An Employee of the Marrying Kind

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A County employee gave up her regular day job for just a morning and spent part of Valentine’s Day conducting marriage ceremonies for couples who said “I do” at the County Administration Center.

Valentine’s Day is a big day for weddings at the County and Tuesday was no exception. Dozens of couples tied the knot at one of the four offices belonging to the County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk. 

Raquel Mendoza is a multi-media designer for the County Communications Office, but she wanted to experience what it was like to conduct a wedding.  

“I took some time off and signed up to become a deputy marriage commissioner for a day,” said Mendoza. “The process is easy, and you get sample vows, instructions on how to fill out the marriage license and a commission certificate.”

ARCC employees regularly conduct marriage ceremonies, but they can always use an extra hand on one of their busiest days of the year, Valentine’s Day.  

“It was a little nerve-wracking. I didn’t want to mess up vows or names on a couple’s wedding day,” said Mendoza. “But after I did one, it was a lot of fun. Everyone is so happy.”

Mendoza said she even got a little teary-eyed during the ceremonies.

The office conducted at least 82 ceremonies and issued 119 marriage licenses.

If you’re interested in becoming a deputy marriage commissioner for a day, either for the County, a relative or other loved one, visit the ARCC website.

 

Join African American Heritage Celebration

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Mark your calendars for the first African American Heritage Celebration at Balboa Park from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Feb. 19. The celebration will acknowledge our past, honor our present and build a brighter future. Event partners are the African American Association of County Employees, Office of Equity and Racial Justice, Sheriff’s Department and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

There will be food, entertainment and more.

The event will take place at the House of Pacific Relations International Lawn Stage near the international cottages. The closest address is 2294 Pan American Plaza, San Diego. Here’s a map.

See the flyer below.

event flyer

Picnic in the Park with LGBTQ&A ERG

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Please join the LGBTQ&A ERG for a Spring Picnic at Heritage County Park on Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Enjoy sandwiches, snacks, drinks, lawn games and great company. Stay for a historical tour of Victorian Village from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Heritage County Park is located at 2454 Heritage Park Row in Old Town San Diego.

RSVP by March 4.

The picnic and tour are free for members and a $5 donation for guests. Guests can pay cash or Venmo at the picnic.

Renew your membership or join LGBTQ&A ERG today!

See the flyer below.

Event flyer

To view the park brochure full size, click the link.

Help Expand Inclusion in the County

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person fills out survey on laptop with notebook on table

The County is excited to announce our partnership for neurodiversity excellence with Rangam Consultants Inc., a global workforce solutions company with a focus on neurodiverse and inclusive employment.

The first step in this effort requires your voice. Rangam will roll out a survey to County employees to measure the accessibility and workplace culture for neurodivergent individuals. You’ll get an email from Survey Monkey via Rangam and your responses will be completely confidential. Rangam really wants your frank opinions so they can help to assess strengths, identify gaps, and formulate strategies to move forward.

For more information on what to expect, please see Rangam’s Inclusive Employment Survey FAQ and Key Terminology to know.

The survey will run from Monday, Feb. 13 through Friday, Feb. 24.

Food Drive Hops Over Lofty Goal

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CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer and other County leaders fulfilled a dare and kissed a hare as part of a challenge to collect food for the San Diego Food Bank.

Assistant CAO Michael Vu vowed to kiss a farm animal provided by Animal Services if County groups collected 4,000 pounds of food during the Chief Administrative Office Holiday Project. Groups answered the call, collecting more than double the amount, and inspiring Helen Robbins-Meyer and Deputy Chief Administrative Officers Sarah Aghassi, Nick Macchione, Holly Porter and Ebony Shelton to join the fun. 

If you would like to kiss a rabbit every day, consider adopting one from Animal Services.

Chairwoman Vargas Message: It's Time to Love Your Heart

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A message from Chairwoman Nora Vargas:

Good afternoon! ¡Buenas tardes!

As a long-time healthcare advocate, I am proud to champion once again the Love Your Heart (Ama Tú Corazón) initiative. Your health is important, not just for yourself but for your loved ones as well.

The Love Your Heart “week of action” starts tomorrow, and it’s a great reminder to get your blood pressure checked. Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, and many don’t even know it because it’s rare to notice any symptoms.

For black and Latino community members, it is particularly important to get checked. Due to long-time health disparities, they are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure and other complications. High blood pressure is one of the only leading indicators of heart disease, which remains the second leading cause of death in San Diego County.

Take charge and keep your heart healthy by taking a 5-minute check that can save your life. We have dozens of sites county-wide and many of these are at county buildings near where you work.

¡Toma acción y protege tu salud haciéndote una prueba de la presión arterial! Cinco minutos pueden salvar tu vida.

Please join me in taking a step toward heart health. TOGETHER WE GOT THIS!

Here are ways you can participate:

Check Your Blood Pressure

County staff are encouraged to get their blood pressure checked during Love Your Heart Week of Action February 11-19 at a site near their home or at one of the County provided sites.

Know Your Numbers

Learn more about what your numbers mean, what is healthy and how you can make small changes to create a healthier lifestyle.

Participate at an event

Come out to one of our community Love Your Heart fairs:

Saturday, February 11, 2023
Noon – 3 p.m.
San Ysidro Health Chula Vista
678 Third Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910

Saturday, February 25, 2023
Noon – 3 p.m.
Ramona Library
1275 Main St. Ramona, CA, 92065

Follow-up with your doctor

Remember to follow-up with your doctor to get your blood pressure re-checked if your numbers are out of normal range. 

For more information about Love Your Heart, visit: loveyourheartsd.org.

Thank you and Happy Love Your Heart Week!

Your View: Rainbow Connection

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rainbow in the distance over a driveay and building

📷: Abby Sterk, legal Support Assistant II with Aging and Independence Services

Several County employees recently captured photos of rainbows over the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa. Check out the spectrum of views!

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.

📷: Krista Ellis, Chief, Real Estate Services, Department of General Services

📷: Jeffrey Boco, HR Analyst with Human Resources

rainbow over an office building+

📷: Jill Moog, administrative Assistant III with County Fire

Know the Code: Camp Ethics

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Know the Code logo

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.

By the Office of Ethics and Compliance

Mark your calendar for upcoming Ethics Awareness Month activities! OEC has an exciting month of activities planned in March to celebrate and strengthen our culture of ethics and integrity.

March 2: Meet the Office of Ethics and Compliance team at an Ethics Awareness Month kickoff 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the lobby of the County Administration Center and again from 11:30 to 1 p.m. in Community 1600, the community space on the southside of the fourth floor.

March 7: Hear Human Resources Director Susan Brazeau discuss ethics from noon to 12:30 p.m. This virtual event will be held on Zoom. It is the first event in the Speaker Series.

March 16: Don’t miss the Ethics Fair at the County Operations Center plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The theme this year is “Camp Ethics.” There will be activities, giveaways, information about County departments and other resources. Participating departments include General Services, HHSA Compliance Office, Probation, SDCERA and Sheriff.

March 21: Health and Human Services Agency Compliance Officer Christy Carlson will talk ethics from noon to 12:30 p.m. This virtual event will be held on Zoom. It is the second event in the Speakers Series.

March 28: County Counsel Claudia Silva will share her thoughts on ethics from noon to 12:30 p.m. This virtual event will be held on Zoom. It is the third and final event in the Speaker Series.

Other ways to champion ethics in the workplace include:

  • Recommit to the Code of Ethics. Our code of ethics is the foundation of our County culture.

  • Share your favorite Know the Code micro-learning (posted on InSite and LMS).

  • Request that OEC conduct an on-site ethics training or speak at an upcoming department meeting.

  • Check out the "Ethics In-a-Box” training resources for managers/supervisors.

If you ever have a question about what is ethical, don’t wait to get answers. Employees can always turn to their supervisor or manager first if they have a concern.

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