In this edition of Us!...
- New Y Leader Program
- Your Opinion Counts
- In Case You Missed It
- A Day Off is Coming!
- Earn a Bonus
- Opportunities from Within
- Y Shout Outs
- Community Kudos
- Payroll Information
- A Note from John Hoey
Y ASSOCIATE OPPORTUNITIES
Y Leader Fellowship Program
Many of you will soon see some new faces on your teams, though they may also look familiar to you! Between October 1 and December 31, members of the Y Leader Fellowship Program will be participating in a job swap, in which they will be temporarily taking on the duties of another fellow in the program.
The Y Leader Fellowship Program, which is a cohort-style leadership development opportunity for Y associates in levels 4-6 (Director through Associate Executive Director), is in its inaugural year. Y Leader Fellows kicked off their 10-month program with a retreat at Camp Puh’tok in May, and they have been meeting monthly to engage in learning and discussion on topics such as change leadership, effective use of an equity lens in decision-making, relationship building, and data-driven critical thinking.
Read More & Find Out Who Swapped
The Y Associate Survey is Closing
Today is the last day to give us your opinion! If you haven't already done so, please complete the Y Associate Survey you received in your Y email inbox from "Gallup" (SEE EXAMPLE). The purpose of this survey is to measure associate engagement: happiness, satisfaction, and how you feel about working for the Y.
Your opinion counts! Simply search for "Gallup" in your inbox to locate the survey. It takes no more than 10 minutes to complete and is 100% confidential.
Thank you.
In Case You Missed It
On Wednesday, we were fortunate enough to hear from a panel of talented Y associates, moderated by John Hoey, at our Y Associate Town Hall. The panelists shared their personal narratives around the work they are doing along their DEI journey, and a rich dialogue was had around the Y's DEI journey.
If you weren't able to attend, we encourage you to click below to watch the recording on Facebook Workplace.
Associate Appreciation Day
The Y will recognize Associate Appreciation Day again this year on Friday, October 21. This means that all Y offices, Y family centers, program sites, and programs will be closed for the day to give associates an extra day off to refresh and recharge! This is a paid day off for any associate regularly scheduled to work that day.
Instructions will be sent out soon on how to enter time/hours for the Associate Appreciation Day.
Thank you!
Make An Associate Referral
If you know someone who would be a qualified candidate for our Y Head Start, Y Family Centers, or Youth Development teams, please refer them to the Y and potentially earn a referral bonus of up to $500 if they are hired. Click below for details.
Learn More and Make a Referral
Y Career Opportunities
Browse the open positions in Dayforce to see available career growth opportunities.
1. Log into Dayforce (open web browser > Managed Bookmarks > Dayforce)
2. Click the menu icon in the upper left corner and select Careers
3. Scroll through the list or search by job title, keyword, location, or req ID#
Current openings include:
Preschool Teacher (Req ID#2357)
Program Operations Manager, The Y in Druid Hill (Req ID #2328)
Stay & Play Attendants (search for Stay and Play)
GOOD VIBES
Y Associate Shout Outs
We have two group Y Associate Shout Outs today, both of which come from the Y in Pasadena. Great work and teamwork everyone!
Click the blue "Shout Out" icon to read about the Lifeguards at the Y in Pasadena and Carla Mount, Kristine Pennington, Celene Loesberg, Dianna McDonald and the entire Y in Pasadena team.
Your outstanding teammates deserve recognition! Please take a moment to nominate one of your colleagues so we can give them a Shout Out in the next Us! associate enewsletter.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
The good work you do doesn't go unnoticed. Enjoy reading these real comments from our Y community and soak in the praise!
Crystal, The Y Swim Center in Randallstown
"I have had such an enjoyable experience at the Y in Randallstown! Although I only take water aerobics with Vella, it is amazing and so much fun! Not only am I getting a good workout, but I love the energy and enthusiasm that Vella has for her class and participants. I have told several people and some have come to visit and two people have joined. I do wish that it was a full service Y like some of the other locations, but this will do for now. Thank you for a pleasant, professional and enjoyable experience from the front desk to the lifeguards and the water aerobics instructor!"
Gavin, Y Preschool in Towson
“The curriculum is fantastic and they always tell parents what they are focusing on that week so that we can continue that focus at home."
Marley, Y Head Start in Baltimore City - Sherwood Site
"These teachers here are great!"
Ada, Y Before & After School Enrichment - Watershed Charter School
“The teachers are extremely kind and patient with the children while still holding them accountable when they make mistakes. We are very grateful for the entire team!"
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The Us! associate enewsletter is published every other Thursday or Friday and we need to hear from you! Share your stories, what’s new in your Y world, and what you are proud of. We want to know and we want to share your news! The submission deadline is Fridays at 5pm.
RESOURCES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Get Paid!
This Pay Period: 9/25/22 to 10/8/22
Pay Date: 10/18/22
Payroll Adjustments Due: October 7, 2022, 5pm
Timesheets Locked: October 10, 2022, 5pm
Direct Deposits/Tax Changes Due: October 10, 2022, 5pm
Click the button for more information and to make sure you get paid.
OUR WORK TOGETHER
Dear Colleagues,
Some adjectives that come readily to mind when describing Y associates include: “active,” “optimistic,” resourceful” and “caring.” I say this after years of having the privilege to experience an almost unstoppable energy and determination to continuously push forward and act in the midst of constant change. Reflecting back at just the last ten days alone, I’ve seen our early childhood team sparkle (as they always do!) as we proudly cut the ceremonial ribbon on the Sherman Early Childhood Center at the Weinberg Y in Waverly. It was a glorious (and refreshingly cool) morning celebrating both the opening of this center of learning and development as well as all of the excellent work that takes place across the entirety of the Y’s Head Start and traditional Preschool footprint. I am so proud of this team, led by Amy Taylor, Dana Ashley and Ameka Smith. They and their teams are doing a superb job of serving families and giving young children the foundational tools they need to succeed in life.
Speaking of foundational tools, one of them is certainly the capacity to be introspective, honest and open. These attributes and more were on display on Wednesday during our Associate Town Hall focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). I hope many of you were able to attend either virtually or in person. If you did, you saw five of your colleagues speak candidly about their own DEI journeys and the work we are all doing together at the Y.
- Ahmad Collick, Associate Executive Director, School Partnerships
- Ashley Funk, Senior Executive Director, Health and Wellness
- Dana Hotra, Senior Executive Director, Grants Management
- Matt Lewis, Senior Executive Director, Center Operations and Camp
- Amy Taylor, Vice President, Operations, Head Start
It was a stimulating and inspiring conversation which I was honored to be a part of. Many thanks to VP of DEI, Lisa Williams, for leading this work and helping me to facilitate this excellent session
As we turn our attention to planning for next year, I am confident that the imperative of building a more inclusive and equitable culture at the Y will be more than just words. Indeed, our entire new strategic plan places building a more diverse and connected community at the center of our work together. In the coming weeks you will be hearing much more about these plans. Please keep an eye on your in-box! We have lots of exciting work ahead.
Fundamental to that work is returning the association to our pre-pandemic state of full financial stability. As real and imperative as this is, I have full faith that the very qualities of expertise, caring and honesty that are always on display at the Y will bring us there. I relish the opportunity to continue this journey with all of you!
All the best,
John Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland