Drake’s online recognition tool, Peerceive, is a quick and simple way to show recognition to colleagues. Recognizing employee contributions, and creating meaningful recognition and awards programs, are an important part of the Drake culture.

The Peerceive dashboard includes easy-to-use tools to send electronic kudos or e-cards. Kudos are a way for co-workers to express gratitude for a unique contribution to the workplace. They can be sent as often as you wish and to any employee (or group of employees) in any department. E-cards are an electronic version of a hand written note. Use these to tell an employee happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, or wish them well.

Recipients will receive an email letting them know they received a kudos or e-card. A link will take them to the site where they can view the message. You can access Peerceive on myDrake under Other Employee Apps on the All Apps page. Your username is your Drake email address and your initial password is your employee number, including any leading zeroes.

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

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Chances are you are already making some healthy choices: Getting a dental check-up, participating in BUILD classes or wellness programs, sending a Peerceive kudos, or attending a Drake Social. Now you have the opportunity to win some great prizes for those choices. The Bulldog Pack Wellness Scorecard is a points-based spreadsheet dedicated to helping you enhance your quality of life in seven areas: physical, emotional, financial, community, social, occupational, and intellectual. Simply check items off on the scorecard as you complete them. If you reach 100 points between Sept. 3, 2018, and May 31, 2019, you will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

The Bulldog Pack Wellness Scorecard is available to all current Drake full-time and regular part-time employees, regardless of enrollment in the Drake Medical Plan. Download a copy of the scorecard and get started today.

For more information, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 515-271-1880.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake challenged Des Moines University and Wesley Life to a step challenge in October. During the month team members from all three institutions tracked their daily steps using pedometers, fitness trackers, and smart phone apps. The goal was to be the institution with the highest average step total. The prize – a traveling trophy and bragging rights for the year.

Seventy-four Drake faculty, staff, and students began the program and 58 completed the challenge. Out of those 58 participants, we collected a total of 16,931,373 steps which is equivalent to 8,465 miles. Our average step total was 291,920 steps.

Although we did not win the trophy it was a close competition and we should be proud of our accomplishment!

1st Place: Wesley Life 294,546 average step total

2nd Place: Drake University 291,920 average step total

3rd Place: Des Moines University 272,287 average step total

We will compete again next October and hope that many of you will help us bring this trophy home. But you don’t need to wait until then to get moving. Being more active is possible any time of year. Even during the winter months. Here are a few ways to add steps to your day:

Create a walking group with co-workers and friends. The Knapp indoor track is available most days over the lunch hour. You may need to check times and schedules.

Join a Group X class at the Bell Center.

• If your building has an elevator, skip it if you are able and take the stairs instead.
• If possible, walk to talk to co-workers instead of calling, emailing, or texting.
• Set a timer and every hour get up from your desk and walk around or walk in place for a couple minutes. Walk and talk on the phone as well.
• Park further from your destination. And if your building has multiple entrances, enter from the furthest door.
• If you are getting groceries on your way home from work, walk the shopping cart back inside the store when you are done with it.
• Watching TV at night? Get up and walk around during the commercials. Better yet, skip TV and try an active video gaming experience with a Wii Fit or Xbox Kinect.
• And instead of getting together with friends for dinner, make it an active night out. Check out a winter farmer’s market, go ice skating, or try a dance class.

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

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Holiday Trimmings is a six-week program designed to encourage you to maintain or lose weight over the holiday season. If you have trouble dodging festive yet fattening foods, like pecan pie, sausage stuffing, and egg nog, this challenge is for you.

Beginning and ending weights will be recorded and throughout the challenge you will receive healthy holiday tips. Everyone who maintains or loses weight will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win prizes.

For more information, or to register to participate, please send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu with the subject line “Holiday Trimmings.” Deadline to register is Thursday, Nov. 15.

A packet of information will be sent to those who register. Read through the packet carefully and start the challenge on Monday, Nov. 19.

Let’s make this a happy and healthy holiday season.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources