GRAND TIMESPublished for Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures Associates

Grand Casino Hinckley Edition

December 30, 2016

In This Issue...

Associate Interest 2

Events & Promotions 3

Associate News 4

Service Recognition 6

Learning & Development 7

Uniform exceptions are approved for Saturday, December 31 for New Year's Eve. Elegant Attire. Each department is responsible for approving their Associates' participation in the uniform exception as deemed appropriate. Participation is during their shift if their scheduled shift enters the event date. Associates should have their regular uniform with them in case their attire is not acceptable.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Thanks,Mel Towle, General Manager

Employee Self Service (ESS) Open Computer LabAs of Monday, January 9, we will be utilizing a new payroll system and every Associate will have access to their schedule; time card; PTO requests, balances, and status of request; and the ability to communicate with Timekeepers via messages. Associates can access this system through The Hub, a smartphone app, or any computer with Internet access by visiting the website: https://mlcv.attendanceondemand.com/ess/.

If you would like to access the Employee Self Service from a mobile device, get the ESS Mobile App for Apple or Android in the app store by searching “Attendance on Demand.”

We will be having scheduled open computer lab time dedicated to Associates to learn how to use the new system.

Open Computer Lab Dedicated to Employee Self Service:• Monday, January 2 from 10 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 4 pm• Friday, January 6 from 12 pm - 2 pm

Job Aids will be available on Friday, December 30 in the Double Diamond and on The Hub. If you have any questions please contact a supervisor.

What is the difference between GreenShades and Employee Self Service? GreenShades is a self-service website with access to paystubs and W2s. Employee Self Service is a timekeeping system with access to timesheets, time clock punches, request for PTO, and schedules. These are two separate systems, both are accessible through The Hub and a personal computer.

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ASSOCIATE INTEREST

Welcome New Associates

Joyce Anderson Beverage Server

Amber Bartlett Stories Server

Matthew Bentler Grand Rewards Rep

Roberto Bustamante Jr Stories Prep Cook

Kristine Campbell Coffee Shop Associate

Jaye Carlson Hotel Room Attendant

Donna Carter Cage Cashier

Patricia Febbo Stories Bartender

Sara Hirsch Hotel Room Attendant

Carrie Hoover Restaurant Dishwasher

Destin Morales Restaurant Dishwasher

Drew Oetterer Hotel Guest Service Rep GNI

Miranda Solomon Coffee Shop Associate

Kevin Springer Count Team Counter

Find the Panda

Thank You!

We would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to all of our Associates who bought gifts for the kids on the “Tree of Giving”. Your generous donations helped 56 of our Associates’ children this year.

PTO Donation Drive for Kyrie Johnson, Lounge Server

Kyrie Johnson, who works as a Lounge Server, will be out of work for an extended amount of time due to a medical condition. She has exhausted most of her PTO and will be facing many large medical expenses and missed work due to her medical condition.

We are collecting PTO donations to help Kyrie this week and next! Any PTO donations would be greatly appreciated!

If you are interested in donating PTO you may fill out a PTO Donation Form. Please contact Kristine Rote at extension 4917 or Tammy Morse at extension 4913, if you have any questions.

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EVENTS & PROMOTIONS

Upcoming Silver Sevens Acts

December 30 - January 1 Radio Active Band (Variety)

January 3 - 8 Groove Inc. (Variety)

Upcoming ConcertsDate & Time Performer Ticket PricesFriday, December 30 - 7:00 pm Elvis Tribute $15, $20Friday, February 17 - 7:00 pm Roots and Boots Tour $20, $25, $25

Saturday, February 25 - 5:00 pm Brewfest The Grand MN Taste-Together $49 General Admission + taxes $79 VIP + taxes

December Beer of the Month

Leinenkugel’s Bavarian Dunkle

Upcoming PromotionsFri, Dec 30 Sat, Dec 31 Sun, Jan 1 Mon, Jan 2 Tues, Jan 3 Wed, Jan 4 Thurs, Jan 5

Bonus Cash (mailer)

Retail Pull Tabs (kiosk)

My Pillow Giveaway (60 points)

Any Given Sunday

Bonus Cash (mailer)

Bonus Grand Play

(mailer)

Hidden Treasures

(kiosk)

Senior Wednesdays

Mystery Money (kiosk)

Grand Casino Mille Lacs Grand Northern Grill Flash Sale

What: Gently used tables, chairs, pictures and miscellaneous odds and ends When: Friday, January 6

Time: 9 am – 10 am – Mille Lacs Band Members 10 am – 2 pm – Grand Casino Mille Lacs, Grand Casino Hinckley, MLCV and Mille Lacs Band Associates

Where: Grand Northern Grill, Grand Casino Mille Lacs

• Items must be picked up during 9 am – 2 pm• Everything is sold “as is” • Bring your trailer, truck and transportation – delivery is not available• Cash Only

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ASSOCIATE NEWSThe getFIT Initiative Health topics for the month of

January

FINANCIAL HEALTH Week of the 2nd Handout “ Financial Stress, How it Affects You"

Week of the 9th Handout “Financial Stress, What You Can Do”

Week of the 16th Complete the getFIT puzzle and place in the HR Drop box in Slot #1 in the getFIT Communication Center by 8:00 a.m. 1/23/2017 to be eligible for this month’s Health Topic drawing

Week of the 23rdDrawing winner announced

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ASSOCIATE NEWS

New Year’s Eve TipsHappy New Year! It’s time to live up the last moment of this year and ring in the next! But before you go out and watch that ball drop, be sure you know these dos and don’ts to have a safe New Year’s Eve.

1. Plan Out Your Transportation One of the most dangerous things that can happen to you on New Year’s Eve is to not have a ride to and from your event. 2. Tell Someone in Advance Check in with someone, it’ll help keep you safe and just in case it will keep others from wondering, if something were to happen. Share you plan with others and another number to reach you in case of an emergency. 3. Have a Clear Plan Don’t try to wing it on New Year’s Eve. With so many people out and about, your options are endless, which means there is no excuse on wandering. Have a set plan on where you will be and when you can avoid getting lost. 4. Carry an Extra Charge Your phone is a lifesaver; you’ll never know when you’ll need it. 5. Comfort Over Fashion6. Know Your Limits Set some firm limits that way you’ll already be resolved to say no. 7. Stick to Familiar Make sure you know where and what you’re doing before you go out. Go out with friends you trust and to places you know. 8. Bring a Buddy Going solo on NYE is not a safe idea. Take a friend that you know well and stick together a much as possible. If you do get lost or separated, have a meet up place or a couple of contact points.

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SERVICE RECOGNITION

GuestNet Shout - OutsBeverage Service: Corrine was our server and she remembered us and what we drank from a three weeks

prior visit. We don’t consider ourselves “memorable” in any way.

Blackjack: Although I did not play Black Jack, I played Ultimate Texas Hold em’, but that was not on the list, Becky was my dealer for most of my time, and she was awesome!!

Blackjack:Floor supervisor Timothy was amazing! I had multiple dealers, however Cindy (Cynthia) was amazing, as well as Mark. He was personable and very helpful! Would come back to the tables to be able to play with them!!!

Central Reservations: We received Jess. She has helped us before also. I can’t say enough good things about her. She is always professional with a positive attitude. She is a keeper.

Hotel Front Desk: Totaram was very friendly and helpful. Hotel Front Desk: Everyone is always so friendly and helpful, especially Russ Schreiner.Hotel Front Desk: Totaram did a very good job. Very helpful.

Winds Steakhouse: Heidi has been our waitress the last three times at The Winds. She is great in all aspects, efficient, courteous, knowledgeable, and just makes dining an extra pleasant experience.

Navigating Ojibwemowin Ojibwe Language Class

Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures is proud to offer a second Ojibwe language class called “Navigating Ojibwemowin.” This class is instructed by Melissa Boyd and will help attendees navigate through the mechanics of the language as well as best prac-tices of how to be a more independent learner of the language. She will have a syllabus for the class and can accommodate up to 20 learners.

Here is the schedule:

Grand Casino Hinckley Every other Friday from 3 pm – 4:30 pm.• January 6• January 20• February 3• February 17• March 3• March 17• March 31• April 14

If you are a Mille Lacs Band member and are interested in learning and/or enhancing your Ojibwe language, please contact Vicki Kroschel, Learning and Development Specialist at extension 4930 or via email at vkroschel@grcasinos.com to sign up for this class.

JEANNIE THE REFLEXOLOGISTThursday, January 5th, 2017

9AM-5PMGrand Casino Hinckley Wellness Center

Please call HR at ext. 4927 to make an appointment.

What is a Reflexologist?

Reflexology is the application of pressure to areas on the feet. Reflexology is generally relaxing and may be an effective way to alleviate stress. The theory behind reflexology is that these areas correspond to organs and systems of the body.

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LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

L&D On-line ResourcesVisit us on The Hub

Upcoming in

Learning & DevelopmentAll MLCV Associates Are Welcome

Goal Setting Thursday, January 5 2 pm - 4 pmParticipants learn the importance and process of goal setting, practice setting goals and understand the impact that it has on their day-to-day life.Psychology of Winning11 week Series

Every Wednesday January 11 - March 22 1 pm - 3 pm

Participants learn the ten qualities of winners: self-awareness, self-esteem, self-control, self-motivation, self-expectation, self-image, self-direction, self-discipline, self-dimension, self-projection and how to implement the principles at work and in their personal lives. Participants develop behavioral skills that build, reaffirm, and reinforce those qualities and characteristics that help actualize their talents and abilities.Service From the Heart Thursday, January 19 12:30 pm - 4:30 pmThis class focuses on providing exceptional Guest Service. Exceptional Guest Service is service from the heart. During the session, Associates will analyze their own Guest Service skills, and look at options and opportunities that they have in their work areas to provide exceptional service. Participants will leave the class with action steps to improve Guest Service in their work areas.

Click here, or contact your supervisor or Tina Bartheidel (extension 4808) to register!

For more articles from the Pacific Institute follow this link: http://www.thepacificinstitute.com/articles

Goal Setting Up To and ThroughThe Internet is an amazing tool. However, we want to approach much of its content with a fair amount of skepticism - not everything claiming to be "fact" really is. It is usually opinion, based on the writer's own bias. Take the matter of organizational goal-setting, and what one writer refers to as "the cult of positivity" in American corporations and setting big, audacious goals. One article posits that "the pro-goal consensus is starting to crumble," because rigid goals may encourage employees to cut ethical corners in order to achieve these big, audacious goals. Ethical corner-cutting would seem to have more to do with the internal culture of an organization, than the goals themselves. This ethical corner-cutting is more a hallmark of passive-aggressive cultures than the results of effective goal-setting. This same article goes on to submit that goals may also lead to underachievement, and provides the example of New York cab drivers making less money on rainy days, because they hit their "mental target" (which would be called a "goal") of a good day's earnings, and head home. This isn't really goal underachievement, but actually achievement. If it is anything, it is goal-setting up to a pre-set goal, and not through it to the next level higher goal.

We've all done this. It's been a long, hard day at work, and all we want to do is get home to relax and spend a quiet evening. So, we get home, maybe even have dinner, and then do nothing much until it's time to go to bed. We might even just sleep in the chair, if we have the energy to turn off the television! Goals come in all shapes and sizes, and in as great a variety as there are people on the planet. It's all about knowing where we want to go, and discovering the different paths to get us there. First things first, we need to know where we want to go, today. Then, as we closed in on achieving that first step, moving the next goal further out.

For more information, or to submit articles for the newsletter, drop a note in the Grand Times drop-box in the ADR, or e-mail the Grand Times.

DAILY SPECIALSDecember 30 - January 1

Friday: No Interruptions DayBreakfast: Chef’s Choice Pancakes, Two Eggs, Breakfast MeatLunch: Chicken & Dumplings

Saturday: New Year’s EveBreakfast: Backwoods BreakfastLunch: Ham Dinner, Au Gratin Potatoes & Veggies

FREE MEAL Starting at 5 pm to Midnight Shrimp & Fries with Cole Slaw

Sunday: New Year’s DayBreakfast: Mexican ScramblerLunch: Tortellini with Alfredo or Marinara & Breadsticks Sandwich of the Week: Parmesan Chicken on Sour DoughWrap of the Week: Philly Steak Wrap

January 2 - 6

Monday: National Cream Puff DayBreakfast: Western Eggs, Hashbrowns & ToastLunch: Broasted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Veggies, & Cranberry

Tuesday: Chocolate Covered Cherry DayBreakfast: Waffles (3) with Whipped Cream & Fruit Topping with Breakfast MeatLunch: Sloppy Joes & Kettle Chips

Wednesday: Trivia DayBreakfast: Two Eggs, Breakfast Meat, Hashbrowns, ToastLunch: Pulled Pork Sandwich, Cole Slaw, ChipsHealthy Choice: Lime Curry Chicken Salad Stuffed Tomato with Fruit

Thursday: Screenwriters DayBreakfast: Biscuits & Gravy with Two Eggs Lunch: Lasagna with Breadsticks

Friday: Cuddle Up DayBreakfast: Meat & Cheese Omelet, Hashbrowns, & ToastLunch: Spaghetti & Meatballs with Two Breadsticks

Sandwich of the Week: Pizza BurgerWrap of the Week: Southwest Club Wrap*Menu is subject to change. Lunch special is available 10:30am – midnight; Breakfast special available midnight to 10:30am.

BirthdaysDecember 30

Erin Carrillo - Stresow Debra Fjermestad Nicholas Hackel Scott Kraatz William Premo Jr Amanda Unger

December 31 Michael Erickson Shirley Wagenius

January 1 Bruce Campbell Brandon Colsrud Dawnette Hemming Debra Ponto David Winkels Giovanni Zanol

January 2 Roxanne Blum Jagger Kohler Jody Price Collin Toner

January 3 David Benson Brenda Jones Adam Katke Misty Kvidera Joyce Nordrum Donald Ripperton Christine Stoll

January 4 Daniel Carlson John Cusick Jennifer Kutzke David Miller Sarah Robbins Steven Smith Tyrone Wilson

January 5 Bryan Brown Joseph Gilliam Doreen Klose James Komro Nathaniel Williams

AnniversariesDecember 30

Wendy Dilts Traci VanderWyst Keesha Vork

14 years3 years3 years

December 31

January 1

January 2 Kelly Jylka Kathleen Orth Paulette Sima Jason Bongers Amanda Hebing Laurie Jorgensen

10 years10 years9 years5 years4 years4 years

January 3 Ronda Weizenegger Gerri LaFave

24 years6 years

January 4 Kimberly Molash John Weiers James Bohannon Daniel Christian Samuel Yerke

18 years7 years1 years1 years1 years

January 5 Gina Horton Paul Borgfelt Amber Huse Kara Husnik Norman Kendall Jeffrey Richert Haley Rodenborg Katherine Davis

19 years13 years2 years2 years2 years2 years2 years1 years