Category: HR Buzz

Winding down routines

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

At the end of the day, do you feel frazzled, quick to anger, and/or anxious? If so, you’re not alone. With all of our day-to-day obligations, the pressures of home and work life, and other issues you and your loved ones may be facing, it is easy to get caught in a whirlwind of stress, frustration and anxiety. These tips can help you wind down and regain a sense of balance at the end of your day.

Exercise

Take a walk around the neighborhood, practice yoga in your living room, and go break a sweat. Exercise is a tried and true method of stress relief as it gets your heart pumping and releases feel-good hormones that can help give you a sense of well-being.

Recognize and release tension

Select the area of your body where you hold stress. Inhale and tense this area (for example, if it’s your forehead, wrinkle your forehead and furrow your brows) and inhale to the count of three. Next, release the tension while slowly exhaling to the count of four. Repeat as needed, or try this technique on other areas of your body in which you may hold stress.

Take a break

Try dedicating 5-10 minutes at the end of your day to taking a break to see if you feel better. Just taking even five minutes to sit quietly and follow your breath can help you feel less fragmented and more connected and balanced.

Go outside

Breathe in the fresh air, listen to the sounds of the environment, and take a good look at the sights. It will help you feel more connected and refreshed after a stressful day. Remember to dress for the weather as we inch towards autumn and winter.

Lose yourself in something you love

Did you previously have a hobby that you just couldn’t get enough of? Well, what are you waiting for—get back to it! Hobbies are a great way to wind down and get some “me time.”

Take time to unplug

Spend time free from technology and screens by simply savoring a quiet moment with your eyes closed. Pick a drawer or other out-of-sight place to stash your devices, and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Find a bedtime routine

By doing the same activities each night before bed, you can train your body to wind down in preparation for sleep, which is crucial for sleep quality and quantity. Choose a relaxing activity such as reading a book, listening to music, meditating, having a cup of decaffeinated herbal tea or glass of warm milk to help signal to your body that it’s time to sleep.

Thank you… and an invitation

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

THANK YOU for your role in rejuvenating the community feel of our wonderful College. It is so heart-warming to see so many colleagues enjoy the presence of others. All of these moments take planning and commitment. THANK YOU!

The past few months have been a lot of fun. Let’s look back at some of our activities.

  • Enjoyed delicious popcorn from Kalamazoo Kettle Corn.
  • Summer hours – two weeks longer than in past years without the need to “make up” for shorter hours.
  • FANTASTIC Friday food – 11 open houses hosted by 17 different units, including the final open house on Friday, August 26, and hosted by Facilities Management.
  • Cooled off with ice cream and the smooth sounds of a Bluegrass band.
  • Created lasting memories at the Karnival. Check out the first dunk and photos on the Karnival site.
  • Various celebrations such as Juneteenth, Black Joy Week, retreats, picnics, and plenty of various gatherings.

It is so much fun to collaborate with creative colleagues. Please be invited to share your ideas for future community-building activities in the comments below or by connecting with Renee Boelcke.

Colleagues playing basketball
Colleagues playing basketball
Colleagues enjoying popcorn and talking
Colleagues discussing technology
while enjoying popcorn
Jenga tournament
Colleagues engaged in an intense
Jenga tournament
Colleagues enjoying waffles
Colleagues connecting while enjoying waffles
People listening to music and eating ice cream
Colleagues listening to bluegrass music and enjoying ice cream
MJ after dunk
Mj post-dunk

Michigan Festivals and Fairs

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Summertime is a great time in Michigan for all sort of activities, including festivals and fairs. Whether you are into food, art, music, or the obscure, there is something for you in the mitten state. Visit event links for more information.

What is missing? Add a favorite event in the comments.

June Events
Date(s)LocationEvent
11LocalVicksburgFreeVicksburg Old Car Festival
11-12LocalStatewideFreeFishing and off-road vehicle (ORV) weekend
12-18MarionMarion Fair
17LocalKalamazooFreeQueer the Block Presented by Drue
18-19LocalKalamazooMac & Cheese Fest
20LocalKalamazoo CollegeFreeJuneteenth Celebration Picnic
24LocalPortageFreeMovies in the Park: Jumanji: The Next Level
25LocalPortageFreeSummer STEAM Day – Engineering
25-26CharlevoixCharlevoix Summer Art Show
July Events
Date(s)LocationEvent
1LocalRichlandFreeLive Dance Performance
1-2Bay CityFreeBay City Firework Festival
2LocalKalamazooFreeJerico Maker Faire!
2-9Traverse CityNational Cherry Festival
8LocalKalamazooFreeArt Hop
8LocalKalamazooFreeHistoric Walks: Edison Neighborhood
9-10CharlevoixFreeCharlevoix Arts & Craft Festival
16LocalHickory CornersSymphony in the Summer: Gershwin + Dvorak’s New World
21-24Ann ArborAnn Arbor Art Fair
23LocalKalamazooFree3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
23LocalPortageFreeSummer STEAM Day – Space
August Events
Date(s)LocationEvent
5LocalKalamazooFreeArt Hop
6LocalHickory CornersRed Barns Spectacular Car Show and Swap Meet
9-13LudingtonWestern Michigan Fair
11-14South HavenFreeNational Blueberry Festival
13LocalKalamazooFreeVintage in the Zoo
20-21LocalStatewideFreeOff-Road Vehicle (ORV) Weekend
26LocalKalamazooFreeHistoric Walks: Libraries in Kalamazoo
28LocalKalamazooFreeOshtemo Music in the Park
September Events
Date(s)LocationEvent
1-5NoviMichigan State Fair
5LocalKalamazooFreeArt Hop
5Mackinaw CityFreeLabor Day Bridge Walk
9-17LocalAlleganAllegan County Fair
16- Oct 3Grand RapidsFreeArt Prize
18LocalPortageFreeFall Festival
23-25Lake OrionMade in Michigan Festival

Help the Kalamazoo area community

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Donating items can help local programs fulfill their missions while providing a new purpose for items that one no longer needs. The list below offers a few locations that can give new life to our treasures.

Do you know of a similar organization? If so, please add the organization’s name and other known details in the comments below.

Goodwill Southwest Michigan

Various locations and hours

Clothing, footwear, housewares, furniture, computers, media, toys, infant items, tools, sporting goods, cars

Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries

448 N Burdick St. Kalamazoo
Mon, Wed, Fri: ‍10am – 4:30pm
1st & 3rd Sat of each month: 9am-11am

Clothing, personal care products, reading glasses, bedding (twin)

YWCA Kalamazoo

353 E. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo
Tuesdays and Thursdays
9 am to 5 PM

Accepting only: Linens (twin sheets, blankets, towels), diapers (sizes 3, 4, 5, 6), baby wipes, personal care Items, gift cards

HR Buzz: Spotlight on… you!

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

The HR team features a department in our digital magazine, HR Buzz, through a series titled, “Spotlight on.” The Spotlight series strives to be an engaging and inclusive avenue to support our sense of community.

This is a great opportunity to showcase the personalities and unique qualities to be found all around our campus. Interested departments/units are invited to participate in drafting the article. Visit https://hr.kzoo.edu/spotlight-on/ to learn more and shine a Spotlight on you!

Michigan Snow Plows

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Did you know that the State of Michigan has 330 snow plows, and each one is named. Here are a few favorites. Check out the full list.

  • K-zoo
  • Love Mi Plow
  • Lake Scooperior
  • Plowthagorean Theorem
  • Betty Whiteout
  • Barry Salt-and-Sanders
  • Detroit SnoWings
  • Catch My Drift
  • Salt Whitman
  • Buzz Iceclear
  • Ctrl Salt Delete
  • Snowprah Winfrey
  • Ice Cube
  • Plowasaurus Rex

HR Buzz: Free At-Home Rapid Tests

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Beginning January 19, the White House makes four at-home rapid COVID tests available to every residence in the United States, including free shipping. Requestors only need to provide their name and mailing address. An email address can be provided for tracking purposes. No credit card or other information is requested. Learn more and request tests for your household by visiting https://www.covidtests.gov/.

Order the tests now so that you have them when you need them. Shipping may take two weeks.

Protect the Hive and Protect Your Nest!

HR Buzz: Mindfulness This Holiday Season

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

As we continue to follow precautions to keep safe this season, we may need to (again) adjust our holiday celebrations with loved ones and friends.
This can add to the stress of the season and dampen our good cheer. Using the basic principles of mindfulness—which is about staying grounded, aware and focused on the moment can keep you from feeling overwhelmed, helping you reconnect with the joys that can be found. Sitting and meditating or focusing on slow, deep breathing are just two notable ways to help you achieve mindfulness. Try these other ways to be mindful.

Tune in to what matters. Focus on what part of the holiday season gives you meaning or lifts you up. It could be the simple act of giving and receiving greetings, for example.

Focus on doing one thing at a time. Bring your full
attention to whatever you are doing, whether stringing lights or sitting in a year-end virtual meeting.

Take a few minutes to walk outside. A walk in the fresh
air, feeling your feet firmly strike the ground can bring you back to the calmness of the moment, silencing anxious thoughts.

Regard worrisome thoughts as passing clouds.
Don’t judge them. Let them arise and float on by.

Tap into the small moments of joy. Just seeing the winter moon shining through the trees or your dog romping through the first snowfall can bring heartfelt delight.

Consider saying, “Hmmm, that’s interesting.” With more time spent indoors with family, tensions can surface. Instead of reacting, just observe what you’re feeling, and greet your emotions with kindness. This may help you experience better connectedness with others.

Looking for additional support? Remember that the College’s Employee Assistance Program provides for free* and confidential access to a Licensed Professional Counselor who can help with

Stress, depression, anxiety

Relationship issues, divorce

Family and parenting problems

Anger, grief, and loss

Job stress, interpersonal conflicts

And more

Toll-free 24/7 access:
1.800.854.1446 (multi-lingual) or www.unum.com/lifebalance

*Up to three visits

HR Buzz: Thankful for…

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

On this, the week of Thanksgiving, the Office of Human Resources shares thoughts on some things for which we are thankful.

Seasons and all that each brings to southwest Michigan,

Completing a full term of in-person learning and working,

Technology that keeps us connected and the talented colleagues who make it all happen,

Skilled people to keep us safe and comfortable,

Colleagues who leap hurtles to support our students,

Hundreds of community members who are committed to our collective health and safety,

Creative and solution-seeking minds,

Tenacious hunger to keep plowing ahead,

Passion, dedication, care and friendships.

Thank YOU from your Human Resources team,
Renee, Jenn, and Miasha