If you apply to an internal job post, you will benefit most from using the online application process. Here’s why: It’s quick, easy and convenient • Applying for jobs online is easy and convenient. Apply• Apply through the Region’s external website, from any computer, even from home, and the system from any computer – even from home will notify you that your resume was received.• Get confirmation that your resume • Did you know applying for jobs online buys you more was received time? Online resumes are due at 11:59 p.m. on submission day instead of 4:30 p.m. for hard copy resumes.• Enjoy a later deadline • The online application process is the method preferred by Human Resources and Citizen Service (HRC) staff. To apply online you need to set up an account. Instructions can be found on the Portal under Job Postings, or on the Region’s website under Current Job Opportunities. Once your account is set up, you can access internal job postings through the Region’s website by going to Current Job Opportunities, “Log-in”. HRC is hoping to reduce the number of paper resumes it receives for Region job postings from current employees. It is considered best practice among municipalities to go paperless. Electronic resumes are easier to scan for key criteria, share with hiring managers and save in the [email protected] 5

Oktoberfest / Thanksgiving Day ParadeWe’re extra proud of this year’s Region of Waterloo float in the Oktoberfest/Thanksgiving Day parade.This year’s theme was, “Building a Greener Future.”The Region of Waterloo was recently given the Green Champion award by the Federation of CanadianMunicipalities, which noted that the Region is “a national leader in sustainable development and a model forother communities in Canada”.Special thanks to staff who work on the float every year to make it so great in the parade.From Warehouse to parade route.OPEN HOUSE Date: Wednesday, Raising the Bar for Healthy Aging October 26, 2016 Time: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.L ocation: 247 Franklin Street North, KitchenerReceive a discount on annual fitness membership, tour the Enter to win a spa bath, massage or foot care!Wellness Centre, meet the team of health care professionalsand take time to discover our services, including personal fitness The Sunnyside Wellness Centre removes barriers to participation with a comfortable andcoaching, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, physiotherapy, accessible location. The Centre encourages healthy living for improved quality of life,foot care and professionally supervised exercise for older adults. provides social interaction reducing isolation and is convenient and affordable.For more information call 519-896-0805 or visit www. regionofwaterloo.ca/sunnysidewellnesscentre6 [email protected]

Meg Leslie from the SFCC inspires Community others to follow their creative passion! Services adds value for improvedMeg Leslie, a customer service representative from Service First Call Centre client service.(SFCC), organized a series of Mosiac Tile Workshops in which participantslearned how to create mosaic tiles for public display. “Stephanie Sokolowski, Wesley Schroeder stands in thean urban planning student from the University of Waterloo contacted me central storage room with the newafter seeing a community art project I worked on in Kitchener. The Hespler inventory management system heVillage project was similar in that a large number of volunteers were need.” designed using Lean principles.Over 60 volunteers from the community, including representatives from the A Lean transformation forSFCC were involved with the Hespler Community Art Project. Sunnyside’s central storage roomThe completed mosaic tiles adorn the community pavilion in Hespler Village highlights the value of innovation.and are made from materials brought in by the volunteers themselves. The Physical Resources Coordinatortiling workshops have inspired other SFCC staff to move forward with other Wesley Schroeder has re-artistic endeavours, including the creation of plant terrariums and other organized the 1,000-square footworks of art for community craft shows. room, categorized thousandsYou can find more information, including volunteer opportunities at: of supplies, and created anwww.facebook.com/hespelervillagecrafternoon. inventory management systemTo see other works from Regional staff visit http://trishasterrarium.com. he is hoping will soon be computerized. With this newMeg Leslie and Stephanie Sokolowski, system, the central storage roomproject co-ordinator from the University is easier to manage and suppliesof Waterloo Urban Planning are highly visible, allowing kitchen, housekeeping, and nursing staff access the products they need in a pinch. No time wasted searching for supplies and no supplies wasted that become outdated – one of the many ways the Lean principles are being applied throughout Seniors’ Services to enhance efficiencies and improve client service. Nice work [email protected] 7

This time of year always makes supporting the United Way. The United Way focusesme reflect on a theme of “Giving its investments in three priority areas: Poverty tothanks… and giving back.” Possibility; Healthy People, Strong Communities, and All that Kids Can Be. Many United Way funded Over the Thanksgiving weekend, agencies also partner with the Region by helping I had an opportunity to reflect on people in need in our community. For example, how much we have to be thankful United Way and the Region both support the Waterloo for. Unlike many parts of the world, Region Immigration Partnership, YWCA Emergency we are fortunate to live in a country Shelter and Charles Street Men’s Hostel.and a community that welcomes and celebrates Check www.uwaykw.org for more information.diversity. We have access to clean water, greenspaces and a healthy natural environment. We have This year, our staff donation goal is $200,000. Thegreat festivals and attractions and are never far from best way to support the campaign is through payrollscenic rural settings. Many of us are fortunate enough donation which provides consistent revenue toto have a strong network of friends and family in this support programs. Whether you give a little or a lot,community. Waterloo Region has a thriving economy you make a difference in the lives of your neighbours.with vibrant urban areas coexisting with fertile and The Region’s United Way Committee, headed by HRCprosperous rural areas. Commissioner Jane Albright, has a variety of fun events planned. Make sure to attend and get intoUnfortunately, even in this thriving community, some the spirit of the campaign. Keep checking the portalpeople get left behind. One way we can all help for updates on the campaign’s progress as well asgive back and improve lives in this community is by upcoming events. Thanks for your continued support. (pthr$oeT2Wci0Uceakeneyeaid)ttcseshdtoRetro Video Dance Party with VJ from MuchMusic!Come out for a fun evening of 80s and 90s music with your colleagues, • Cash barpartner, spouse or friends. • Dress in your favourite retroThursday, November 17, 2016, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Road, Kitchener outfit or come as you are!Tickets available from your CSA or online through Eventbrite.ca • Free parking! (Carpooling(See the Portal under Innovation/Events for a direct link). is encouraged as parking is limited) [email protected]