AAACE Accepting Nominations for Board Positions

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The African American Association of County Employees (AAACE) is accepting nominations for the following Board Positions: President, Vice President, Technology Officer, Vice Chair of Fundraising, Vice Chair of Membership Outreach and  Board Aide.

The mission of AAACE is to recruit, promote and inspire County employees to connect and succeed through education and charitable causes and to accomplish County initiatives and unifying goals that result in improved career opportunities.

Perhaps you can embrace this exciting opportunity, or you know someone who may want to self-nominate. Joining a County Employee Resource Group as a board member is a great way to showcase your skills, develop your passions, expand your County professional network and serve you fellow County employees.

Please note that you need to hold an active membership to be considered. Memberships can be activated or renewed via the AAACE website.

Interested? See the position descriptions and fill out the nomination form by close of business Nov. 30.

Qualifications to serve as a Board of Director or Officer member:

  • You must be a County of San Diego employee

  • You must be a member of the African American Association of County Employees (AAACE)

Time Commitment/Requirements:

  • Attend bi-monthly meetings (typically after work for 1 hour, teleconference available)

  • Term will begin January 2022 and last two calendar years

Questions: Email AAACE at aaace@sdcounty.ca.gov

Know the Code: Fraud, Waste and Abuse

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By the Office of Ethics and Compliance 

This month, in recognition of International Fraud Awareness Week (Nov. 14-20), we are highlighting the Code of Ethics requirements regarding fraud, waste and abuse, and how to prevent and report fraudulent activity.  

Organizations worldwide lose an estimated 5% of their annual revenues to fraud, according to the 2020 ACFE Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse. Fraud takes many shapes and forms, among them corporate fraud, consumer fraud, tax fraud, identity theft and many others. 

What is fraud? 

In the broadest sense, the term fraud encompasses actions that are meant to deceive for financial or personal gain. It’s any intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or money by guile, deception, or other unfair means. Fraud, such as improper cost reports, double or phantom billing, committed by employees or vendors represents a real risk to the County. 

Why should we care about fraud? 

Fraud costs billions of dollars in damage to companies, governments and individuals each year. Additionally, fraud can dramatically affect the quality of life of its victims—and the employees of its victims—resulting in job losses, the loss of savings and investments, weakened trust in public institutions and a significant strain on resources. 

Would you trust a bank with a reputation of defrauding its account holders? Do you think customers, clients or the public will trust an organization that cannot properly protect their assets? As a County, we have “zero tolerance” for fraud, we investigate all fraud complaints and we train to raise awareness of potential fraud. 

What can be done to prevent fraud? 

Every employee, regardless of position, can help prevent and detect fraud. Trust your instincts–if you observe something that does not seem right, you should evaluate the situation. Then, if you still have doubts or suspicions, speak up, report irregularities to managers, OEC or the Ethics Hotline at 866-549-0004. 

Preventing fraud is not just the responsibility of management, supervisors or the audit team. Everyone has a role to play in the prevention of fraud. Help the County protect its finances—and the public—from harm. 

Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics & Compliance Program events, training, and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos. 

If you have questions about ethics and compliance training or how to access the training and other ethics and compliance resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or (619) 531-5174. HHSA staff may also contact the dedicated HHSA Compliance and Privacy team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov or (619) 338-2807. 

Know the Code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics. The mission of the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) is to assist in fulfilling the County’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics and compliance.  

There Is No Place for Hate Here

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The D&I Executive Council stands up to hate and invites all employees to a town hall where we can share our collective support for creating spaces of belonging. The event will take place Monday, Nov. 15 at noon.

Join the event via Zoom:

https://zoom.us/j/97021200355

Meeting ID: 970 2120 0355

One tap mobile: +16699006833,,97021200355#

Dial by your location: +1 669 900 6833

Meeting ID: 970 2120 0355

This session will be recorded and available on InSite after the event.

Join VALOR for Wreaths Across America

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On Saturday, Dec. 18, VALOR Employee Resource Group will participate in the placement of more than 10,000 wreaths at Miramar National Cemetery as part of Wreaths Across America. This event was born in 1992 out of a desire to remember and honor American service members for their contributions in preserving our freedom.

Every December, the San Diego community comes together for Wreaths Across America to honor our veterans, remember our fallen heroes and teach children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.

To join VALOR at the Miramar Cemetery, register at the following Eventbrite link: MIRAMAR CEMETERY-VALOR.

Note: The National Cemetery Administration has COVID guidelines in place including staggering volunteers by time slots. Face masks are required.

If you want to sponsor a wreath, visit Wreaths Across American online and click “Sponsor Wreaths.”

CAO Message: Incivility at Our Board Meetings

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Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

You may have witnessed yourself or heard about some of the public comment at yesterday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. The remarks included racist and violent language, directed at individual members of County leadership. I’ve never been as disgusted or angry in my years spent in the chambers. As the chief administrator for the County, I condemn the language and behavior in the strongest possible terms.

People can have reasonable disagreements about the tactics used to protect the public’s health during a pandemic. Actions that affect people’s livelihoods and health understandably prompt an emotional response. We have a forum for airing those disagreements, a cherished feature of our democracy.

But increasingly in recent months, that right to be heard has been turned into an opportunity to make personal attacks, to level unfounded accusations, to spread misinformation. The escalating rhetoric may fall within the bounds of free speech, but yesterday it crossed all lines of decency. Our County leadership is reviewing meeting protocols for ways we can maintain First Amendment rights while keeping threatening hate speech out of our proceedings.   

I’m sorry for the people in the room that were the targets of those remarks. People who have tried mightily to fulfill their duty to guard our residents’ health. If you were listening, I’m sorry you had to hear the kind of abuse no one should be subjected to. It was revolting and distressing. I’ll offer a reminder that our Employee Assistance Program offers free, confidential counseling for anyone who would find it helpful.

We denounce the vile racism and cruelty that made their way into our efforts to conduct the people’s business. We are committed to working with our residents in shaping their community. But we all share a responsibility to come together with civility and respect toward one another.

The Tradition of Día de los Muertos

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By the San Diego County Latino Association Employee Resource Group

Through art, music and ritual, Día de los Muertos honors our ancestors and celebrates today's community. We mourn our loved ones when they pass with funeral services and wearing dark solemn clothing. It’s usually a sad time in our families when we have to say goodbye to a loved one forever. Different cultures grieve and treat death differently with traditions that have been around for centuries. Mexican culture has created a unique and interesting way to face death and the deceased. Mexico is known to be colorful, joyful in spirit and lots of fun. The people, the food and the celebrations are bright, loud and unique. So when it comes to death, in true Mexican style, Mexicans celebrate with color, food and music.

Traditionally, Día de los Muertos is a two-day celebration when it is believed that the passageway between the real world and the spirit world is open so our deceased loved ones can come back to visit us. What do we do when our loved one comes back from the land of the dead? We make their favorite meal and we offer them their favorite drink! We sing, dance and rejoice before they head back to the underworld for another year.

The custom of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, may be confused with the custom of Halloween. They are not connected, however, the customs of each have very different origins, and the symbols and ideas of death are opposite. In the typical Halloween festivities, death is something to be feared. During Día de los Muertos, the memories and lives of those who have died are something to be celebrated. The customs and culture are completely enveloped in the making of the altars, the food, music, decorations and crafts of the holiday. During Día de los Muertos events, there is music, dancing and happiness all around and definitely no crying or grieving. This is a reflective and lively get-together honoring the deceased back to celebrate life and enjoy all the human things again.

Below is more information regarding traditions for Día de los Muertos:

Altars (Ofrendas)

The Aztecs used to offer water and food to the deceased to help them on their journey to the land of the dead. Now, Mexican families set up beautifully decorated altars in their homes and place photos of the loved ones they have lost along with other items. The ofrendas usually consist of water, the loved one’s favorite food and drink items, flowers, bread and other things that celebrate the dead person’s life.

Marigolds (cempasuchil)

Marigolds are used during Día de Muertos celebrations by being placed on the altars and on the burial sites. The marigold flower is thought to guide the spirits back with their intense color and pungent smell.

Skulls (calaveras)

Skulls are a huge part of the holiday. Skulls were used during rituals in the Aztec era and passed on as trophies during battles. Today, during Día de Los Muertos, small decorated sugar skulls are placed on the altars. There is nothing grim about these skulls. They are decorated with colorful edible paint, glitter and beads, and they sport huge smiles.

La Catrina

The skulls (calaveras) and skeletons (calacas) that are so prominent in today’s festivities came about at the beginning of the 19th century when cartoonist and social activist José Guadalupe Posada drew La Catrina to protest the Mexican people’s desire to look more European. La Catrina has become one of the biggest symbols of Day of the Dead with people painting their faces with skulls and flowers.

Papel Picado

Papel picado means perforated paper and is an integral part of Mexican culture. The art comes from the Aztec tradition of chiseling spirit figures on wood. It is used during Day of the Dead celebrations by stringing them on the altars and in the streets. Ofrendas showcase fire, water, earth and air. Papel picados represent air on the altar.


Though Día de los Muertos originally started in Mexico, it is widely celebrated in various part of the world and by individuals of all cultures. This is a day to come together in celebration honoring loved ones from the past.

Source documentation for the write up is based on the information from the following website.

Join Thriving Through the Holidays

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Join the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group and a SDCCU representative for an informative online session on how to responsibly handle the spending pressures and choices of the holiday season, so you can spend more time enjoying it. Planning, creating a budget, trimming costs, creative gift ideas and more are just some of the tips that will be shared.

Webinar Information:

For more information, contact Vincent Delgado at vdelgado@sdccu.com or (858) 220-5430.

‘Tech Bar’ Offers In-person Help with IT Issues

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Employees can get in-person help from an IT professional during a pilot at the County Operations Center.

“Tech Bar” is a service offered with County IT outsource partner Peraton. What can you do at the Tech Bar? 

  • Get computer accessories (e.g. mouse and keyboard) and spare parts for a quick fix. 

  • Ask general questions about how do something on Outlook or VPN.

  • Have issues addressed related to software installs, WiFi connections, drive mappings, VPN, or Kronos. 

  • Get a loaner laptop for an on-the-spot swap if your device needs more extensive service.

  • Pick up an item ordered through the catalog.

The pilot will run at the COC three days a week from Nov. 2 through Dec. 2.

The Tech Bar is based on feedback received in the County’s IT Customer Satisfaction Survey. It’s open to all County employees who prefer to meet with an experienced IT technician in a welcoming environment for fast in-person service. 

This service will not replace the regular Service Desk but adds another option for routine technology issues. If it looks like your matter will take more than 30 minutes, they’ll open a ticket for you and direct it to the appropriate Peraton staff. Please do not contact the Service Desk for Tech Bar support.

You can drop in or make an appointment. Those with appointments will be served first.  Check in or make appointment online (available starting Nov. 2) or at kiosk at the Tech Bar. Appointments are 30 minutes, one session per person a day.

If the pilot is successful, the County hopes to expand the service in the coming year. We are hopeful this new support model will improve your satisfaction with IT and increase your productivity

Tech Bar Location and Hours

San Diego County Operations Center (COC)

5560 Overland Avenue, Room 172*

Nov. 2 – Dec. 2, 2021

Tuesdays – Wednesdays – Thursdays

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

*On Nov. 17 and 18, the Tech Bar will operate from 5500 Overland Avenue, Room 120.

If you have any questions, please contact David Lindsay at the Technology Office at David.lindsay@sdcounty.ca.gov or find him on Teams.