Please plan to stop by the Annual Benefits and Wellness Fair this Friday, Nov. 9, from 8:30–11:30 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Parent’s Hall North. This annual, come-and-go event provides an opportunity to learn about the wide range of benefits and wellness opportunities available at Drake University. Representatives from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Advantage Administrators, Delta Dental of Iowa, TIAA, Long Term Care Strategies, Principal Life Insurance Company, Employee and Family Resources, and Human Resources will be present to answer individual questions. The line-up also includes Drake University’s Recreational Services and Athletics/Ticket Office. Bring a co-worker and

• Visit with colleagues.
• Submit benefit election forms.
• Enter drawings for vendor prizes.

Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Veterans Day is a federal holiday held every November 11^th  to honor all military personnel who have served in the U.S. armed forces. This year, Veterans Day falls on a Sunday, with most states observing it the following day (Monday).

Drake University would like to thank all of our employees who are veterans of our armed forces. In honor of service to country, we will offer our veterans a free meal at Hubbell Dining Services.

To receive a printed voucher for a complimentary free meal, which may be used at any time during the month of November, please bring evidence of military service such as a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, a current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), or your Veterans Organization Card. Alternatively, provide a photograph of yourself in your military uniform to Human Resources, located at 3206 University Avenue, anytime during the month of November.  Thank you for your service.

Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

Please join Human Resources in welcoming 10 new, full-time Drake employees for the month of October.

Taresa Lombard, Head Start Teacher Associate, Head Start
Macey Coppess, Family Engagement Specialist, Head Start
Kerra Beilman, Head Start Teacher Associate, Head Start
Eric Merten, Assistant Director of Admissions, Office of Admissions
Matthew (Matt) Lyons, Senior Associate AD for External Affairs, Athletics
Magen Renner, Administrative Assistant/O.T., CPHS
Geena Rasmussen, Development Data Specialist, University Advancement
Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid, Student Financial Planning
Joni Kinnan, Administrative Support Specialist, College of Arts & Sciences
Jeremy Ray, Classroom Support Technician, ITS

Have you ever thought of yourself as your own brand? It may seem like terminology that is only specific to product marketing, but today personal branding can be your path to success in professional development, whether you are wanting to expand your career, achieve personal recognition, or just work better with your colleagues.

During a session on Nov. 7 from 1–2:30 p.m. in Olmsted, Room 310, Carlyn Crowe, visiting assistant professor and internship coordinator for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will provide several tools for developing or enhancing your personal brand by identifying and learning to express your unique set of values. You’ll leave this session with tools you can use immediately for understanding and communicating your brand that will give you more confidence and empowerment for professional and personal success. Register online.

Debra Wiley, 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

Join this interactive session with Scott Raecker, Executive Director of the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center, and learn how to integrate Drake’s core values into your team’s work experiences. Scott will share tips on how to have intentional conversations about values and bring them to life in day-to-day interactions across campus. This session will be on Thursday, Nov. 1, from 9–10:30 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Room 310. Register online.

Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Drake’s Annual Open Enrollment Period began Oct. 19.  If you haven’t already done so, please visit the Benefits Portal in myDrake to make benefit elections for the 2019 Plan Year.

As noted previously, you are not required to visit the Benefits Portal if you do not wish to make changes to your medical, dental, or wellness participation.  However, if you wish to participate in Drake’s flexible spending account plans during 2019, YOU MUST make a new election in the Benefits Portal. Additionally, it is important to ensure your basic and voluntary life insurance beneficiary information is correct in the Benefits Portal.

Please note you will periodically receive emails from Drake’s online benefit enrollment system during the annual open enrollment period. Emails promoted by eBenefits Edge will be provided via the address below, and should not be disregarded as SPAM.

SBDEBEANALYST <SBDEBEANALYST@exchange.principal.com>

Should you have questions, please contact Diana at 515-271-1871 or Marlene at 515-271-1901. Benefit elections for the 2019 Plan Year must be made on or before Nov. 30, 2018.

Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Drake Benefit Consultants will provide a benefit overview addressing benchmark comparison data and plan design changes for the 2019 Plan Year Wednesday. Wellmark representatives will also be present to answer your questions.

Please take this opportunity to learn more about your Drake benefits Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 12 p.m. in the Shivers Courtside Club Suite.

Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Employee and Family Resources (EFR) offer a variety of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits to full-time Drake employees and their family members. Besides the more familiar services such as phone-based support and in-person counseling, they also offer financial and legal consulting, eldercare resources, childcare resources, and identity theft resolution services. Check out the Drake University EAP Benefit Summary for details.

If you would like a representative from EFR to attend your department meeting to discuss EAP benefits in detail, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Heart attack and stroke remain two of the leading causes of death in the United States. Ignoring your risks and failure to recognize the signs and symptoms can be fatal.

Join Chris Nickell, director, environmental health & safety, on Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Room 310/311, to learn what you need to know to recognize a heart attack or stroke and steps you can take to reduce your risk.

Participants will earn Bulldogs in Learning Drake (BUILD) credit and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester.

An online registration form is available in myDrake. To access the form, click on All Apps and find the HR BUILD Classes app in the Other Employee Apps section.  You may also send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu to register for this class.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources