Bi-monthly Employee Newsletter of the Richland County Recreation Commission -- June 2014 RCRC University Julian Shabazz, Recreation Program Manager IN THIS ISSUE: The RCRC Staff Development and Evaluation program was developed to increase the knowledge of its employees and improve performance. This RCRC UNIVERSITY 1-2 program is an effort by the agency to assist employees in developing an GREEN OUT YOUR WORKOUT 3 understanding of the standards and expectations RCRC has set forth for success. Upon completion of ten (10) hours of staff development workshops covering ARE YOU FINANCIALLY PREPARED? 3 HURRICANE AWARENESS PART 1 4-5 customer service and recreation programming, each group is charged with creating and implementing a capstone project demonstrating acquisition of NATIONAL PARKS & RECREATION SENIOR learning outcomes as a result of the program. FITNESS DAY 5 EVALUATIONS-MISSION-VISION 5 Group Three consisted of Kami King and Kevin Hampton (St. Andrews Park), Matt Parker and Kar’Nesha Davis (Blythewood Park), Shaunta Cleveland WOTSIT PHRASES 6 and David Wine (Bluff Road Park), and Theron Chandler and Kenny White SPRING FLING 7 (Trenholm Park). The group chose to create RCRC University – Diverse Change Through Community Outreach as its project, which was the idea JULY CALENDAR 7 proposed by Kami King. The program took place on Friday, May 30, 2014 at MISSION STATEMENT St. Andrews Park. The event was a one-day mini conference designed to create Dedicated to enriching lives and an educational program specifically to help agency staffers in professional connecting communities through development around issues pertinent to parks and recreation. A community diverse recreational oppourtunities. outreach component focused on supporting the local Women’s Shelter (RCRC Customer Service Policy) and their component of the project was the utilization of technology to support agency programs. Current technology was used through the creation of a “crowdfunding” project facilitated through the Go Fund Me website. Continued on page 2 2 --Richland County Recreation Commission -- Enriching Lives & Connecting Communities Continued from page 1 Each group member was Numerous attendees expressed how responsible for inviting pleased they were with the quality speakers for the educational of the program and its execution by sessions. Child Abuse was the staff. Attendees remarked that organized by the staff at the workshop sessions were very Blythewood Park, the Crime educational, interactive and enjoyable. Prevention workshop by Bluff Road Park. The Leadership session was organized by St. Andrews Park and the Technology class was organized by Trenholm Park. The speakers for the technology workshop even designed and presented a mock mobile app using information specifically about RCRC. In addition to selecting relevant Participants stated that each presenter topics and inviting experts was knowledgeable and staff learned on each subject matter, the from each session. Presenters group presented a uniform included Scott McHam and Julius appearance as event staff was Tolbert from Social Market Exchange visible throughout and easily (technology), Wilhelmina Addison- identifiable by their attire, which The group organized, implemented Harrell from Three Rivers Treatment was obtained by an in-kind donation and was involved in all aspects of the Center (leadership), Alexis Stratton facilitated by Shaunta Cleveland. entire operation. Professionals from Light snacks were available in the from Sexual Trauma Services of the various sectors of the industry were morning and lunch was served after Midlands (child abuse), and Sgt. invited to conduct workshops on the workshop sessions. Amanda Jordan from the Richland four topics: leadership, technology, County Sheriff’s Department child abuse and crime prevention. Community Action Team (crime The morning began with a warm-up prevention). Group Three of the Zumba session where the audience Staff Development and Evaluation enthusiastically participated. Program presented a well-rounded Kar’Nesha Davis selected the subtitle capstone project that fell right in of the event which guided the focus line with RCRC’s mission of being on adding the community outreach dedicated to enriching lives and component. Kevin Hampton selected connecting communities through the local Women’s Shelter as the diverse recreational opportunities. beneficiary of our activities. The outreach portion was two-fold where first each RCRC Park was asked to collect items and supplies needed by the shelter to help their residents. The finale of RCRC University was Secondly, current technology was the presentation of several boxes of instituted by the crowdfunding project items and supplies donated to the whereby online financial donations Women’s Shelter. In addition to were accepted, and proceeds donated the supplies, the crowdfunding goal to the shelter. The crowdfunding was succeeded overwhelmingly as project was supported by staff the agency presented a check for members throughout RCRC and had a $309.70 to the Women’s Shelter. goal to raise $125. Angie Whitehead, program director at the Women’s Shelter, accepted the gifts from RCRC and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the agency for what was done on their behalf. Richland County Recreation Commission -- Team Times--June 2014 -- 3 Green Out Your Workout Tavares Hanks, Graphic Designer/Webmaster Have you heard about naked yoga? PURCHASE EARTH-FRIENDLY RECYCLE YOUR SHOES Apparently it’s a thing, but if you want GEAR When your athletic shoes are worn to be eco-friendly in your workout There are a number of companies out, don’t throw them away. Instead, there are less extreme ways to help the doing their part for the environment. If donate them to a foundation that environment without letting it all hang you’re into yoga, naked or not (hey, do reuses the material. Nike’s Reuse-A- out. I mean, just imagine having to what you want in the privacy of your Shoe takes discarded athletic shoes clean the yoga mats. And the view in own home), Gaiam makes all of their and grinds them up into a bunch of downward facing dog (shudder). I’m mats without the use of phthalates. shreds they’ve creatively named “Nike all for loving your body, but there’s a Phthalates pose a threat to the internal Grind.” Nike Grind is then used to limit. If you agree, here are some other organs of humans—including our build athletic courts, outdoor tracks ideas for getting green while getting reproductive bits—and according to and AstroTurf-like surfaces. fit. the National Toxicology Program (part of the US Department of Health Whether you want to go all out on GET OUTSIDE and Human Services); diphthalate is greening your workout or you’re I get the appeal of a stationary bike “reasonably anticipated to be a human just looking for a small change here or a treadmill, I really do. You can carcinogen.” The FDA and National and there, even the smallest steps are get a workout in throughout the year, Institute of Environmental Health steps in the right direction, much like rain or shine. You can answer work beginning a workout itself. emails, update Facebook, or catch Sciences are also conducting research up on the latest celebrity gossip on the biological and ecological online while improving your health. impact of phthalates. I think it’s best It’s multitasking to the max. But to stay away from them. part of the benefit of working out is disconnecting from the rest of the You can also grab a balance ball, world for a bit. Trade the stationary yoga bolster or some resistance bands bike for the real thing or go for a jog from Natural Fitness. The company through the park. Not only do you get is doing their part to make the world to go outside and enjoy nature, you cleaner by planting a tree for every also help the environment because— purchase made in their shop. While and it may seem obvious, but I’m this feels a bit like they’re capitalizing going to say it anyway—you’re on the green trends out there, if they’re not using electricity to power your planting a tree for every purchase, we workout. all win. Are you Financially Prepared? Erica Smalls, Human Resources Manager Disability Awareness Month Learn more about the disability complications delay an employee’s Are you financially prepared? coverage we have available to help return to work. If you got sick or hurt and couldn’t you and your employees. Talk with work, how long could you go without your benefits counselor today to Contact your Colonial Life benefits a paycheck? In today’s economy, it’d explore options specific to your needs. counselor to learn more about be difficult losing one paycheck. But a how short-term disability can help disability could have you out of work Short-term disability can help employees during pregnancy and for weeks, months or even a year. during maternity leave while on maternity leave. According to the Council for That’s where disability insurance Disability Awareness, pregnancy and comes in. It provides income for you childbirth disability claims rose 24 and your family if you are unable to percent from 2011 to 2012. work because of illness or injury. Short-term disability insurance May is Disability Insurance covering normal pregnancy and Awareness Month (DIAM), the perfect childbirth can provide maternity leave time for a disability insurance reality pay. Benefits may be paid when both check. Take this opportunity to make mom and baby are healthy. Additional sure you’re financially prepared. benefits may be paid during bed rest prior to delivery or if postpartum 4 --Richland County Recreation Commission -- Enriching Lives & Connecting Communities Hurricane Awareness - Are You Weather Ready? (Part 1 of 2) Chris Santino, Safety Manager Did you know National Hurricane damage along the coast. Preparedness Week is May 25-31. The Storm surge can travel several Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 miles inland.