Member Column

• Employee Engagement in Challenging Times

What's New

• Elk Lake Dinner Music Series
• Kick Up Your Heels – Rendezvous at the High Desert Museum!
• A Successful Year for SMART
• Bend Memorial Clinic Electronic Health Record returns $2 million in savings
• BMC Cardiology Department Screens 10,000 Patients
• TIGERS Success Series, Inc. Launches New Web site
• Visit Bend Now Available to Assist Locals with Planning Organization’s Regional and National Events and Conferences
• Businesses Team up to Help Local Nonprofit and Other Businesses
• Innovation Theatre Works to Add Two New Board Positions
• Working Wonders Adds “Parents Night Out” Dates to Coincide with Bend Concert Series
• Local Kids Benefit from Bank of the Cascades’ Contribution to Working Wonders Children’s Museum
• BendBroadband Launches Wi-Fi Service in Bend, Redmond and Sisters
• PacificSource Health Plans Announces Acquisition of Advantage Dental Plan’s Commercial Membership
• Green Business Boot Camp
• Safety Conference Coming to Redmond
• Saving Grace Makes List of Top 100 Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon
• Car Raffle Raises Funds for Nature Center
• Commute Options is Seeking Applicants for a Board of Director's Vacancy
• Optimize Outlook!

Bend Chamber Calendar of Events

• Complete list of Chamber events from August 15 - September 15, 2009
  
  

Employee Engagement in Challenging Times
By Nancy Obymako, PHR
JAN BAKER FACILITATES

     According to the latest Gallup study, organizations with engaged employees are 50 percent more likely to achieve a high level of customer retention and 44 percent more likely to achieve above-average profitability. Gallup data found these companies also enjoy 26 percent higher productivity, are more likely to attract top talent, have lower turnover, and can outpace the earnings of their competitors by as much as 18 percent. Moreover, highly-engaged workers tend to be more supportive of, and resilient to, organizational change. That would certainly help today!
     Benefits consultanct Watson Wyatt defines engagement as a combination of commitment to organizational success, and knowledge of what to do to make that success. Their 2008/2009 WorkUSA Report, Driving Business Results Through Continuous Engagement, states maintaining employee engagement during periods of turmoil and dramatic changes such as cut backs and layoffs, can be crucial.
     Uncertainty impacts employee motivation and productivity; if they are unsure whether your company is going to be alright and their jobs are safe, morale and productivity suffer. While it’s easy for anxious and overworked business owners and managers to overlook staff morale, it’s very important to capitalize on opportunities to motivate and engage staff.
     Clear communication about your organization’s current state of affairs - what’s happening and what’s expected - is essential. Communication can mitigate uncertainty, reducing fear and stress. Ongoing performance feedback, a vital component of managing performance, is another opportunity to enhance employee engagement.
     We tend to give feedback only when employees do something wrong or fail to meet our expectations. Remember to reinforce good behavior with sincere and specific praise. Telling an employee he or she is doing a great job is not enough – specify what he or she is doing right. Praise can be powerful, boosting motivation and increasing productivity.
     The more employers and managers exhibit care, respect, and concern for their employees, the better poised they will be when the economy rebounds - as we know it will. Although few employees will look for other work now, do NOT take them for granted. Actually, it is even more important to show appreciation, recognize their achievements, and provide developmental opportunities. Otherwise, you risk losing people as the economy improves and other opportunities present themselves. When the dust settles, people will remember how they felt and how they were treated, during these challenging times.

  What's New

Elk Lake Dinner Music Series.

     The series takes place every Saturday night from 5 to 8 p.m., plus some Fridays. Cover prices are from $5 to $15 per person, dinners are separate. Picnic table seating will be on the lawn in front of the stage lakeside, and on the lodge deck.
     Mark your calendars for these dates:
     Saturday, August 15: The Sweet Harlets
     Saturday, August 22: Dr. Mike Ryans Texas Blues Roadshow
     Saturday, August 29: Blackstrap/ Bluegrass
     Saturday, September 5: Moon Mtn. Ramblers

Kick Up Your Heels – Rendezvous at the High Desert Museum!

     This summer, don’t miss the 20th-annual High Desert Rendezvous on August 22 at 5 p.m., featuring the Best of the West Auction and Gala, great dancing to live music, a wild west cowboy supper and hosted bar.
     Have fun while supporting the Museum at its most important fundraiser. All proceeds benefit the Museum’s educational programs.
     Dress in your best Western duds and be ready to bid on Western art, one-of-a-kind works of jewelry, as well as fabulous Western adventures and vacations exclusive to this event, such as a Pendleton Round-Up package, trips to destinations around the world, and fabulous dinner parties.
     Tickets for the Museum’s largest fundraiser of the year sell quickly, so get yours now, pardner! Tickets: $175; members, $150, available at highdesertrendezvous.org, by e-mailing hdr@highdesertmuseum.org or calling 541-382-4754 ext. 365. You don’t have to wait until the gala to make silent bids on your favorite items. Visit the juried artist works at the High Desert Rendezvous Art of the West Showcase, July 29–August 21 at Museum.

A Successful Year for SMART

     Seventeen elementary schools in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties participated in SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) this year, making 2009 a banner year for the childhood literacy organization.
     This year was highly anticipated given that the majority of the local SMART programs were coordinated by volunteers, unlike last year where all of the coordinators were paid. Community members stepped forward to keep the SMART program going, and the program thrived. 695 volunteers read one-on-one with 791 SMART children. Central Oregon volunteers gave a grand total of 16,278 hours this year. SMART gave 9,105 books to children who participated in the program between October and May of this year.
     Despite a great year, more children are in need of help. A wide variety of volunteers are needed to support the SMART program in your local community. Opportunities exist from an hour a week, to one time commitments, to once a month, to more often. Days, times, hours vary as does the amount of time during the school year. Interested parties can call the local SMART office at 383-6466 to learn more.

Bend Memorial Clinic Electronic Health Record returns $2 million in savings

     Bend Memorial Clinic (BMC) recently announced an initial annualized savings of just over $2 million through the use of an Electronic Health Record (EHR).
     BMC was one of the first physician practices in Central Oregon to adopt the use of an electronic medical record. BMC physicians and other providers began using EHR in the Spring of 2006. Within a year, its costs for transcription services decreased by 75 percent, and three years later it is nearly zero.
     Costs related to the creation, storage and routing of patients' old paper records have been eliminated entirely.
     With its electronic medical record, BMC patients can visit any BMC physician and know that their entire BMC medical record is available instantly, including access within its two Urgent Care sites.

BMC Cardiology Department Screens 10,000 Patients

     Four years ago, when BMC (Bend Memorial Clinic) installed Central Oregon’s first high-speed CT scanner capable of evaluating coronary arteries non-invasively, similar screenings cost more than $500 on older technology.
    With its $99 screening test, known as a Coronary Calcium Screening, BMC's pricing was more than $400 below the other testing option. Now, just having passed 10,000 patients receiving a $99 heart screening, central Oregonians have realized more than $4 million in potential savings.  
     After 10,000 studies conducted, Dr. Rick Koch, a BMC Cardiologist who is board certified in Cardiac Computed Tomography and Medical Director of Imaging, said he has been encouraged by the demand for the test. "Prevention is the best way to hold down healthcare costs and keep patients healthy. This is now a test everyone can afford. Heart disease remains the #1 killer of men and women in the U.S.,” he stated.
     Recently, BMC expanded prevention screening programs to include lung screening for early detection of lung cancer. Previously, $295, lung screening is now $99. Combined heart/lung screening is now available for $149. These screenings are performed on a 64-slice CT scanner at the BMC Eastside.
      To qualify for a Coronary Calcium Screening, patients need to be either men over 40 or a woman over 50 and have one cardiac risk factor. Lung screen is available to patients over 50 who ever smoked. Patients are no longer required to get an order from their primary care provider. To schedule your screening, please call 317-4311.

TIGERS Success Series, Inc. Launches New Web site

     Dianne Crampton, President of the team culture consultancy, TIGERS Success Series, Inc., reported the launch of a new Web site. The site address is www.TeamBuildingSuccessNow.com
    “We designed this Web site for ease of navigation and to deliver some of the free resources we have developed on our http://www.corevalues.com Web site. This Web site will also allow greater ease of communication for our subscribers.” Crampton said.
      TIGERS helps CEO’s and Executives connect their employees to their company values by using the trademarked TIGERS team culture process, which stands for trust, interdependence, genuineness, empathy, risk and success. These principles are anchored by measurable behaviors that reduce conflict and improve morale and productivity.

Visit Bend Now Available to Assist Locals with Planning Organization’s Regional and National Events and Conferences

     Bend residents who are part of a local group or chapter with a larger governing body at the regional or national level, can now turn to Visit Bend for assistance with securing, planning, and coordinating their organization’s events in Bend.
     “If a local chapter of Trout Unlimited, the American Quilter’s Society or any other organization is approached by their regional or national governing body to host an event in Bend, Visit Bend is available to assist with planning the meeting, conference, or event,” said Doug LaPlaca, president and CEO of Visit Bend. “Or if someone thinks Bend would be a great location for their group’s regional or national conference, we can work with them to initiate and manage the bid process on their behalf.”
     Working with Visit Bend can ease the burden local groups face when asked to host a meeting in their city, by providing streamlined lead distribution to conference or meeting space venues, hotels, tour companies, and other tourism stakeholders in Bend. Visit Bend can also assist with site visit itineraries and city tours for meeting decision makers, and may also be in a position to offer financial assistance to help offset sponsorship fees.
     Anyone interested in working with Visit Bend to bring their organization’s regional or national event to Bend can contact Angie Darby, Visit Bend’s director of sales, at 541-382-8048 or angie@visitbend.com.

Businesses Team up to Help Local Nonprofit and other Businesses

     IT- On- Demand, BendBroadband and Simplicated, LLC have teamed up to offer technology tips that will benefit business owners and managers.
     Join us on August 19 at The Loft and learn how to maximize productivity and minimize challenges; “Common sense practices & non-technical solutions to optimize computer, network, email & connectivity.”
     This event will feature wine, cheese and a silent auction to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon. RSVP required: info@it-on-demand-net, or 323-3037.

Innovation Theatre Works to Add Two New Board Positions

     Innovation Theatre Works (ITW) announces it will add two brand new positions to its current seven-member Board of Directors.
     ITW formed in February of 2008 and obtained its 501(c) 3 non-profit designation four months later. Executive Artistic Director Brad Hills said, “We already have a very dedicated and fantastic seven-member board and are now interested in enhancing our options and skill sets as we move on to the next stage in our development.”
     Board members Dave Lewis and Dawn Ulrickson will head up the search and evaluation committee for ITW. All interested parties are asked to forward a letter of interest to Dave Lewis at: David.lewis@bankofbend.com. The letter should tell a little about why you are interested in the future of Innovation Theatre Works and also include a brief bio stating your qualifications as a potential board member as well as your history as a leader in the community.

Working Wonders Adds “Parents' Night Out” Dates to Coincide with Bend Concert Series

     Working Wonders Children's Museum in Bend, Oregon will be adding dates to its Parents’ Night Out events in the coming months. Parents’ Night Out allows parents to enjoy Bend’s vibrant “First Friday” events or a great concert at Les Schwab Amphitheater while their children play and learn in a safe and fun environment of Working Wonders Children’s Museum.
     The full schedule of upcoming Parent’s Night Out dates includes:
           Ween on August 28, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Advance reservations are needed by August 26.
           First Friday Gallery Walk, Friday, September 4, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Advance reservations are needed by September 2.
           Jason Aldean on September 10, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Advance reservations are needed by September 9.
     Children will be guided in small groups through themed activities focusing on art and science. Cost is $18 per child and includes a snack and beverage. Parents' Night Out is offered to potty-trained children up to 10 years old. Pre-registration and payment required two days in advance of the desired date by calling (541)389-4500.
     For more information about this visit www.workingwonders.org.

Local Kids Benefit from Bank of the Cascades’ Contribution to Working Wonders Children’s Museum

     As part of an ongoing partnership, Bank of the Cascades has made a $3,750 contribution to Working Wonders Children’s Museum to improve museum access for local elementary school children.
     Working Wonders Museum is the only hands-on children’s venue of its kind serving the Central Oregon region. The bank’s donation supports the museum’s School Access Program, providing free and reduced admission to the museum and transportation for Central Oregon elementary school children who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
     The bank’s contribution allows Working Wonders Children’s Museum to provide free transportation for up to 25 first-grade classrooms each year in Sunriver, Redmond, Prineville and Bend. Last year 1,268 students visited the museum through the scholarship program.

BendBroadband Launches Wi-Fi Service in Bend, Redmond and Sisters

     BendBroadband recently announced the launch of Wi-Fi service providing free Internet access to BendBroadband high-speed Internet customers at major public parks, the Deschutes County Fairgrounds, the Les Schwab Amphitheater and other popular locations in Bend, Redmond and Sisters. This new Wi-Fi network provides quick and easy online access to Wi-Fi enabled laptop computers and other devices.
      The service offers download speeds up to 2Mbps with upload speeds of 1Mbps. Accessing the Wi-Fi network is a simple process. When an Internet browser is activated within a Wi-Fi hot spot, a BendBroadband Web page will open with easy login instructions. Visitors to Central Oregon can access the network for $5.95 per day or $19.95 per week.
     "By adding Wi-Fi to BendBroadband’s Internet footprint, a great Internet product just got better. Our Internet customers will now have fast broadband available at many of their favorite outdoor places,” commented Frank Miller, BendBroadband’s Chief Technology Officer.
    Miller was also quick to note the company plans to continue Wi-Fi deployment in additional locations within the area, “In terms of further expansion of the network, Central Oregonians can continue to cast their vote for additional Wi-Fi spots at www.bendbroadband.com/wifi. Since the voting began in June, we are excited to announce that Bend’s Juniper Park is the top pick at this time."

PacificSource Health Plans Announces Acquisition of Advantage Dental Plan’s Commercial Membership

     PacificSource Health Plans announced in July that it has completed the acquisition of Advantage Dental Plan's commercial business. Through this transaction, PacificSource Health Plans acquires Advantage Dental's 35,000 commercial plan members and will provide PacificSource dental members with access to Advantage Dental's provider network. Advantage Dental will retain and continue to manage its other lines of business, including its Medicaid membership and its dental network.
     In the short term, benefits for Advantage Dental’s commercial plan members will continue to be administered by Advantage Dental Plan through an administrative services agreement. PacificSource has contracted with Advantage to provide administrative services to those members until their policy's next annual renewal date on or after October 1, 2009, at which time they will transition fully to PacificSource.

Green Business Boot Camp

     Learn how your business can see green for going green. Gain the knowledge, resources and strategies to operate and manage your business in a manner that supports the principles of sustainability: Vibrant economy, healthy environment, and healthy society.
     This class will provide an overview of business and sustainability as well as specific tools and resources that you can use immediately. This is a COCC Community Learning course in partnership with The Environmental Center.
      The class will take place on September 28 and October 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, contact Katy Bryce at katy@envirocenter.org.

Safety Conference Coming to Redmond

     Employers and workers in Central Oregon can give their bottom line a boost by encouraging workplace safety and health education at the Central Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Conference. The event, which is focused on the theme "Safety and Health Makes $ense - Investing Wisely in Today’s Economy," is scheduled for Sept. 16-17, 2009 at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond.
     Some of the topics featured at this year’s conference include:

• Safety committees and safety meetings
• DOT hazmat certification
• Incident and accident analysis
• Exhibits showcasing the latest in safety and health products and services

Saving Grace Makes List of Top 100 Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon

     Saving Grace, formerly Central Oregon Battering and Rape Alliance (COBRA), is proud to announce their inclusion in the list of Oregon Business magazine’s first annual 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon. The list and rankings were based on the confidential input of the 6,700 employees from more than 200 nonprofits across the state. Employees responded to a 60-question survey about workplace satisfaction including benefits, management, trust, work environment, and development.
     Saving Grace Executive Director Janet Huerta believes the survey provides critical insight into the organization’s strengths and helps to set priorities for improvement. "At Saving Grace we believe our greatest strength is our professional staff," said Huerta. "It makes sense to take good care of our staff as they take good care of the people who come to us for crisis services."

Car Raffle Raises Funds for Nature Center

     Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory is raffling off a new Honda Insight gas/electric hybrid automobile to raise funds for its ongoing programs.
     Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100 & can be purchased at the Nature Center or by calling the information phone numbers listed below. No more than 3,000 tickets will be sold.
     You need not be present to win. The winning ticket will be drawn at noon on Saturday, October 17, 2009. For more information or to get tickets call 593-4442 or 593-4394.

Commute Options is seeking applicants for a Board of Directors vacancy

     The Commute Options Board provides direction to the nonprofit agency promoting transportation alternatives in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. They encourage bicycling, walking, car/vanpooling, teleworking and riding the bus. Commute Options was founded in 1991.
     The Board meets every other month on the fourth Tuesday afternoon along with some special meetings and events. The new position begins this September. Board members are nominated by the Commute Options Working Group and appointed by the current Board. Most meetings are held in Bend.
     For further information, please call or email for a Board roles and responsibilities description and application. To apply, please email a resume and completed application to:
     Jeff Monson, Executive Director
     Commute Options for Central Oregon
     919 NW Bond St.
     Bend, OR 97701
     541 330-2647
     jeff@commuteoptions.org, www.commuteoptions.org

Optimize Outlook!

     Webinar Training - August 28, 2009 - 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., offered by Tracy Campbell, Simplicated, LLC.
     Powerful tips, techniques and best practices guaranteed to revolutionize efficiency and your ability to leverage Outlook technology. Discover tech tips to accelerate efficiency within the Email, Calendaring, Contacts & Tasks programs of Outlook, as well as best practices that expedite your ability to schedule meetings, develop, prioritize and following up on tasks.
    Acquire skills to utilize search ability tools for email.
    The training will use Outlook 2007, all content is applicable to Outlook 2003 users as well. Includes PDF of all tools, tech tips, and best practice management concepts covered in the training plus PDF reprint "50 tips to Get Out From Under Your Inbox."
     The training will run one hour followed by 20 minutes of optional coaching and Q&A. Register at www.simplicated.com/programs_events.html, or call 541-788-7001.