The Resource

In This Issue

Recognition
Career Development
The Whole U
SafeCampus
Benefits
Retirement Savings
WorkLife
Wellness
Home Loan Program
Money Matters
Community

Published: February 10, 2016

Did you know that UW’s own Professional & Organizational Development was just recognized as providing the best leadership development program in the nation? Congratulations and thank you for providing UW supervisors with the tools they need to navigate their roles through the Strategic Leadership Program. Check out all of POD’s winter offerings and see for yourself what an amazing in-house resource we have right here at UW.

Looking for more by UW for UW programming? Check out The Whole U, which welcomes world renowned artist Qin Bailan to showcase her work in the UW Tower and offer free five-minute sketches to participants who come to see her work. Read on to learn about this opportunity and many more just for UW faculty and staff.

Recognition

 
 
 

Come to the Distinguished Staff Award Reception

All are welcome on Tuesday, March 1, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the HUB Ballroom for a reception to honor the nominees for this year's Distinguished Staff Awards. Celebrate the accomplishments of our inspirational staff, and the incredible efforts that individuals and teams have put forth at UW. President Ana Mari Cauce and other UW leadership will be in attendance, so don't miss the opportunity to join them in cheering on your colleagues. The entire UW community is invited, and if you would like to learn more about the award, visit the Distinguished Staff Award site.

Career Development

 
 
 

Professional & Organizational Development (POD) courses and events are open to all UW employees, subject to supervisor/budgetary approval and UW's release time policy. Please view our policy page for additional information.

 

Find Your Passion (Register by 2/12)

Through a questionnaire completed before class, along with activities and discussions in class, examine past experiences to better understand what you do (and enjoy doing) well. The more you know about your strengths, the more you'll understand how to use your unique excellence to maximize career satisfaction. NOTE: You must register by 2/12 and spend 2 to 4 hours completing the questionnaire before class begins on 2/18. Register for Discovering Your Dependable Strengths.

   

Get to the Heart of the Matter

Instead of wishing for more hours in the day, learn to make better use of them. In this experiential session, acquire tools for managing your energy, focus, concentration, attention, and willpower so that you can truly work smarter, not harder. Register for Working Smarter.

   

Show Your True Feelings

In this interactive workshop, gain a renewed sense of ownership of your feelings and behaviors, discover from within a new way of handling yourself and the world around you, and explore tools for improving your professional and personal life. Register for Unlocking Possibility.

   

Love What You Do

As the old adage goes, do what you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life. Whether you're ready to assess your career fit, evaluate your strengths, prepare for a job search, or plot a new career path, career counseling can help. One-on-one sessions are $110 per one-hour session if paid with a UW budget number (with supervisor approval) or $127.16 if paid with cash, check, or credit card (due to a mandatory institutional overhead fee). Learn more about career counseling.

The Whole U

 
 
 

What will The Whole U do in 2016?

It's up to you! Help set our direction by completing the community interest survey. It only takes five minutes and one respondent will win a Garmin Forerunner!

   

Dare to Row with UW Rowing Coach Alan Meininghaus

The Whole U is excited to partner with another rowing expert! If you are interested in trying something new or rowing with a professional, meet Coach Alan at Conibear Shellhouse for a 35-minute introduction to rowing. This indoor workout on the rowing machines will range from low intensity to high intensity training and will include a fun relay race at the end. Meet us at noon on Wednesday, February 17. Register here.

   

Whole U Literary Social

It's simple: Bring the book you're currently reading, an old favorite, or even a book you wrote — hardcover, paperback, or a Kindle! Enjoy a few complimentary snacks, buy a drink at the cash bar, and meet other book lovers. You'll get to chat about the book you're reading, books that changed your life, or one you just couldn't put down. By the end of the evening you will have plenty of recommendations on new reads to explore and new friends who share your love of literature. Join us at the UW Club on Friday, February 19 at 5 p.m. Sign up here.

   

World-Famous Chinese Painter Qin Bailan at UW Tower

The Whole U and the Confucius Institute of the state of Washington are thrilled to host their first joint art exhibit, featuring the internationally-recognized painter Ms. Qin Bailan. Qin Bailan, who in 2005 was awarded the title of one of "China's 10 Major Art Masters," is a physically challenged artist whose paintings have been exhibited in more than 50 countries. A selection of her lifelike silk paintings will be exhibited on UW Tower's art wall from Monday, February 22 - Friday, February 26. You're invited to meet the artist on Tuesday, February 23. Register here.

SafeCampus

 
 
 

SafeCampus Violence Prevention and Response Trainings

Everyone at UW is responsible for helping to prevent violence. Attend a SafeCampus training to learn more about violence prevention, suicide, relationship violence, stalking, and other forms of violence. Learn what your options are when you see warning signs and who to call for help.

Register for a Seattle campus training:

  • Thursday, February 11, 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m., Savery 260
  • Friday, February 26, 10:45 a.m.- 12:15 p.m., Health Sciences D209
  • Thursday, March 3, 9 - 10:30 a.m., UW Tower Auditorium

All UW employees are required to attend this training every two years. If you would like to confirm when you last attended, email your full name and your UW NetID or employee identification number to safecampus@uw.edu.

 

Active Shooter Trainings

The UW Police invites you to one of several one-hour trainings at varied campus locations and times on the subject of active shooters. The training provides awareness information, personal safety considerations, and response tools, and is designed to help you feel confident. No registration is required. You will learn:

  • How to recognize and report concerning behavior before violence happens
  • What an active shooter situation is
  • How to report an active shooter to police
  • What to do before police arrive
  • How the police will respond and what to do once they arrive
   

UW Green Dot Trainings

The Green Dot Emotional First Aid (EFA) trainings work to equip you with practical skills to be an active bystander. These trainings will build your skills in supporting students and co-workers who come to you for support. The training will provide opportunities to learn, discuss, interact, and practice intervention skills related to preventing sexual assault and relationship violence and supporting students in distress.

New to Green Dot? The aim of Green Dot is to prevent and reduce power-based violence at UW by engaging students, faculty, and staff as active bystanders who step in, speak up, and interrupt potential acts of violence. The Green Dot movement is about gaining a critical mass of the UW community, who are willing to do their small part to actively and visibly reduce power-based personal violence at UW. The program is based out of the UW office of Health and Wellness, located on the Seattle campus.

Upcoming EFA trainings:

  • February 17, 2-4 p.m.
  • March 4, 9-11 a.m.

To sign up, please visit our form.

If you have any questions feel free to email greendot@uw.edu

Benefits

 
 
 

Members of Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) Plan 3 should have received a mailing in January from the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) at their home address about a change to the PERS 3 record keeper. The new record keeper is Empower Retirement, and the change is scheduled for March 4, 2016. If you did not receive the January mailing, or have additional questions, you can go to the DRS Upgrade Resource Center to find more information and FAQ's.

Retirement Savings

 
 
 

Social Security: A Foundation for Your Future

A secure, comfortable retirement is everyone's dream. Now that we're living longer and healthier lives, we expect to spend more time in retirement than our parents and grandparents did. Join us at this free seminar to get a better understanding of how Social Security and Medicare systems work.

Learn what benefits to expect and when these will be available to you and your family. Open to UW faculty, staff, students, and retirees. Access seminar information and register today.

Wednesday, March 30
11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
UW Tower

   

How Do Your Savings Stack Up?

Experienced financial professionals from Fidelity or TIAA-CREF are available to meet with UW employees in person or over the phone to help maximize retirement savings and other financial goals. Take advantage of this opportunity to:

  • See how you can save more through Voluntary Investment Program (VIP) contributions, either pre-tax or after-tax (Roth)
  • Evaluate investment choices that meet your needs
  • Create an action plan to get and stay on track for retirement
  • Review retirement income options

Whether your retirement is years away or just around the corner, schedule a free retirement planning guidance appointment today!

   

Building Your Nest Egg

Whether you're starting out, building wealth, or getting ready to retire, UW Benefits sponsors free seminars packed with information that can help you through your journey. Below are seminars offered on campus by Fidelity Investments. Access event information and register here.

Building a Portfolio for Any Weather — Learn how to determine an appropriate investment mix for your investment style, select investment options that fit your investment approach, and manage your investment strategy to help meet your long-term goals.

Getting on the Right Path with Your Workplace Savings Plan — Learn how to maximize your workplace savings plan.

Income Strategies for Your Retirement — In this seminar you will learn about the importance of asset allocation in retirement, elements for building your retirement income strategy, and considerations for portfolio withdrawal rates.

WorkLife

 
 
 

Childcare Services – New in 2016!

Have you heard the news?We've expanded enrollment priority for dependents of faculty, staff, and students at Bright Horizons and designated KinderCare centers, two nationally recognized leaders in early childhood education. Lower cost, in-center back-up care is available through KinderCare and Bright Horizons. Advance registration is recommended. A 10% tuition discount is now available at all KinderCare centers, and the before- and after-school care Champions Program. Lastly, when a child is mildly ill, in-home sick childcare is available through Bright Horizons.

If you're caring for an older adult, you may now schedule in-home eldercare services through Bright Horizons Back-Up Care Advantage. Find details on all of these new services on the WorkLife site.

   

UW CareLink and Confidential Counseling

Sometimes we just need some extra help to sort things through and care for ourselves.Maybe you are trying to care for yourself and others.Or, you have a child at college having a hard time adjusting and would like some personal support. Whatever the concern, UW CareLink provides in-person counseling where you discuss your concerns with a licensed professional to gain clarity.You receive five free in-person counseling sessions for each issue you work to solve. UW CareLink matches you with counselors who are the right fit for your situation and who have offices near your work or home.Call 866-598-3978, available 24/7, to start the confidential referral process.

   

How Can I Care for Both of Us?

Sometimes we are so deeply concerned about the well-being of the person for whom we are caring that we forget our own needs. We "burn the candle at both ends" and become exhausted, emotionally stressed, or ill, compromising our own quality of life and our ability to care for our family member. This month's Balanced Living article, How Can I Care for Both of Us?, provides caregiver Do's and Dont's to help us through.

UW Carelink will also broadcast a one-hour webinar "Surviving the Stresses of Caregiving" on February 16 at 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.Caring for an elder can be an ambitious and exhausting task; it's physically demanding and emotionally draining.Explore typical sentiments and frustrations of the caregiver and examine tactics to make this task manageable, while still enjoying a relationship with your loved one. Register here. The webinar will also be archived on the site and available for viewing by the beginning of March.

Wellness

 
 
 

Beyond the Scale

Weight Watchers' new program, "Beyond the Scale," is designed to deliver a more holistic and personal approach to a healthier you. This program moves beyond what you weigh and shows you creative ways to eat healthier, move more, live happier, AND lose weight! UW Benefits sponsors three campus meeting locations for UW faculty and staff.

  • Tuesdays, Schmitz Hall
  • Wednesdays, UW Tower
  • Fridays, Health Sciences Building

See our UWellness page for more information.

   

SmartHealth: Earn Points to Qualify for a $125 Incentive

Will this be the year you'll eat healthier, work out more, lose weight, quit smoking, reduce stress, volunteer, or practice gratitude? Join SmartHealth to achieve these goals!

SmartHealth is the state's voluntary and confidential wellness program for eligible Public Employees Benefits Board members who are enrolled in Uniform Medical Plan or Group Health. It's free, easy, and confidential. SmartHealth helps you and your dependents take steps to improve your health and well-being while having fun and connecting with others. As you progress on your wellness journey, you earn points. Primary account members who reach 2,000 points by September 30, 2016, will qualify for a $125 incentive in 2017. See how it works.

   

Mammography Screenings for UMP Members*

If you're a woman age 40+ who's enrolled in the Uniform Medical Plan* (UMP) Classic, UMP Plus—UW ACN; or UMP—CDHP-HSA, consider scheduling your next routine mammogram at the MammoVan. The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance MammoVan is a customized, mobile, breast-imaging clinic bringing the latest technology in digital mammograms to you at your workplace. The average appointment time is just 15 minutes!

The MammoVan is scheduled to visit on March 9, 2016 at George Washington Landing near the Henry Art Gallery. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis between 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Access screening information and schedule an appointment.

*Note: Please contact your insurance plan to see if the MammoVan is considered an in-network or out-of-network provider. UMP Plus–PSHVN and Group Health members may be required to receive all mammography services directly from an approved network facility. Contact your plan for details.

Home Loan Program

 
 
 

Save the Date: UW Home Improvement Fair is April 5

Revitalize your home! Drop by the UW Home Improvement Fair to get bright ideas that will help you save money and add value to your home. Chat with interior designers, home-efficiency specialists, and other home improvement experts. Enjoy refreshments and enter to win door prizes, including a chance to win a Kindle Fire! All expenses are paid by HomeStreet Bank and participating exhibitors.

Drop by the Fair on Tuesday, April 5 between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at HUB Lyceum, room 160.

View event details.

   

Hometown Seminars

HomeStreet offers the following free one-hour seminars to help you learn about a variety of homeownership issues related to budgeting, buying, remodeling, refinancing, and selling your home. Access information and register here.

Buying a Condominium

So you think condo living would be the perfect fit for your budget and lifestyle? Learn:

  • The pros and cons of condo ownership
  • Ways that condos differ from single-family homes
  • How to find the right community
  • How to secure the right financing

Buying a Home with Down Payment Assistance

Are you interested in buying a home but want to keep your down payment to a minimum? Learn:

  • Low down payment programs and strategies
  • How to use down payment assistance and the eligibility requirements
  • Which down payment assistance programs are in your area
  • How to assess your eligibility for programs

Buying and Remodeling a Fixer Upper

Are you one of those enterprising "Do-It-Yourself" types? Learn:

  • The best options for finding distressed properties
  • What improvements add value to your home
  • How to budget for basic home repairs
  • Whether to do it yourself or hire out

Budgeting Essentials

Wishing more money would stay in your wallet? Learn:

  • How to manage your income to meet expenses
  • Ways of setting aside money to save for financial goals
  • Setting realistic financial goals
  • Creating a money management action plan

Refinancing and Using Home Equity

How do you know when it's the right time to refinance a home? Learn:

  • Ways that a refinance may benefit you
  • Advantages of using cash from your home
  • How to consolidate or avoid consumer debt
  • How to distinguish the difference between a home equity loan and line of credit
   

Free Homeownership Counseling

Thinking of buying or refinancing a home but not sure how to get started? Why not schedule a free personal homeownership counseling session with a HomeStreet representative who can walk you through the process? These 30-minute, one-on-one sessions are both private and informative, and your spouse, partner, or potential co-signer is welcome to attend with you. To schedule an appointment, email hthl@homestreet.com or call 206-628-0207.

Money Matters

 
 
 

America Saves Week: Small Changes Make a Big Difference

Join UW Benefits and our saving partners in celebrating America Saves Week, February 22-27, 2016. This nationwide awareness campaign encourages you and your family to set goals, plan, and save automatically so you can reduce debt and build wealth towards a more financially secure future. Pledge to save, test your savings knowledge, picture your goals, read saver stories, and more at America Saves Week. Our partners are:

   

Credit Union Financial Education Seminars

Save more and better manage your finances with financial education seminars presented by two local nonprofit credit unions, WSECU and Inspirus. These free sessions are held at convenient campus locations during the lunch hour.

Access event information and registration for the following seminars:

Financial Yoga: Stretching Your Hard-Earned Dollars
Learn tips that will help you gain control of your finances and reduce financial stress.

Scams, Shams, and Identity Theft
Learn how to better protect yourself, your money, and your personal information.

Social Media and Your Child's Financial Future
Learn effective strategies for your child and the top 10 social media mistakes to avoid.

Credit Reporting 101
Come away with valuable tips to help you get the most from your creditworthiness.

Community

 
 
 

Travel Plus Fair for Adults 50+

The UW Retirement Association is hosting Travel Plus, a fair for adults over 50 within the UW community. The subject is travel plus some enticing extras: education, adventure, cultural enrichment, and volunteerism. The fair takes place on Thursday, February 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the HUB South Ballroom, and it features specialists in travel for adults over 50. View full schedule and register in advance for this free event.

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