Throughout the year, Red River College hands out various awards to faculty and staff for their hard work and dedication. The following are award winners who were recognized at events prior to Friday’s Gathering with the President.
Author Archives: Wellness Committee
College Days: Wellness Breakfast, Wellness Walk-a-Thon, and the Rebel Run
To kick off College Days, the Wellness Committee is hosting a series of events to eat, meet and greet, and move your feet. If you’re an RRC staff member, you can register for all the Wellness events here.
Come out for a free Wellness Breakfast
On the morning of May 30th staff are invited for a free Wellness Breakfast at the Roblin Centre and the Notre Dame Campus (Voyageur Cafeteria) beginning at 8:00 am and going till 9:30. The buffet breakfast includes a yogurt parfait bar, oatmeal, turkey bacon, back bacon, eggs, toast and beverages. Wellness Committee members and other helpers will be on hand to take pledges and answer any questions you may have. Please register for the breakfast using the link above.
Help support staff dependents to study at RRC
If you’re participating in the Wellness Walk-a-thon or the Rebel Run, you can drop off your pledge form for the Bursary for Dependents of RRC Employees at the breakfast or the over the lunch hour. If you do not wish to gather pledges we encourage a donation of $10 towards the award. The bursary was started back in 2009 from an endowment fund, which the Walk-a-thon has helped grow to over $20K. For more information about this award and/or to get an application form, head to the RRC website and look under General Awards.
To date, the award has been given to eight recipients including Taylor Schapf (Business Administration, 2012) daughter of instructor Glenn Schapf. Taylor shared these words with us:
It is outstanding how Red River College strives to open doors for their students to guarantee their education is being put to use in the real working world. When deciding where to pursue my post-secondary education, it was evident that Red River College was the perfect match for me. I knew that I wanted to receive practical training within a closely-knit student/instructor environment. I also knew that I wanted to receive my diploma in only two years and immediately start getting on-the-job experience after graduating. I can truly say that Red River College has exceeded my expectations and is preparing me for a successful career in the business industry. In receiving the RRC Dependents’ Award, I feel motivated to continue learning and enhance my skills as a future businesswoman.
Glenn and Taylor Schapf
Wellness Walk-a-thon Continue reading
Voluntary Benefits
Through Red River College’s affiliation with STRATA Benefits Consulting, employees have access to a suite of voluntary products and services offered at discounted or preferred group rates.
Why does Red River College offer a voluntary benefit program?
We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits program and are committed to enhancing and aligning this program to meet the needs of our employees.
What does STRATA Select include?
STRATA Select includes the following voluntary options:
- Pet Health Insurance
- Preferred Vehicle Pricing
- Vehicle Rental
- Security Systems
- Long Distance Calling
- Mortgage Broker Services
- Hotel Discounts
- Medical Alert System
- Group Home Insurance
- Individual Health & Dental (For Retirees)
- Hospital Cash
- MyCare (Medical Access Plan)
- Travel Insurance (includes Health and/or Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage)
RRC Recreation Services Fitness Schedule – 2013
Let us help! Recreation Services offers a number of fitness classes tailored to meet your diverse fitness desires. All fitness classes start the week of January 14th. The deadline to register is January 11th.
Fitness Class Schedule:
- Monday Ki Aikido (12:05-12:50pm)
- Monday Iyvengar Yoga (4:15-5:45pm)
- Monday Cardio Complete (4:15-5:00pm)
- Tuesday Spin (11:05-11:50am)
- Tuesday Dynamic Core (12:05-12:50pm)
- Wednesday Total Body Workout (4:15-5:00pm)
- Thursday Spin (11:05-11:50pm)
- Thursday Dynamic Core (12:05-12:50pm)
- Thursday Iyvengar Yoga (4:15-5:45pm)
- Friday Zumba (12:05-12:50pm)
Fitness Class Costs:
- Iyvengar Yoga is $90 for 10 sessions.
- All other classes are $65 for 10 sessions.
Multiple Class Discount:
- 2 classes receives $20 off!
- 3 classes receives $30 off!
- 4 or more classes receives $40 off!
Click here to visit the Athletics and Recreation website for more detailed information, dates, times and the registration form. Registration forms are also available at the Student Service Centre. All fitness class information and forms can also be found at the North Gym front desk. The deadline to register is January 11th.
Top 10 RRC Wellness Blogs of 2012
Since opening the doors in January 2012 the RRC Wellness blog has amassed just over 2,000 unique visits resulting in over 10,000 page views. Wow!
The blog has been built from the contributions of 20 staff members, 2 students, and of course many readers. We especially appreciate those readers who have taken the time to comment and compliment the authors on their posts, as it helps inspire them to keep sharing their thoughts, words, and pictures with you.
Since it’s the end of the year and the time for lists, here is a countdown of the Top 10 Wellness Blogs of the year (with a few others that didn’t make the Top 10 sprinkled in for good measure).
#10 – My Feet are Killing Me! – Stephanie Ruth Fraser’s post on plantar fasciitis comes in at the number ten spot, detailing signs of this condition and some suggested steps you might take if you are having troubles with your feet. Congratulations to Stephanie for her recent appointment as Assistant to our new VP Academic Stan Chung.
#9 – A French Wellness Lesson – Guy Dugas, the outgoing (not to mention retiring) Chair of Accounting and Computer Education was one of the Wellness blogs most prolific and popular writers. As you’ll see below, Guy appears several times in the top 10. This particular post was an amusing, enlightening, and taste-bud tantalizing account of his vacation in France. Caution – reading this post will make you hungry and thirsty.
#8 – Best Race/Worst Race – the post compiles vintage races from James Slade, Derek Kochenash, Judy McMullen, Mike Krywy, Guy Dugas, and Nancy Ball. The best and worst moments are equally inspiring, touching, painful, and occasionally hilarious (see comment section). This post was used to help promote the Red River Fun Run an event inspired by Colin Fast (College Relations) and organized by the Run Club, the Wellness Committee, and the RRC Students’ Association.
#7 – Appreciating Nature – Mike Krywy comes in at Lucky #7 for his photographic reminiscence of the passage of summer. His similar posts like Summer Ghosts and the Colors that Paint a Butterfly’s Wing failed the crack the top 10, but clearly struck a chord with other nature lovers at RRC. Incidentally, number seven is the first number he ever wore in hockey (another favorite topic of his).
#6 – Q+A with President Stephanie Forsyth – Part 1 and Part 2. Back in the spring RRC’s President Stephanie Forsyth took some time to share her thoughts on what it takes to build a wellness culture on campus, her own strategy for “being well”, and how wellness activities also include working with and within the community. Stephanie is a strong supporter of the College’s Wellness Committee serving as a judge for the third annual Chili Cup – which this year was won by Nursing instructors Tom Harrigan and Jackie Santiago.
New Year’s Resolution? I THINK NOT!
It is that time of year again when many of us start to think about our New Year’s Resolutions and what we can do to improve our relationships and well-being going forward. Some are thinking about nutrition, others weight management, while others may be thinking about exercise, spirit, finances, work, retirement, addictions, and enhancing family relationships. Our list is ever changing! I think by now, those of us “seasoned” New Year Resolutioners have come to realize that relying on an annual New Year’s Resolution is folly and somewhat demoralizing at best.
I know firsthand that when making simple and sustainable reality based life style changes, self-education is the first step to long term changes. Simply attending a workshop on “Emotional Intelligence” and “Personalities” created “life changing” realities for me. The truth is that no one is as responsible for our reality but us and decisions we make; no matter how difficult some of these decisions may be. We also may decide to do nothing, but that is certainly still a decision which may or may not come back to haunt us in the coming months or years.
What is important for me is the awareness and understanding of the potential impacts such decisions have on my well-being going forward. Too often, many decisions are made without enough support, information or education. This is where our RRC Wellness Program supports can provide a light in the tunnel. Your Wellness Committee is actively identifying and promoting wellness related activities, events, education and services, and also planning for many more to come.
The good news is that the decision is ours! Consider checking out what our Wellness Program has to offer:
- read the Wellness Blogs, or better yet, submit your own post
- utilize the Health Services (ie: site info, immunizations etc) and fitness facilities
- check out our Wellness Portal (great links packed with info), RRC Library and guides (e.g. Retirement)
- attend events and Lunch and Learn presentations to keep you on your wellness path!
Remember, baby steps are most often the way to giant leaps. Can’t get any easier than this - check out my previous YouTube video blog on “Better Health in 30 Minutes”.
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” (Maria Robinson)
Winnipeg Leisure Guide – 2013
The City of Winnipeg offers many great programs which it promotes bi-annualy via it’s Leisure Guide. You can check out the city’s site here and find a a pdf version of the 2013 Winter Leisure Guide here.
Here are a few highlights:
- Registration for swimming lessons begins December 11th
- Registration for all other programs begins on December 12th
- There are three ways to register – online, by phone (311), or in-person at select location (see the Guide for details)
The Guide is full of activities for pre-schoolers, children and adults. Recreational activities include gymnastics, swimming, martial arts, dance, badminton, soccer, squash, basketball, skating lessons and hockey. There are also many leisure and creative activites like cooking, pottery, and other artistic activities.
Aside from these programs, the guide has contact information for community centres and features on other regular activities in the city. Too much to summarize in a post – check it out yourself – you’re bound to find something of interest.
Facts about Dementia
One in three Canadians experience dementia. Are you one of them?
Dementia affects people, families, communities and work environments. One in three of us either have dementia, are caring or supporting a person with dementia, or know someone with dementia.
In 2008 there were approximately 19,500 diagnosed cases of dementia in Manitoba. Alarming considering that the average diagnosis takes between four-to-seven years after on-set!
Did you know…
- that the number of diagnosed dementia cases in Manitoba is forecasted to double by 2038 with the advancing ages of baby boomers
- that informal caregivers supplied 9 million dollars in “unpaid” help to people experiencing dementia in 2008 and that this number is expected to reach 22 million by 2038
- that 40 per cent of Canadians aged 55-84 years reported that almost 40 per cent of the “never retired” workers financial plans for retirement were less than adequate (Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
- that almost 20 per cent of “never-retired” or “returned to work” employees report problems with memory/cognition
If you have any questions about dementia, supporting someone with a diagnosis, or seeking support for yourself in your caregiving journey, contact the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. We are here to help!
Submitted by Maria Mathews of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.
* RRC is running a Lunch and Learn series on December 10th on “Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia: The Realities of Rising Tide & Dementia in the Workplace”. Learn more about trends in dementia-care, what it means for you, your family and your workplace. Please Register as seating is limited.
Chili Cup 2012 – the Winners Are….
Nursing Instructors Tom Harrigan and Jackie Santiago being awarded the Chili Cup by RRC President Stephanie Forsyth
This years winners of the Third Annual Chili Cup are Nursing instructors Tom Harrigan and Jackie Santiago (Team Caliente) who wowed the critics with their blend of a “traditional hearty chili with the heat of India and Mexico infused”. Congratulations! If you missed out on their chow, head to the Voyaguer caferia this Wednesday for a Chili Day in November – where their chili (or something close to it) will be served for $3.99 with a bun. A drop off bin for the SA Food Bank will also be there – so bring a tin for the bin
Join RRC in the Commuter Challenge!
(Originally posted on the Red Goes Green blog)
Have you been thinking about leaving your car at home? Not sure what to do without it? Let the 2012 Commuter Challenge be the time to give it a try!
RRC is taking the Challenge and we encourage you to join in! During Environment Week, June 3rd to 9th, join the more than 7,000 Manitobans who will cycle, walk, run, skate, bus, carpool or telecommute their way to work!
The Commuter Challenge is a friendly, national competition that encourages daily commuters to choose greener modes of transportation. Whether you ride Transit on a regular basis, or cycle to work for the first time ever, you qualify as a Commuter Challenge participant. So register for the Challenge and be counted – the more of us that participate, the better our chances of winning!
By registering on the website you will have a chance to win some exciting prizes, two of the largest being a $500 travel voucher from VIA Rail and a night at the Fairmont Winnipeg. You will also be eligible for the the RRC employee prizes which include a $700 gift certificate for either a new bike or an Extreme Bike Makeover at Natural Cycle. You will also help our workplace win as we strive for the highest participation rates in our population category!
On Tuesday June 5th President Stephanie Forsyth will participate in the Commute Challenge by cycling in to the NDC with Sustainability Manager Sara MacArthur. RRC has a history of high participation rates in the Commuter Challenge. In 2010 College participation won a silver placement for our staff population category. In 2009 College participation won a gold placement. Let’s bring our participation back up to gold in 2012!
Here are a few resources to help you get started…
Cycling – Manitoba Cycling Association; Bike to the Future; “The Commuter Cyclist: Tips and resources to make cycling to work as easy as riding a bike”; Winnipeg Cycling Maps are available from a number of locations, including in C409, and in the Environmental Issues display across from the bookstore at the NDC; City of Winnipeg Active Transportation; City Cycling courses being offered, see p. 82 of the Leisure Guide for details.
Walking – Prairie Pathfinders’, Winnipeg Trails Association
Carpool – www.carpool.ca