CSW/USC 2009 Professional Development Conference

Tempe Campus

The CSW/USC Professional Development Conference at the Tempe Campus will take place in the multiple rooms in the Memorial Union. Workshops will run from 9:00AM-3:00PM, with check-in beginning at 8:30AM.

The conference is open to all ASU faculty, staff, and students -- and is completely free of charge. Seating is limited, so register today!

For workshop descriptions, including information on conference presenters, scroll down.

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Engler, Coordinator for the CSW.

Time	Workshops	Speaker	Registration
8:30AM	Conference Check-In
9:00AM-10:00AM	Legal Review: Legal Issues in the Workplace	Jodi Preudhomme	Register
9:00AM-10:00AM	Counseling & Consultation Presents: Manage Your Stress and Be Your Best	Dr. Aaron Krasnow	Register
10:15AM-11:15AM	Sustainability: Going Green in the Workplace	Bonny Bentzin	Register
10:15AM-11:15AM	Before You Press Send: Effective E-mail Communication in the Workplace	Dr. Judy Grace	Register
10:15AM-11:15AM	Family Services Presents: Eldercare: Long Term Care Planning -- What You Need to Know	Carol Aragon-Montgomery	Register
11:30AM-12:30PM	Leadership Development for Non-Managers	Dr. Melvin Holcom	Register
11:30AM-12:30PM	Recession-Proofing Your Personal Relationships	Dianne Gottlieb	Register
11:30AM-12:30PM	Office of Human Resources Presents: Generational Diversity in the Workplace	Lisa Phalen	Register
12:45PM-1:45PM	FWA Presents: Negotiations -- Women Don't Ask But They Should	Dr. Jess Alberts	Register
12:45PM-1:45PM	Employee Assistance Office Presents: Work/Life Balance	Jillian McManus	Register
2:00PM-3:00PM	Office of Human Resources Presents: Workplace Excellence	Sylvester Simons	Register
2:00PM-3:00PM	Financial Planning: Common Sense Approach to Surviving & Flourishing in the New Normal Economy	Buck Bandura	Register
2:00PM-3:00PM	Sustainability: Locavore & Benefits of the Plant-Based Diet	Dawn Ratcliffe	Register

Each workshop session requires a separate registration.

Per SPP 601, supervisors and employees are encouraged to work together to identify reasonable work modifications to allow the employee to attend conference workshops, without negatively impacting service.  

 

Workshop & Presenter Information

Legal Review: Legal Issues in the Workplace

Working for a government or state institution, requires heightened attention to legal issues in the workplace, particularly around the issue of “public records.”  In this workshop, Jodi Preudhomme, ASU’s Associate General Counsel will present a basic legal review of important legal issues and considerations that state employees should be aware of.  Particular attention will be paid to public records and e-mail communication.

Presenter: Jodi Preudhomme, Office of General Counsel
Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel, Jodi was with the Department of Defense, Defense Contract Management Agency. For six years prior to that, she focused her practice on employment law while serving as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Arizona Attorney General and as a Deputy Maricopa County Attorney. Jodi graduated from St. Mary's University School of Law (J.D. 1997) and Arizona State University (B.S. 1994). She is admitted to practice in Arizona and Texas, the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

 

Counseling & Consultation Presents: Manage Your Stress and Be Your Best

This interactive workshop will provide tools for how to manage the daily stressors of our lives.  Dr. Aaron Krasnow will focus on useful, proven, and easy to learn techniques to lessen the impact of stress, improve our relationships, and be more effective at work.  At the end of the workshop participants will take with them strategies to apply at work and home, and will have gained the knowledge necessary to teach the ideas to others.

Presenter: Dr. Aaron Krasnow, Associate Director, Counseling & Consutlation
Dr. Aaron Krasnow is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Associate Director of Counseling and Consultation at Arizona State University.  Dr. Krasnow has presented locally and nationally on a variety of topics, including stress and coping, relaxation, improving relationships, sport and performance psychology, and organizational and team development.  He received his Doctoral degree from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts and has worked at ASU for 6 years. 

 

Sustainability: Going Green in the Workplace

This workshop will focus on strategies that all ASU employees can use to be more “green” in the work place.  Discussion topics will include among others, strategies for reducing energy consumption and resources.

 

Before You Press Send: Effective E-mail Communication in the Workplace

Since e-mail is one of the most utilized forms of communication in the workplace, it is essential that one’s e-mails are clear, effective, and appropriate.  This workshop will highlight some of the common mistakes in e-mail writing and will cover strategies for making your e-mails more professional and more effective.  Some of the topics that will be covered include etiquette, tone, writing, organization, and concerns about using e-mail for certain types of information. 

Presenter: Dr. Judy Grace
Judy Grace, Ph.D., works in Teaching and Learning with the University Office of Evaluation and Educational Effectiveness. She has been at ASU for ten years, and is currently teaching Business Writing, a course for W.P. Carey School of Business students.

 

Eldercare: Long Term Care Planning -- What You Need to Know

Carol Aragon-Montgomery, owner of Montgomery & Associates, Inc., will be here to speak to you about long term care planning.  She will take the time to educate you about why you or a loved one should get your legal documents in order, what pre-crisis options are available to fund long term care, what crisis options are available to pay for long term care, and will provide you with some resources in the community – both private and government – that may help you through the long term care planning stage in your life.

Presenter: Carol Aragon-Montgomery
With over 18 years experience working in the Medicaid and long term care planning fields Carol and her team have helped hundreds of clients successfully navigate the government programs mazes. 

Five years of Carol’s experience was spent as a State Employee working for the ALTCS program as an eligibility specialist and supervisor.  As a member of the ALTCS PIQUED Team, she was honored with the Governor’s Excellence in Government Award. 

For four years she developed the ALTCS Planning Division at one of the valley’s largest elder law firms and then left that firm in 2001 to develop her own Long Term Care Planning Firm, Montgomery & Associates.

Not only is Carol the founder and president of the firm, but she is also Certified by the State Bar of Arizona to prepare legal documents for anyone 18 and over who need to put their wishes in writing.

On a personal note, she has been married to her husband, George, for 14 years and has one 10-year old daughter and two adult children in college.  Carol volunteers her time at her daughter’s elementary school and was two-term president of the Westwood High School International Baccalaureate Parent Group which supports students, teachers, and parents in a rigorous academic program.  She was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2008 and again in 2009.

 

Leadership Development for Non-Managers

“Leadership is developed daily through experience, not in a day.”  When people think of leadership, they often consider the term synonymous with positions, job levels, or personality traits – And while there is a relationship between leadership and those concepts – that’s just part of the picture.  In this workshop session, Melvin Holcom, Director of HR for the Biodesign Institute will seek to answer the question of just “what is leadership” and will provide strategies as to how every employee , particularly non-managers, can develop leadership skills through their daily work.

Presenter: Dr. Melvin Holcom:
Melvin Holcom is the Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development for the Biodesign Institute.  He graduated from Texas Christian University in 1993, with a Doctorate in Experimental Social Psychology and an emphasis in employee motivation and productivity.  For the last 15 years, he has helped organizations find, focus and develop the most talented employees and leaders.  Melvin has worked as an advisor to leadership and executive teams as both an internal HR executive and external consultant.  His past clients are among the most respected and successful companies worldwide including Procter & Gamble, AT&T, Arizona Public Service, TGI Fridays, Greyhound Bus Line, and FedEx Asia-Pacific. 

 

Work/Life Balance: Recession-Proofing Your Personal Relationshipo

Are you anxious or depressed over the current economic crisis and its impact on your family?  Do you have trouble talking to your spouse or partner and children about money?  Has the romance gone out of your relationship and family fun time a thing of the past because money is tight? 

For many people, the current financial crisis has placed a great deal of stress on their personal relationships.  In this workshop session, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dianne Gottlieb, will provide concrete strategies for reducing the strain of financial stress on your personal relationships. 

In this workshop you will:

• Learn sure-fire relaxation techniques to combat worry-filled days and sleepless nights. 
• Learn the secrets to effective communication and how to take this opportunity to teach your children the value of a dollar.
• Discover free couple and family activities that will keep your love relationship alive and family enjoying time to together once again.
  

Presenter: Dianne Gottlieb
Dianne Gottlieb of Scottsdale Therapy is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Board Certified Professional Counselor working in private practice in Scottsdale, AZ.  She specializes in helping individuals and couples with relationship problems, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.  Her practice provides pre-marital, marital, divorce, and step-parenting counseling as well as therapy for the GLBT community.  She received her Masters of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy from Seton Hall University and currently serves as a Board Director for the Arizona Association for Marriage & Family Therapy.  As an Adjunct Professor, Dianne has been teaching Abnormal Psychology and the Psychology of Human Sexuality for the past four years at Mesa Community College.  She can be reached through her website at www.scottsdaletherapy.com

 

OHR Presents: Generational Diversity in the Workplace

Do the Four Generations in the Workplace create an additional layer of diversity for us?  In this workshop, Lisa Phalen will explain the differences between the Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y.  She’ll share the common stereotypes associated with each generation, and explore how to leverage our differences to most effectively work together.  Whether you’re a leader or a staff member, you’ll benefit from the insights Lisa will provide the next time you’re working on a project with a colleague, taking direction from a leader or servicing a customer from a different generation.

Presenter: Lisa Phalen, Office of Human Resources
Lisa Phalen leads the Leadership and Workforce Development Team.  She provides consultation to enhance organizational effectiveness in a variety of areas such as employee engagement, change management and performance management.  Lisa works with her team to create and deliver leadership development programs, the New Employee Orientation Program and the Employee Recognition and Reward Programs.  As part of the ASU New Supervisor Development Program, Lisa facilitates a discussion on the “Four Generations in the Workplace.”

Lisa has held a leadership role within the Human Resources field and has taught college level business courses for more than 20.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from ASU and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management.  Lisa is certified by the Human Resources Certification Institute as a Senior Professional in HR and has taught others in the program to prepare them for the certification exam.

 

FWA Presents: Negotiations -- Women Don't Ask, But They Should

Nationally, women’s salaries lag behind those of men.  Why?  One reason may be women’s greater reluctance to ask and negotiate for what they want.  In this workshop, Dr. Jess Alberts, former chair of the Hugh Down School of Human Communication, will discuss the value of women asking for what they want and need professionally and personally.  She will present some of the reasons women are more hesitant to ask than are men, explain the value of asking in professional and personal contexts, and provide strategies to help women ask and negotiate for what they want more effectively.

Presenter: Dr. Jess Alberts, President's Professor:
Jess Alberts is President’s Professor of human communication and has been a faculty member in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication since 1989. Currently she serves as Co-Director of the Conflict Transformation Project, and Associate Director for Research Development at the Institute for Social Science Research.

Alberts’ principal research interests focus on conflict in personal and professional relationships. Her current work examines marital conflict and the division of domestic labor, married couples’ conflict and daily interaction, workplace bullying, community mediation and work/life balance. Previously she has conducted research on adolescent drug resistance, teasing and ethnic humor, and flirting.

Alberts teaches courses on human communication, conflict and negotiation, relational communication and work/life balance. She was named the Jeanne Lynd Herberger Professor in 2007. She was selected by the undergraduate association for the Last Lecture Series Award, by the graduate student association for a Mentor Appreciation Award, and by Commission on the Status of Women for the Outstanding Achievement and Contributions Award

Employee Assistance Office Presents: Work/Life Balance

Come join a lively discussion about Work Life Balance practices, principals and strategies in the real world. Ensure you are utilizing all the resources available to you to maintain balanced living, positive relationships and career satisfaction. Come prepared with questions, challenges and barriers to this vital topic to ensure you get the most out of this discussion. You will be leave class with knowledge, a plan and support to carry out your work-life goals.

Presenter: Jillian McManus
Jillian McManus is the Director of Organizational Health and Development within the Office of Human Resources providing oversight to the Employee Assistance Office, Wellness and Work/Life Balance programs. Jillian is licensed through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.  Jillian’s clinical interests include both individual and relationship counseling, anxiety, depression, parenting, stress management, training, and workplace consulting.    

 

OHR Presents: Workplace Excellence

OHR’s “Workplace Excellence” interactive workshop will cover a range of topics and strategies geared to promote excellence in the workplace.  Discussion will include, among others, ASU Values, workplace ethics, professionalism, customer service, and individual accountability.

Presenter: Sylvester Simons, Office of Human Resources
Sylvester "Sly" Simons is an HR Consultant working with the OHR Partners Group.  In his current capacity Sly provides coaching and various consultation services to assigned clients. 
A ‘native New Yorker', Sly spent 12 years in the United States Navy where he worked for four years as a visual communications expert, and eight years as a Criminal Investigator and Special Reaction Team member. While still on active duty, Sly earned a liberal arts degree and a certificate in advanced law enforcement studies.
After departing the Navy in 1990, Sly moved to the metro-Phoenix area where he began a 12 year relationship with various divisions of Honeywell International. His background includes positions as an HR generalist, a stint as the Personnel Officer for the Glendale Fire Department, a Sr. HR Manager role with Avnet, Inc., and most recently prior to ASU, an Employee Relations Analyst position with Maricopa County.
Along the way, Sly has also earned the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation, a second degree in psychology, and a certificate in HR Management for Leaders from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA.

 

Financial Planning: Common Sense Approach .. to the New Normal Economy

Do you have your financial house in order? Come spend an hour learning prudent common sense approaches to managing your way through the “New Normal Economy.”   This workshop will help you create a budget, set financial goals, think globally and discuss how you can profit from a coming recovery in the next part of the economic cycle.

Workshop Topics to include:

• Basic financial planning review
• Focusing on a global approach
• Managing debt
• Taking advantage of retirement plans
• Roth Conversions in 2010 right for you?
• Q&A

Presenter: Buck Bandura, Matrix Wealth Management
Buck Bandura, CFP, graduated with a degree in finance from Arizona State University and started his career as a financial advisor in 1998. He obtained the certified financial planner designation in 2004 and started his own business—Matrix Wealth Management—in May 2006.

 

Sustainability: Locavore & Benefits of the Plant-Based Diet

Additionally, speaker Dawn Ratcliffe will explain the environmental and health benefits of the plant-based diet.

Presenter: Dawn Ratcliffe, ASU Recycling Coordinator
Dawn is the ASU Tempe campus recycling coordinator. In her 14 years of active involvement in environmentalism, she has participated in numerous eco-friendly projects including helping to organize five Earth Day events, gathering over 15,000 signatures for two environmentally-friendly ballot initiatives, and passing a clean energy bill in D.C. Dawn’s also worked for a clean energy non-profit, an organic farm, and the UNC Charlotte Recycling Department.

She is a strong proponent of clean energy, and purchases environmentally-friendly, locally produced, organic, and recycled content products whenever possible. Dawn got her start in recycling at age seven when she began collecting cans and bottles in her red wagon.