“To improve the living and working conditions and opportunities  of persons with severe disabilities.”
EEO/AA/M/F/D/V
 

The  Director’s Corner
By Phil Taylor, Executive Director
Over the past several months I have worked into these articles four different points that I have taken from what is called the fish philosophy.  The points are oversimplified in their approach but have some real significance if people can learn to use them every day.  I want to use this space to conclude the series and summarize what we have covered.  I truly hope you have some personal take-aways from this series of training.

The first and most crucial point is to choose your attitude.  Or, more correctly, you choose your attitude every single day and no one is responsible for your attitude but you.  More often than not I believe you have to make a conscious choice to have a good positive attitude, otherwise your attitude may be naturally negative or you unconsciously let the day’s activities or how you feel determine your poor attitude.   I see so many times when a person really should be feeling good about good things coming their way and they still come across with a poor attitude.  I believe this is often a matter of being self-absorbed and never looking on the bright side of things.  Choosing to have a positive attitude can be the greatest change agent available to you.  It allows you to make a deliberate decision  to make the best of the day-the best of your life, the best of your circumstances, etc.  I really believe a positive attitude can help you get through even rough times.  Try it and really see for yourself.

Another point is that you really have to “have a true presence” at your job.  You have to have a deliberate and intentional all-day commitment to be “totally involved” in your job.  You have to be both physically and mentally tuned in and turned onto your job and everything about it.  You have to cut out the extended small talk and chatter because it really takes you and whoever else is involved away from being totally involved in the tasks at hand.  Some of the positive indicators for this are to be alert, on-time, task-oriented, task-driven, punctual work assignments, proactive with team members, attentive to what’s happening around them, self-initiating on work activities, etc.  These are engaging activities that will also help others to be engaged in their responsibilities.

Making someone’s day is another point that is important in this management and leadership type of philosophy.  Ways to do this is to make a personal connection with people, say “hello” or smile.  It amazes me how many people plop down at their desks without even trying to acknowledge the people they passed through to get to it.  Some of the easier things that can be done in this area are birthday parties, special notes of thanks or appreciation, special recognition, intentionally trying  to pick-up someone’s spirits, giving someone a special hand with something, unexpected surprises, etc.  If you have acquired a good attitude and have a true presence at your job you should be able to figure out appropriate ways to make someone’s day.

Probably the hardest point for me is to have fun at your work. Everything I do seems so serious and often can have serious repercussions.  A lot of jobs depend on how well I do mine.  I enjoy my work a lot, but I don’t always feel like I am having fun.  I guess I need to laugh a little more and enjoy the moment.  I need to be a little more relaxed around the office and not be so concerned about the small stuff.  I need to find more occasions to celebrate.  We really do have a lot to celebrate around here.  I get to work with a lot of good people, help people with special needs and do what I enjoy-these are all great reasons to celebrate.  I hope all of these points can help you enjoy your life at work more while helping others enjoy theirs.  Have a happy holiday season.

 
WELCOME TO A.U.

Christopher DeBrosse   TWC Implementor
Heather Exum    ACS Implementor
Clarissa Garner    ACS Implementor
Harold Hayden    Ebay Sales
Diane Hicks    ACS Implementor
Shauna Hively    ACS Implementor
Margaret Hodges   Van Driver
Bettina Irving    ACS Implementor
Elizabeth Kraus   ACS Implementor
Arica McFarland   ACS Implementor
Christina McLelland   Flex Employee
Martha Orr    Retail Clerk
Lilly Sledge    TWC Implementor
Erica Smith    TWC Implementor
Natasha Walker   ACS Implementor
 

SERVICE AWARDS

For the month of November, Service Awards were given to Brandy Taylor, Charles Simmons and Mohammed Benmhammed for one year of service to Abilities Unlimited.  Thank you all for your hard work and dedication!

INCENTIVE AWARD WINNERS

The incentive award winners for September and October were chosen from a drawing at the November staff meetings.  Two employees at each meeting were chosen from all eligible employees to win a prize for meeting safety requirements and for maintaining perfect attendance.  The safety winners were: Mike Chism, Darren May, Marie Chism, Vicky Goodwin, Lorene Gibson, Alex White, Penny Pickrell, Kimberly Bobo, and Christy Wyatt.  The winner for attendance for September and October were: Bonnie Coleman, Charles McKinley, Stephanie Gotay, Patty Brewer, Lorene Gibson, Mary Mooney, Phil Taylor, and Paul Hedge.  In addition, the 3rd Quarter Safety and Attendance awards were given at this meeting and each received a AU T-Shirt.  The winners were: Mike Chism, Kathrine May, Darren May, Stephanie Gotay, Paul Gunter, Marie Chism, Shannon Agee, Lorene Gibson, Flo Bowlin, Phil Taylor, DeeDee Daniel, Mary Mooney, Paul Hedge, DeJean Brown, and Angela Byrd.  The grand prize winner for four hours off with pay was Lorene Gibson.  Way to go!!!  Thanks to all who make this such a success!!!!
 

Happy
  December             Birthdays
Christenia Jackson  1st
Kimberly Head   2nd
Jessica Newsom   3rd
Brian Crayton   8th
Sean Greene   8th
James Pigram   13th
Angela Millner   14th
Andrew Cline   17th
Cheryl Heskett   17th
Michelle Pitts   17th
Joan Joplin   25th
Rebecca Hale   28th
Trevor Nicholas   29th
Angela Hogan   31st
Candace Kane   31st
Jan Parker    31st

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

All Abilities Unlimited locations (excluding PAC) will be closed the following days for the Christmas and New Years’ holidays:

Christmas: December 24th  (Tuesday)
  December 25th  (Wednesday)
New Years: January 1st  (Wednesday)
 

The Personal Adjustment Center will be open all days.  Regular work schedules will be observed with any time off approved by Paul.
 

       401 (k) OPEN ENROLLMENT

For employees currently participating in the 401 (k) Retirement Plan, now is the time to make any changes.  If you would like to increase/decrease your salary contributions, please let me know by Monday, December 23rd .  If you are newly eligible to participate in the plan, you will receive a memo and if interested,  you have until December 16th  to notify DeeDee for a packet. A representative from The Principal will come in for anyone interested in starting the plan.