merica First Credit Union Donating $110,000 to Local Nonprofits
WHAT: America First Credit Union (AFCU) will be donating $110,000 in total to 11 charities in Utah and Southern Nevada. As part of the credit union’s Community Assistance Program, they will recognize each of the nonprofits at its annual event a present a $10,000 check. The local non-profits who will be recognized for their contributions to the community include:
For the past 30 years, AFCU has donated to nonprofits in its local communities. The purpose of the program is to give financial support to organizations that provide job assistance, training, housing, food and medical services to those in need.
Media are invited to attend on Dec. 11, 2019, 6 p.m. at the Davis Conference Center
WHERE: Davis Conference Center • 1651 N 700 W, Layton, UT 84041
WHEN: Dec. 11, 2019, 6 p.m.
WHO: America First Credit Union employees and representatives from local nonprofits will be available for interview.
Visuals: AFCU representatives awarding nonprofits with a $10,000 check, and videos and other visual representations of the contributions of each nonprofit.
RSVP: Media interested in attending should email kelsey.richardson@rrpartners.com.
ABOUT: AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION
Proudly celebrating 80 years of servicing members and a long-standing history, America First has become one of the largest, most stable and most progressive credit unions in the country, and has remained a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Today, America First has 130 locations, and is the ninth largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $11.5 billion, and the sixth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 1,062,000 members.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec 11, 2019
Bishop Applauds Passage of Defense Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. As Utah’s only representation on an Armed Services Committee and a conferee involved in negotiating the bill, Congressman Bishop helped secure: a 3.1-percent pay raise for our troops, language ensuring survivors of deceased service members receive the benefits they deserve, the establishment of the United States Space Force, and the continued rebuilding of the military.
Importantly, Congressman Bishop also secured the following provisions, which have particular impact at Hill Air Force Base (HAFB):
Land Transfer - HAFB to Utah MIDA
Bishop language directs the Air Force to transfer approximately 35 acres of land to the Utah Military Installations Development Authority to facilitate a new entrance gate aimed at improving traffic flow in and around Hill AFB and Davis County.
Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD)
To respond to the nation’s deteriorating nuclear infrastructure and the aging Minute Man III (MMIII) weapons system, the military has prioritized nuclear modernization as critical to maintaining America’s continued military dominance. GBSD, the replacement for the MMIII, is the first major acquisition project based out of Hill AFB. Bishop fought against the partisan draconian cuts to the program and helped secure funding for the program.
F-35
Bishop pushed for authorization to purchase 90+ Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, enabling the forces to modernize and equip themselves with the most advanced and capable fifth-generation aircraft. Hill AFB is the home to all F-35A maintenance and should expect increased workload based on this authorization. This bill perpetuates HAFB’s proud tradition of servicing our nation’s fighter aircraft.
Upon voting for the National Defense Authorization Act, Congressman Bishop stated,
“This year’s NDAA continues to rebuild our military in a bipartisan and bicameral way to repair our military from the detrimental cuts by the past administration. The positive policies promoted in this legislation will buoy up our warfighters, support our dedicated civilian workforce, and continue to place the country in a position of strength. To top it off, Hill AFB will continue to play an extremely vital role in our nation’s defense. The only sad part of this whole situation is that Speaker Pelosi’s lack of leadership led us to delaying passage of this annual bill until the final moment. It could have been done months ago, but House Democrats have been purely focused on the circus of impeachment.”
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*For more information or an interview with Deb Boelkes, please contact Dottie DeHart, DeHart & Company Public Relations, at (828) 325-4966 or simply reply to this email.
The Heartfelt Holiday: Nine Ways to Show
Your Employees You Care This Holiday Season
Leaders, the holidays are a great time to infuse a little "WOW" into your employees'
lives and strengthen your company's culture. Deb Boelkes shares some festive ways
to thank your team for all their hard work and inspire them for the year ahead.
Jacksonville, FL (December 2019)—As the holiday season approaches, leaders are starting to look for ways to show their teams they care. Yes, that's what bonuses are for. But cash gifts aside, there are plenty of other ways to show your employees that you appreciate their hard work, creativity, and dedication during the season of giving. This sense of heartfelt gratitude and caring is a pivotal part of creating a workplace built on what Deb Boelkes calls the "WOW Factor."
"One of the greatest gifts you can give employees is building a culture so great that they can't imagine working any place else," says Boelkes, author of The WOW Factor Workplace: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture (Business World Rising, December 2019, ISBN: 978-1-734-07610-3, $19.95). "It all comes down to offering them the support, encouragement, guidance, and compassion they need to flourish and thrive."
Creating a WOW workplace culture is a gift that keeps on giving all year long. When you show employees you care, they will be loyal to you in return. What's more, putting employees first inspires them to give their best efforts, which drives customer loyalty, which drives profit.
"The holidays are actually one of the easiest times to 'wow' your employees," says Boelkes. "Spirits are high, and you can take advantage of the festive mood to strengthen these relationships, which benefits everyone."
Here are just a few ways to show your workers you care this holiday season:
Do everything you can to make their holidays easier. WOW leaders care about their people and want to make their lives easier. No question: Life can get busy and stressful this time of year. Doing simple things to take some of the pressure off means more than you may realize. For instance, announce the holiday schedule in advance and communicate it several ways so they can plan. Also, keep the schedule flexible and light. Let people leave work a few hours early, or work from home, or close down the office a day or two in advance of the holiday.
"You're showing them you see them not just as cogs in a machine but as whole human beings with lives outside the office," says Boelkes. "This works best when you make an effort all year long to get to know what's going on in their lives and what matters to them."
WOW them with some grace. If an employee realizes at the last minute that she needs to leave in the middle of the day to attend her nephew's holiday play, let her. Tell her, "Oh, it's fine and no need to come back in. Enjoy your afternoon." These are the kinds of things that make a lasting impression and build loyalty in people.
Don't send a bland corporate holiday card. Instead, share a heartfelt (and customized) thank-you message. Successful leaders, especially heartfelt leaders, make sure the people working above, for, and with them know they and their contributions are appreciated. A simple "thank you" can have more power than you think. Give meaningful credit when credit is due.
"Make your 'thank you' meaningful by giving each employee a handwritten thank-you card along with any bonuses you distribute," says Boelkes. "Be specific in listing some of the reasons you value each employee and thank them for making each day a WOW experience."
Help employees connect to purpose and meaning. WOW workplaces are infused with meaning. People don't just go through the motions. They know that their work touches people's lives in real and often profound ways. Britt Berrett, former president of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, says purpose and meaning are crucial for creating employee engagement in all fields—not just the "obvious" industries like healthcare, education, or social work.
He says: We get to take care of people and touch their lives every day. That's a divine calling in life. Colleagues outside of health care, I think they, too, can find that purpose and that meaning. That's why Southwest Airlines is doing what they're doing. I think they consider it a great calling in life. I've heard them speak to that, on opening the airways, on opening travel for families and friends to connect. I think that's meaningful. But it does take courage, it really does. It's exhausting, too. It's not for the faint of heart. It's not for those who are "kind of," "sort of," "sometimes," or "maybe." It's for purposefully driven people.
The holidays are the perfect time to remind people of the larger "calling" behind their job. At the holiday party, share an example or two that illustrates this—maybe read a thank-you letter from a customer or even invite one to speak on how your company made their lives better.
Don't skimp on the holiday party. Workplace celebrations are deeply important. Not only does it give everyone a chance to relax and socialize, it's a way to say thank you to employees. Make it special. You don't have to spend a ton of money but give a lot of thought to what might be meaningful to people. (You might ask for their feedback first.) Whether your holiday celebration is as simple as a potluck where everyone brings a favorite dish, or an elegant catered affair, make sure it's well thought out, well planned, and fun.
Declare a moratorium on after-hours emails for the last half of December. Boelkes says when she conducted 360 reviews of CEOs, one of the biggest complaints she heard was from employees who resented getting emails from the boss on weekends or late at night. They felt they must respond immediately, even when the boss said it could wait until the next business day. Therefore, she recommends that for the last two weeks of the year—while most employees are juggling end-of-year workloads and holiday family visits—leaders declare email-free evenings and weekends for the entire two-week holiday period.
"If you feel compelled to write an email after normal business hours, simply save it as a draft until 8:00 a.m. on the next business day," she suggests. "This is a small way to give employees their personal time back, and yet it makes a HUGE difference."
Designate a volunteer day to spread goodwill. The holidays are about giving, so find a way for your organization to give back to the local community. Choose a non-profit organization and select a day or partial day to volunteer as a group. You might decide to walk dogs at a local shelter, or serve lunch at a soup kitchen, or play with children at an orphanage.
Challenge employees to make a holiday connection with customers. Ask them to come up with their own ideas for connecting with customers around the holidays. Then set them free to implement their plans. A customer service representative might send freshly baked cookies to the clients she normally assists, or a group of workers might decide to make a funny holiday thank-you video to send to their clients. When employees are able to engage customers, it makes them more engaged in their jobs. It's an all-around delightful experience for everyone.
Boelkes suggests you take a cue from Donald Stamets—general manager for Solage, an Auberge resort in Calistoga, CA—and don't make employees ask permission. As part of his Expected, Requested, and Delighted philosophy, Stamets encourages them to go above and beyond what the customer expects or requests and try to delight them at every turn. For instance, if a guest is sick, employees can bring them tissues and chicken soup without asking a manager.
"Likewise, tell your employees their goal is to delight customers this holiday season," says Boelkes. "Let them use their own judgment and tap into their creativity. Being allowed to do it 'their way' will encourage and inspire them to go in whole-heartedly."
Give the gift of (positive) year-end feedback. At the end of the year, you'll want to send employees off on the right foot to enjoy their holiday breaks. A great way to do that is by holding a year-end review in which you focus mainly on what employees are doing right and asking them to share their ideas for making next year even better.
"It's okay to give them some improvement goals as well but keep the majority of the feedback upbeat and encouraging, and let them know that you believe in them," says Boelkes. "With this approach you're likely to notice improvements in the new year."
"When employees feel supported and appreciated, they will give you their best time and time again," concludes Boelkes. "So be sure that you don't squelch the holiday spirit. Take advantage of the holiday cheer and infuse some festive joy and inspiration in your organization. It pays off for you, your workers, and your customers."
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About the Author:
Deb Boelkes is not just a role model heartfelt leader; she's the ultimate authority on creating best places to work, with 25+ years in Fortune 150 high-tech firms, leading superstar business development and professional services teams. As an entrepreneur, she has accelerated advancement for women to senior leadership. Deb has delighted and inspired over 1,000 audiences across North America.
About the Book:
The WOW Factor Workplace: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture (Business World Rising, December 2019, ISBN: 978-1-734-07610-3, $19.95) will be available from major online booksellers.
For more information, please visit www.businessworldrising.com.
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*For a review copy of NOISE or an interview with Joe McCormack, please contact Dottie DeHart, DeHart & Company Public Relations, at (828) 325-4966 or simply reply to this email.
15 "Magical Moments" You'll Be Glad You
Didn't Miss When You Ban the Phone from Your Holiday Gathering
Joe McCormack wants us to put the "noise" on hold this holiday season...and serves
up a festive sampling of the moments we'd otherwise miss.
Hoboken, NJ (December 2019)—Picture it: your living room, December 2019. The tree is all aglow, the eggnog poured (and spiked), the whole family gathered 'round—and you're only half-present. Your mind keeps wandering to what might be waiting for you just a click or a scroll away. Work emails. News updates. Candy Crush notifications. The latest scoop on Kim and Kanye.
This is crazy, says Joe McCormack.
"What the heck are we thinking?" says the author of the new book NOISE: Living and Leading When Nobody Can Focus (Wiley, December 2019, ISBN: 978-1-119-55337-3, $25.00). "Nothing on that phone—however outrageous or dire or seemingly urgent—can top the drama and dysfunction that's happening all around us at the average holiday gathering!"
"Noise" is McCormack's name for the relentless onslaught of information that robs us of our attention span and leaves us unable to focus, listen, do deep work—or appreciate the live entertainment that happens in our own living room each Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa.
As part of his "Just Say No to Noise" campaign, McCormack suggests you banish electronic devices from your holiday gathering. If you can stand to put down the phone for a hot minute, you might be amazed by what you hear and see:
"Some holiday moments are heartwarming," says McCormack. "Most of them are awkward, irritating, or even bat-sh*t crazy. But that's family. That's life. It's a shame to miss it because we think what's on our electronic devices is more interesting. I promise you, it can't compete."
# # #
About the Author:
Joseph McCormack is the author of NOISE: Living and Leading When Nobody Can Focus. He is passionate about helping people gain clarity when there is so much competing for our attention. He is a successful marketer, entrepreneur, and author. His first book, BRIEF: Make a Bigger Impact by Saying Less (Wiley, 2014), sets the standard for concise communication.
Joe is the founder and managing director of The BRIEF Lab, an organization dedicated to teaching professionals, military leaders, and entrepreneurs how to think and communicate clearly. His clients include Boeing, Harley-Davidson, Microsoft, Mastercard, DuPont, and select military units and government agencies. He publishes a weekly podcast called "Just Saying" that helps people master the elusive skills of focus and brevity.
To learn more, visit www.noisethebook.com.
About the Book:
NOISE: Living and Leading When Nobody Can Focus (Wiley, December 2019, ISBN: 978-1-119-55337-3, $25.00) is available at bookstores nationwide, from major online booksellers, and direct from the publisher by calling 800-225-5945. In Canada, call 800-567-4797. For more information, please visit the book's page on www.wiley.com.
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For Immediate Release – December 11, 2019
Contact: Marty Irby, marty@animalwellnessaction.org, 202-821-5686
Washington, D.C. – U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers wrote late yesterday to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate appropriations panels with oversight of the Department of the Interior (DOI) to urge funding limits and additional clarity on a dangerous and costly Bureau of Land Management (BLM) pilot program to manage wild horse populations in the West.
The letter, available at http://bit.ly/2RDM29C, is addressed to U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.), chair and ranking member respectively of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; and U.S. Reps. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) and David Joyce (R-Ohio), the chair and ranking member respectively of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.
The House and Senate versions of the Interior-Environment appropriations bill – which are currently being reconciled – each include funding for an untested pilot project that calls for a dramatic increase in roundups and removals. The House bill provides $6 million in additional funding for the program while the Senate bill provides $35 million, and each bill includes report language calling for a total removal of 130,000 horses over the next decade.
As the authors point out, “That plan has never been presented for consideration in the authorizing committees of jurisdiction, would triple the number of horses and burros in holding, and could cost taxpayers billions.” They also note concerns that the House and Senate report language “opens the door to surgical sterilization procedures” that face opposition “by many stakeholders, including veterinarians.”
The authors urge appropriators to take three steps in a final conference version of the funding bill:
In addition to Grijalva, the letter is signed by Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), who chairs the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands; and by Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; David Schweikert (R-Ariz.); Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.); Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.); Joe Neguse (D-Colo.); Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.); Dina Titus (D-Nev.); Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.); Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.); and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Co-Chair of the Congressional Horse Caucus.
“We applaud Chairman Grijalva’s tremendous leadership and tireless work to prevent the devastating roundup and incarceration of our iconic American wild horses, whose very backs this country was built upon,” said Marty Irby, executive director at Animal Wellness Action, and a lifelong horseman. “We must continue to do everything within our power to defend these symbols of our nation from their strategically planned eradication negotiated by the Humane Society, ASPCA, and pro-slaughter crowd.”
"We commend House Natural Resources Chair Raúl M. Grijalva for leading a bipartisan group of lawmakers in requesting restrictions on funding appropriated in the FY 2020 spending bill that would impact America’s federally protected wild horse and burro populations,” said Suzanne Roy, Executive Director of the American Wild Horse Campaign. “We are deeply grateful to Rep. Grijalva for continuing his longstanding work as a great champion for wild horses.”
“We thank Chair Grijalva for his leadership on this important issue," said Ginger Kathrens, Founder of The Cloud Foundation. "The appropriation of additional funds to this program, especially as BLM has failed to present any kind of plan to Congress, would be a grave mistake. If Congress chooses to appropriate additional funds, we strongly support Chair Grijalva. There are intelligent, cost-effective ways to manage healthy herds on healthy rangelands, but this plan is not one.”
The Animal Wellness Foundation (Foundation) is a Los Angeles-based private charitable organization with a mission of helping animals by making veterinary care available to everyone with a pet, regardless of economic ability. We organize rescue efforts and medical services for dogs and cats in need and help homeless pets find a loving caregiver. We are advocates for getting veterinarians to the front lines of the animal welfare movement; promoting responsible pet ownership; and vaccinating animals against infectious diseases such as distemper. We also support policies that prevent animal cruelty and that alleviate suffering. We believe helping animals helps us all.
Animal Wellness Action (Action) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) organization with a mission of helping animals by promoting legal standards forbidding cruelty. We champion causes that alleviate the suffering of companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife. We advocate for policies to stop dogfighting and cockfighting and other forms of malicious cruelty and to confront factory farming and other systemic forms of animal exploitation. To prevent cruelty, we promote enacting good public policies and we work to enforce those policies. To enact good laws, we must elect good lawmakers, and that’s why we remind voters which candidates care about our issues and which ones don’t. We believe helping animals helps us all.
