Linda Weatherly – Recreation & Volunteers – Staff Prayer Oct

Leonard Klassen brought us some thoughts on Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” and we prayed for Linda Weatherly.

Come and Celebrate Diwali!

Violence Prevention Workshop

Learn practical applications to identify risk factors of violence and de-escalation techniques at a Violence Prevention Workshop on Friday, November 15, 2024. Space is limited. Register soon!

Purple Light Nights: Bringing Awareness to Intimate Partner Violence

We often think of October as the month that hosts Thanksgiving and Halloween. It is that time of year when the leaves change colour, the nights get cooler, and the days get shorter. You may not know that October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  

Intimate Partner Violence, also called Domestic Violence, is a serious topic and we want to help support the victims of intimate partner violence and family abuse. This year Menno Place is participating in the Purple Light Nights Campaign. If you’ve been on campus in the evening this month you may have noticed the decorative lights on all of our buildings have been purple. This is a symbol that demonstrates we do not tolerate any form of domestic abuse. Women, men, and children can suffer from domestic abuse. We shine a purple light to ensure people have a safe place to go if they need help, and to show our community that we will never forget those who have suffered or even lost their lives at the hands of violent partners.

If you are a victim of intimate partner/domestic abuse, we encourage you to seek help. There are supports available to you through these channels:

  • Those in immediate danger should call 9-1-1
  • Those seeking help in the form of therapy, strategies, and safety, can call the Employee Family Assistance Program at 1-800-667-0993 or visit Mennoplacestaff.com/mentalhealth
  • Women seeking shelter can contact the Ann Davis Transition Society (Chilliwack) at 604-792-2760 or SARA for Women (Abbotsford) at 604-852-6008 (24-hour access)
  • Those who are seeking Mennonite support can call 604-850-6639 or toll free at 1-888-622-6337
  • Gentlemen who wish to improve their relationships and be part of a Men’s Support Group may wish to explore the MCC Home Improvement Program by emailing endabuse@mccbc.ca or call 604-850-6639

Please remember that you can also speak to one of our own Chaplains who can provide spiritual support.

There is no place for intimate partner/domestic abuse in our communities. Please be kind to those around you as you don’t know what others are experiencing. If someone confides you and tells you that they are being abused, please encourage them to get help, listen without judgment, and build their confidence.

Please come see the People & Culture department for additional information.

MEMO: Paid PVPC Education

To: All Menno Home Employees
From: Jessy Manhas
Date: October 24, 2024
Re: Paid PVPC Education

We’re pleased to announce that all non-direct care staff in Menno Home who have completed Violence Prevention Modules 1-8 are eligible to participate in the paid PVPC education on campus! This is a fantastic opportunity to further enhance your skills and contribute to a safer workplace.

To be eligible for the training, we are requesting a copy of your Violence Prevention Modules 1-8 that you completed on either Learning Hub or Surge Learning. Kindly email your certificate to HR.Projects@mennoplace.ca.

For our direct care staff members who haven’t yet submitted their certificates to the People and Culture team, please ensure you do so to qualify for this education. The deadline for submission is November 12, 2024.

Thank you for your commitment to fostering a safe environment for everyone. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and look forward to seeing many of you participate!
Stay tuned for more information for those who haven’t completed the education yet!

Regards,
Jessy Manhas
604-851-1346
Cc: Kim Scott, Director of Care – Menno Home

MEMO – $3 Charge for Badge Reels

To: All Menno Place Employees
From: Jessy Manhas
Date: October 24, 2024
Re: $3 Charge for Badge Reels

Dear Team,
Starting November 1, 2024, Menno Place will introduce a $3 charge for the replacement of retractable reels. This decision aims to manage replacement costs effectively while ensuring these items remain available. The charge will be processed as a payroll deduction, similar to the ID badge and name tag replacements.

You can visit the People & Culture offices for a replacement.

Regards,
Jessy Manhas

Cyber Month week 4: The most proactive generation

Staying a step ahead of cyber criminals is one of the best ways to embody the spirit of Generation Cyber Safe. Let’s look to Gen X for guidance on this one: they know it’s one of the easiest ways you can avoid online threats, especially in professional settings where the stakes are high. In fact, 59% of Gen X business owners say their company files are backed up regularly.

Let’s dive into how you can follow in their footsteps and be proactive about online threats as part of Generation Cyber Safe.

Schedule and automate backups

In the event of a cyber attack  like ransomware backups are your first line of defence against losing data. Set up automatic backups on your personal and business devices to ensure that your data is always saved somewhere safe. Schedule these backups to run regularly to maintain updated copies of your critical information.

It’s equally important to test your back ups regularly to make sure they can be restored without issues. Make it a habit to verify that your backups are working correctly and that you can recover your data when needed.

Store data safely

Whether you use cloud storage , external hard drives  or a hybrid approach, finding one or more ways to store data that works for you is an important part of protecting your information. Cloud storage offers easy accessibility, while physical storage provides a secure offline backup. Consider your needs and choose the best combination to keep your data protected.

Make your business more cyber safe

Informing yourself and your team about cyber security threats and best practices is essential. Regular training sessions can help everyone recognize and respond to cyber threats like phishing  and ransomware. Make use of resources such as online courses, workshops and webinars to stay informed about the latest cyber security trends and techniques.

Having an incident response plan is important for any small or medium business. Make sure your incident response plan includes the processes and procedures to follow to detect, respond and recover from a cyber incident . Regularly update  and test your response plan to make sure it works for you.

Remember that remote or hybrid work introduces additional cyber security challenges. Ensure employees use secure Wi-Fi  connections, a virtual private network  (VPN) and follow company your cyber security plan when working remotely. Provide them with the necessary tools and training to maintain a secure work environment regardless of their location.

Conclusion

Being proactive in your cyber security practices is all about awareness and being prepared to respond effectively. By securing your backups and maintaining good cyber security, you can protect yourself and your business as a member of Generation Cyber Safe!