Enter the Pumpkin Carving Contest

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Update: The deadline to enter has passed, but we’re still adding photos to the gallery below. Email your photo to be added!

Carve some time out to enter this awesome autumn contest. The County will host a Pumpkin Carving Contest for employees. To enter, email one photo of your carved pumpkin by noon on Oct. 27. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are welcome, as long as they are real pumpkins.

The top five finalists will be named on Oct. 30 and employees will be able to select the winner via an InSite poll through 5 p.m. on Oct. 31.

Learn more about all the Halloween Happenings in San Diego County.

Ruth E. Reynolds, Facilities Analyst, Financial & Support Services Division, HHSA

Cassie (Klapp) Saunders, Group Communications Officer, HHSA

Taylor Walsh, Child Support Program Attorney I, Department of Child Support Services

Erin Nafarrete, Human Resources Assistant, Auditor & Controller / Central Payroll Administration

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Claire Riley, Behavioral Health Program Coordinator, HHSA

Graysen DeVito, DSW, Protective Services Worker

Sherrie Pilkington, Appraiser II, Assessor’s Office

Kimberly Painter, Administrative Analyst III, IT Unit

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Mia Watson-Good, Chief Compliance Officer, OEC

Sherry Brideau, Administrative Analyst II, Probation

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Anna Washington, Administrative Analyst III, BHS

Moises Aranda, Administrative Analyst, Office of Emergency Services | County Fire

Rosa Lemus, Probation Department

RAchel Kinney, Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources Department

Alma Sandoval, Account Clerk Specialist, Public Works

Jessica Sanchez, Sr GIS Analyst

Cassie Case, Administrative Secretary II, HHSA

pumpkin carving contest

Nathan Contreras, Social Worker III, AIS

Ariella Zdru, Administrative Analyst, Dept. of Child Support Services

Josh Smith, Senior Epidemiologist, EMS

Lauren B Jeter, Public Health Nurse, HHSA

Audra Brown, Toxicologist III

Danielle Eguiza, Administrative Analyst III, HHSA

Stephanie Mondragon, Human Services Specialist, HHSA

Travis Payne, Park Ranger, Parks & Recreation

Tyler Eickholt, Public Health Nurse, HHSA

pumpkin carving contest

Marget Vonner-Smith, Senior Office Assistant, HHSA

Annette Bettencourt-Ouellette, Park Ranger

Laura Monroy, Office Support Specialist, HHSA

Melissa Purcell-Le, Sheriff's Fingerprint Examiner

Erik Aguilar, Office Support Specialist, Office of Equitable Communities

Child and Family Well-Being- North Central Region Clerical Team

Nancy Martinez, Office Assistant, HHSA

Stefanie Rodriguez, Protective Services Supervisor, Child and Family Well-Being

Join SDCLA Leadership Conversation Lunch and Learn

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The San Diego County Latino Association is hosting a conversation with their employee resource group leadership on the topic of “building resiliency to advance your County/public service career.”

Panel members will share their professional and career experience related to the context, strategy and considerations when building and maintaining resiliency in leadership roles. Panel members will also be asked to share examples of cultural or heritage factors related to building resiliency they have experienced in their life and career.

Facilitators
David Estrella - Director, Housing & Community Development
Oscar Talaro - Board of Director, SDCLA

Time and Date
Wed, Oct 18, noon to 1 p.m.

Register now.

Celebrate National Coming Out Day

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By the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group

Please join the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group in celebrating National Coming Out Day!

National Coming Out Day is observed every year on Oct. 11 in commemoration of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This observance began at the height of the AIDS epidemic in the late 1980s, when stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS manifested in harmful stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community. As a result, members of the LGBTQ+ community lived in fear of embracing their identities, preventing them from presenting their genuine selves to family, friends, and colleagues.

Coming Out is therefore an important symbolic act for members of the LGBTQ+ community, one that casts aside the social forces that seek to keep us silent. Coming out empowers us to live our truth and encourages others to do the same without fear of being alone.

Although we have made significant strides in advancing the cause of equal rights and preventing legal discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, fear and stigma continue to play a pernicious role in our society. Sharing our authentic selves with others, particularly in the workplace, is not always safe or easy, and we continue to see senseless acts of violence, hatred, and discrimination targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

In the spirit of National Coming Out Day, we affirm that the County is a safe and welcoming place for everyone. We encourage anyone who is navigating the experience of coming out to avail themselves of these national and local resources to learn more and find a supportive community. For those who are looking for ways to be a better ally to their LGBTQ+ colleagues, this article offers a great overview of how to create a welcoming workplace.

We also encourage anyone—those who are curious or are at any stage of coming out, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and allies—to connect with the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group at any of our meetings or events.

Homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia thrive in an atmosphere of silence, and our history has shown that embracing pride has empowered countless individuals to “come out” and live their truth, whether they be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, or any of the other countless identities that make up our vibrant community.

The Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council shared a message of support for the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group.

“The County is committed to diversity and inclusion, and the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group fosters that culture by inviting employees to learn about and participate in National Coming Out Day. Their efforts reinforce the importance of belonging, one of the County’s values, allowing employees to be comfortable as their authentic selves.”

To showcase our pride on this National Coming Out Day, the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group is providing Pride pins for staff to wear and show their support to friends, family, and colleagues. Pins will be made available on Oct. 9 at the east entrance of CAC and at COC Commons.

The LGBTQ&A ERG encourages County staff to wear pride apparel on Oct. 11, in an effort to remind each other that the County is a safe space for everyone.

Compete in Lip Sync Battle

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Update: The deadline to enter has been extended to noon, Friday, Oct. 27.

Back from the dead is the County’s Lip Sync Battle competition. A live showdown will take place during the Halloween Festival at the County Operations Center on Oct. 31.

Individuals or groups interested in competing should email communications@sdcounty.ca.gov or text 619-481-4309 by 2 p.m., Oct. 17. The entry should include the following:

  • Name and department of all participants

  • Song you plan to perform, if selected as finalist. Remember that costumes, song choices and choreography must be appropriate for work.

  • A 30-second audition video. CAO Project Manager Royce Abalos shared an example for inspiration. (See below.)

From the submissions, five finalists will be selected to impress the audience with their lip sync skills, style and performance.

The competition will start at noon. Come out to cheer on your favorite contender or watch live on InSite. Winners will be selected by the COC audience.

Learn more about all the Halloween Happenings in San Diego County.

High Five for CECO Making Giving Easy

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UPDATE: People can still buy tickets for the Mini Photo Session raffle. It was extended to noon Oct. 31, with a drawing at 4 p.m. that day.

Would you believe me if I said that if you donate $3 a paycheck, you can support youth mentor programs with the purchase of two laptops; and help unsheltered individuals with access to products and clothing; and buy books for students who live in a low-income community; and help fund a community garden that distributes food into the community; and support 60 other community programs!

The San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) makes giving easy by stretching your charitable donations across the region and in support of your fellow County colleagues who may be going through a crisis. To take part of the County's giving legacy, CECO is offering up five charitable and fun options for how you can give during its fall campaign fundraiser. Your contributions will be pooled together with other employee donations to be part of a big, positive outcome.

This fall, "High Five for CECO" by supporting the organization, and, in turn, your community with five main ways:

1.       Help spread the word about CECO – follow on social media Facebook and Instagram

2.       Participate in raffles and See’s Candies fundraiser

3.       Help raise $5k

4.       Each department brings in 5 new CECO members/contributors

5.       Donate

“The money raised goes back out to support our community grants program and help employees with a financial crisis,” said Nadia Moshirian Binderup, CECO president.

Please see flyers below and scan the QR code for more details on the raffle and the See’s Candies fundraiser. Please note the mini photo session raffle entry deadline is Friday the Thirteenth of October at noon with winners drawn at 4 p.m.

Also, the See’s Candies fundraiser closes on Nov. 30. The candy will start shipping on Nov. 10 for those orders that are in.

You can make a one-time donation, or you can set your payroll to make regular monthly or quarterly contributions.

Over the past 60 years CECO has distributed more than $7 million to local nonprofit organizations and employees in crisis. The fund depends on the generosity of County employee and retiree donations to give back to the community.

CECO stands apart from other charitable organizations because it is run by County employees and 100% of money donated benefits the people and organizations in our area.

To learn more about CECO, visit sdceco.org.    

Treat Yourself to an Afternoon with the ERGs

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UPDATE: This event has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon. The County’s Employee Resource Council has brewed up a Halloween mixer at Stone Brewery in Liberty Station. Join fellow employees for a frighteningly fun mixer on Sunday, Oct. 29 from noon to 2:30 p.m.

This is going to be fang-tastic family-friendly gathering! Get into the spirit by wearing a costume.

To attend, complete the Mixer Form AND send payment to @COSDEWA via Venmo. (See the QR code below.) Tickets, which include a fixed menu and beverage, are $20. Children tickets are $15.

A percent of event proceeds will support the County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO).

Stone Brewing Liberty Station is located at 2816 Historic Decatur Road, Unit 116, San Diego, CA 92106.

The ERG Council consists of the 11 County employee resource groups. To learn more about our ERG, visit their sites on InSite. If you have any questions, please email ewa@sdcounty.ca.gov.

See the flyer below.

Paint With The SDCLA ERG This Friday!

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The San Diego County Latino Association Employee Resource Group is hosting a paint night fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 6 in support of their scholarship program.

The event will start at 5:30 p.m. at Mujeres Brew House located at 1983 Julian Avenue in San Diego.

Admission for the paint night is $35 per person and payments can be made via PayPal to @SDCLA or via Venmo to @SDCLA-County.

For questions, please reach out to sdcla@sdcounty.ca.gov.

See the flyer below.