Compensation and Benefits Profile now available

Your 2012 Compensation and Benefits Profile is now available to view and print.

In our continued efforts toward sustainability, this document is now available electronically instead of being mailed with your W-2. Please follow the instructions for viewing and printing found here. You will receive a separate email when your electronic W-2 is available.

If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Cary at 616-234-4018 or Amy Robinson at 616-234-4175.

Purchasing Department Update

GRCC has entered into an agreement with WEX  (formerly Wright Express), for the purchase of gasoline and diesel fuels. The new WEX program will take effect Monday, January 21, 2103. To ensure a seamless transition, the current Fuelman program will remain in effect until Friday, January 25. Please contact the Purchasing Department with any questions.

Video: the latest from GRCC TV on YouTube

“Calculus 134: 1/14/13”

MIOSHA courses begin in February 2013

The MIOSHA Construction-Part 32 Aerial Work Platforms & Devices seminar will provide an overview of the common hazards associated with aerial work platforms using case studies of actual accidents or photos of hazardous conditions. MIOSHA Construction Safety Standards and how they apply will be discussed, as well as, development and the importance of implementation of an accident prevention program. The class, which costs $105, runs 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. February 5, 2013, at Tassell M-TEC. To register, click here.

The MIOSHA 10-Hour program presents an overview of MIOSHA regulations for the construction industry. Detailed information is presented to enable the participant to develop an accident prevention plan as required by MIOSHA. An overview of MIOSHA inspection procedures is presented, as well as the most frequently cited MIOSHA violations in the construction industry. Participants gain detailed information regarding construction and health standards relative to the industry. Students will receive a 10-hour card upon successful completion of the class. Two sessions are available at Tassell M-TEC: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. February 27 and 28 or May 21 and 22. The cost is $170. To register, click here.

The Project Management: Construction Management II  course builds upon the skills learned in Project Supervision for those individuals pursuing a career in Project Management. Students will learn how to identify management styles, key elements of negotiation, documentation and various resources required when planning a job. This course teaches project managers safety and loss prevention, problem solving, project estimation, scheduling, cost analysis, and quality management. The class, which costs $642, runs 6-10 p.m. Thursdays from February 7 to May 30. To register, click here.

New social work courses offered

Social workers can earn continuing education hours with these new courses:

• Rewinding Racism: Applying a Non-Judgment Code of Ethics for Healthcare Professionals — Health-care professionals face multiple cultural differences in caring transactions among patients, co-workers, and other professionals. Most are not aware of how they are socialized to an underlying value of social positioning. Racism is admittedly the most visible and significant source of unintended prejudices that destroy healthy boundaries. Participants learn the social sources of these judgments. From that understanding, they are invited to learn self-compassion and how to self-manage their judgments. They practice how to apply a nonjudgment code of ethics with options to confront and challenge societal expectations that would deny such behaviors. This course, led by Ken Taber, runs 6-9 p.m. February 13, 2013. It costs $45. To register, click here.
• Beginning the Ending of Life — Often we begin to plan for the end of life after few choices remain or too little time remains to carry out the plan. This workshop explores the inter-relationship of the person who is dying with an attorney, family members, physician and hospice. Multi-disciplinary planning can increase the quality of the end of life. The class, led by Beth A. Swagman, costs $35. It runs 6-8 p.m. February 21. To register, click here.
• The Process of Addiction — Addiction to any substance has long carried a stigma. After all, the person just has to “say no” or stop using. If only it were that simple. This seminar looks at the bio/social/physical aspects of the addiction process, with emphasis on the biology of the brain and addiction. The class, led by Dennis Potter, runs 6-8 p.m. February 26 and costs $35. To register, click here.
• Creating a Holistic Environment — This seminar will raise the awareness of our relationship with all that surrounds us and the impact of our environment on pain management. It will explore the mind-body connection in the creation of our internal environment, and how physical surroundings affect our health and the natural healing mechanisms within the body. It will focus on methods for enhancing an environment for healing. The course, led by Barbara J. Meconis, costs $35. It runs 6-8 p.m. March 7. To register, click here.
• At Peace at Home — Arranging care for elderly parents can be frustrating and time-consuming. Parents plead to remain at home. But adult children want peace of mind that often comes by placing parents in a home for the aged. Is it possible for parents to be at home and for children to have peace of mind? You are invited to learn about the MI Choice Waiver Program and Veterans Affairs Special Compensation Programs and the possibilities of being at home and at peace. Beth A. Swagman leads the course, which runs 6-8 p.m.  March 11. It costs $35. To register, click here.
• Overcoming the Disconnect — Are you really connecting with your client or patient? Every interaction matters, and if you truly want to bridge the professional disconnect between you and your client this interactive workshop will explore techniques and concepts that will help remove walls and barriers between you and the client. The class, led by Christopher D. Sain Jr., runs 6-8 p.m. March 20 and costs $35. To register, click here.
• Assessments of Clients with Dementia — One in eight Americans has dementia today, and that number is expected to grow as our population ages. This disease is incurable and lasts for years. The costs of care are astronomical, considering not only an estimated $200 billion in payments for care, mostly to nursing homes in 2012 alone, but also for the 15 million unpaid family caregivers who put their own physical and emotional health at serious risk. Come learn more about the current problem, the latest trends in emphasizing research and how we can all prepare for and participate in early detection efforts. Beth Swagman leads the class, which runs 6-8 p.m. April 9 and costs $35. To register, click here.
• Engaging the Resistant Person — In our social work practice, we frequently work with people who don’t seem to actually change. In the past we have labeled these persons as “unmotivated” and “resistant” clients, but are they really? Perhaps they just have good boundaries. This seminar looks at the process of engagement and creating a therapeutic alliance with another person as the core of the change process. Dennis Potter leads the course, which runs 6-8 p.m. April 18. It costs $35. To register, click here.

Performance evaluations for Meet & Confer employees due February 1, 2013

A reminder to M&C employees:Your 2012-2013 performance evaluation mid-year check in should be completed by February 1, 2013.

You can visit this site for the performance evaluation form and helpful resources. Human Resources will be conducting additional overview sessions, as well as training sessions for supervisors on how to evaluate and provide feedback on section III in the upcoming months. You should see communication shortly from Staff Development on available dates/times for these training sessions.

Per section II on the performance evaluation, all M&C employees should work toward their goal of 20 hours of professional development for 2012-2013. Staff Development current learning opportunities may be found here. As of December 31, Staff Development has offered 392 courses, which 2,983 (duplicate count) participants completed. Thank you to Staff Development for its support and congratulations to the employees for your commitment to professional development!