SALINA FAMILY YMCA

Congratulations to the May Employee of the Month, Mutaz Abakar! Mutaz was nominated by SALINA FAMILY YMCA staff and members alike for his exemplary character and exceptional work ethic. Whether Mutaz is checking a guest in, or assisting a member with a lockout, his positive attitude and welcoming smile are seen, felt, and appreciated by all! We asked Mutaz about his positive attitude and he replied, "It's good for my health! The members love when I am positive and have mentioned how my positivity makes them happy. I love my job." Mutaz, thank you for being such a brilliant light at the Salina Family YMCA! #eotm #engagement #teamwork #employeerewards #hr

Angie Lassley, Patsy Stockham, OWDS, OERS, Angeles De Leon and I are at the 2024 SHRMAnar! Angie’s presentation is titled “Nametags, Ducks, and Buses, Oh My”…so get ready! Questions of the day: 1. Why are you leading and why does it matter? 2. Who are you leading and why does it matter? Know why and who inspires you to make a difference!

🎶🎵Happy graduation to you🎶🎵 I love celebrations! Employee recognition and appreciation are two of my favorite things. What’s the difference between recognition and appreciation, you may ask? Well…you can ask our friend Neil Beam at The Appreciation Company and/or you can keep on reading this quote from The Harvard Business Review: “In simple terms, recognition is about what people do; appreciation is about who they are.” I love acknowledging individuals and their accomplishments! Congrats to Jonathan Barajas, Noah Schneider, and Julie McIntyre on graduating with their Masters Degrees! Join an organization that wants to recognize you for who you are and celebrate your achievements! Visit www.salinaymca.org/careers to view our openings.

When a Kansas Wesleyan University Graduate Assistant quotes you to you, take it as a win. Thanks Carter Huyser! Last week, Chris Lehecka led our monthly leadership team training and asked us to share how we maintain a positive mindset when experiencing negative circumstances. My answer: Throughout the day, I continuously ask myself, "What good change may come if I do my job right?" If I focus on doing my best one task at a time, then I end up focusing on the good! When challenges emerge as obstacles, my integrity to the task at hand helps me to push through. I begin each day believing that Human Resources paperwork is not just paperwork. Recruiting calls aren't just regular phone calls. These interactions and assignments are opportunities to serve and improve the lives of those we work with. I take it personally! If you are a deeply devoted professional seeking to serve, please consider working for the SALINA FAMILY YMCA. View our opportunities at www.salinaymca.org/careers. We need you! #service #leadership #workethic #nowhiring

Opportunities come and go like waves in the ocean. The farther you go professionally, the deeper your well of knowledge must delve to tread uncharted waters. I had just accepted my new role as Human Resources and Training Director, when Lora Kirmer and Cara Emig visited me at the SALINA FAMILY YMCA to discuss the Salina Area Young Professionals Steering Committee. Though they were funny and kind, I wondered if I’d be able to commit to networking and put my full effort into my new role at the Y. Fortunately, I accepted the opportunity to be Marketing Co-Chair. I have learned so much more about the community organizations in Salina and the events increase my awareness of civic engagement! On top of that, the work is carried out by an entire team (thanks Stephanie Gillig and Ector Diaz to name a couple). Moral: Stretch yourself. Don’t say yes to everything. Say yes to people that value you and to people you may value in return. If you are interested in joining the Salina Area Young Professionals, please visit www.salinakansasyp.com. If you desire to join an organization that supports professional development, visit www.salinaymca.org/careers and apply today! #community #professionaldevelopment #justkeepswimming #ymca

Community! That’s what I've inherited working at the Y. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and it will always be my home! It’s big and fast... except during rush hour🫣 Fortunately, Salina has become my home away from home. The network of people who come together to share resources are so powerful! Over last two weeks, I attended the Kansas Wesleyan University Women in Leadership Conference, the Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake event, and the Friends of the River lunch and learn (a Salina Area Young Professionals event). Connections like these aren’t just informative. They actually allow me to be a participant in my community and not a bystander. Thanks to the wonderful community partners who make themselves available! Thanks to the SALINA FAMILY YMCA for helping me grow civically and professionally 🙌🏽 Join our team! Visit www.salinaymca.org/careers to view our opportunities! #salina #salinaworks #kansasworks #community #workforcedevelopment #nowhiring

📣 📣 📣 📣 📣 📣📣 📣Appreciation post 📣 📣 📣 📣 📣 📣📣 📣 Training is imperative at the SALINA FAMILY YMCA! At our facility, members workout and fellowship, children attend our early education centers, and we provide the team experience for youths through sports. That being said, there is a team of people behind the "Y experience", striving to keep our staff and members safe with training. To name a few, thanks to Marti Higdon, Angie Lassley, Patsy Stockham, OWDS, OERS, Mai-Lin Wohler - MBA, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and Chris Lehecka for helping us power through another week! So much planning goes into education and recreation! We are not perfect, but we are striving for perfection! Special shout out to Genell H. at Salina Family Health Care Center for keeping our Y employees CPR/First Aid/AED certified for all of our employees! OAN: What are you doing at your organization to elevate your staff's skills? I would love to hear from you! #safetyfirst #training #professionaldevelpment