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DECEMBER • 2015Welcome to the ClothesLine

- the monthly employee newsletter! In each edition we will be covering all corners of

the agency every month. Enjoy!

EMPLOYEE OF THEMONTH!

Learn more about our Employee of the Month,

Linda Bibeault, and all the fantastic work she does.

ovember is the season for giving thanks. And

when you work at a place like Goodwill, there’s plenty to be thankful about. So I asked around. I randomly picked employees across the agency, and asked them a simple question: What are you thankful for this year? Here’s what they said:

Victor Hull – Trailer Attendant: I’m thankful for my job, the warm weather, still being around, and having a good boss.

Tina McGaugh – Career Center Manager – HWS:

I am most thankful for my daughter; a great career; and to be surrounded by people that I love and care for. I am thankful for my health and the life lessons I have learned on my journey. I guess I am just thankful.

Cyndi Hartman – Project Manager – Lincoln: I’m thankful for the continued opportunity to employ and...

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THE GOODWILL MITTEN TREE & FOOD DRIVE

See how you can help out fellow employees this holiday season

by donating to the food drive or picking a mitten off the tree.

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THE SEASON FOR GIVING THANKSby Brent Koster

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

N

Tina McGaugh

2 WELCOME

PUBLISHER: Frank McGreeEDITOR IN CHIEF: Rita CrumMANAGING EDITOR: Ann WoodfordSTAFF WRITERS: Brent Koster, Elizabeth Donner, Kris Pachunka, Rebecca Armstrong Langle, Erin Swanson Russell and Colin Maloy FAN CLUB PRESIDENT: Jeff BloesTHE CLOTHESLINE is published monthly and is available at each Town Hall meeting. If you are unable to attend Town Hall, you may also find copies in the Marketing area at BPP, or request to have a copy delivered to you by calling 402.231.1912.

You may also find ClothesLine articles and full-issue digital downloads on the Goodwill Omaha website at http://www.goodwillomaha.org/category/publications/the-clothes-line/.

DECEMBER 2015Happy Birthday, Goodwill. On November 17, this agency turns 82! We’re celebrating with an agency-wide sweepstakes. There will be four drawings over the next four weeks. All Goodwill employees are eligible to win, and the prize will be hand-delivered Publishers Clearing House-Style by our President and CEO Frank McGree. I think we can all agree drawings are exciting. Sweepstakes are exciting. And having the President show up to your worksite unannounced is even more exciting.

Goodwill will be receiving the 2015 Corporate Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) later this month at the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet. Two Goodwill programs, YouthBuild and ReStart, will be recognized for their work and impact in the community.

October was a great month! Everyone knows that Goodwill exists to serve its mission of strengthening lives and changing communities through education, training and work. But none of that is possible without our stores and contracts. In October every part of this organization had a banner month. From store sales, to job placements, to federal contracts, you all did a great job to make the organization shine. Good job everyone.

by Brent KosterTHE RUNDOWN

LOCATED INSIDE BENSON PARK PLAZA - 4805 NORTH 72 STREET

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Jessica Davis Cashier FremontFinness Myers Donation Door Attendant Harris CenterMichelle Preston Information Services Specialist Benson Park PlazaCatrella Gonzales One Stop Navigator Ames PlazaDestacia Straughn Donation Door Attendant 180th & QMelissa Leuck Employee & Retention Specialist Ames PlazaAbdinasir Hasan Cashier 78th & DodgeFarhio Mahamud Cashier 78th & DodgeRachel McCluskey Cashier 78th & DodgeJeremy Deans Donation Door Attendant 180th & QLorence Ramos Donation Door Attendant 180th & QJoey Eden Custodian 72nd & FKatherine Young Youth Career Specialist Ames PlazaEloisa Justice NISH Team Leader OffuttAlison Loeffler Youth Career Specialist Ames PlazaAmanda Preister Cashier 156th & MapleCatherine Ranney Cashier 78th & DodgeDelores Taylor Cashier SouthwestLeona Donoho Donation Door Attendant GretnaTeresa Magnuson Clothing Processor Hanger Harris CenterMichael Barnes Cashier 156th & MapleBrooke Smith Custodian LincolnJasmine Miller Custodian LincolnDonald Vinkenberg Cashier MadisonDebra Carson E-Commerce Associate 72nd & FMona Kosiba-Iloff Cashier Benson Park StoreLynn Fredlund Clothing Processor Hanger 156th & MapleJessica Seffron Cashier BellevueRichard Weeden II Donation Door Attendant GretnaWayne Cooper Custodian OffuttJoyce Moreno Clothing Processor Hanger FremontRobert Wachter Custodian-Offsite 72nd & FMelissa Wyrick Cashier 156th & Maple

WELCOME! Below is a list of all new employees that joined Goodwill in October. Please say hello and make them feel welcome as they begin their new positions with Goodwill.

NEW EMPLOYEES!

NEW HIRES • AWARDS

OCTOBER 2015AWARDS

ABOVE & BEYONDAmy Burk

LIFESAVERSMark GreenErin MainBart Alban, Jr.

SAFETY SMARTConchita TollesGonzalo VazquezIsabella PowellFeliciana Martinez

Look around you... There are awesome people doing awesome things every day. Be the one to brighten a co-worker or manager’s day with the Safety Smart, Lifesaver or Above & Beyond Award. Go out and do awesome things and next month your name could be listed here.

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Linda Bibeault has now won Employee of the Month at Goodwill twice. I would have sworn on a bible that she had won it more than twice. But I’ll defer to her count, as she works in accounting, and she’s responsible for me getting paid. In fact, she’s responsible for all of us getting paid. All 600.

Actually the number is 730. That’s the amount of checks she processes every other week. There are around 600 employees, but she also processes all the checks that our programs participants earn. Some of you may be wondering what she does when she’s not processing your paycheck. It turns out that in her “off” week from payroll, she’s actually completing and sending off a litany of reports to various government entities related to our payroll. So it’s pay people one week. Reports the next.

Thank goodness we have Linda. And thank goodness Linda likes her job so much. She says she likes it because of the

people. The job has challenges, but

she enjoys the process of making sure we all get paid every two weeks. And that’s no small feat. There is a ton of moving parts for payroll. Employees have to correctly log hours, and managers have to approve them. Those of you who are managers know how tricky that part is on its own. But Linda also has to make sure that everything has been submitted correctly before she processes it. And then

finally: paychecks. What keeps Linda’s batteries

charged for this challenging job? She loves spending time with her three grandkids, as well as sewing and doing crafts. She also has a generous heart. She and her family usually do some form of community service during Thanksgiving – which is why this is her favorite holiday. Also, when I asked her what she would do if she could do anything, she said “Volunteer with children.”

So in summary, Linda Bibeault is a really great person. She also has a very important job and she does it incredibly well. Thank you, Linda. You’re making the rest of us look like a bunch of dopes.

Employee of the Month Linda Bibeault (Left) with CFO Pauli Bishop and Accounting Manager Jessica Nolte (right).

by Brent KosterEMPLOYEE

MONTHOF THE

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

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STORE MONTHOF THE

Congratulations Shantel and Staff on a much deserved Specialty

Store of the Month win!

RESERVE99

STORE MONTHOF THE

Angie, Kermit and staff ended September with a 24%

increase over last year and 21.22% over budget.

Congratulations to South Papillion staff!

SOUTH PAPIO

OCTOBER StoreS of the month

Specialty

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work with our AbilityOne staff. Their stories are amazing, when they conquer new tasks, the enthusiasm is a humbling thing to witness. Their level of their commitment is inspiring. I’m also thankful for my family, 12 grandkids, friends, faithful canines, coworkers and beloved husband. Also for 15 years with my little Maltese, Tessie, who I recently had to put down.

Ken Barker – EWaste Recycling Manager – ROC: I’m thankful for all the opportunities I’ve gotten in the last 10 years.

Rachel Kennebeck – Blair Store Manager: What I am thankful for is my husband Brian and two sons, Kyle and Trevor. I couldn’t have made it through this year without them.

George Coleman – CSD Manager – ROC: I’m thankful to have a great group of employees that work hard every day to fulfill contract requirements and support the Goodwill Mission. I’m also thankful for everyone who has worked with me to put RFPs and bids together. Without your help I would have gone crazy!

I’m thankful to have leadership that allows me to grow. I am especially thankful to Pearl Wilder for getting her hair done at the same place my mom did almost 16 years ago. If you wouldn’t have mentioned Goodwill was hiring to your hairdresser I may have never worked for Goodwill. I’m thankful for having a great family that supports me in everything I do. And finally I’m thankful for my loving wife, Rose, who puts up with me!

Dick Preston – Truck Driver - ROC: I’m thankful for all the help we have here. It’s helped us meet our primary objectives of taking care of our stores…and they are our Bread and Butter. I’m also thankful for my Kenworth Truck.

Kendrick Ransom – Recycling Technician I - ROC: I’m thankful for my family, for my health, and for being able to get up every morning and come to work.

Phil Johnson – Project Manager – Offutt: Very simple, everyday I am thankful for another day of life and another day of sobriety, without these I would not be working with such wonderful, thoughtful and deeply caring people that I am blessed by seeing every work day. They teach me the true meaning of living

Alyssa Beebe – Construction Trainer – YouthBuild: I am thankful that I came out of a serious bicycle accident this year, nearly unharmed. Had this accident turned out differently it

could have greatly impacted my ability to work as a YouthBuild construction trainer and I am thankful to see and impact another YouthBuild class. I am also thankful to still be bicycling and reaching my mileage goal for the year by the end of October! When you get kicked off the saddle there is really nothing to do but get right back on and keep peddling forward!

Kim Nguyen – Retail Production Worker I – ROC: I’m thankful for having a job.

Jeff Bailey – Truck Driver: I am thankful for my wife, and that her health is stable, for my dad’s health, and to wake up every morning.

Dan Martin – Truck Driver: I am thankful for good health for me and my family, and to be living in the USA.

Ronnie Marion - Dock Worker II - ROC: I’m thankful for still having a job at Goodwill.

Shantel Featherson – Wearhouse/Reserve99 Store Manager: I’m very blessed and thankful for my family and my Goodwill family.

cover story

by Brent Koster

THE SEASON FOR GIVING THANKS CON’T.CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

George Coleman

Ken Barker

Ronald Marion

Kim Nguyen

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John Hall—Trailer Attendant: I’m thankful for my daughter and granddaughter.

Holly McElhatten – WorkOpps Coordinator – HWS: There is so much that I’m thankful for. My wonderful husband who makes me laugh and smile every day. My friends, family, and co-workers, who I would be lost without their love, support, and advice. My spoiled pets. My job, because I love what I do and everyone on our team.

Percy Goynes - Retail Production Worker I – ROC: I’m thankful for having a job for as long as I have had one, so that I could support my family.

Bernadette Richey – Trailer Attendant: I’m thankful for having a good job that I love, a nice boss, and nice site, and reliable transportation.

Brett Karnes – Facilities Manager: This year I am thankful for friends and family that support my crazy world, a job I can enjoy as crazy as it is and spending time with my grandchildren

Toni Williams - Retail Production Team Leader – ROC: For life itself!

Richard Hansen – Truck Driver: I’m thankful living on this side of the dirt, and working with nice people

Jennifer Gries – Postal 1 – Offutt: I am thankful for…my friends and family – all the people that have backed me up over the years. The blessings we receive in being part of each other’s lives. And the little things: My pug, hugs, naps, Redbox and Netflix, candles, meditation, any kind of cheese, most kinds of pizza, documentaries, Coke Zero, thunderstorms, electric heated blankets, garden plants, seasons, laughter, GPS on my phone, opposable thumbs, yarn, getting married to the best guy I know in 2016.

Mark Ramler - Recycling Technician I – ROC: I’m thankful for my health, and having a boss with a personality.

Melissa Leuck – Employment and Retention Specialist – HWS: I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of people and to be a part of the Goodwill team. It feels good to work with people who are positive and enjoy working with one another.

Mat Smith - Dock Worker II - ROC: I’m thankful to still be breathing, having somewhat good health, and my job.

Tim Olive – Baler II – ROC: I’m thankful for my job and my family.

Katherine Naughton –

Business Outreach Specialist – HWS: - I am thankful for Goodwill’s educational support since I’ve returned to school. Goodwill’s tuition reimbursement allowed me to start school almost 6-8 months earlier than I had anticipated. Education is important to me and Goodwill has spoiled me with opportunities.

Shirley Hall - Retail operations Director - ROC: I’m thankful for the differences we’ve made in some many people’s lives! And most of all for my kids, my grandkids…and all the wonderful people I work with!

John Hurley – Trailer Attendant - ROC: I’m thankful for my family, my job, and for it not being cold yet!

Jake Pedersen – Work Experience Trainer - Bellevue: I am thankful for having the opportunity to help improve lives through my job at Goodwill. Everyday I go home satisfied with what I have contributed to the community.

Jana Dye – ReStart Coordinator - HWS: I am thankful for my family, friends, and

by Brent Koster

THE SEASON FOR GIVING THANKS CON’T.CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Jake Pedersen

Melissa Leuck

Percy Goynes

Shirley Hall

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work! Unfortunately working in Human Services you see a lot of people who don’t have a support system and how hard it is to stay positive. I am thankful that I have support in every part of my life! And of course I am thankful to get to welcome our baby boy this year and for my wonderful husband who has to put of with me being a crazy pregnant lady!

Megan Sharpe – Career Services Coordinator - BPP: I’m always thankful for the working kidney after five years, but this year I have found so many other things that bring me joy. I am thankful for the travel bug and credit cards that allow me to see the world. I always find joy in cocktails, and this year it’s the Gin Fizz, and the French 75. I am also thankful for Noah Syndergaard, Jacob DeGrom and the rest of

the NY Mets pitchers who won the National League Pennant. Thankful I saw the Mets and Royals clinch their divisional series and make it to the World Series. Thankful that even after 10 years, Goodwill still feels like home. Thankful my mom is still around and kicking. I am trying to find thanks in all the things around me… it makes life a lot more fun.

Julie Chandler - Retail Production Team Leader - ROC: I am thankful for my family and friends. James Allen - Dock Worker I - ROC: I’m thankful to be alive, to have my health and strength, for my job and my wife.

Robert Catrair – Truck Driver - ROC: I’m thankful for surviving another year!

Mike Browning – Warehouse Manager - ROC: My ROC Family, health, my job

and beer. Not necessarily in that order.

Frank McGree – President and CEO: I’m thankful for good health…never take it for granted. I’m thankful for a new grandbaby…a boy grandbaby. I’m thankful to work with a group of good people. I’m thankful CARF went as well as it did….and that it’s over. I’m thankful salvage prices seem to be bottoming out. I’m thankful for all the support Goodwill receives from the communities we serve.

Well said, everyone. From the Clothesline staff, we say that we’re thankful for all of you.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving,

one and all.

cover story

by Brent Koster

THE SEASON FOR GIVING THANKS CON’T.CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Megan Sharpe

Frank McGree

Julie Chandler

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his month we have ten special questions for

Goodwill’s Director of Federal Contracts Tobi Mathouser.

1. What do you do at Goodwill?

I oversee our AbilityOne contracts, where we employ people with disabilities while providing services to the Federal Government.

2. How did you come to Goodwill?

When our Partnership for Youth program began, it was a partnership between Goodwill, Heartland Family Services (HFS) and Boys and Girls Club. I started as an employee of HFS, then was transferred to Boys and Girls Club. But the whole time I was being supervised by Goodwill. Finally the coordinator position for the program opened up, and I got it, and that was a Goodwill position. So that’s when it happened.

3. Okay, so you took the long route?

I did. And then after working in the position for a while, a job opened up in Human Resources doing Organizational Development. And I moved to that department.

4. So Organizational Development…that was a big change?

It was, and I really enjoyed my time in HR. But when Todd Milbrandt (VP of Contracts) was looking for a Director over AbilityOne Contracts, that was

a new challenge, and I moved to my current job.

5. Which of those transitions was the hardest?

Probably moving into my current position. That was a huge adjustment. So much to learn. So many people to meet. And the supervision component. Managing people is rewarding, but it’s challenging too. Also, everyone loves Todd so much. They really do. They love that guy.

6. Since this is our Thanksgiving Issue, what are you thankful for this year?

Always thankful for health and my family and the people I work with at Goodwill.

7. What’s your favorite movie?

Rudy. I don’t know why, but I love that movie.

8. If you didn’t do what you do currently, what would you do?

I’d be on the police department or a detective. I think about it all the time.

9. What do you like best about your job?

The people that I work with. I’m really lucky to have this job. Being a director has it’s own challenges. But the great thing about my job is that when I have my fill of those challenges, I can go spend time with the people. And that makes everything good.

10. How is Goodwill doing? Great! There’s a lot of great things happening. With our programs. With our impact on the environment. I think that’s great.

THE BIG 10 • BRENT KOSTER

by Brent KosterTHE BIG 10 WITH TOBI MATHOUSERT

(L-R) Goodwill International employee Tahira Christmon, Myles Grefe and Tobi Mathouser.

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ello again from ShopGoodwill – I’m back to tell you about our highest-

priced item for the month of October! The big winner was a collection of sterling silver flatware from the Papio team at 84th and Giles.

We receive several different sets of flatware from our stores each month. Most flatware is “silverplated”, where a cheaper metal is covered in a thin coating of silver. The amount of silver used in this process isn’t enough to make money from as scrap, so these sets are generally very affordable if they even sell at all. But what we received from Osama and his team was a set that had the word “sterling” stamped on the pieces. Sterling silver is actually

92.5 percent pure silver mixed with cheaper metals to make the pieces more durable.

Also, the Gorham maker name is highly sought after by collectors. Some pieces also contained the name “Wm. Durgin”, a company that was absorbed by Gorham.

With these two factors working for us, the lot sold for a fantastic $651, making it the number one item for the month of October at ShopGoodwill. After sharing the good news with Osama at a meeting a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that he had more sterling silver coming our way!

Congratulations and thanks to the Papio team for their sharp eyes and for being good stewards with their higher end donations.

Perhaps we’ll be seeing them at the top of the list for next month!

his month, YouthBuild North participants took part in the National Hire

Ex-Felons Campaign, including a presentation that highlighted “The Ten Bottom-Line Reasons to Hire Ex- Felons”. The presentation covered how to have great job interviews, how to locate jobs for ex-felons, and what options that ex- felons have in obtaining and maintaining employment.

YouthBuild participants learned that it is important to be honest about your criminal history. Concealing information is setting yourself up for termination once a

background check is performed. They were encouraged to develop a short summary statement about their past and include with it their strengths as a potential employee.

YouthBuilders also learned that another issue many ex-offenders have to deal with is their attitude. Having a positive attitude, even if you have to “fake it till you make it,” is crucial to success. They were challenged to display an attitude that gives people a reason to want to work with them, not against them, even when they had a bad day.

Finally, the presentation

instructed YouthBuilders that ex-offenders may have to put in 100 applications or more before they find work. But that shouldn’t be a deterrent, saying “Ex-offenders survived incarceration, so they can survive anything.”

It was an important message for our YouthBuild participants. The presentation focused on criminal records, but much of what was shared was applicable to anyone seeking employment. It’s another way these young people are building for a brighter tomorrow.

SHOPGOODWILL • YOUTHBUILD

H

T

by Andy Glenn

by Norman Barnes

NEWS FROM SHOPGOODWILL.COM

YOUTHBUILD: NATIONAL HIRE EX-FELONS CAMPAIGN

11YEARS OF SERVICE • MITTEN TREE

NOVEMBER 2015YEARS OF SERVICE - REPRINT

21 Willaim Fenner Harris Center20 Robert May Jr. Offutt14 Manuel Santiago Postal 213 Rockie Smith Benson Park Plaza11 Brent Koster Benson Park Plaza10 Zinhoue Legonou 180th & Q8 Natalie Sieben Southwest7 Michael Browning 72nd & F7 Levorn Murphy 72nd & F7 Bradly Nelson Fremont6 Jennifer Montag Benson Park Plaza6 Myles Grefe Lincoln6 Derek Zbylut 72nd & F5 Matthew Estabrook Zorinsky4 Andra Bender 78th & Dodge4 Joseph Carver II Stratcom4 Kirk Judds Lincoln4 John Klauschie 78th & Dodge4 Katherine MacDonald 78th & Dodge4 Benny Marks IV Offutt4 Donald McPherson 72nd & F

4 Kathleen Parr 78th & Dodge4 Nicole Raymer Reserve994 Drew Stoller Bellevue4 Tanner Veik Bellevue3 Leticia Geran Bellevue3 Desiree Juelfs West Center3 Sandra Romero Fremont3 Michael Slayden VA2 Amy Burk Benson Park Store2 Raven Conley Benson Park Store2 Sheri Hirsh West Center1 Christine Butler Offutt1 Rayven Foster Papillion1 Karl Hansen Offutt1 William Kuhl Papillion1 Miles Martin Stratcom1 Feliciana Martinez Bellevue1 De'Shaun Morrison 78th & Dodge1 Wayne Van Eperen Lincoln1 Roy Williams 72nd & F

CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you for your years of service, we look forward to many more!

nce a year, Goodwill employees come together

to help out our fellow co-workers. That’s right, it’s time for the Annual Mitten Tree and Food Drive.

If you aren’t familiar with these drives, let me give you a quick run-down. Employees who need a little extra help, for any reason, are nominated anonymously by their managers. The mitten tree and food drive team are responsible for taking this information and creating a database of needs.

Next, a tree is set up at Goodwill’s Benson Park headquarters. Various mitten ornaments are hung on the tree. Written on each mitten is a gift request for Goodwill employees and their children. Mittens will be available during the week of Thanksgiving.

Additionally, we will be collecting food until mid-December. Each family will receive a box of food and a coupon for a turkey. This ensures that no member of our Goodwill family will go hungry this Christmas.

Gifts and food boxes will be picked up the week before Christmas.

Please help us support the entire Goodwill team this year by bringing in food donations and taking mittens off the tree. We appreciate your help in making the holidays a little brighter for all of our

by Rebecca Armstrong Langle

VISIT THE MITTEN TREE

O

12 YEARS OF SERVICE • ACCOUNTING

DECEMBER 2015YEARS OF SERVICE

33 Dale Plessner Harris Center

29 Frank McGree Benson Park Plaza

24 Chad Petsche Stratcom

21 Christel Hurley Stratcom

14 Rose Sloderbeck 72nd & F

12 Christine Aguilar Benson Park Plaza

8 Ronda Moore Fremont

5 Kaitlin Bosetti Southwest

5 Victor Hull 72nd & F

5 Marisol Silva Papillion

5 Alison Wheat West Center

4 LeTrinh Tran 72nd & F

3 John Herdzina Offutt

2 Smirna Alvarez del Castillo 156th & Maple

2 Jeani Craft Blair

2 Garry Kern Ames Plaza

2 Michelle Marfisi Fremont

1 Jennifer Boyle Southwest

1 Deuz Campos Benson Park Plaza

1 Corey Himes Madison

1 Francis Johnson Madison

1 Jackson Mendoza Madison

1 Noemi Mendoza Madison

1 Ronald Nocita Bellevue

1 Patricia Oltman 72nd & F

1 Scott Ragle 156th & Maple

1 Patricia Williams Madison

CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you for your years of service, we look forward to many more!

by Linda Bibeault

W2 NEWS FROM ACCOUNTING• W-2’s for 2015 must be mailed to employees by January 31, 2016. Goodwill Industries uses an outside service to mail these directly to your home address on file.

If the employee’s name is not on the mail box, the post office will return the W-2 to our office—at a later date.

• In a few weeks, managers will be given a list of their employees to verify address and social security numbers. These need to be returned to Payroll by Tuesday, December 15, 2015.

This will reduce the number of returned W-2’s next year.

If your address changes after December 15, please contact your manager/Human Resources department with the updated information.

• Requests for Duplicate W-2: Requests can be made after February 15, 2016. There is a $10.00 charge, which can be paid at time of request or pick-up or it can be a payroll deduction. The Request for IRS Form W-2 Duplicate form is available from Payroll.

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1 Dorothy Johnston Offutt

1 Samantha Janousek 180th & Q

2 Jeffrey Bailey 72nd & F

2 Pakawan Williams South Papio

4 John Herdzina Offutt

4 Jennifer Perry Papillion

5 Erin Swanson Russell Benson Park Plaza

7 James Andersen Offutt

8 Valerie Danner West Center

8 Chelsea Hank Fremont

8 Christopher Yost Offutt

9 Holly Schwietz Benson Park Plaza

9 Rockie Smith Benson Park Plaza

9 Todd Milbrandt Benson Park Plaza

9 Corey Himes Madison

10 Phuong Nguyen 72nd & F

10 Kenneth Good Postal

11 Adam Puseman Stratcom

11 Michael Basili Bellevue

11 Andrea Ray Fremont

11 Luis Haro West Center

11 Cheryl Hilgenkamp 72nd & F

11 Haleigh Grandstaff 180th & Q

12 Sylvia Archer Madison

13 Percy Goynes 72nd & F

13 Krista Foutch Madison

13 Victor Hull 72nd & F

13 Debra Minor-Brown Benson Park Store

13 Michelle Preston Benson Park Plaza

14 Rose Sloderbeck 72nd & F

14 Rebecca Armstrong Benson Park Plaza

14 Pauli Bishop Benson Park Plaza

15 Jermain Hill Offutt

15 Ronald Pieken Madison

15 Peggy Wilson Zorinsky

15 Joseline Calderon West Center

16 Steven Andrews Benson Park Plaza

18 Tracy Daly Lincoln

18 Eric Martin Fremont

19 Anthony Pecoraro Zorinsky

19 Kristin Janett 156th & Maple

19 Derek Zbylut 72nd & F

19 Jane Wendland Benson Park Store

19 Steve Hennessey Lincoln

19 Brigid Allison 78th & Dodge

20 Esperanza Perez Bellevue

21 Ryan Christensen Fremont

21 Adam DellaMaggiora Fremont

21 Levorn Murphy 72nd & F

22 Jordan Williams West Center

23 Beverly Box-Muldrow Benson Park Store

23 Janice Head 156th & Maple

23 Christine Butler Offutt

24 Cheri Biddenstadt Madison

25 Cynthia Dewhurst Blair

25 Kelvin Braymen Postal 2

28 Caprice Hollis West Center

28 Jessica Murphy Blair

28 Atonier McGee Ames Plaza

28 Rachel McCluskey 78th & Dodge

29 Michelle Bartling Benson Park Store

30 Melissa Lindsey 78th & Dodge

30 Debra Flores Harris Center

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

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f you don’t know Terri Gibilisco, you should. She’s

worked at Goodwill for 30 years. That’s three decades of processing donations…a lot of donations. Many of us would shake our heads in awe, but not Terri. She just shrugs her shoulders as if it’s no big deal. That’s just how Terri is. She isn’t here to impress. She’s here to do her job. Something she’s done since 1985.

Starting out at our Pacific Street Headquarters, Terri was hired as a Team Leader for the retail division. In 2001, she moved to our 84th & West Center retail store as a donated goods processor and has been there ever since. In 2005, she transitioned to a clothing processor/hanger and has definitely honed the skill of sorting through clothing and picking out the right pieces for our sales floor.

Terri has also honed the art of lip reading. Terri is deaf and learned to lip read in order to communicate in a hearing world. When she first came to Goodwill, Terri was a very shy young girl who had led a very sheltered life. It took support from her Goodwill environment to help her come out of her shell. She started achieving things like getting her driver’s license and buying her first car. For years she struggled

to attain hearing aids because of the high cost. After coming to Goodwill she was able to get a pair and it changed her world.

According to Retail Operations Director Shirley Hall, Terri has

done just about every job duty there is to do in production.

“She tackles every challenge she is faced with, and has

accomplished them all,” Hall said. “I am very proud of her!”

When asked what Terri’s favorite part of working at Goodwill is she answers, “The customers and the other employees that I have gotten to know throughout the years. “

When she’s not sorting through clothing at Goodwill, Terri spends her spare time with her husband. They met on the Metro bus line. Terri was a passenger taking the city bus to work every day. And her husband was the bus driver. He was smitten by her and they eventually got married.

Her manager Desiree Juelfs believes that Terri and her smile is what make the West Center store so special. Thirty years is an impressive milestone and

Terri still loves what she does. Goodwill has gone through some changes since Terri first came to the organization; moving corporate offices, expanding stores and changes to the general structure of Goodwill. Despite the changes, Terri has remained a dedicated worker who Goodwill truly is lucky to have.

Congratulations Terri! Goodwill

continues to be a strong staple in the community because of people like you. Thank you!

MEET TERRI GIBILISCO

by Rita Crum

MEET TERRI GIBILISCO

I

Terri Gibilisco

Terri was honored at the September Town Hall by Store Manager Desiree Juelfs and Retail Operations Director Shirley Hall.

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ontinuing last month’s theme of a positive

workplace attitude below are benefits that may surprise you from www.positivelypresent.com

Less stress. To begin with, a positive attitude is healthier for you and everyone around you. More and more studies are showing that stress can bring about a host of physical and mental problems, from insomnia, fatigue, and loss of concentration to more serious ailments like severe depression, bodily aches and pains, hypertension (high blood pressure), digestive disorders (as severe as ulcers), and even heart attack and stroke

Happy peers. Your stress level will certainly effect those around you, whether you are so scattered that you can’t organize your thoughts enough to send a coherent email, or you lash out in anger and frustration at a startled (and undeserving) customer or co-worker. Improving your disposition will have a ripple effect that positively influences everyone you come in contact with.

Job performance. People with positive attitudes tend to fare better at work because they can process information with greater awareness and efficiency, and more appropriately. A positive attitude puts an optimistic spin on new information, allowing for creativity and cooperation. It also takes less energy to maintain a positive attitude, which allows a person to be more responsive in the work environment.

Fights negativity. A positive attitude can help buffer negativity in the workplace. You can’t change people’s basic nature, but you have the choice to be the ‘thermostat’ by redirecting them whenever possible. If you find that a co-worker continually brings you down, be determined to hold on to your positive attitude.

In the long run, you are sure to hit some brick walls when it comes to maintaining a positive attitude

at work. But the main thing to remember is that you are the one with the power. You can decide to live a positive life, see the good in any situation, and work to resolve conflict in a reasonable and stress-free way. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Just keep your chin up, smile as much as you can, and remind yourself that life is only as good as you make it!

Source: www.positivelypresent.com.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

by Miriam Blair

BENEFITS OF A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AT WORK

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