AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) are being added to multiple buildings across campus. An AED is a portable medical device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm and can deliver an electrical shock, if necessary, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm during a cardiac arrest. We encourage as many people as possible to learn how to use these devices.

Join Chris Nickell on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311, for this quick and simple AED training class. In 30 minutes, you will learn a skill that could save a life.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

A chair massage makes a great gift for an employee or co-worker. Or, treat yourself to a chair massage and relax and re-energize your day. Ten- and 20-minute massages will be offered on campus Nov. 7 and Nov. 8. Cost is $10 for a 10-minute massage. Payment should be given directly to Anne Boal, licensed massage therapist, at the time of appointment. Correct change, cash, or check is required. Those who participate will have the chance to win a gift certificate for a free 10-minute chair massage.

Click the links below to register for the day and time of your choice. You may register for one or two time slots per registration sheet.

Nov. 7, 2–4 p.m., Cline Hall, Conference Room 101
Nov. 8, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Olmsted Center, Drake Room

For additional information, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

This free instructor-led course will teach you how to respond to first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies. It includes hands-on practice of lifesaving skills and certification for those who successfully complete the course.

This four-hour course is taught over two days: Monday, Nov. 6 and Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. each day. Attendees must register for and attend both days. Chris Nickell, director of environmental health and safety, will present. A minimum of four and maximum of 10 participants is required to hold the class. Click both of the links below to register.

Day 1 Registration

Day 2 Registration

For additional information, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

The demands of work and family share importance in our lives but how do we budget our time? Join presenter Johanna Dunlevy from Employee and Family Resources on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311, as she shares how effective life skills can help to make informed decisions and manage stress. Attendees will learn how to develop a blueprint for time management and sort out what is and isn’t important in order to restore balance in everyday living.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester. Additional BUILD information, including an online registration form, is accessible under the blueView Employee tab, in the Learning & Development section of Human Resources.

Email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Becky Reif and Nathan Overberg, attorneys with Ahlers and Cooney, P.C., will provide an overview of employment laws on Nov. 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Parents Hall North. The session will focus on helping managers to avoid common missteps and explain when they should contact Human Resources. It will also highlight some laws presented last year, with additional topics that arise in the workplace. To RSVP for the session, email drake.managers@drake.edu. Participants will receive two credits towards the BUILD program.

—Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Social media has connected the world more than ever before. How do we represent ourselves in today’s digital world? Can you share those cat memes on Facebook but still position yourself as an expert in your field? Niki Smith, assistant director of public relations, will present how companies across the United States are enforcing social media policies and share the guidelines established at Drake on Oct. 31 from 9 to 11 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Room 310-311. Her presentation will explore ways to use digital media to improve your professional networking, defining the line between personal and professional. Attendees will receive two BUILD credits.

—Debra Wiley, Human Resources

The open enrollment period for employee benefits is taking place now. A special thanks to the University Benefits Committee, composed of a committed group of faculty and staff from a variety of areas across campus, for their work reviewing benefits and making benefits related recommendations.

The benefits committee works with Drake’s third party benefits consultants, Mark Becker and Associates, to review plan performance, benefit options, and market conditions. A good deal of work and meeting time is dedicated to this process and the committee should be commended for the seriousness with which they undertake their collective work. The committee will continue to meet throughout the year to discuss other benefits-related issues, and all staff and faculty are encouraged to reach out to committee members with questions or comments about employee benefit options.

To learn more about the work of the University Benefits Committee, plan to attend one of the following:

Annual Benefits and Wellness Fair
Nov. 10, 8:30¬–11:30 a.m., Olmsted Center, Room 310-313

Upcoming Informational Meetings
Oct. 26, 3 p.m., Olmsted Center, Room 310
Nov. 1, 12 p.m., Olmsted Center, Room 310
Nov. 14, 2 p.m., Olmsted Center, Room 310

University Benefits Committee Members:
Matt Dore, Chair, Professor of Law
Tricia Atterberg, Administrative Support Specialist, College of Arts & Sciences
Steven Blaylock, Special Skilled Maintenance Person, Facilities
Bruce Gilbert, Director, Library Operations & Technology, Professor of Librarianship
Michelle Krogulski, Associate Professor and Director of Student Teaching
John Stacy, Transport Lead Person, Facilities
Chrystal Stanley, Director, Professional and Career Development Services
Nora Stelter, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Tony Tyler, Director, Student Engagement Equity & Inclusion

Non-Voting Members:
Linda Feiden, Wellness and Recognition Specialist, HR
Marlene Heuertz, Benefits Specialist, HR
Gary Johnson, Director, HR Operations
Teresa Krejci, Chief Financial Officer, Finance & Administration
Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer, Finance & Administration

—Venessa Macro, Finance and Administration

For those faculty and staff who have completed their wellness screenings, don’t forget to complete your online assessment through Wellmark by Nov. 17. You must complete the online assessment in addition to the wellness screening to receive the wellness premium discount, which is a savings of approximately $300 in 2018.

To complete your online wellness assessment, log into wellmark.com, go to the Wellness Center, and click on Take Your Wellness Assessment or Retake Your Wellness Assessment.  If you don’t see either of these, click the Healthy Living tab at the top of the page and then click Wellness Assessment from the drop down menu options.

Questions may be directed to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 271-1880.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

An overview of upcoming benefit plan changes will be provided by Mark J. Becker, Drake benefit consultant, on Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Room 310. During the meeting, Wellmark representatives will also demonstrate how to conduct cost comparisons and prescription drug searches on the Wellmark website.

For more details on open enrollment, see the Oct. 17 article in OnCampus.

—Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources