Volunteer To Be a Book in BIPOC Human Library

The African American Association of County Employees is seeking living “books” for a human library. The employee resource group will present “You Can Read Me Like a Book! Exploring a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Human Library” at the Live Well Advance next month and is looking for volunteers.

Here’s how it works. BIPOC individuals represent books in a library that session participants can “check out.” Participants choose which “book” they would like to “read” and then listen to their unique stories.

AAACE President Dr. Keisha Clark, the session moderator, said the BIPOC Human Library helps to address unconscious bias and creates a brave space for dialogue between non-BIPOC individuals and BIPOC individuals.

If you are interested and available to tell your story, please volunteer to be a book. Email interest to aaace@sdcounty.ca.gov by Nov. 29. The Live Well Advance session will take place from 3 to 4 p.m., Dec. 7 at the San Diego Convention Center.

Support Wreaths Across America

Show your support for the fallen and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and way of life. VALOR employee resource group invites you to sponsor a wreath for this year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony at Miramar National Cemetery. The annual wreath-laying event takes place at hundreds of locations across the U.S., at sea and abroad on Dec. 17.

The event is an opportunity to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and to teach future generations about the value of freedom, said VALOR President Rea Alvarez.

VALOR has helped lay thousands of wreaths in the past few years. This year, with all the volunteer slots filled, they will be joining virtually. When sponsoring a wreath, disregard the VALOR participation notice and click on the link to sponsor wreaths. Sponsor a wreath now.

Stream the ceremony. Get details on Facebook.

CAO Message: Counting Our Blessings

Message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer:

If someone asked me to count my blessings this Thanksgiving, I’d quickly get to about 19,000 – roughly our number of employees these days.

I’m so thankful for each one of you. The scope of County services is immense. It takes everyone giving their all, in their part, to make it all happen.  

The public’s expectations of what we need to do only rise. Our Board has set new visions for us to realize. I never stop talking about raising the bar.

It’s a lot. And you keep doing it. Again and again and again.

And I understand in many areas of the County, you’re managing it shorthanded. We are trying to expand our workforce to take on new challenges, right in the middle of an extremely competitive labor market. Bringing on help is a huge priority for the organization, and as we work at it, I want everyone stretching to get us through to know how much I appreciate it.  

Each year, I see new things the County accomplishes through your work. As the years stack up, my gratitude keeps growing – especially when I think about the positive impact you are making as you touch individual lives. What you do matters. And Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings your work brings to our residents. THANK YOU!

I hope you all have a restful Thanksgiving, filled with good food and good company. And thank you so much to staff working over the holiday! Your special sacrifices do not go unnoticed.

Honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance

The County Administration Center was lit Sunday night to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Recognizing National Injury Prevention Day

The County Administration Centerwas lit Friday night for National Injury Prevention Day.

Your View: Sunshine and Roses at Gillespie

Gillespie Field Assistant Airport Manager Louise Dragman-Renz said the airport operations team often sees the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets while keeping the airport safe for everyone.

Dragman-Renz recently snapped this picture that shows a sunrise over the compass rose painted near the runway by the Ninety-Nines—a women’s pilot group. Founded by Amelia Earhart and 98 other female aviators, the Ninety-Nines would paint these compass roses to help pilots navigate in the 1930s and 1940s.

Share your fabulous photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov. Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. One image will be posted to InSite every week and may be shared on social media.

See more of Your View photos.

Recognizing World Pancreatic Cancer Day

The County Administration Center was lit Thursday night for World Pancreatic Cancer Day.

Recognizing World Prematurity Day

The County Administration Center is lit Wednesday night for World Prematurity Day.

Don’t Miss Spirited ERG Council Holiday Mixer

Celebrate this special time of year, attend the Employee Resource Group Council’s Holiday Mixer. The festive event will be held at AleSmith Brewing Company from 5 to 7 p.m., Dec. 8.

Learn more about our ERGs while networking and spreading holiday cheer.

The event is open to both members and all employees, family and friends.

While the event is free to attend, guests are responsible for their food and drink.

RSVP now.

See the flyer below.

Connecting the Dots: Inclusive Conversations Toolkit

As we seek to show gratitude for one another, let us reflect on the words of Chief of Staff Natalia Bravo. In the latest “D&I Digest,” Bravo shared ways to show appreciation for the diversity of thought that can nurture our vision for a just, sustainable and resilient future for all. Read the article.