Based on the feedback received after this year's annual staff retreat held earlier this month, it's obvious that the theme "Balance Works" struck a cord with many who attended. The day offered sessions on work, health and wellness, focusing on a healthy and balanced approach to professional and personal growth. Staff members attended sessions from three different tracks, each focusing on a different dimension in this balance including topics such as: tips for better workplace communication; time management for work and life; weight loss tips; back health; introduction to yoga and Pilates; meditation and many other interesting and highly popular topics.

Here is a sampling of what staff members had to say about the day:

• "This was the best one [staff retreat] yet"
• "Good sessions for the health conscious"
• "The opening speaker was awesome, the day was fun, and I got a lot of valuable information"
• "The event was excellent. With so many options to choose from, the same thing should be offered next year so people can attend the seminars they were not able to go to this year"
• "Very productive and informative - made me feel valued"
• "Interesting and educational"
• "Nicely planned and executed"

The Credit to Curry committee struck again during the annual faculty/staff summer barbeque on June 1. The Credit to Curry honor was bestowed upon Denise (Liebert) Kielczewski of the Nursing Department and Heather Tisdelle of the Office of Enrollment Management and Registrar. The unsuspecting honorees were both truly surprised to receive this recognition and would like to thank those who nominated them.

In their nominations, colleagues applaud Denise for her helpful, calm, can-do attitude. "She has excellent problem solving skills and her customer service skills are outstanding. She knows when to use humor to calm a distraught student or faculty member. Denise is always professional in her interactions and is never to busy to help when asked. She goes out of her way to assure that things flow smoothly and efficiently at all times. The Nursing Department couldn't function without Denise. She just makes my job so much easier!"

As the technical go-to person for the Office of Enrollment Management and Registrar, Heather has made quite an impact in the three years she has been at Curry, not only in her own department but across campus. Here is a compilation of what colleagues throughout campus had to say about Heather: "Heather has gone far beyond what could reasonably be expected of her. She has done so gladly, in a true spirit of cooperation, and always with a smile. Not only is Heather proficient at what she does, she always maintains her patience with those of us who are 'technically challenged'. She takes the time to explain things and asks the right questions. Heather is a quiet, behind the scenes person, but her work is felt throughout the campus. Her work is highly technical, performed flawlessly, and without complaint."

Congratulations Denise and Heather!

If you would like to nominate a colleague for the Credit to Curry Award, contact Mary Dunn for a nomination form.

The Health Care Reform Law takes effect as of July 1, 2007. This new law states that all residents of Massachusetts age 18 and over are required to have health insurance.

For our benefit-eligible employees, we are holding a special Open Enrollment at which time you may obtain coverage if you previously declined it (deadline - June 29).

For our NON benefit-eligible employees, we will soon offer a pre-tax deduction plan (Section 125 Plan) for those of you who purchase health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Care Connector. This will allow you to pay Connector premiums with pre-tax dollars deducted from your paycheck.

Information on The Health Care Connector can be found on the website at www.mahealthconnector.org. Information on the Section 125 Plan will be sent shortly.

If you would like more information on either the Special Open Enrollment or on the Section 125 Plan please contact Donna Gagne at ext. 2069.

With summer hours and vacation season upon us, don't forget to use your "Extended Absence Greeting" on your voicemail when you are out of the office. In case you haven't used it in a while, here is a quick refresher. (These instructions along with other voicemail directions are also available on the common drive in the telephone services folder.)

To Record your "Extended Absence Greeting" from your voice mailbox:

• Press 4 for Personal Options
• Press 3 for Greetings
• Press 2 to Record your Extended Absence Greeting
• Follow the voiced instructions for recording
• Press * to back out to Main Menu
• Press 4 for Personal Options again
• Press 1 for Notification on/off
• Follow the voiced instructions for turning your recorded extended absence greeting on or off. (Note: When you return to the office and go into your voice mailbox, you will be automatically reminded to turn off your extended absence greeting.)

Looking to kick back, enjoy the outdoors, have a few laughs, and maybe even get in a bit of exercise? Join us for the next Faculty/Staff softball game on July 2 and, weather-permitting, each Monday evening in July. Warm-ups start at 4:30. Please bring your coworkers along and join us for a great time. The more, the merrier, regardless of your batting and outfielding skills. We look forward to seeing many of you there!

The Curry Pool is now open. The pool will be open from June 23 to August 10 from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm everyday with lifeguards on duty. It is open to Cambridge College, Curry faculty and staff, and alumni with a Curry ID. Immediate family members are allowed to use the pool when accompanied by a Curry employee.