In this edition of Us!...
The American Psychological Association defines cultural competency as the ability to understand, appreciate and interact with people from cultures or belief systems different from one's own. As a Y that serves Marylanders from all walks of life, it is essential that cultural competence isn’t just an idea but a practice that ensures everyone in our community experiences a deep sense of belonging and connectedness.
This edition explores cultural competence through the lens of our observance of Welcoming Week. Additionally, we will look at the implications for us all as we contend with larger aspects of social change. From the various ways people identify and express gender, to challenges in the environment that disproportionately impact marginalized communities, to the changing labor force and goals of workplace happiness and satisfaction - cultural competence matters!
Dr. Lisa Williams
Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
WHY WELCOMING WEEK MATTERS
We are a country of immigrants - voluntary or involuntary. A distinguishing feature of what it means to be American, for most of us, means to have ancestors/familial connections from other land masses. Considering this, what does it mean to welcome people into spaces? What have we centered as we seek to welcome others? Who are the “others”? What makes them “other” while simultaneously reinscribing “us” as the norm, the anchor? These are hard questions, rooted in history, power, and privilege, forged in violence and erasures. Yet if we are to move those forces that create the “us” and “them” and give way to “we”, Welcoming Week has to be both the fun things, and the sobering things, that make us smile with joy and inspire us to be better.
As we pause here at the Y to enjoy the food, storytelling traditions, symbols of various forms of connectedness with our land, will we also aspire to make this one week focus the normal way of being every day? Will you use your voice and influence to dismantle the structures that separate “us” from “them?” Of equal importance, will you be available to learn about someone who knows the world differently than you? If we each seek in these ways, we will move one step closer to our collective aspirations as a community. Growing in cultural awareness and culturally competent practice is the highway to belonging and inclusion. Have a great ride and enjoy some of the pictures from Welcoming Week.
COOKOUT FUNTIMES
Thank you to all the associates who came along to the African American Resource Network’s "Summer Jam" Cookout at the end of August. Mouth watering food, great company, and endless laughter made it an unforgettable event! We can't wait for the next cookout adventure.
EVERYONE HAS A STORY
We asked Y associate, Robyn Vance, what our DEI work means to her. Click the image above to watch her video and learn about her journey and how she shows up in this space every day.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What do Oprah and The Rock have to do with income inequity?? Click the button below.
As you consider the article, how do you think income inequality impacts people right here in our Y community?
How can we, as the Y community, create opportunities that support growth for people who struggle with resources?
What conversations can your team have to raise awareness of how you see limited resources impacting our shared community?
GOOD VIBES
Y ASSOCIATE SHOUT OUTS
We have another batch of Y Associate Shout Outs showing initiative, being a great colleague, and going the extra mile: all of which are hallmarks of Y associates and our organizational culture.
Click the blue "Shout Out" icon above to read about Lindsay Meyers, Kat McHale, Beth Lentz, Celeste Holthaus, Flora Hackaday, Karen Packer, Mary Beth Witkop, Melanie Greenhill, Yolanda Harris, Lenny Cheatham, Tarisha Swales, and Joh King.
If you have a colleague you'd like to "Shout Out", simply click below to fill out the nomination form.
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The Us! associate enewsletter is published monthly 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 next Us! enewsletter will be published on October 19th. The submission deadline is Friday, October 13th.
UPCOMING EVENTS
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP RESOURCE NETWORK: RESET IN NATURE (HIKE AT CASCADE FALLS)
Friday, September 22
12:00 - 1:30pm
Cascade Falls Trail, Elkridge MD, 21075
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and join us for a hike along the Cascade Falls Trail!
To Register: Respond ‘yes’ to the event invitation on the Associate Experience calendar (part of your Y gmail calendar under the "other calendars" tab).
GENDER INCLUSION 101 TRAINING
Dayforce
Sessions Vary
This 3 hour on demand virtual session is designed to support associates as we deepen efforts to ensure inclusion across all identity groups. Gender considerations are important to our community. This session will provide participants with a basic knowledge of important vocabulary, legal considerations, and social and political aspects of gender.
To Register: Log into Dayforce, click Learning, Course catalog, and search Gender Inclusion.
PAYROLL AND RECRUITMENT
GET PAID!
This Pay Period: September 10 - 23, 2023
Pay Date: October 3, 2023
Next Pay Period: September 24 - October 7, 2023
Pay Date: October 17, 2023
HOT JOBS! HOT JOBS!
We are actively filling the positions listed below with both internal and external candidates. To view these positions in Dayforce: log into Dayforce, select Careers > Search Jobs from the upper left menu, and search by keyword or requisite ID#.
Personal Trainers (search for Personal Trainer)
Head Start Associates (search for Head Start)
TELL A FRIEND
We are growing our Y associate community and need your help. If you know someone who may be a qualified candidate for a high demand position, please encourage them to apply! If your referred person is hired, you can potentially earn up to a $500 referral bonus through our Associate Referral Program. Click below to download our flyer and spread the word!