New Rescue Tubes

We have a new batch of rescue tubes at the YMCA. The lifeguard store gave us the best deal on this new set. I've already heard many comments about how glad everyone is to have new tubes and how much lighter these tubes are. Since they are not cracked and torn apart, there are no rough edges to scratch rescuers and victims.

Keep in mind that they don't stay that way. While these tubes will last a lot longer because of the mesh embedded in the lining, they will only stay together as long as lifeguards take care of the rescue tubes. I don't have to tell you that we are in a financial crunch. So we should do everything possible to keep these rescue tubes in good shape. Please do not pick at, drag, or abuse the rescue tubes in any way. While I do agree with Graham Greene's idea that destruction is a form of creation, I do not want to see a new creation come from these rescue tubes. Not only will picking at these tubes ruin them and make them look ugly, it will also void the 3-year warranty that they have. So please take good care of them and enjoy.

All Staff Meeting - Strong Kids

I am excited to announce our first All Staff Meeting which will take place on November 22^nd, from 6:30-7:30pm. Over the course of the hour, this YMCA’s leadership team and volunteers will be sharing critical information which will help you understand key aspects of job performance requirements and the Strong Kids Campaign. Last year, the expectations were increased and data that we collected showed that you all would like more clarification, explanation and training on ways to be successful. This meeting will do that…and in a fun way! We will also have several raffles for attendance and participation in different activities.

This is a paid training. Please mark your calendar now.

Warm Wishes,

-Shane

Pay Day Today!

Good Morning,

Today is payday. Your current paycheck can be picked up at your location later today.

If you have not picked up your prior paychecks, they are available in the Downtown Accounting Office.

Remember direct deposit went into the bank at start of business today.

Thanks and have a great day.

September 12, 2009 In-service

The in-service information is now posted on the website. Take a look at it. Remember if you miss an in-service, it is your responsibility to meet with the Headguard(s) of your team and review the material that was covered. You must turn in a one-page paper about the topics, and if you were not excused from the in-service, you must swim an extra 2,000 yards by the next month's in-service.

Take the time to go-over and understand the material. The videos are always available for viewing, as well. This month covers deep-water spinals, CPR and Oxygen Administration. If you have any questions, be sure to ask. If you feel you need more practice, there is always opportunity for that.

Gadgets?

What are gadgets?

Gadgets powered by Google are miniature objects made by Google users like you that offer cool and dynamic content that can be placed on any page on the web.

Gadgets might come in handy when you're at work (to-do list, currency converter, calendar), at school (calculator, Wikipedia, translation tool), or just passing time (news, blogs, games). You can add gadgets you like to iGoogle and, if you have Google Desktop installed, you can also add gadgets to your computer's desktop.

Why should you care?

I'm telling you this because another change has occurred on the lifeguard website. Visit the homepage and see. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you will see an empty box. You must make sure that you login to be able to use this new feature. Click the box the words in the box. After you are logged in, click in the box or click the links that says: add personal gadgets. Now you can choose from thousands of little gadgets to put on the home page. There are emails tools, calendars, countdowns, weather tools, games and tons more. You can put whatever you want there. The really cool part is, that only when you are logged in, will you see your gadgets!

Facility Information

A semi-large overhaul has been completed on the lifeguard website. Most of the changes regard the facility information section. Check out this informative area of our website. It is full of facts and figures. It also include much more real-time information, such as the latest oxygen check (shown in the image). The idea was to collect as much information as possible about the facility, the safety checks, and staff training in one easy to use location.

Another change involves the check your information section. It is now called staff records and it is under staff information. Also, the ever popular, scheduling page is also under staff information. Go here to update your availability, ask for time off and check your schedule.

The general navigation of the website has been changed. It may be hard to get used to at first. I encourage you to explore the website once more. After time, the navigation should be much easier to use. It is also much easier as an administrator to update.

If you haven't tried it yet, use the search bar to find what you are looking for. It now has the option of searching all the sites in our domain. This include the phone list, videos, etc. Be sure to Login to ensure that you can see everything that you have access to.

There are a couple more changes planned for the future, including a restructuring of the homepage, that could allow you to put your own gadgets on this page that only you can see. I'll keep you posted.

Policy on Time

Did you know …

Pay period cut-off, which is the 9^th and the 24^th of every month, is the last day for all employees to enter time into Time Centre for the current pay period.

Pay period sign-off, is for supervisors only, for the approval of entered time. There should not be any employees entering time on these days.

TV Family YMCA Employee handbook states:

Employees are required daily to record their time completely and correctly on a timesheet or in Time Centre, our on line timesheet, including absences, working hours and overtime hours. It is your responsibility for ensuring the accurate, timely recording of your working hours and that these hours are reported correctly, so that accurate payment can be made to you.

Lifeguards and Headguard Hard at Work

As many of you know, one of our own Headguards had the opportunity to work at a Boise City pool as the assistant manager. This was an excellent opportunity for him. Not only did he make several improvements to the pool's operations, he got to work with a few other talented YMCA lifeguards. Take a look at this great triumph...performed by one of these lifeguards, one of their lifeguards, and one of our very own Headguards.