|
|
|
|
|
Member Columns |
|
Disruptive Behavior Tough Challenge for Employers
By Jerry Gjesvold,Manager of Employer
Services
Serenity Lane Treatment for Alcohol and Other
Drug Dependencies
As Serenity Lane’s manager of employer services, I travel
thousands of miles each year to talk to businesses,
nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
One of the training sessions I give most often is how
to deal with employee behaviors that may be associated
with alcohol and other drugs.
I don’t envy the situation that managers face. Most
people have no idea how hard it is to find and keep good
employees. This creates pressure on those in positions
of authority to look the other way.
There are other pressures, too. Most people, managers
included, find confrontation extremely uncomfortable.
Supervisors are sometimes friends with their workers.
They fear being wrong, and employees who do abuse
alcohol and drugs can be very productive, even charming,
while “playing the system” to cover up their problem.
Still, managers must deal with these situations. Most
supervisors are genuinely concerned about the safety of
their workers. Legally, both company and supervisor can
be held liable for their employees’ behavior.
Supervisors who allow an employee to work are declaring,
in effect, that he or she is able to perform safely.
Yet too often, supervisors do nothing when evidence
indicates that they should.
Fortunately, dealing with these kinds of behaviors
effectively is a skill that can be mastered. As
managers improve, they feel more confident. That
confidence means they can handle situations earlier,
when the employee is more receptive to change.
The approach is actually not mysterious. Like any new
skill, it can be difficult at first. While it never gets
comfortable, it does get easier over time.
In the training sessions I lead, I break the process
down into steps.
First is observation. This is where we watch and
listen, attempting to be as objective as possible. We
don’t use hearsay. Rather, we pay attention to the who,
what, when and where of actual situations and how the
employee’s behavior affected safety and productivity.
We use this for careful documentation—a clear picture of
why action was taken.
After observation and documentation comes preparation.
It’s essential to prepare properly, reviewing all
pertinent policies, perhaps discussing the situation
with another supervisor, deciding what is to be
accomplished, anticipating reactions and getting ready
for resistance.
At this point, the supervisor will take action, usually
by holding a meeting with the employee.
It’s always important to be fair, but firm. We try to
stay as calm as possible, regardless of how emotional
the employee becomes or how many of our “buttons” the
employee tries to push. We focus on the person’s
behavior, not the reasons for it, and hold the employee
responsible for improvement.
We express concerns, are clear about expectations, and
outline possible consequences if there is no change.
The last step is follow-through—where improvement is
acknowledged and appropriate consequences are imposed.
Troubled employees unconsciously (or consciously) count
on us to fall back into our old avoidance behavior.
Following through shows that that’s not going to happen.
The employee ultimately has to choose: Change or risk
ending the relationship with the company.
Back
to Top
|
The A, B C's (and H, I,
J's) of Medicare
By Brad
Westphal; Sales Manager-Senior Products, Clear
Choice Health Plans
It has been said that as we age
we become more like children. I don't know if
that's really true, but what is true is that as
we approach Medicare age, we do need to learn
our alphabet if we want to understand Medicare.
But now there are 2 alphabets we need to
understand.
1.
The Medicare alphabet
(A-D)
Medicare has 4 parts: Parts A, B, C and D
Medicare Part A
Provides coverage for hospital services
Medicare Part B
Provides coverage for doctor office visits.
Medicare Part A&B is what most people think of when
they think "Medicare". Because Medicare doesn't
cover everything, many people look to add extra
coverage. This is where the rest of the
alphabet comes in.
Medicare Part C
- also known as Medicare Advantage.
This is additional insurance, offered by private
companies, that covers both your Medicare
Part A&B benefits and adds extra
benefits, all in one plan, all from one company.
Medicare Part C plans may or may not include
Medicare Part D prescription benefits (see
below). Clear Choice Health Plans offers
Medicare Advantage plans in Central Oregon.
Medicare Part D
This is the term for Medicare-approved, prescription
drug coverage. Medicare Part D coverage is
purchased, not from Medicare, but from private
companies. This could be in a separate Part D
plan or this coverage can be included in a
Medicare Part C plan. Currently, there are over
50 Medicare Part D plans available in Oregon.
2. The Medigap/Medicare
Supplement Alphabet (A-L)
Another way to add additional medical coverage
to your Medicare Parts A & B is to enroll in a
Medigap/Medicare Supplement plan. After
Medicare pays their share of the bill, these
plans pay for some or all of what Medicare does
not cover. There are 12 different Medigap/Medicare
Supplement plans and they are given letter
designations A-L. While there are over 40
companies that sell a variety of supplement
plans A-L in Oregon, these plans are
standardized so one company's "A" supplement
plan covers exactly the same benefits as every
other company's "A" plan. One "B" plan is just
like any other "B" plan, and so on.
So, if you are on Medicare you could be enrolled in:
1. Medicare A & B only.
2. Medicare A & B with a Part D drug
plan added to it.
3 Medicare A&B with a Medicare
Supplement A-L.
4. Medicare A&B with a Medicare
Supplement A-L & a
Part D plan
for drug coverage.
5. A Medicare Part C plan.
6. A Medicare Part C plan that includes
Part D drug
benefits.
And you thought it was difficult learning the alphabet
when you were a kid.
Back
to Top |
Set Smart Goals To Reach Success
By Monica Wheeler
Abundant Life Coaching
Everyone can benefit from goals and direction. When you
ask my hero Lance Armstrong, a many time winner of the
Tour de France, how he did it he doesn’t say, “Well I
was just out for a little bike ride one day and saw this
race about to start…”
Lance set specific goals and a training plan to
accomplish such an arduous task.
Going through life without any goals is like wandering
around waiting for something to just drop in your lap.
I like to call it the Forrest Gump approach. But real
life doesn’t always have success after success dropping
in your lap. Usually you have to set goals and go after
your dreams.
In my studies to become a life coach from the Life
Coach Institute, we learn to help our clients set SMART
goals. What is a SMART goal? SMART actually stands for
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.
Setting goals in this matter gives you the best chance
of achieving them. They give you a measurable guideline
to see your dreams come true.
Setting the goal to lose a lot of weight is not a SMART
goal. It doesn’t fulfill all the requirements I’ve
written about in the paragraph above. However, setting
the goal to lose four pounds by the end of the month is
a SMART goal. It is specific as opposed to just losing
a lot of weight. It is measurable—four pounds. Losing
a pound a week is very attainable. It is relevant to
accomplishing your dream. Lastly, it has a set time
frame—one month—to get accomplished.
You can break large goals down into easy-to-handle
pieces. As you would never eat a whole piece of pie in
one bite, you wouldn’t want to tackle a large goal
before breaking it down into “bite sized pieces.” Start
today and set some SMART goals for your life. Having a
direction and a destination is a good start to having
your dreams come true.
If you want more individualized coaching I can be
reached at 541-383-2464 or by emailing
coachmonica@hotmail.com.
Back
to Top
|
|
What's New |
|
Newport Ave. Market first to offer dry aged
country natural beef
Newport
Avenue Market brings your meat experience one
step closer to succulent! The store, located
at 1121 NW Newport Ave., has added Dry Aged
Country Natural Beef to its selection of meats.
Dry Aged Country Natural Beef is only available
at Newport Ave. Market.
The beef is aged naturally on
store premises. A 14-day process concentrates
the natural beef flavor through evaporation. The
meat is hung to allow meat enzymes to naturally
tenderize, making dry aged extremely tender. No
fillers and limited processing keep the flavor
of beef as natural as possible. Newport is
offering New York and ribeye cuts, $28.99/lb and
$26.99, respectively.
Back to Top
|
|
Leppert & Associates Expands To Include Property
Management
Leppert & Associates Realty has expanded to
include property management. The company has
completed negotiations with the owners of Austin
Property Management to merge the two companies.
Austin Property Management was formed in 2004 by
Stephanie Kramer and Jennifer Clary. Since its
inception, Austin Property Management has
experienced consistent growth in apartment
complexes, single-family homes and commercial
properties. Many of you have met Stephanie and
Jennifer at my office as we have shared office
space for the last year and a half and are
friends. As new partners, we are excited to
combine our more than 40 years of experience in
property management and real estate services.
You will now be able to have any and all your
real estate needs addressed by our experienced
professionals and support staff. Please call me
directly at 350-1795 for all your needs as I
will continue to work one-on-one with all my
clients as well as any referrals you send to me.
Information: Kathleen Leppert, PC, Principal
Broker, CSP, GRI, Leppert & Associates Realty,
www.kathleenleppert.com, Austin
Property Management,
www.austinpropertymanagement.net
Back to Top
|
|
Over 1,000 Pajamas and Books Collected to
Benefit Children
The first Oregon Chapter Pajama Program pajama
and book drive was a wonderful success last
month, with over 1,000 items donated by local
residents. Collected pajamas and books will be
distributed to the Oregon Department of Human
Services for their Foster Home Program, as well
as to other local agencies who serve Deschutes
County children in need.
With the help of the 2007 Leadership Redmond
Pajama/Team and Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver
and La Pine citizens and businesses, the goal of
collecting 200 pajama sets and 200 books was
overwhelmingly surpassed. The drive garnered 535
pairs of pajamas and the same-if not more
books!
A big, warm “Thank You” to the following Pajama Program
partners who helped to make the pajama and book
drive an amazing success:
U-Haul (drop-off boxes), author Rick Steber, 2007
Leadership Redmond Pajama Team, 4-H Sewing
Group, The Red Hat Society, Multnomah
Publishers, Girl Scouts Troup (110 pairs of
pajamas!), Citizen monetary donations, Deschutes
County Board of Commissioners, MOMS Club of
Bend, Bear Creek Elementary PTA (200 books),
Pajama Program Volunteers. February drop-site
locations and staff, Redmond Chamber
Ambassadors. media partners in Bend, Redmond,
Sisters, Sunriver and La Pine. city of Redmond,
and Country 99.7 The Mountain.
According to Oregon’s Department of Human Services,
approximately 10 children are removed from their
homes each month in Deschutes County and placed
in foster care because their parents have made
decisions that jeopardize their safety or well
being.
The Oregon Chapter of the Pajama Program is based in
Bend and was founded last fall by Deschutes
County Road Department employee Wanda Callahan.
The Chapter’s goal is to collect new pajamas and
books on an ongoing basis to benefit
under-privileged children (5 to 17 years old) in
Central Oregon.
The Oregon Chapter of the Pajama Program has two
ongoing Bend drop-off sites for pajamas and
books: the Deschutes County Road Department,
61150 SE 27th Street and the
Deschutes County Services Building, 2nd
Floor-Commissioner’s Office, 1300 NW Wall
Street.
The Pajama Program is a national, New York-based 501
(c) (3) non-profit organization providing new
pajamas and books to children in need (www.pajamaprogram.org). Many of these children are in foster family
homes hoping and waiting to be adopted and may
also have been abused or abandoned. For more
information about the Oregon Chapter of the
Pajama Program, call 389-9470, 410-0366 or
330-4640.
Back to Top
|
|
3EStrategies Wins Major New Workforce Grant
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski has announced that
3EStrategies of Bend has been awarded a grant of
$48,825 to support a Business Alliance for
Sustainable Energy (BASE) consortium project in
Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties. The
consortium will coordinate with the AFL-CIO to
connect the efforts of sustainable energy
workforce projects and groups across the state,
share practices and expand awareness of
workforce and labor opportunities. BASE is a
coalition of clean energy companies, agencies,
organizations and individuals spearheading
development of the sustainable energy industry
in Oregon and is a project of 3EStrategies’
Energy and Climate Program.
Back to Top |
|
|
|
|
Members on the M-O-V-E |
 |
PEOPLE
Southwick Specialty Advertising is expanding its
Bend office. Dina Koelzer-Barker
recently joined Southwick as a promotional
marketing consultant. She brings more than 12
years of sales experience along with a
background in promotional advertising and
marketing. Dina can be reached at 408-7991.
MyMD Personal Medicine,
www.mymdbend.com Dr. Richard
MacDonell, a Board Certified Doctor of
Internal Medicine, is making time to volunteer
in his community at Volunteers in Medicine,
www.vim-cascades.org. In addition he
recently joined the Healthcare Council with the
Bend Chamber and has been serving on the Bend
Bio-Ethics Committee at St. Charles Medical
Center. In January, MacDonell transitioned his
private solo practice to an innovative
membership-based model called MyMD which focuses
on maintaining and improving patient service.
As part of his new medical philosophy he is also
making time to donate his professional skills as
a volunteer in Central Oregon.
LibertyBank has hired or promoted two people. Sandra
Moody, an employee since 2003, has been
named commercial banking officer for the Bend
Downtown office. She most recently worked in
construction services downtown. Tonya
Bernardy is business development officer.
She has 15 years of banking experience, most
recently as a personal banking representative
for LibertyBank. She also is a Bend Chamber
Ambassador.
Lynne Hakkila has joined NorthWest Crossing as a
real estate broker. She has a wide variety of
experience in customer service and management in
the grocery and construction industries.
Seth Anderson has been promoted to project
manager at Steele Associates Architects. He has
worked for the firm for several years after
earning a bachelor’s degree in architecture from
Washington State University.
Jay Frank has been hired as main evening news
anchor for KOHD-TV in Bend. He has been a
morning news anchor in the Tri-Cities area of
Washington state for three years.
Bank of the Cascades has promoted Lorraine Rice
to VP and operations manager of loan
administration. She manages the bank’s note and
loan documentation department and oversees the
credit services division. |
|
Mount Bachelor Village Resort has hired Leslie
Caldwell as director of group sales. She
will focus on attracting conventions,
conferences, retreats and other group events.
She most recently owned Hospitality Business
Solutions, a Portland-based consulting firm.
Hooker Creek Companies have hired two new employees.
They are Brent Templeton, collections
manager, and Jeff Hurd, project manager for the
construction division. Templeton formerly was
the controller for local Earth20, and Hurd most
recently worked in construction in Colorado.
Shelly Hall of Shelly Hall Gallery in downtown
Bend has completed training to become an
accredited member of the International Society
of Appraisers. Recognized by the IRS, she now
can provide qualified art appraisals.
BUSINESSES
BBT Architects of Bend
has been selected to
design three new elementary schools for the
Bend-La Pine Public Schoos. All three will be
based on the “neighborhood concept” in school
design, which the firm has used to build five
previous schools for the district. Two of the
schools will be in Bend, with the third in La
Pine.
NorthWest Crossing has launched a new
residential building program called “Custom
Choice at NorthWest Crossing.” Potential buyers
will be able to select a lot and work directly
with a NorthWest Crossing approved builder.
Weston Technology Solutions is the first company
in Bend to earn Microsoft’s Gold Certified
Partner status with competencies in Networking
Infrastructure Solutions and Information Worker
Solutions.
Eschelon Telecom, Inc., a provider of integrated
communications services to small and medium
sized businesses in the western United States,
has signed an agreement to acquire UNICOM in
Bend. Eschelon will pay approximately $14
million in cash to acquire UNICOM.
Thomas Deatherage Architect, AIA has been
selected to design a five-story, mixed-use
building in downtown Bend just north of the
Columbia River Bank Building on Wall Street. The
new building will include underground parking,
retail, office space and condominiums.
EVENTS
Eighteen years after the Exxon Valdez oil tanker
ran aground in Prince William Sound in Alaska,
coastal communities in Alaska are still
struggling with its toxic legacy. At 7 p.m. on
Wednesday, April 4 at the Central Oregon
Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas, spill
survivor, activist and marine toxicologist Riki
Ott, PhD, will address the lingering social,
economic and environmental harm from this spill,
the ongoing corporate denial of this harm, and
global ramifications for public health, the
environment, and reshaping our energy future. A
$10 donation will be accepted at the door.
Due to popular demand, WorkSource Bend is moving
its April 24th seminar, “Achieving Peak
Performance Through Effective Leadership,” from
The Riverhouse to Seventh Mountain Resort, 18575
SW Century Drive, Bend. Information: 388-6024.
Mt. Bachelor Sports Education is accepting
online registrations for the 31st Annual U.S.
Bank Pole Pedal Paddle. Go to
www.mbsef.org and
all the information that you need to know is
there. The U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle is a
multi sport event that includes alpine and cross
country skiing, cycling, running and kayaking.
The race is produced and a benefit for the Mt.
Bachelor Sports Education Foundation. This
event is sponsored by Pepsi, Pahlisch Homes, Mt.
Bachelor, The Center, Bud Light, Rebound
Physical Therapy, 92.7, The Bulletin, Old Mill
District, UNICEL, and Fox Central Oregon.
Information: 388-0002.
The first Central Oregon Health & Wellness Expo
will be held on April 7 and 8, bringing together
medical, health and wellness communities. Learn
about the latest exercise programs, health diet
products, and advances in technology and
techniques. Tickets are $5, and free for
children under 10. Please visit
www.lifea-z.org
for more information, or call 420-2228.
Pronghorn is sponsoring the second annual Golf
and Fly Fishing Derby to benefit Sparrow Clubs
USA, a non-profit organization of school-based
clubs that assist children in medical crisis.
The event will be held April 27 and 28 at
Pronghorn and at Alder Creek Lake near Bend.
Tickets are $1,750 for golf and fly fishing, as
well as a banquet, or $1,250 for golf or fly
fishing. Information: 322-9355 or
www.sparrowclubs.org.
Sortor Bushido Kai Karate is planning its first
Central Oregon Open Martial Arts Tournament at
Sky View Middle School for Aug. 11. The
tournament will feature competitions in weapons,
fighting, and traditional and creative forms for
all ages and abilities. Early registration is
$30.
www.SortorKarate.com/tournament.html, or
call 385-4985.
The RE/MAX offices of Central Oregon are holding
the seventh annual Wing Ding Gala and Golf
Classic on May 18 and 19 at Sunriver. The event
raised $100,000 last year for Sparrow Clubs.
Information:
www.wingdinggala.com.
ORGANIZATIONS
Trinity Lutheran 4th grader Lauren Walley’s art
work was chosen as the official logo for the
U.S. Bank Mini Pole Pedal Paddle t-shirt for
2007. Her art work was selected among 63
entries. She will be awarded with a Round Table
pizza party for her class, gift certificates
from Teva, Albertsons and Saxon’s. The U.S. Bank
Mini Pole Pedal Paddle will take place in the
Les Schwab Amphitheater on May 20. Teams of six
participants each ranging in age from 1st to 6th
grade compete in river rafting (with a rafting
guide), biking, an obstacle course and a run.
All six team members paddle the raft with their
rafting guide on board. One bike rider then
rides the course. Four members each challenge
the obstacle course and one final member runs
the distance run course. Information:
www.mbsef.org.
The Deschutes County Commission on Children &
Families has named new board members. They are:
Kristy Hessman, the administrator for the
Advantage Smiles for Kids program; John
McLaughlin, the retired founder and CEO of
Entrepreneurs Foundation; Stephanie Anderson
Stroup, the Operations Manager of Bend Film;
Barbara Belzer, a retired clinical social
worker; and Michelle Shaffer, the part-time
director of the Pregnancy Resource Center in La
Pine. Other volunteer opportunities with the
Commission on Children & Families are also
available. For additional information, please
contact the Commission office at 385-1717 or
visit www.deschutes.org/ccf.
The city of Bend is now accepting debit and
credit card payments online for utility payments
on customer utility accounts. The city will
accept MasterCard and Visa credit cards, as well
as debit cards bearing the MasterCard or Visa
logo. To utilize the on-line payment program,
customers should use the city’s Web site at
www.ci.bend.or.us and log on to “Click2Gov.” To
access the program, utility customers should
check their utility bill statements for their
Click2Gov Internet pin number. This pin number
will provide online access to customer utility
account information, billing history and
consumption summaries. Credit card payments for
utility payments can also be made at City Hall
at the Permits Customer Service counter or over
the telephone by calling 388-5515 from 7:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Utility payments can also be paid with
cash, checks or money orders at City Hall.
The Central Oregon Environmental Center has
established an endowment fund through the Oregon
Community Foundation, called Central Oregon
Environmental Center Endowment Fund.
Information: 385-6908.
The State Set-Aside Committee of Oregon has
selected Deschutes County to receive $35,952 in
Emergency Food and Shelter National Board
Program funds to expand emergency food and
shelter programs. Organizations interested in
applying should contact United Way of Deschutes
County, 389-6507.
Back to Top |
|
|
