IFB Beat – Week of December 26, 2023

A Message from the Editor

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and looking forward to a happy and prosperous New Year. As we keep everyone in the holiday spirit, stroll The Beat and find a holiday message from Dan Kelly, President and CEO as well as a holiday tune from S.E.E. Instructor Charity Hampton!

Also in this week’s issue:

  • Last call for Business Essentials 2024 – Winston-Salem Facility: apply by January 6
  • Annual mammogram screening reminder: sign-up by January 11
  • Reintroducing Jeans Day for administrative employees
  • Promotion announcement in Programs

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager

apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– IFB Beat Reminders
– Holiday Message from Dan Kelly, President and CEO
– Holiday Schedule Update
– IFB Solutions Programs Team Promotion Announcement
– Jeans Day Program 2024
– Adult Support Group Meetings
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner

HR and Opportunities

– Last Call: Business Essentials 2024 – Winston-Salem Facility
– Reminder: Benefit of the Month – Mammogram Signup
– New Job Openings

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

 

IFB Beat Reminders

The past few weeks have been packed with information, so here’s a few reminders in case you missed these updates:

Construction in the Winston-Salem Facility

Apply for the 2024 Business Essentials Class at the Winston-Salem Facility by January 6

Winston-Salem Facility Mobile Mammograms – Sign up today

 

Holiday message from Dan Kelly, President and CEO

Dan Kelly Headshot

As we near the end of the year, I want to take a moment to thank you all for your hard work and dedication. This year has been filled with challenges and opportunities, and I am proud of everything we have accomplished together. I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Holiday Schedule Update

We will observe New Years on Monday January 1st, 2024. Everyone will return to your normal work schedules on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024. Please stay tuned for the full 2024 holiday schedule. It will be made available for your convenience the first week of January.

IFB Solutions Programs Team Promotion Announcement:

Kim Shoffner Headshot

Kim Shoffner has been promoted to Manager of Programs. She previously served as Youth Program Coordinator. In her new role, Kim will oversee the Student Enrichment Experience (S.E.E. ) afterschool, day camps, adult support groups, and Braille classes. She will also teach Sensitivity to Blindness Training (STBT), Blind Sides, and JAWS training. She reports to Shannon Satterfield director of professional services. Kim has been with IFB for six years and brings many invaluable years of experience as a teacher. She graduated magna cum laude from Greensboro college, with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education with three certifications. Congratulations Kim! Keep up the Hard work and a “can do” attitude.

Jeans Day Program 2024:

It’s time to sign up for IFB’s Jeans Day Program, effective January 4,2024! For administrative employees in the Winston-Salem and Asheville Facilities, IFB Solutions’ dress code does not allow for blue jeans any day of the week. However, employees can donate to IFB Solutions’ mission as part of its Jeans Day Program and wear blue jeans in the office on Thursdays. The suggested donation amount is $10 per quarter (or go ahead and donate $40 for the whole year).

  • You can enroll and donate with cash or check, or online at https://ifbsolutions.org/donate.
  • All Asheville Facility employees, please contact Mary Hunter at mhunter@ifbsolutions.org to enroll.
  • All Winston-Salem Facility and remote employees who wish to participate, please contact Tatiana Russell at trussell@ifbsolutions.org to enroll.Your contribution will directly support IFB Solutions’ mission as part of the Staff Donation Campaign. Thank you for your support

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

Update from the VIPS Support Group

Love to talk and voice your opinions? VIPS is hosting its first annual Speech competition April 16th, at noon in Tad’s room. Open to all Winston employees, enter to speak for your chance to win cash prizes of $100 for first and $50 for second place winners.

What do I talk about? Speech categories are inspirational, humorous, or educational. You have five to seven minutes for your speech. Each speech needs to be structured with an opening, body, and closing.

Rules:

  • To compete, participants must attend three VIPS meetings for hands on experience starting January 16. If interested, please sign up by April 2.
  • Upcoming VIPS meeting Dates to meet the three-meeting requirement: January 16, February 6, February 20, March 5, March 19, and April 2.

Contact Shonn Redmond in the Low Vision Center or Marcia Harton in the ACH Pads department for more information. Joel Schanker VIPS mentor, will offer his expert assistance with speech construction on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.

Upcoming Support Group Meetings

  • Tuesday, December 26 Glaucoma support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room

CLVC Item of the Week:

Pinochle XL Braille Cards

Pinochle XL Braille Cards for $12.95. This deck of braille playing cards is perfect for playing a game of Pinochle with blind or low vision loved ones.

If you are interested in purchasing Low Vision Equipment through our Loan Program (3rd Party), please contact a Low Vision Coordinator for assistance.

 

From Our Community

Insider Corner

This section is edited by Faith Harding. Reach out to her at fharding@ifbsolutions.org. 

Tips for Air Travelers with Vision Impairments

Check out this article for some helpful pointers that can reduce stress and make planning and the airplane travel experience go smoothly: Tips for Air Travelers with Vision Impairments – Partners for Sight

Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) Podcast: Eye on the Cure, Podcast Episode 57: James Rath

James Rath, a renowned filmmaker, and accessibility consultant, talks to host Ben Shaberman about his vision loss journey and travel documentary, Blind spots. The new streaming program, on CuriosityStream.com, follows James as he explores the globe in search of accessible adventures, remarkable blind personalities, and great food.

Listen here: Foundation Podcasts — Foundation Fighting Blindness

Computers for the Blind (CFTB)

CFTB receives donated computers and other parts and refurbishes them. Accessibility software is then installed along with other software that helps clients navigate the computers. They have provided over 16,000 computers since they started in 1995 and don’t plan to slow down! The mission of Computers for the Blind is to open the world of information technology to persons who are blind or visually impaired by providing computer equipment, software, and training.

CFTB is a 501(c)(3) organization and is approved as a tax-exempt, charitable organization. They hope that all with a visual impairment may experience technology in a positive and productive manner. Specifically, they want to enable:

  • Ability to independently manage personal affairs.
  • Access to communication with others.
  • A learning environment where information is just a click away.
  • Employment opportunities by developing knowledge, skills, and marketable abilities.

Contact them at Computers for the Blind or call 214-340-6328.

 

Thanks for strolling the IFB Beat! Enjoy this holiday tune by S.E.E. instructor Charity Hampton.

https://vimeo.com/475111388/6af9cbc624

 

HR & Opportunities

Last call! Business Essentials 2024 – Winston-Salem Facility

IFB Solutions is pleased to be partnering once again in 2024 with Guildford College to offer Business Essentials. The target audience for this training opportunity is open to hourly IFB associates in Winston-Salem who meet all criteria set forth on the Business Essentials Application. Please note this class will be held in person at the Winston-Salem facility.

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

  • Business: What, Why and How
  • Deciding to be a manager
  • Money Matters
  • Marketing
  • Motivating and Leading People
  • Ensuring Quality

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

  • An application must be completed in full at the below link.
  • An updated copy of the applicant’s resume must be submitted to Brent Burkholder via email 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 schedule and coordinate this assessment).
  • All participants must be recommended to participate in this class by their supervisor. (HR will obtain recommendation).

Applications are available at:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SQbDxA4fmESiHhoGX06NHOYPKmJQb4VLrwA3jsZJq_NUN09ITzFOTjgxUVRNNFVWQVRTOUZDN0pPUC4u

The deadline to have the application and all supporting materials submitted for consideration is Friday January 6, 2024. For more information or questions please contact Brent Burkholder at 336.245.5611 or bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org.

 

Benefit of the Month

This section is a monthly feature supported by IFB Solutions Benefits Supervisor Ciara Frenette. Reach her at cfrenette@ifbsolutions.org.

Early detection is the best defense against cancer. The American College of Radiology recommends that women over 40 have an annual mammogram.

The mobile mammogram unit will be onsite at our Winston-Salem location Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 9AM to 4 PM. An appointment is required to get your mammogram. To schedule an appointment contact Ciara Frenette in the benefits department at cfrenette@ifbsolutions.org.

Please note that the minimum age for a mammogram screening is 35 years of age recommended by the American College of Radiology. You will need to bring your insurance card (if applicable) and driver’s license or picture ID on the date-of-service and must have an active primary care provider. The mobile is for screening patients only. If you are experiencing problems (pain, lump, six-month follow-up, etc.), you will need to be seen at the Breast Clinic.

 

New Job Announcements

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

For information about any employment opportunities with IFB Solutions please contact Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org or X5611.

 

Zoom Meeting Links

Adult Support Groups Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/99498078576?pwd=ODJzK0sxcXZrME9yN25YRTdiNXBSQT09
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576
PASSWORD: 92638
One tap mobile
+13017158592,99498078576# US (Germantown)

13126266799,99498078576# US
+(Chicago)

Dial by your location.
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
888 475 4499 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576

 

Assistive Technology Support Group Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/94434630872?pwd=aXFYSHYyWkh1SE1tWDNOdDIwVURwUT09

Meeting ID: 944 3463 0872
Passcode: 924496

+13017158592, 99434630872, #, # US (Germantown)

+13126266799, 99434630872, #, # US (Chicago)