Virtual Background Contest
We have received some great entries so far for our Staff Fest Virtual Background Contest. We are extending the deadline for submissions to this Friday, May 22. Put your creative hat on and design a unique virtual background for Zoom meetings! Rules are:

• The background image must be an original—a photograph you have personally taken or an image you have created. You can use a photo from your last vacation, your favorite Emory location, your campus office area, your own backyard, or an original art piece you’ve created yourself.
• Email your background to hrcomms@emory.edu with subject line "Contest."
• All entries will be posted in the June 1 issue of News You Can Use to be voted on by your colleagues. The top 5 voted on will be announced!

Emory’s Kim Pfeffer Recognized with NACCU 2020 Outstanding Volunteer Award
A big congratulations goes out to Kim Pfeffer for recently being recognized with the NACCU 2020 Outstanding Volunteer Award. Kim works for Emory as Director of EmoryCard and Asc Dir, SFS. Read more about Kim’s award here.

Emory’s Summer Nutrition Challenge, "Operation: Eat Right" is Back!
Participation is through Healthy Emory Connect, Emory's health and wellness platform and mobile app. Throughout the challenge period (June 1 – July 12), you can earn extra points on the platform by completing multiple Eating Healthy Journeys:

• Eat Like a Mediterranean
• Fit in More Fruit
• Go Mediterranean
• More Veggies in No Time
• Smart Portions

The challenge is open to benefits-eligible employees of Emory University and Emory Healthcare. During this time, as many of us are struggling with maintaining healthy eating habits, Operation: Eat Right gives you the opportunity to improve your nutrition, earn points towards your medical incentives and have a chance to win prizes! More details coming soon! Questions: healthyemory@emory.edu.

Ask the Registered Dietitian (RD)!
During this time of change and adaptation, many of us have struggled with maintaining healthy eating habits.  Join this group discussion that will focus on a different nutrition topic each week to learn some tips for nutrition success!  We will meet via Zoom. Wednesdays at 10 am. Duration: 30 minutes
TOPICS: 

• May 6:  Figuring Out the Food Label & Portion Control
• May 13: Healthy & Budget Friendly Grocery Shopping
• May 20:  Tips on Meal Planning and Cooking Prep
• May 27:  Keys to Healthy Eating when Ordering Out

Register here.

Did You Participate in the 2020 Move More Challenge?

We would like to hear your feedback about the recent 2020 Move More Challenge. Your responses will remain confidential, and the survey should just take a few minutes.

All employees who complete this survey and choose to provide their name will be entered into a drawing for Pulse Cash.

You can take the survey here through Wednesday, May 20.

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Upcoming Courses

• Personal Leadership: Making a World of Difference: International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) invites all faculty and staff to attend this timely new course! Participants will have an opportunity to develop their personal leadership skills, write a vision statement, be better able to handle difficult situations in their work and personal lives, and more effectively navigate across cultures and other differences. Thursday, June 4, 2:30 – 4:00 pm; Register in ELMS (course: 200838-16992)!  Zoom details will be emailed to registrants.
  
  
• Intercultural Communication Skills, Part 1: Cultural Self-Awareness: This course by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is the first in a series designed to help participants develop critical intercultural skills. Before we can work successfully across cultures, we must first understand ourselves as cultural beings. Participants will explore their own identities, values, perspectives and hot buttons. They will then be able to apply their cultural self-awareness to more effectively and appropriately navigate intercultural interactions. Subsequent courses will focus on understanding others, developing intercultural competency and supporting non-native English speakers. While participation in all courses in the series is not required, it is certainly recommended. Look for details on those upcoming courses in the next News You Can Use! Thursday, June 11, 2:30 – 4:00 pm; Register in ELMS (course: 200836-16991)!  Zoom details will be emailed to registrants.

Thank an Emory Faculty or Staff Member with New Web-based Tool
We are so appreciative of our faculty and staff for their incredible ability to rise to the occasion to support our students, maintain our campus operations, and help Emory continue to deliver its mission in these extremely challenging and uncertain times.

If you want to recognize an Emory University staff or faculty member, or a group of individuals for going above and beyond to help Emory get through the current crisis, we invite you to give them a shout out.

You can submit your form anonymously or you can provide your name. All submissions will be reviewed by HR and will be posted on the website (allow 1-2 days for your submission to post). Create an “Above and Beyond” shout out.

Change Cycle Course Offered as Free Webinar
Learning and Organizational Development is offering FREE 1-hour webinars on the Change Cycle:  A model of human behavior that explains what people experience whenever a change occurs, and how to adjust and successfully cope sooner. These classes are open to everyone at Emory University. To register, log into the Emory Learning Management System (https://elmprod9.emory.edu/). The class is called The Change Cycle: How To Cope With Change – on Zoom.
Upcoming dates:

FSAP Offers Grief and Emotional Support Response Services
The Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) helps faculty and staff and their family members with grief and emotional support needs related to the COVID-19 crisis. Services are now delivered through tele-mental health services (telephonic and video-conferencing sessions). To better meet your needs, FSAP has expanded its hours into the evening, offering services from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. as well.

In addition to department-specific group support sessions, FSAP now offers several new weekly group services to help employees and their families cope with COVID-19. Some sessions are specifically provided for employees (and their family members) who work on health care frontlines. There is also a weekly group for non-medical essential employees as well as one that is open to all Emory employees.

To help alleviate stress and promote resilience, FSAP also invites you to join them for a virtual “daily refresh” break from 4:30 pm - 4:45 pm Monday-Friday.
For more details about these services, visit FSAP’s COVID-19 support webpage. 

Interested in Learning About Public Health?
Are you interested in learning more about the field of public health without the commitment of a graduate degree? Join us at the Rollins School of Public Health for a special standing course. Online options are available through the Executive MPH program. Expand your knowledge and engage with our faculty in a non-degree seeking special standing course. Tuition benefits are available for eligible employees and our process is easy and convenient. Learn more. Please contact us with any questions: sphadmissions@emory.edu.

Upcoming Employee Resource Groups Offered by WorkLife

• Parents of Toddlers: Please join us for new employee resource group “Parents of Toddlers.” This is a Zoom parent meet-up to discuss parenting toddlers during COVID-19. This will be a time to discuss stressors, resources and share ideas. May 27, 2020 1:30-2:30; https://emory.zoom.us/j/99514595190 ; Meeting ID: 995 1459 5190; Contact Mary Ellen Eady with any questions.

• Caregiver Conversations: Please join us for new employee resource group “Caregiver Conversations.” Caregiver Conversations is a time for Caregivers to spend together discussing their caregiver issues, asking questions and sharing resources. The group will be led by WorkLife Specialist Mary Ellen Eady. Contact Mary Ellen Eady with any questions. May 20, 2020 01:00 PM – 2:00PM; https://emory.zoom.us/j/91881969943; Meeting ID: 918 8196 9943

Pre-recorded Webinar: Eldercare: How to Support Those in Isolation and Stay Connected
Knowing how to best support loved ones in isolation can prove difficult. It is important to take the right steps to stay connected and reduce the risk of loneliness. This session will explore ways to mentally and practically support elderly relatives. Register to view here. Contact Mary Ellen Eady with any questions.

MA-Bioethics Application Deadline Extension
As our faculty lead in the bioethical response to the current public health emergency, we recognize the unprecedented challenges that are affecting all levels of society.  Given the extraordinary level of disruption in all of our lives, we want to make sure we give applicants additional time to complete the admissions process.

Emory’s Bioethics Admissions Committee has extended the application deadline from May 1, 2020 to June 15, 2020 to give applicants and referees additional time. For more information about our application process, please visit our website or email us at mabioethics@emory.edu 

Webinar: Meet Your Teen
The webinar explores the profound physical, emotional, and intellectual changes teens experience. You will learn that teens' criticism of parental values, their willingness to try out risky behaviors, and their desire to follow peer and media trends are a normal part of establishing their own identity. The seminar will also lead you through an analysis of parenting styles as you consider the impact of each style on the maturing teen. Presented by WorkPlace Options, May 20, 2020 12:00 pm. Register. If you have questions about this webinar or Emory University WorkLife benefits, please contact Mary Ellen Eady, 404-727-4177.

Explore the Dynamics of Faith in The Public Sphere 
Candler School of Theology’s Master of Religion and Public Life can help you relate to the different faiths you encounter in your work. Especially helpful for professionals in law, healthcare, social work, education, human resources, and public service, the MRPL lets you explore how religion operates in other arenas. You’ll take courses at Candler and across the university for a truly interdisciplinary approach. Use your Emory courtesy scholarship and apply by July 1 for Fall 2020. Register for an Online Information Session on Friday, May 29 from 1-2 p.m.

Continue to Save with Sparkfly
Sparkfly Perks has savings to help during COVID-19:

• Sam’s Club Memberships 
• Credit card counseling
• Financial Services, included Home Loans/Refinancing
• Will making/other legal services
• Tax preparation 
• Computer and electronic discounts 
• Disney streaming services  

Visit Sparkfly Perks.