Staying updated to stay safe: Cyber Month week 5

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Keeping your devices and software  up to date is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself online, both today and tomorrow. One of the simplest ways to benefit yourself in the future is to click “update  now” when prompted by your device.

In week 5 of Cyber Month, we’ll discuss how updates can help your devices stay ahead of threats, and how to share what you’ve learned this month with friends, family, and coworkers!

Why you need to enable automatic updates

One of the most reliable ways to protect your devices and apps is to update them – enabling automatic updates ensures that you’ll never forget to do it and therefore keeps them on the latest version available. Turning this feature on ensures that critical updates are installed when they’re available, so you’re always protected.

Updates are important because they often contain important security patches that fix new vulnerabilities. Software developers are continuously releasing new updates to help protect you against evolving threats. Without them, your devices could be exposed to loopholes that cyber criminals are targeting. This week, we’ll discuss how staying current with your software can help your devices stay a step ahead in the future.

Sharing what you know

One of the most powerful ways to stay cyber safe is to help others in your life do the same! Whether you’re reminding a coworker to update their device, helping a parent set up a password manager on their laptop, or sharing tips about phishing in your group chat , sharing your knowledge can make a significant difference for others.

Cyber security is a group effort, meaning the more people around you that know how to identify threats and protect their devices means one more person a cyber criminal can’t exploit . This week, talk to someone you know about cyber security to protect your future and theirs!

Looking ahead

Keeping your software and devices automatically updated is one of the easiest and most effective cyber safe habits you can start. As Cyber Month comes to an end, remember that the small steps you take today can make a big impact in your future security.

No More Availability for December Vacation Requests

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MEMO
To: All Menno Home, Hospital and Apartments Staff
From: Staffing
Date: October 25, 2025
Re: No More Availability for December Vacation Requests

Staffing limits have now been met from December 7, 2025 – December 31, 2025.

The staffing office will no longer accept time off requests for the above dates. Please contact your manager with any requests or concerns for the above dates.

The Costume Contest is Back for 2025!

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Join in the fun and dress up on Friday, October 31st and you could win!

Prizes will be awarded for best individual and best team costumes. As a reminder all costumes should be family-friendly and work appropriate. No scary costumes please.

Claire will go around campus on Friday and try to photograph as many of the costumes as she can. If you don’t see her (or if you have a great pose and just don’t want to wait) feel free to take your own photos and email them to Claire.Colvin[at]mennoplace.ca to be entered into the contest.

This is a great opportunity to bring an extra smile to our residents’ faces with some seasonal silliness.

 

Daylight Savings Time ENDS on Nov 2

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This is a reminder to all staff that Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00am on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Please remember to set your clocks BACK one hour. Staff working in resident-facing areas are reminded to please assist residents in resetting their clocks as well, as you are able.

2025 Hearts and Hands Conference

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This year was the 10th anniversary of SafeCare BC’s Hearts and Hands Conference – day to celebrate. educate and inspire health care assistants. Several HCAs from Menno Place attended the event and our very own Bina (HCA, Menno Apartments) was featured in an on stage interview with Ken Donahue talking about her 36 years as an HCA. Staff who attended said she did an amazing job. Congratulations Bina!

 

 

Report your influenza vaccine choice by Nov 30, 2025

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All staff working in resident spaces are required to report their decision on whether or not to receive the flu shot by November 30, 2025.

Read more

Scheduled Server Maintenance – Wednesday, October 29

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Dear Team,

Please be advised that scheduled server maintenance will take place on Wednesday, October 29, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

During this time:

  • Internet access, including WIFI, and off-site resources (e.g., PCC) will remain available.
  • Only Internal resources – including network drives, VPN for off-site access, GoldCare, ComVida EMS, SharePoint, and related services – will be temporarily unavailable.

We will work to minimize the outage and restore services as quickly as possible.

If you experience any network issues after 5:00 PM, please contact Adaptive Technical for support at 604-357-3456.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we perform this essential work to maintain secure and reliable systems.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Get 25% off on Purdys Chocolates!

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It’s the most delicious time of the year!

In keeping with tradition Menno Place has signed up for a group Purdys order that means you can get 25% off your favorite holiday chocolates. Shop for your gifts or treat yourself, all of the holiday classics are here.

Deadline to order is: Monday, November 24th. Chocolates will be ready for pick up on Monday, December 8th.

You can download a copy of the 2025 catalog by clicking on the image below:

When you’re ready to shop all orders can place your order online. (No more paper order forms!)

Go to https://www.purdys.com/group-savings

When you follow the link to the Purdys site it will ask for your email address to add you to the group. Click on REGISTER in the top right corner to create an online account.

To start your order you’ll need to JOIN A GROUP

Enter the Group Number: 38919

Once you’ve joined the group click SHOP ONLINE in the menu at the very top of the page to start shopping.

That will open the marketplace that looks like this:

 

Please order by Monday, November 24th. Chocolates will be ready for pick up on Monday, December 8th.

Thank you!

Reminder: 2026 Vacation Requests to be Submitted via Employee Portal

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Reminder to all staff that 2026 first choice vacation requests are due in ONE WEEK – Saturday, November 1, 2025. See memo below for details and other reminders.

M E M O R A N D U M

Date: October 1, 2025
To: All Regular HEU Members
From: Staffing
Re: 2026 Vacation Requests to be submitted via Employee Portal
_____________________

Any holiday requests made on paper, email or via voicemail will NOT be approved. Please send all requests via GOLDCARE

First Choice Vacation Requests:

  • 1st choice Vacation Requests must be submitted by November 1, 2025

Second & Subsequent Vacation Requests:

  • 2nd and subsequent Vacation Requests must be submitted by December 1, 2025, this includes ALL remaining vacation hours.
  • A maximum of (5) days may be left unscheduled, BUT must be booked by August 1, 2026 (if not, Staffing will assign, and no changes are to be made)

Please Note:

  •  Staffing requires 14 days’ notice for time off requests.
  • Short notice time off requests (less than 14 days) must be approved by the department Manager. If approved by the Manager please forward to Staffing.
  • ALL 2026 vacation must be taken by December 31, 2026
  • 2026 vacation cannot be carried over and used in 2027.
  • Part time staff please note that vacation hours are approximate. Final calculations will be done at the end of June 2026.
  • Maximum number of staff off on vacation per day will vary depending on department and operational requirements.

 

Memo: Planned Power Outage Sunday Oct 26

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Please be advised that BC Hydro has scheduled an electrical shutdown that will result in a power disruption affecting the entire Menno Place Campus and surrounding properties, on Sunday, October 26th, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

  • This power outage will affect Menno Hospital, Primrose Gardens, Terrace West, and Terrace East.
  • This power outage should not affect Menno Pavilion.
  • Menno Home will have full power via generator backup

During this time, the following services will be impacted:

  • Apartment suites will be without power, including baseboard heating
  • Some Wi-Fi and phone services may be interrupted
  • Common areas will have partial lighting and heating
  • Main kitchens will have partial power therefore menus may be adjusted accordingly
  • Each building will have at least one elevator operational
  • Menno Home will have full power via generator backup
  • All other buildings will have generator backup for Essential services only

We recommend planning accordingly to minimize disruption to your work and ensure the safety and comfort of residents and staff. If you have any questions or require assistance preparing for this outage, please reach out to your supervisor or the Facilities team.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

If you get questions from families you can see the communications we sent out to families at the links below.

Menno Apartments: https://mennoplacelife.com/apartments/memo-planned-power-outage-tw-te-pg/

Menno Hospital: https://mennoplacelife.com/menno-hospital/memo-planned-power-outage-menno-hospital/