Connecting the Dots Conference

2023 Conference

We are pleased to announce our 18th annual Connecting the Dots conference, to be held virtually on October 10, 11 and 12, 2023. Several Zoom Webinar sessions will be offered at no charge to the U-M community. Watch for details in late summer!

2022 Conference

More than two thousand staff and faculty virtually attended the 17th annual Connecting the Dots conference in October 2022. It featured free virtual presentations with useful tips and strategies for nurturing your work-life.

Resources are Available

Select the 2022 presentation title to expand the panel for more information, including links for any resources and slides. Session recordings have now expired.

2022 Work-Life Connecting the Dots Conference

October 12, 13, and 14, 2022

October 12 at 11:30 a.m. | Thriving in a World Turned Upside Down
Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.| Thriving in a World Turned Upside Down

Mark Saine, M.A., M.S., Managing Director, Client Leadership Solutions, Strategic Client Relationships, TIAA

Does the world, our workplace, and life suddenly seem turned around? The rules and expectations are changing in every aspect of our lives, and what worked before may not hit the mark. How do we adapt and even thrive as we transition to what’s next? This interactive session explores how we prepare ourselves for the constant flux of life, and how to navigate when the road ahead seems unclear. Together we will look at the characteristics of our current circumstances, how we build resilience, what opportunities are now available, and how we can do more than just survive.

The recording and resources for this session were posted for 30 days, and are no longer available.

This session started at 11:30 to allow attendees of the DEI Summit Community Assembly to join us on Zoom.
October 12 at 2:00 p.m. | Keeping your Brain Healthy: Advances in Aging and Alzheimer’s Research
Wednesday, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. | Keeping your Brain Healthy: Advances in Aging and Alzheimer’s Research

Bruno Giordani, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Psychology, and School of Nursing; Senior Director, Mary A. Rackham Institute; Chief Psychologist, Department of Psychiatry; Associate Director, Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Over the past few years, there have been dramatic advances in understanding dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. New techniques are being introduced for the identification and treatment of persons in the earliest stages of memory loss, and even many years before the appearance of symptoms. We will discuss what these results may tell us about how each of us can maintain a healthy brain.

Slide presentation
October 13 at 10:00 a.m. | Working in New Ways: Keeping Our Communities Connected
Thursday, 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | Working in New Ways: Keeping Our Communities Connected

Host: Peggy Sheagren, Chief of Staff and Director of Operations, University Human Resources

Jaime Cox, Director of Human Resources, Office of Student Life

Amy Peters, Director of Research, Computing & Infrastructure, LSA Technology Services

Paul Sturgis, Senior Director of HR Strategy and Organizational Effectiveness, Michigan Medicine Human Resources

For most of us, the past two years have impacted how, where, and sometimes when we work. As we move towards a new working normal, how do we establish effective ways of staying connected as individuals, teams, and units? Come learn about resources and examples from colleagues on ways to strengthen connections through intention and creativity!

Presentation slides
October 13 at 2:00 p.m. | Planning for Retirement
Thursday, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. | Planning for Retirement

Betty Thomas, M.S.W., Benefits Administrator Senior, U-M Benefits Administration Office

This session, offered by the U-M Benefits Office, is designed to help you prepare for a successful retirement. Covered topics include retirement eligibility, benefits in retirement, retiree contributions to health care, retirement income options, and additional retiree privileges. Because the information in live presentations of this topic can become outdated, a recording of this session is not available. However, there are regularly-updated resources listed below. Including a carefully edited recording of a previous presentation.

Resources

Slide Presentation

Past Recording

Your Benefits in Retirement booklet

Retirement Checklist

Employer Shared Responsibility (ESR) flier

Planning for Retirement website
October 14 at 10:00 a.m. | Difficult Conversations
Friday, 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | Difficult Conversations

Brian Cole, Interim Director of Operations and Planning, Organizational Learning

Sarah Button, Project Manager Intermediate, Organizational Learning

Difficult conversations at work or at home are inevitable, but preparation can turn a dreaded conversation into one that’s tolerable and even productive. In this session, you’ll learn a tried-and-true approach to prepare for and have a difficult conversation, no matter the setting. Real-life stories, videos, and resources will be provided to help you find the right approach to apply in your next conversation.

Resources

Worksheet

Helpful Phrases

Presentation Slides

Q & A
October 14 at 2:00 p.m. | Pandemic Parenting: A Virtual Roundtable
Friday, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. | Pandemic Parenting: A Virtual Roundtable

Co-host: Jill Castro, PsyD, Senior Faculty and Staff Counselor, Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO)

Co-host: Christine Snyder, M.A., Interim Director of Work-Life Programs

Juanita Houston, PsyD, DLLP, Collaborative ChangeMakers

Christian Boyer, B.S., B.S., Teacher, U-M Towsley Children's House

Jenn Cooper, M.A., B.F.A., Master Teacher, Pearson Virtual Schools

Join us for a roundtable discussing kids' and families' reintegration into school and child care during the current phase of the pandemic. Experts in psychology, social work, and child development will be available to answer questions and discuss ideas and strategies for a smooth social, academic, and emotional transition. There will also be opportunities to brainstorm with fellow parents, provide support for one another, discuss challenges, and celebrate victories big and small.

Resources

Resources Handout

Presentation Slides

Connecting the Dots Conference

2023 Conference

2022 Conference

Resources are Available

2022 Work-Life Connecting the Dots Conference

Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.| Thriving in a World Turned Upside Down

Wednesday, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. | Keeping your Brain Healthy: Advances in Aging and Alzheimer’s Research

Thursday, 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | Working in New Ways: Keeping Our Communities Connected

Thursday, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. | Planning for Retirement

Friday, 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | Difficult Conversations

Friday, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. | Pandemic Parenting: A Virtual Roundtable

Work-Life Programs

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