UHR News
University Human Resources

March 18, 2008

Questions? Please use the contact information found within each article for the fastest reply.

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Voices of the Staff Continuation Approved, Volunteers Needed

Voices of the Staff (VOICES), a volunteer-based initiative that gives U-M staff members a forum for sharing ideas and defining the campus community issues that matter most to them, has received approval to transition from a three-year pilot to a sustained and ongoing program of the University.

Along with the announced continuation, VOICES has received funding so the program can continue to support the work of its six topic-focused Network Teams, broaden development opportunities for volunteers, and offer key events, such as an annual Supervisors’ Conference.

Associate Vice President for Human Resources Laurita Thomas commented on the continuation decision by saying: “Voices of the Staff has produced important and enduring benefits for our community. We envision that universities around the country will emulate our design as they strive to increase employee engagement.”

Volunteer Now to Make Your Voice Heard!

Applications are currently being accepted for VOICES Network Team volunteers. Network volunteers serve for two years and meet once each month for 1.5 hours. Volunteers are chosen from the pool of applicants to create a microcosm of the larger staff community. Staff members with at least one year of service can volunteer to serve on the Network Team of their choice by completing an application between now and March 31 at www.voices.umich.edu

The VOICES Network Teams will continue exploration of the following topics in 2008-09.

-Benefits, Health & Well-Being
-Diversity
-Parking & Transportation
-Career Development
-Faculty & Staff Communication
-Rewards & Recognition

Look for March’s GOOD CHOICE of the Month vending machine item!

It's easier than ever to make healthier snack choices at UMHS and campus vending machines.

good choice logo Each month, a GOOD CHOICE item is selected and sold at a reduced price of 60 cents. March’s GOOD CHOICE of the Month vending machine item is Baked! Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream Flavored Potato Crisps. It’s a perfect opportunity to try something new!

Michigan Healthy Community’s GOOD CHOICE program has selected dozens of healthier food and beverage items, each identified with the GOOD CHOICE logo. MFit nutrition guidelines for fat, sugar, sodium, cholesterol and fiber are used to determine healthier choices in vending machines, at participating dining locations and through U-M Catering.
For more information on the GOOD CHOICE program, visit www.mhealthy.umich.edu.

Choose Success:
Professional Development Courses from HRD

Below you'll find links to courses that are coming up in the next month. Click on the course title or the link after the course title for a description and registration information. Timely registration is very important.

HRD is pleased to announce that we are once again partnering with UMHS Human Resources to offer courses at the North Campus Administrative Complex (NCAC). A few of courses are listed below. To see all courses offered at NCAC, and for registration information, click here: http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/umhscourses.html.

Taking Good Notes and Meeting Minutes
LOCATION: North Campus Administrative Complex (NCAC)
Date: Wed. 3/26/08; Time: ; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/readingwrittencomm.html#4

E-Mail and Information Overload
LOCATION: North Campus Administrative Complex (NCAC)
Date: Tue. 4/1/08; Time: 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/timemanagement.html#4

Difficult Conversations
LOCATION: North Campus Administrative Complex (NCAC)
Date: Mon. 4/21/08; Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/commandlistening.html#3

Personal Career Assessment: Am I Where I Want to Be?
LOCATION: North Campus Administrative Complex (NCAC)
Date: Tue. 4/22 & Wed. 4/30/08; Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/career.html#1

Here is a list of additional HRD courses coming up in the next month:

Conflict Management: The Fundamental Skills
Date: Wed. 3/19/08; Time: 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/conflictmanagement.html#1

Advanced Conflict Management: Dealing with the Source of the Conflict
Date: Wed. 4/2/08; Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/conflictmanagement.html#2

High Impact Teams
Date: Tue. 4/15/08; Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/teamdevelopment.html#1

Gossip Stoppers: Managing Negativity in the Workplace
Date: Wed. 4/16/08; Time: 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/teamdevelopment.html#2

Motivating Others for Peak Performance
Date: Thu. 4/17/08; Time: 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/performance.html#5

Prepare, Practice and Present
Date: Thu. 4/17/08; Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/presentationskills.html#2

Process Improvement: Working “Smart” for Better Results
Dates & Times: Tue. 4/22/08, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 5/6/08, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/processorgman.html#3

Check our website often for the very latest in course offerings – especially courses that are currently in development. Or better yet, contact us. Tell us what you’re interested in and we’ll contact you when the course is available.

Fidelity Investments: Look Forward with Confidence to Retirement Day

Knowing you can reach your retirement goals. That’s retirement readiness. And you can begin taking the steps to achieve your goals when you meet with a Fidelity Retirement Counselor. These sessions are designed to help you become better informed and more confident in planning for your retirement.

Please join Fidelity Investments for a confidential consultation. You will learn about investing for retirement and get a better understanding of the steps you can take to ensure your retirement readiness.

Consultations are conducted at:

Michigan Union
Michigan League
Medical Professional Building
Medical Inn Building
North Campus-Pierpont Commons
University Hospital
Flint Campus
Dearborn Campus

To schedule your confidential consultation call
1-800-642-7131, Monday – Friday, 8:00AM-midnight, ET, or reserve your space at: http://www.fidelity.com/atwork/reservation

Get More Help on Your Retirement Plans – Anytime – with TIAA-CREF

In Person
TIAA-CREF has a consultant who is available to meet with you individually to discuss your investments needs and to conduct retirement planning workshops at many different U-M locations including Ann Arbor Campus, Health System, Flint and Dearborn. To view upcoming dates and locations and to register for an appointment or seminar, please click here http://www.tiaa-cref.org/umich or call the TIAA-CREF Ann Arbor office at 866 842-2949, extension 6804.

Online
Two of the more popular Financial Education Seminars (Pre-retirement and SRA/IRA) created specifically for U-M employees continue to be available for viewing 24/7 by clicking here: U-M Web Presentations http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/tiaa-cref .

On the Phone
You can talk to a TIAA-CREF representative about investment choices, income options, pre-retirement illustrations and other ways to help get the most from your retirement plan, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET at 800 842-2776.