Wednesdays @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Postponed Indefinitely.
If you have a topic you’d like to discuss, a chat can be scheduled, or brought to the monthly Staff Senate Meeting.
Seahawk Chat meetings and workshops are informal affairs and may run long or short based on number of attendees, conversation topics, etc. Time checks will occur at 11:30pm and 12:00pm to allow for attendees to depart in a timely fashion. Tune in when you can, if you can, and enjoy.
Archive
November 4 – Election Resource List
Dear Colleagues,
November 3, 2020 is just around the corner. Our students are passionate, anxious, and emotional about potential outcomes, as are many. Below are some resources that may be of assistance in the coming weeks. If you have additional links, events, or resources, please feel free to share with me so they are added to the list. All of these events will be published in InsideSMCM–please help us spread the word.
October 21 – Freeform Chat
Mixed discussion of self-care, Human Resources questions about the performance review process, and personal hobbies.
October 14 – Self Care
InsideSMCM Event Listing»
Hosted by Helen Ann Lawless
It’s crucial that we continue to take care of ourselves as we adjust to the new “normal.” Self-care can take many forms, and in this session we’ll talk about a variety of tools that you might add to your self-care tool box.
From yoga, to meditation, to the simple act of saying “no,” and everywhere in between, we’ll share free and low-cost ways to engage in self-care practices that align with your interests and schedule.
October 7 – St. Mary’s Mentors & Free-form Chat
InsideSMCM Event Listing»
Join us for the revamped St. Mary’s Mentors program. Ask work related questions pertaining to any business workflow or process at the college and get answers from experienced senior employees. If no pressing work related conversations are started, the meeting will revert to a free-form chat discussion.
What was discussed?
- TBD
September 30 – St. Mary’s Mentors
Join us for the revamped St. Mary’s Mentors program. Ask work related questions pertaining to any business workflow or process at the college and get answers from experienced senior employees.
What was discussed?
- How to transfer leave
- Some employees really enjoy / prefer working remotely
- Staying sane under current non travel conditions
- Why we should still take leave to recharge
August 12 – September 23 – On Hiatus
All chit chats cancelled to allow for fall semester start.
August 5 – Canceled for Staff Senate Zoom Meeting
Unfortunately, this week’s Chit Chat is canceled to make room for the monthly Staff Senate Meeting, Wednesday, August 5, 10:00am-12:00pm – all employees are invited and welcome to attend
July 29 – Fall 2020 Semester
Wednesday, July 29 @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Prompt
General discussion of guidelines for the fall semester.
Reminders
Review Return to On-Campus Work Policy
If you couldn’t watch them live, Staff Senate highly encourages you to review the webinar workshops on the “Talking About Race” resource page created by the Division of Inclusive Diversity and Equity (IDE).
July 8, 15, 22 – Return to On-Campus Work Policy
Wednesday, July 8, 15, 22 @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Prompt
Review Return to On-Campus Work Policy
Reminders
If you couldn’t watch them live, Staff Senate highly encourages you to review the webinar workshops on the “Talking About Race” resource page created by the Division of Inclusive Diversity and Equity (IDE).
July 1 – Canceled
Unfortunately, this week’s Chit Chat is canceled to make room for the monthly Staff Senate Meeting, Wednesday, July 1, 10:00am-12:00pm; (all employees welcome to attend)
June 24 – Webinar Recap and Prep
Wednesday, June 24 @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Prompt
Open discussion recap of last week’s webinar “Why Is It So Hard To Talk About Race” and prep for the afternoon webinar Webinar: “Did They Really Just Say That?!” Being an Active Bystander
June 3, 10, 17 – General Community Updates
Wednesday, June 3, 10, 17 @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Prompt
General discussion
May 27 – Memorial Day Weekend in Review
Wednesday, May 27 @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Prompt
How was Memorial Day Weekend?
- Garages were cleaned
- Drain pipes were dug
- Flowers were planted
- Parents continue to adjust to balancing homeschooling/childcare against remote work, reduced childcare options and the prospect of limited summer activities for their children
May 20 – How to Have Fun Safely this Summer
Wednesday, May 20 @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Prompt
Share best practices and tips for where/how to have fun this summer. Suggestions so far:
- Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center – https://www.annmariegarden.org/ – offering many virtual classes and events
- St. Mary’s County Rec & Parks – https://www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/parks/ – following proper safety guidelines
- What else?
RECAP
- Some staff are loving remote work for the added flexibility it provides.
- Some miss students and coworkers dearly
- Staff look forward to seeing how working on campus evolves this Fall and beyond
- How could things change?
- How could things improve?
- Et cetera
May 13 – Remote / Online Learning & Development Resources
Wednesday, May 13 @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Prompt
Share your top learning resources while working remotely!
- have you or your kids learned / trained remotely before?
- what platforms have you used and enjoyed?
- how much time do you have for learning / training?
- how are children doing with remote learning?
- any tips or tricks to share? highlights? favorites?
RECAP
Thomas Brewer is the most St. Mary’s College person ever…
– Thomas Brewer, on himself
Learning
After a brief round of introductions, this week 11 participants tuned in to discuss (among other things) online learning resources. A perennial favorite, lynda.com / linkedin learning was frequently cited for its free access through the public library system, and coverage of nearly every topic imaginable. Tool specific webinars and online tutorials were a close second, with many being hosted by professional industry groups and vendors.
Isolation Pastimes
At one point the conversation turned to “pastimes that you’ve picked back up now that we can’t go out for entertainment.” Replies included:
- A 20-year-old quilting project was finally completed
- A 1970s orange jumpsuit received some final touches
- Bocce ball in the backyard with housemates
- Reading
- Managing homeschooling schedule
- Gardening has made a comeback for many
- Teaching martial arts online
- Taking barre, yoga, or pilates online
Groceries & Meals
Many recommendations were made for various meal services
- Instacart – https://www.instacart.com/ – Same day / next day – on the doorstep
- Who Gives a Crap – https://us.whogivesacrap.org/ – toilet paper service
- Hungryroot – https://www.hungryroot.com/ – groceries and recipes
- St. Inies Coffee – https://www.stiniescoffee.com/ – local alumni owned coffee shop
- Home Grown Farm Market – https://homegrownfarmmarket.webs.com/ – drive through service, never leave your car!
- Zimmerman’s Greenhouse & Produce – https://goo.gl/maps/2LUu9uMvwtG5wpmM8 – flowers, seeds, etc.
- Fun Meal Themes like “Sushi Saturdays” to spice things up
May 6 – Streaming Recommendations & Community Highlights
Wednesday, May 6 @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Prompt
Come one, come all, and share your top Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ picks!
RECAP
Where do you live? I’ll leave a growler on your driveway and you can fill it up!
-Gretchen Phillips at last wee’s Chit-Chat- when she discovered Doug Hovland brews his own beer. What will you discover? Tune in next week!
We had 8 participants join in and the discussion ranged dramatically, covering everything from beer and spirit recommendations (highlights: Nugget Nectar, Devil’s Cut, IPA cask Glenfiddich, and Flying Dog Bleacher Beer) to home brewing experiments and DIY pickle-making at such an advanced level that the fridge in question was packed to capacity with pickles.
Attendees expressed enthusiasm for various cocktail/happy hours hosted by their respective offices and departments, and recommended trying trivia games, bingo and Jack Box Games to any inquisitive types looking for fresh diversion.