Published monthly for employees of Black Hills Works and BH Services, Inc.

WorkplaceJanuary 2015

The

Congratulations Connie Melvin, Dorothy Rosby, and Tammie Quinn who were inducted into the Black Hills Works Hall of Fame in December. The three were nominated by their supervisors then selected by past Hall of Fame winners. They each received a plaque and $1000. Connie started with Black Hills Works eleven years ago as a Service Coordinator in housing. She also served as Resource and Support Assistant in residential and a Community Living Supervisor before becoming the Director of Innovation and Futureworks, a position she still holds. Dorothy started at Black Hills Works in 1988 as Community Relations Director, the position she still holds. She is responsible for newsletters, media relations, social media and other agency communications. Tammie Quinn started at Black Hills Works in 1986 as an Associate Instructor in the greenhouse. She also served as a Pre-Vocational Instructor before

Three inducted into BHW Hall of Fame

The 2014 inductees into the Black Hills Works Hall of Fame: Connie Melvin, Dorothy Rosby, and Tammie Quinn.

becoming the Pre-Vocational Supervisor at Black Hills Works on Range Road. The Hall of Fame was put in place to honor Black Hills Works’ top employees, those who are leaders, maybe not in title, but by their actions. They are selected based on their commitment to the mission, vision, and values, and their adherence to our standards. Being selected to the Hall of Fame is the ultimate recognition of an employee’s contributions to our agency.

Career Pathways hosts open houseCareer Pathways hosted an open house on December 11. Those attending enjoyed treats and toured the training opportunities the area offers, including shelf stocking, housekeeping, and assembly for the contract we have at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Career Pathways offers a seven-week course on filling out resumes and applications, interviewing, and job skills.

Kary Moffitt at work in the shelf stocking training area at Career Pathways.

Christmas day at the Ronald L. King Dining facility at Offutt Air Force Base. Pictured are BH Services and military staff.

Christmas Day at Offutt

BHWI employees deliver Christmas to needy familyThe Black Hills Works and BH Services staff located in or based out of the Industries building sponsored a family in need for Christmas via the Club for Boys. Dawn Wozna says that Nursing, Enclaves, Custodial and Industries staff all worked together to bless two young boys and their mother over the holidays. “With everyone doing and giving what they could, they were able to fill a van with household needs and gifts that checked off both mom and the boy’s wish lists!” This is the second year these AWESOME staff have sponsored a family from the Boys Club. “I couldn’t be more proud of the generous efforts, love, and contributions provided by all of the departments involved,” says Dawn.

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On December 13, People First collected and donated canned food to the Feeding South Dakota food drive as a service project. Pictured above are Ed Kopp, Liz Warner, and Cindy Roan Eagle dropping off the food at the food drop.

People First helps Feeding South Dakota

Support BHW when you shop AmazonAmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Black Hills Works Foundation. To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to AmazonSmile to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile. On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you need to select Black Hills Works Foundation to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Then every eligible purchase you make on AmazonSmile will result in a donation support the mission of Black Hills Works. .

Got ideas?We want to hear them! There are now suggestion boxes located in the lobbies at BHW and BHWI, and by the mailboxes at RSC. CEO Brad Saathoff will review your suggestions monthly. BUT PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME in case there are questions.

Tanya Sexton shows off her new purse and wallet. Elaine Pi from Sturgis donated 30 purses and 15 wallets shortly before Christmas.

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New purse for Christmas

Ten people supported at Sitka went to Pierre to see the Christmas trees at the capitol. They stopped at the Ramkota for a nice lunch and then went to the Capitol for a tour of the trees. Everyone had a wonderful time! The Ramkota was very accommodating and helpful, says Community Living Instructor Kari Thompson.

Sitka residents travel to Pierre

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Power of B Congratulations Daniel Hern, Martha Black, Amanda Bom, MaryAnn Wheeler, Kari Thompson, Tracy Glasford, Maggie Button, Candy Bice, Sandra Redden, Martha Cook, Marilee Williams, Dorothy Richards, and Tyler DeYoe, this month’s Power of B winners. MaryAnn Wheeler and Kari Thompson were nominated because of a trip they planned for residents of Sitka to see the Christmas tree display at the state capitol in Pierre. Martha Black was honored for her efforts above and beyond on behalf of an individual served by the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center. Daniel Hern was honored for his willingness and ability to repair electronic items in his off time. The maintenance shop does not have the delicate tools to repair such items and Daniel takes them home to repair in his off time. Tracy Glasford, Maggie Button, Candy Bice, Sandra Redden, Martha Cook, Marilee Williams, Dorothy Richards, Tyler DeYoe, and Amanda Bom were nominated for going above and beyond to support an individual with a personality disorder. Amanda was also nominated for her successful handling of several emergency situations. If you would like to nominate someone for a Power of B award, you can find Power of B nomination forms elsewhere in The Workplace or on Lotus Notes. To locate, click on Agency Main; click on Staff (left-hand green buttons); then click on Staff Forms. Choose your location, choose B Recognition Award, launch the document and print. Send your nominations to Dorothy Rosby at RSC. Winners receive $50 and their story appears in The Workplace. Give specific examples of how your nominee demonstrates the POWER of B. Tell about an incident that inspired you to nominate them.

It’s a HOEDOWN!!BHW Holiday Party

Saturday, January 17, 2015Ramkota Rushmore Room

Happy Hour: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.Dinner: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Entertainment byBrandon Jones and The Thirsty Fish

7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Also

Great Door Prizes Raffle for a 2002 Coleman Mesa 23” pop-up

camper. (Tickets $5 each OR 5 for $20!) (Must be Present to win)

Staff may get rooms for $69.99 plus tax by calling 343-0552 and they are to mention the BHW Group Block Holiday Party. There will be an $8.00 per person or $16.00 a couple charge. This will be payroll deductible. The LAST DAY to sign up will be January 15. If you cancel after this date, you will be charged. This is an adult party and there will be no childcare available.

Thank you! A note of thanks to Janet Niehaus and BJ Strand, whose efforts on behalf of the Gala only began following the event. We appreciate the time and effort made to research, document, and process all financial issues related to the event. The need for your support was higher than ever before and we thank you for stepping up to make it happen. Tara J. Wilcox

69 celebrate 20 plus years

Dawn Fairbanks, Susan Norskov, and Darrell Slone were some of the 69 employees honored for their years of service at the 20 Plus Year Club luncheon held at Arrowhead Country Club on December 16. Fifty-eight Black Hills Works employees and 11 BH Services employees have been employed with our agency for twenty years or more.

CongratulationsCongratulations Koral Olson from the The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center who was recently awarded her LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor).

Congratulations Annette Christman whose daughter had a baby boy on November 25.

Congratulations Michele and Mitch Benda on the birth of daughter Shelby Alise on December 18.

Jason Tornow has been employed at the Raider Cafe at Ellsworth Air Force Base since October 2013. He does utility cleaning work and pots and pans in the clipper area. Paul Warren says Jason is a dependable employee whocan be counted on to finish assigned work independently with quality results.

Raider Cafe star

People First hosts Tom Miller Advocacy Award winnerHolly Anderson was the guest speaker at the November 15 People First meeting. Holly was the first-ever winner of SourceAmerica’s Tom Miller Advocacy Award in 2014. She receives services from Achieve Human Services Inc. in Yuma, Arizona and has played a leading role in grass roots advocacy at the Arizona state and federal government levels. She spoke with People First about her disability and how it has affected her life and strengthened her in other ways. She also talked about Tom Miller being her mentor and how much she learned from him.

Holly Anderson was a guest speaker at the November meeting of People First.

Greg Solano was one of many who donated mittens for the mitten trees put up by Community Pride Lions Club at RSC, the Learning Center, Industries, and the downtown Suzie Cappa Art Center. The mittens will be delivered to Youth and Family Services January 3.

Community Pride Lions gather mittens for those in need

EARN $50.00!!! If you have an idea for saving money, reducing costs, or increasing income please go to Agency Main and select the Agency button to find the link ‘Create Cost Saving Idea’ and enter your idea today! The best of your ideas may be selected as a ‘winner’ and you could receive a $50.00 reward!$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Liz Warner at work at the Comfort Inn.

Advocate for Change member writes about employmentAs a newly elected member of South Dakota Advocates for Change, Elizabeth Warner has written several articles for the group’s newsletter, Advocates. Below is a piece that will be included in an upcoming issue. The subject is something Liz knows a lot about, having worked at the Comfort Inn for 12 years.

How to Get a Job and Keep ItBy Elizabeth WarnerInterview Process:Well, first you have a resume to show the employer that you are willing and able to learn the job. This will get his or her attention. It will show that you want to work for the company that is doing the hiring. You have to keep eye contact with your employer. This tells him or her that you have a good attention span during the interviewing process.

Work Ethic:Once you get the job you interview for, you have to be prompt, meaning you have to be there on time. You have to have your hair combed or put in a ponytail or braided. You have to wear a clean uniform and not have wrinkles in it. Now, this depends on where you work. Some places, you just need clean and pressed clothes. This helps you stay at the job you’ve earned and makes people you work with and employers keep you there for a long time.

Keeping the job:Employers like a person who can learn the job quickly

and is good natured which means they’re kind and have a good sense of humor. This is good if you have a job like I do in housekeeping that deals with customers every day of the year, or if you work as a cashier at the department stores like some friends of mine do. The most important thing you have to remember on the job is to keep a positive attitude and constant open mind.

Robin DeBoer, Jacki Schoenrock, and Bettie Jo Bshara at the Christmas Dance held December 7 at the Ramkota.

Fun at the Christmas Dance

Good deals for employeesBlack Hills Works/BH Services employees can purchase discounted movie tickets to both Carmike and Rushmore Theatres for $7.50.

Employees may also purchase WaTiki Indoor Water Park tickets at a reduced rate of 8.50.

Both tickets are available from Laurie Todd at RSC.

Freezin’ for a reasonDid you know that last year, Black Hills Works established a state record for the LARGEST group to jump in a South Dakota Polar Plunge, at 84 jumpers? AND we raised the most money in the “TEAMS: OPEN” division in the ENTIRE STATE last year, at an INCREDIBLE $14,289. (FYI...the DISTANT second place belonged to the Sioux Falls Fireworks Special Olympics Group who raised a “measly” $9,735. AND we raised the SECOND most amount of money of ANY GROUP in the entire state, second only to BNSF Railway of Watertown, who raised the most money in the “TEAMS: CORPORATE” division last year? And they only edged us by a paltry total of $14,810. This year’s goal is 100 jumpers! WE need you to jump on February 21. Contact Joe Burmeister at 593-1144 to sign up. To be a part of our historic group, all you need to do is raise a minimum of $100 and recruit another person to jump with us.

We’re glad you’re hereWelcome new employeesCatherine Boeck OPCCourtney Holbert OPCBarbara Kinsella OPCShawn Mitten OPCAmanda Zevenbergen OPCPatricia Naugle CH-CentennialTaylor Bertsch WisconsinHeather Nagel MinnesotaTaylor Neugebauer John’s Lana Mesteth FirMelissa Delker John’sBrittany Dimond CommissaryAshley Deel CH-AllenLisa Noetzelmann Edwards AShania Turner CH-WisconsinDeseray Baker CommissaryKarissa Bell HamptonCarrie Martin FirCory Barker QuincyBradley Winkelman BHWICourtney Stiel CH-AllenJessica Halvorson Choices

Save those Family Thrift receiptsSend your Family Thrift receipts to Stacy Morman or Lianne Brandrup at BHWI. Enough receipts will earn a $1000 gift to Black Hills Works! There are also containers at RSC!

Carole Lerdal enjoys a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, courtesy of the Shriners, on December 11.

Shriners pay a visit to BHW

Rushmore Lions Pancake Benefit

Sunday, February 227:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Black Hills Works3603 Range Road

Tickets are $6Children 8 and under eat free

All proceeds benefit BHW

FALL-WINTER LUNCH MENU CYCLEEach day's menu includes choice of 8oz. Skim milk or Skim Chocolate milk*Substitutions may occur based on availability of menu items.

January WEEK FOURMonday 1-5 Tuesday 1-6 Wednesday 1-7 Thursday 1-8 Friday 1-9Chicken Pot Pie 1pc. Pork Pattie on Bun 1 Sliced Turkey 2oz. Goulash 6oz. Cheese Omelet 1ea.W.G.Biscuit-1 Lettuce/Mayo 1 W.G.Bread 2ea. Cheese slice on top 1ea. Cinn.French Toast 1 ea.Corn 1/2c. Fries 10ea. Lettuce/Mustard 1ea. Cauliflower 2/3c. Syrup 1oz. Mixed Greens 1c. Broccoli 1/2c. Bean Soup 1c. Fresh Apple Fajita veg.mix 1/2cDressing 1oz. Fresh Grapes 1c. Crackers-2ea. W.G.Bread/marg. 1ea. Tomato Juice 1/2c.Banana 1ea. 100% Juice 1/2c. Carrots 1/2c. Strawberry cup 1ea.Diced Apricots 1/2c. Scandanavian vegs.1/4c. Fresh Grapes 1c.

Fresh orange 1ea.WEEK FIVE 100%Juice 1/2c.Monday 1-12 Tuesday 1-13 Wednesday 1-14 Thursday 1-15 Friday 1-16Vegetable Chili 3/4c. Scalloped Potatoes Beef Pattie-1 /Gravy 1oz. Thick Veg. Soup 1c. Mac&Cheese 1c.Cheese1/4c/Crkr.4 and Ham 6oz. W.G.Bread 2ea. Sliced Meat 3oz. Mixed Greens 1c.Brocolli Salad 1/2c. Peas 1/2c. Sweet Potatoes 1/2c. W.G.Brd.-1/Crackers 4 Dressing 1oz.Corn 1/4c. Fresh Grapes 1c. Green beans 1/2c. Sliced Tomato 2ea. Carrots 12/c.W.G.Cinn. Roll-1ea. Diced Pears 1/2c. Diced Apricots 1/2c. Fresh Apple Pear 1/ Peaches 1/4c.Banana/Orange 1ea. W.G.Bread/marg. 2 100% Juice 1/2c. Tomato Juice W.G.Bread/marg. 1ea.

This 2002 Coleman Mesa 23’ pop-up camper will be raffled off at the agency holiday party. This camper has all the amenities to include sleeping for up to 10 in a heated interior, a refrigerator, a stove, a sink, a hot water heater, a porch awning, an outside grill, and an outside shower. All owners manuals are with the unit. It has two propane bottles and a battery. You can see the camper in the Mechanic’s Shop from January 12-16 The tickets will be $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 and will be available at the party.

Win a camper!

There were sixteen booths promoting health and active lifestyle at the Health & Wellness Fair held December 16. Thanks to Rebekah Taylor for coordinating the event and thanks to those who hosted booths. If you missed it, contact Rebekah. She still has some of the literature that was distributed. •If you have a Fitbit, join the Black Hills Works group to win prizes in the CEO Challenge. •Be watching for more details on core strength training opportunities. •The Nursing Department is hosting ongoing WORKS WALKS at 7:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day Monday through Friday in the BHW Gym. You’re

invited to either or both sessions as often as you’d like! Start at your own pace doing as many laps as you can. If it’s difficult for you to walk, you can use the stationary bike, the elliptical, or the wind jammer instead. This will only take 5-10 minutes out of your day and the benefits will be huge! If coming to the gym isn’t practical, feel free to start your own “WORKS WALKS” program!

Health Fair kicks off Staff Wellness Program

Lease the Suzie Cappa Art CenterDid you know you can lease the Suzie Cappa Art Center for parties? Got a birthday party, a retirement celebration, or other event coming up? You can surround your guests with color and be inspired by the amazing work of artists of ALL abilities.

Art Experience Package $150•Use of studio for two-hour period•Provision of canvas (12” x 16”) and supplies for up to six attendees. (A $20 fee is applied per additional participants.)•Available Monday through Friday4:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday noon to 4 p.m.

Venue Package $350•Use of gallery, studio, and the kitchen for three hours with an additional hour before and after•Use of tables and chairs •Use of service items•Outside food is welcome with prior approval•Alcohol can be served after hours for private parties with licensed servers.•Available Monday-Saturday 4:30-9:30 p.m.•A $100 deposit is required for both packages. Contact Ashley at 791-3578.

Happy birthday Kerry Yantes 4Sofia Behrhorst 6Jeannette Johnson 8Ashleigh Stinson 12John Markovetz 13Dustin Eggleston 13Stephen McBride 13Amanda Lewis 13Sherry Lou Lytle-Brady 15Evan Tauck 15Richard Kellermann 16Marie Greenfield-Sahli 19Joesph Slobodnik 21Nancy Tindall 21Heather Harrison 23Ruanmoon Aston 23Elaina Potts 24Calvin Gallimore 24Veronica Barnard 24Debbie Herdina 25Leah Davis 25Lianne Brandrup 26Melissa Konrad 26Robert Harned 29Karen Ham 30Tressee Colhoff 30Jake Wiedenmeyer 31

FebruaryCec Richart 1Mary Lee 1Sandra Runde-Wilhelm 2Kathy Staton 2Lynn Vallette 2Amanda Harvey 2

Happy Employment AnniversaryTeri Alford 15 yearsLynnette Braun 36 yearsAlison Coyle 26 yearsConnie Hansen 26 yearsLovey Goergen 22 yearsJackie Smith 19 yearsCarla Oerter 14 yearsRicky Schneider 11 yearsJason Smith 2 yearsAmy Smith 14 yearsNancy Zogorski 40 yearsDebra Stone 21 yearsTim Strauss 21 yearsLarry Thovson 18 yearsCarla Streeter 18 yearsMarilee Williams 20 yearsEsperanza Schneweis 12 yearsOk Hilburn 10 yearsAnnette Thomas-Ward 24 yearsNatasha Wilks 9 yearsMallory Darling 9 yearsJames Crisp 9 yearsJulie Davis 9 yearsKayla Shepardson 8 yearsAlecia Apa 8 yearsTara Blasius 7 yearsHeather Shelatz 7 yearsDebbie Herdina 6 yearsJustin Fines 6 yearsWendy Skogen 6 yearsLinda Snipes 5 yearsBronson Odle 1 yearTari Jo Pankowski 4 yearsChis Lovato 4 yearsRebecca Michelson 3 yearsShea Thorson 3 yearsJeremiah Alderink 3 yearsDavid Louie 2 yearsEvan Tauk 2 yearsMarsha Welch 2 yearsRochelle Geist 2 yearsStephanie Beard 2 yearsJennifer Williams 2 yearsLauren Patterson 1 yearKacie Craig 1 yearJohn Walter 1 yearSandra Redden 1 yearEdward Allen 1 yearDonna Hutto 1 year

“B” Recognition Award

Name of the staff person you’d like to recognize: Title of the person you are recognizing: Department of area they work in: What you’d like to recognize them for: Check the “B” that applies with the example of the “B” they demonstrated. Please be specific.

For Being Respectful of Others

For Being Accountable

For Being Your Best (Their Best)

For Being Supportive

Reason for the Nomination:

Your name and title: Your department or area: Please send this form to Dorothy Rosby at RSC. Your nominee could be selected to receive the $50 prize and be featured in The Workplace. Feel free to make copies of this form for additional people you’d like to recognize.

9-25-08 Rev 7-10-12

Need more information?Chronic pain is a serious problem that should not gountreated. If you would like to consult an occupationaltherapist about pain management, practitioners areavailable through most hospitals, community clinics,and medical centers.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assis-tants are trained in helping both adults and childrenwith a broad range of physical, developmental, and psychological conditions. Practitioners also help clientsin wellness techniques that may prevent injury and disease. Contact your local health officials for moreinformation.

More than 130 million Americans suffer from chronic, or frequently occurring,pain. Chronic pain creates both physical and psychological problems that affectwhether a person can engage in meaningful activities each day. Pain candecrease a person’s strength, coordination, and independence in addition tocausing stress that may lead to depression.

With the help of occupational therapy, people with chronic pain can learn tomanage the physical and psychological effects and lead active and productivelives. Many people with chronic pain already have received treatment withmedication, surgery, heat, cold, nerve stimulation, and massage. What manyhave not yet learned is how management of daily activities and lifestyle cancontribute to successful, long-term coping with pain.

What can an occupational therapist do?■ Identify specific activities or behaviors that aggravate

pain and suggest alternatives.■ Teach methods for decreasing the frequency and

duration of painful episodes.■ Implement therapy interventions that may decrease

dependence on or use of pain medications.■ Facilitate the development of better function for

daily activities at work and home.■ Collaborate with the client’s team of health care

professionals, such as physicians, physical therapists,psychiatrists, and psychologists, to determine thebest course of treatment and intervention.

■ Recommend and teach the client how to use adaptiveequipment to decrease pain while performing taskssuch as reaching, dressing, bathing, and performhousehold chores.

What can a person with chronic pain do?■ Develop and practice a lifestyle based on wellness,

which includes plenty of rest, exercise, healthy nutrition, and maintaining a positive attitude.

■ Practice techniques to decrease the intensity of pain.■ Organize a daily routine with personal pain manage-

ment goals, such as eliminating or modifying activitiesthat use a lot of energy and implementing bodymechanics that move the body in ways that are lesslikely to aggravate pain.

■ Exercise to increase strength and flexibility andreduce pain.

■ Practice relaxation techniques that calm the mindand reduce tensions that aggravate pain.

Managing Chronic Pain

®

Tips for Living

Occupational Therapy: Skills for the Job of Living

The AmericanOccupational TherapyAssociation, Inc.www.aota.org

Revised 12/02 Copyright 2002. AOTA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This page may be reproduced and distributed without prior written consent.