The IFB Beat 12-30 Edition

A Message from the Editor

Happy Holidays!

This week the IFB Beat brings you:

• A New Years message from Dan Kelly President and CEO
• Note to mark your calendar for Mammogram Screenings on February 4
• Reminders to sign-up for the Winston-Salem 2025 Leadership Essentials training class and to self-identify for EO/AA Employer reporting by January 10
• Winston-Salem retirement announcement

Thanks for reading the IFB Beat and have a wonderful week and happy new year!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager
apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– Message from IFB Solutions President and CEO Dan Kelly
– Retirement Announcement: Bobbie Manring
– Programs Update: Accounting and HR Department Spread Holiday Cheer!
– Community Low Vision Center Updates

From Our Community

– Cord Cutter News: You Can Now Call ChatGPT & Ask Questions on The Phone

HR and Opportunities

– Reminder: Self-Identify for EO/AA Employer Reporting
– Reminder: W-S 2025 Leadership Essentials Training Class – Sign Up Today!
– New Job Announcements

IFB Beat Phone Lines
Support Group Zoom Meeting Links
Archived Editions of The IFB Beat

 

Message from IFB Solutions President and CEO Dan Kelly

A Year of Memories, A Year of Progress—Cheers to You!

As we close out 2024, let’s spend a moment taking pride in work that built a strong foundation that will carry our mission forward in 2025. With 88 years behind us, it’s inspiring to know we’re still just getting started.

Highlights of 2024:

Successfully Launched the Workforce Services Expansion Campaign:

With the generosity of philanthropist Gordon Gund, we kicked off our $3 million Workforce Services expansion campaign with a goal of creating 300 new jobs for people who are blind.

 

BSC Grand Opening at the U.S. Naval Academy:

We proudly celebrated the opening of the Base Supply Center at the U.S. Naval Academy.

 

First Fuel Handler’s Suit Trousers Shipped from Winston-Salem Plant:

Our Winston-Salem team reached a major milestone with the first shipment of these essential products.

 

Honored Excellence:

Laura Burrows received the 2024 Commodore Visionary Award for her outstanding contributions to our mission.

 

Welcomed AbilityOne Leaders:

We showcased the impact of our packaging and assembly businesses during a visit from the AbilityOne Commission, highlighting the meaningful jobs of informed choice we create for individuals who are blind.

 

Enhanced Efficiency and Accessibility:

A new shrink-wrap machine in Pinnacle is helping improve efficiency and job accessibility for our team members.

 

Resilience in Adversity:

Our Asheville team’s rapid recovery from Hurricane Helene reminded us of the strength and dedication of our employees.

 

    

Celebrating Outstanding Achievers:

We applauded Ken Mullins and Josh Denton at the NIB National Conference as Career Achiever and Employee of the Year.

 

Puerto Rico’s Unstoppable Growth:

Our Puerto Rico operations saw an amazing 38% year-over-year sales growth, driven by a team committed to quality and productivity.

 

Welcomed a New Leader:

We are honored to have U.S. Marine Corps veteran Tom Sarin (pictured center) as our new Board Chair. As a person who is blind, Tom’s leadership reflects the heart of our mission.

Each of these moments is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. Thank you for making 2024 a year to remember. Your hard work, passion, and commitment fuel everything we do.

Wishing you and your families a joyful and prosperous New Year!

Warm regards,

Dan Kelly

IFB Solutions President and CEO

Retirement Announcement: Bobbie Manring

The Quality Department at IFB Solutions recently gathered on December 18th to celebrate an incredible milestone—Bobbie Manring’s 33 years of dedicated service.

Bobbie retired on December 24th, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of hard work, commitment, and excellence.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was presented with a customized glass plaque with the following message: “33 years of service presented to Bobbie Manring. May you be proud of the work you have done and the difference you have made. Thank you for your service and dedication. Congratulations on your retirement! IFB Solutions.”

Please join us in wishing Bobbie a happy and fulfilling retirement. Her impact will be felt for years to come, and she will always be part of the IFB team!

 

IFB Programs Update: Accounting and HR Teams Spread Holiday Cheer!

 

The Accounting and HR teams at the Winston-Salem facility rallied together to donate Christmas presents for an S.E.E. kid and his family. They collected new coats, pants, hoodies, blankets, shoes, socks, groceries for a few meals, and a lot more. Their generosity provided this family with thoughtful gifts for a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year.

 

Community Low Vision Center Updates

Asheville and Winston-Salem CLVC December Sale!

Final two days! Asheville and Winston-Salem CLVC December Sale! The Community Low Vision Center team wants to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays by offering 20% off everything in stock for the month of December! Bring your shopping list and stop in!

CLVC Item of the Week:

Electronics for $11.95 and up!

Check out some of the things we have to offer:
• Neck Fans
• Earphones and earbuds
• Beatz Headphones
• Victor Reader Stream
• And much more!

If you have questions or are interested in any of the weekly items, please contact your local CLVC for assistance.

 

From Our Community

Cord Cutter News: You Can Now Call ChatGPT & Ask Questions on The Phone

Submitted by Lawrence Carter, President Raleigh/Wake, American Council of the Blind

You Can Now Call ChatGPT & Ask Questions on The Phone

In a move to increase accessibility, OpenAI has announced that its popular AI assistant, ChatGPT, is now available on landlines and WhatsApp. Users can call 1-800-CHATGPT to access the service or text ChatGPT through the messaging app.

“OpenAI’s mission is to make artificial general intelligence beneficial to all of humanity,” said Kevin Weil, OpenAI’s chief product officer, during a livestream. “Part of that is making it as accessible as possible to as many people as we can. Today, we’re taking the next step and bringing ChatGPT to your telephone.”

The landline experience mirrors OpenAI’s Advanced Voice Mode, allowing users to engage in real-time conversations with ChatGPT and ask questions or request tasks like language translation. U.S. users receive 15 minutes of free calling, after which standard carrier fees may apply.

The WhatsApp integration offers a text-based interaction with ChatGPT, providing a simple back-and-forth exchange. While lacking the customization options of the official ChatGPT app, this method allows users to engage with the AI without needing an account. However, a daily usage limit applies, prompting users to download the app or use the web version upon reaching the limit.

OpenAI plans to enhance the WhatsApp experience with features like image analysis and web search in the future.

These expansions mark a significant step in OpenAI’s efforts to make AI more accessible to a wider audience, including those who may not have access to smartphones or prefer alternative communication methods.

This move has generated excitement among those who see the potential benefits of increased AI accessibility. However, it also raises concerns about potential misuse and the ethical implications of widespread AI adoption. As AI technology continues to evolve and become more integrated into daily life, it is crucial to consider both the potential benefits and risks.

https://cordcuttersnews.com/you-can-now-call-chatgpt-ask-questions-on-the-phone/

 

 

HR & Opportunities

Reminder: Self-Identify for EO/AA Employer Reporting

For more information, reach out to Angela Jordan, IFB Solutions Director Compliance, EH&S, at 336-759-0551 x5771 or ajordan@ifbsolutions.org.

IFB Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and as a federal contractor, we are required to take affirmative action to employ and advance females, minorities, individuals with a disability, and protected veterans. To comply with the applicable law, we invite you to voluntarily self-identify your race/ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, and disability status. Submission of this information is voluntary, and your response (or declining to respond) will not, in any way, subject you to any adverse treatment. Responses to these voluntary surveys will be kept confidential and will not be used in a manner that is inconsistent with any law. However, we encourage you to respond to the survey because the information supports our inclusion efforts towards our affirmative action goals and our employee diversity.

To provide and/or update the information we have regarding your gender, race/ethnicity, protected veteran status, and/or disability status, please login to your Paycom Employee Self-Serve (ESS) and follow these steps:

• Select Information (third option from the top)
• Select EEO Information (second option from the bottom)
• Confirm or select your Gender
• Confirm or select your Race/Ethnicity
  • If you choose Not Hispanic or Latino, you will be prompted to select your race/ethnicity via a drop-down menu
• View an Invitation to Self-Identify your Disability Status
• View an Invitation to Self-Identify your Protected Veteran Status
• Select Update when all sections have been completed

For those who do not have access to Paycom or need additional assistance, please notify your supervisor to submit a ticket requesting an appointment with HR to self-identify.

We ask that you complete this process no later than Friday, January 10, 2025. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Angela Jordan, Director Compliance, EH&S, at 336-759-0551 ext. 5771 or via email at ajordan@ifbsolutions.org. Thank you in advance for your participation in this self-identify campaign which assists IFB with maintaining an equitable and inclusive environment for all.

 

Winston-Salem 2025 Leadership Essentials Training Class – Sign Up Today – Deadline January 10

For more information, reach out to Brent Burkholder, bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org. 

IFB Solutions is pleased to be partnering once again in 2025 with Guildford College to offer a training opportunity for our associates. The training will be titled Leadership Essentials. The target audience for this training opportunity is open to the following associates:

• Past participants of the Business Essentials training offered with Guildford College
• Hourly IFB associates in Winston Salem who meet all criteria set forth on the Leadership Essentials Application
• Those associates that work in a supervisory role that meet all criteria set forth on the Leadership Essentials Application.

Some topics that will be covered in this participant focused training include:

• DAC Framework for Effective Leadership – Train your people in how to build and achieve direction, alignment, and commitment — a requirement for effective leadership.
• Conflict Resolution – Address conflict in a more productive way at your organization. Upskill your team’s conflict resolution skills so they’re willing to step up to conflict.
• Influence – Influence is about the business of getting things done. Develop your team’s influencing skills so they can drive priorities forward more effectively.
• Feedback That Works – Help your leaders give and receive effective, direct, and timely feedback with a leadership development workshop on feedback that works.

To be eligible to participate in this course, associates must meet the following course requirements:

• Submit A completed Leadership Essentials Application which can be found at the link below.
• Submit A copy of the applicants resume via email to Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org.
• All associates must be employed with IFB for at least 6 months
• All participants must have satisfactory attendance and job performance
• All associates must have their computer skills assessed by the Workforce Development team (HR will scheduled and coordinate this assessment).
• All associates must be recommended by their supervisor to participate in this training (HR will obtain recommendation).

Applications are available at: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SQbDxA4fmESiHhoGX06NHOYPKmJQb4VLrwA3jsZJq_NUN0RPUTk5U1YyTFM1WDdZSFlCRTk5SkxLUy4u

The deadline to have the application and all supporting materials submitted for consideration is Friday January 10, 2025. All supporting documents should be submitted to Brent Burkholder via email at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org. For more information or questions please contact Brent at 336.245.5611.

 

New Job Announcements

For all current openings, visit https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

For more information, please contact a member of the recruitment team at careers@ifbsolutions.org.

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Spanish line: 336-245-5663

 

Zoom Meeting Links

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Meeting ID: 861 6711 1929

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Meeting ID: 861 6711 1929