- A Message from Jeffrey -

Fall is in the air and that means lots of activity both at the Lab and in our personal lives. Children are back in school and everyone is preparing for the holiday season. Here at the Lab, ARRA funding is keeping everyone hopping! We are very lucky, in these uncertain economic times, to be the recipient of such an incredible largesse. As other private companies and public institutions have had to scale back and tighten their belts, we are experiencing unprecedented growth.

ARRA funding has opened up many opportunities and challenges as the OCFO community is involved in every aspect of managing and reporting the funding responsible for this burst of activity.  There are a variety of new positions open in the OCFO to help us keep up with the added responsibilities, and we are filling them as fast as we can. Some of these positions are posted now or will be posted in the near future. If you know of any qualified candidates, please urge them to apply. We all know that the Lab is a great place to work!

I’m sure by now everyone has noticed that beautiful new building across the street from the cafeteria. It’s the new Guest House for Lab and UC visitors. This facility was financed by UC and is staffed by UCB employees. Visitors to the Lab now have a convenient, safe, state-of-the-art place to stay that features “green” technology and amenities. Stop by, if you haven’t already. The friendly staff are always ready to give a quick tour.

In March of 2010, the Chief Operating Officer will be sponsoring a peer review of the OCFO. Reviewers from UCOP, other national labs, and industry will be listening to presentations from our senior staff, as well as interviewing customers and staff. The purpose of the review, similar to a scientific division’s review, is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Division's programs; the quality of the staff; the effectiveness of divisional management; the Division's responsiveness to Department of Energy needs; and the Division's overall ability to assess and take advantage of new opportunities. This is a great opportunity for us to take a critical look at ourselves with an eye to improving our processes. I look forward to the committee’s observations and recommendations, and will share all of them with you.

Remember…with Fall in the air…flu is in the air as well. So take extra precautions to stay healthy by washing your hands frequently, coughing into your sleeve and not your hands, and most importantly, STAYING HOME IF YOU ARE SICK. These precautions will help you get well sooner, and protect your fellow employees. 

As I said at the beginning of these comments, it’s a very busy time, but it’s also a very exciting time. So even though we are all working very hard, remember to have some fun too and be kind to yourself in whatever way makes you happy.

-Jeffrey

- SAFETY CORNER -

REMINDER TO SUPERVISORS:

Supervisors are reminded to regularly discuss ergonomics and evaluate their direct reports for any changes or discomfort. After an evaluation, remember to close-out the evaluation in the ERGO Database. For help, call Betsy Reyes X5071. You can find out more about ergo evaluations HERE.

H1N1 INFLUENZA

H1N1 (2009) influenza virus [also referred to as "Pandemic Influenza," "Novel Influenza A (H1N1) virus," or "swine flu"] is a type of influenza (flu) virus that causes respiratory disease that can spread between people. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred. The spread of H1N1 (2009) flu occurs in the same way that seasonal flu spreads; mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing or by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it, and then touching their mouth or nose.

Questions about H1N1 (2009) Influenza? Call the CDPH H1N1 Flu Hotline at 1-888-865-0564, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, or refer to LBNL's Pandemic FAQ web page.

Symptoms: The symptoms of H1N1 (2009) flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 (2009) flu. If you are sick or think you have H1N1 (2009) flu infection, please contact your healthcare provider.
Prevention: In addition to getting vaccinated for the seasonal flu and the H1N1 (2009) flu virus when vaccine is available, all Californians should practice the following preventative steps: 
Wash your hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Cover your cough: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue in the trash after use. Or cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
Stay home when you're sick: Stay home when you are sick and remain at home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever.

- ANNOUNCEMENTS -

TALA YORK BECOMES CONFERENCE SERVICES GROUP LEAD

Tala York has been promoted to Group Lead for the Conference Services group. Tala has worked in Conference Services as a Senior Conference Planner since December 2008. Tala brings a wealth of experience and event industry knowledge to her new position. She will be responsible for managing the Conference Services unit and continuing to refine and grow our services to Lab clients. Tala has extensive governmental conference planning experience and skills, including negotiating and managing costs for large programs. She holds a BS in Business Administration from CSU Sacramento, and is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).

Welcome to the World!

Congratulations to Procurement’s Diane Hutchinson and the birth of her baby girl, Brianna Malia, born October 12, 2009 and weighing 6lbs. 1oz, 18½" long!