IFB Beat – Week of November 14, 2022

News to Know

Announcing 2022 Christmas Bonus

This year continues to be exceptionally challenging for our company, and our financial resources are different than past years. However, we have made sure funds are available to be able to pay a Christmas bonus, and for all employees across all our locations, a Christmas bonus of $100 has been approved by our executive team.

This will be paid out to all hourly, hourly admin, and salaried employees (with the exception of the executive team), as well as temporary employees. All must have completed their 90-day probationary period by November 6, 2022 and are still employed at the time of bonus payment to be eligible.

Please note that in the past, bonuses have been paid out in a separate payroll. To make our process more efficient and reduce costs, we will be including the bonus as an additional line item on your regular payroll. Those who are paid on the semi-monthly frequency will receive their bonus on 11/15 payroll check and employees paid on a weekly basis will see the bonus on their 11/18 check. Note as well that the payment has been “grossed up for FICA”, which means the amount is slightly higher than $100 so that after taxes, your take-home portion is $100. For temporary employees, this will be paid out through your agency and the timing may differ based on your agency’s pay schedule.

 

Thanksgiving Lunch Details

IFB Solutions will be providing a traditional Thanksgiving lunch at all locations during your scheduled lunch breaks.
Asheville: Wednesday, November 23, catered by Box Car Grille.
Little Rock: Wednesday, November 23, catered by Downhome Catering.
Winston-Salem: Wednesday, November 23, catered by Above and Beyond catering.

 

Winston-Salem Cafeteria Update

Canteen will install a drinks and snacks vending setup by the end of the day on Monday, November 14. While it will be immediately open for employees to purchase items, the operations team will be working on Tuesday to assess the best plan to support employees who are blind to access the setup and payment system. Right now, the plan is to have staff available throughout the day on Thursday, November 17 to assist.

The payment system for this accepts credit and debit cards (no cash). For those wanting to pay cash, you must create an account through Canteen and use the payment system to load cash onto your account. We plan to have staff available on Thursday, November 17 to assist with creating accounts. We are currently sourcing candidates for the full-time staff person for cafeteria operations.

We ask for your patience as we are learning this new system and process at the same time as it is rolling out. Our goal with having the snacks and drinks selection installed now is to learn from the experience so our full food rollout January 3 is as smooth as possible.

 

2023 Employee Awards

IFB Solutions is excited to kick off our nomination process for the 2023 Employee of the Year, Career Achiever, and Delmer Wall Awards. The nomination process is manager/ mission driven and performance based. Managers will submit all nominations to Brent Burkholder by Wednesday November 30. We thank everyone for their hard work and dedication during these challenging times. So, stay tune as the new 2023 award winners are selected!

Annual Staff Fundraising Campaign

The annual Staff Campaign 2023 presented by Salem Benefits Group kicks off on November 1, 2022. Here are some details about the upcoming Campaign.

All IFB email users will receive 2 calendar invites – one for November 29 at 10 a.m. and another one for November 30 at 3:30 p.m. inviting you to attend a Zoom session dedicated to Staff Campaign. Please accept only one calendar invitation for the session you want to attend. Please decline the other invitation. As always, everyone is invited to participate in staff campaign sessions, but giving is not mandatory.

• On November 17, all Little Rock employees who will be on-site are invited to attend a general assembly session on the production floor and learn more about the Staff Campaign.

• On December 1, all Asheville employees who will be on-site are invited to attend a general assembly session on the production floor.

All donors, who donate $20 or more will receive a water bottle sponsored by Salem Benefits Group (IFB’s benefits broker.)

o Supervisors: you will receive a separate email about help needed with filling out staff campaign donation forms.

• If you would like to support today, here’s how you can do that:
– Fill out and sign a payroll deduction form before December 5, 2022.
– Donate with cash or check.
– Donate online at https://ifbsolutions.org/donate/

Questions? Contact Tatiana Russell at trussell@ifbsolutions.org.

Thank you for supporting job training, employment, transportation, support groups, and programs for IFB employees and communities throughout North Carolina, Arkansas, and beyond!

 

Programs and Services

Join the Conversation!

This week the assistive technology support group will show you how to use Microsoft Teams with JAWS. We will talk about how to send messages, read messages, and interact with the different parts of the program. We will review settings that will help the Teams experience, and we will also show you the Teams app on the iPhone.
In addition, we will talk about new accessibility features coming to the iPhone with the release of IOS 16.2.
If you haven’t joined us in a while, or if you have never been a part of our meeting, we invite you to join our support group. You have a standing invitation and we will be taking your questions as well.

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

  • Monday, November 14 NFB support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
  • Tuesday, November 15 VIPS club meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
  • Wednesday, November 16 Diabetic support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
  • Thursday, November 17 Assistive technology support group meeting from 7:00-8:00 Via Zoom (zoom link at end of newsletter)

Community Low Vision Center

CLVC Item of the Week:

Talking Tel-Time Keychain

Talking Tel-Time Keychain – $11.95

This talking keychain for the visually impaired features both LCD and audio time report, alarm, and hourly time announcement, all on the convenience of a keychain. This talking keychain uses two LR44 batteries (included)

 

CLVC November Item of the Month:

Image of brailled playing cards

Giant Size Playing Cards (Braille on 1 Corner of Each Card) for $24.95.

If you’d like to get a durable deck of playing cards that will last forever, here they are! These Giant Size Playing Cards feature large-print Braille on one corner of each card, and the deck is coated with durable plastic which makes them so easy to care for and to clean.

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

 

Insider Corner

Oryan Battis’ next single “Uber” has arrived. Check it out at: https://youtu.be/oC9TJlBmqEE

What do you want to see in the Insider Corner? Send your ideas to FHarding@ifbsolutions.org.

Have a great week!

Faith

Community Connections

Beep beep – breaking news!

Blind and visually impaired was behind the wheel! Blind Power Company, Winston-Salem Police Department, Twin City Host Lions Club, and Kiwanis Club of Clemmons partnered to make driving come true for people who are blind! It was an historic event, making life special with real life experiences for those with disabilities.

You must see it to believe it! Watch and be inspired: https://vimeo.com/766606857

 

Holiday Shopping at Kaleideum After Dark

November 19, 6-9 pm

Visit Kaleideum to sip and shop with local artists and makers. Dine on Bootleg Ramen and have a drink from Broad Branch Distillery. Top off the night with a Stranger Things Laser Show!

• Cash bar for craft cocktails from Broad Branch Distillery
• Tickets include meal and laser show.
• Members $20; non-members: $25

You can purchase your tickets at the door!

 

HR & Opportunities

Open Positions

BSC Delivery Driver, Rock Island

Education and work experience:
• High School graduate or equivalent

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=51815&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5
External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=51814&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

For more information about any employment opportunities with IFB Solutions please do not hesitate to 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
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+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)