Bert's Alerts - September 12, 2014
In the Spotlight
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fun and Culture Committee (FCC) is quickly filling the fall calendar with outreach opportunities. The employee group has initiated a number of volunteer efforts for the next few months. Along with ongoing support of the Canyon County Animal Shelter, the FCC is also putting together volunteer teams to participate in Rake Up Nampa and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk. More information on all three initiatives can be found in this week’s Bert’s Alerts.
News Highlights
CWI will Test its Emergency Alerts System
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be conducting a test of its alert notification system, Rave Mobile Safety, to help ensure the CWI community is notified of any potential emergency situations. The test will occur on Sept. 17 (Wednesday) at 3:50 p.m. CWI uses Rave Mobile Safety to inform students, employees, and the extended College community of critical situations.
Employees and students are automatically enrolled to receive alerts to their CWI email and any phone numbers provided when joining the College. To ensure the safety of the CWI community and provide timely emergency messages it is important that current contact information is provided. Contact information can be updated by visiting cwi.edu/alerts. The service is free, but text messaging fees may be charged from cellular providers.
CWI partners and friends are also able to sign up to receive alerts by visiting cwi.edu/alerts.
CWI Alerts are only used for critical circumstances including severe weather, snow closures, utility failure, hazardous material spills, violent incidents, and other situations with the potential to affect the health or safety of people on campus. Please email communications@cwi.edu with any questions.
CWI and Western States CAT Launch Specialty Technician Program
On Monday (Sept. 15) College of Western Idaho (CWI) will celebrate an educational partnership with Western States CAT that delivers specialized training to meet local workforce needs. CWI will introduce the new Western States CAT® Technician program at a celebration event:
Monday, September 15
Noon to 1 p.m.
CWI Micron Center for Professional Technical Education
5725 E. Franklin Rd.
Nampa, Idaho
The event is open to the public and will include an introduction to the partnership as well as recognition of a donation made by Western States CAT® to the CWI Foundation. Keynote speakers include CWI President Bert Glandon and Western States CAT® President Tom Harris, who will discuss the need that this new program is filling. Students in the program will also be sharing their experiences.
There are currently 20 students enrolled in the program, which is in its first semester. The program covers 15-months of training designed to prepare entry level technicians for Western States CAT® equipment dealer positions. All students must interview with Western States and be selected for the program. Upon completion of coursework at CWI, students are placed in a three month formal internship program at a Western States location. Graduation is based on successful completion of both the required coursework and the internship program.
CWI Foundation Mini-Grant Deadline is Near
The deadline to apply for the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation’s 2014 Mini-Grant Program is Friday, Sept. 19. More information, along with a process timeline, can be found on the CWI Mini-Grant Application located on myCWI.
Mini-grants provide funding to programs and departments to help develop, enhance, and improve CWI’s educational environment and learning opportunities. Previous mini-grant awards have helped fund field trips, new equipment, and more. In 2013, CWI Tutoring Services was one of several groups benefitting from a mini-grant, which helped purchase a room divider and marker board used in the Nampa Campus Academic Building tutoring lab.
“This project was a great benefit to our students,” said Gayla Huskey, Tutoring Services manager. “Upon arrival the boards went into immediate use to work long math problems and to display the periodic table for chemistry students.”
The CWI Foundation Board of Directors is excited to review and award mini-grants for the fourth year. Please contact the CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu or 208.562.3100 with any questions.
Career Fair and Workshops Coming to CWI
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Student Enrichment will host a Career Fair for current students in September. The fair will be held at Ada County Campus Pintail Center on Sept. 23 and Nampa Campus Academic Building on Sept. 24. Both days are scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Career Fair will feature local businesses and organizations with job openings, internships, and volunteer opportunities.
To help students prepare for the event, Student Enrichment presented a pair of Career Fair Prep Workshops on Sept. 15.
Rake Up Nampa Volunteers Needed
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fun and Culture Committee (FCC) would like to invite employees to join them this fall to support the 2014 Rake Up Nampa event. The event is scheduled to be held on Saturday, Nov. 15. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Lindsay Reynolds at lindsayreynolds@cwi.edu by Oct. 10.
Canyon County Animal Shelter Volunteering has Began
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fun and Culture Committee (FCC) has started volunteering at the Canyon County Animal Shelter. The FCC is looking for more employees interested in joining support of this cause.
Volunteering opportunities range from walking dogs, brushing cats, cleaning kennels, clerical help, and other projects around the facility. Volunteers have the opportunity to not only choose tasks, but also choose dates and times that best fit their schedule. In order to participate in helping with the animals, volunteers must complete an orientation session. During the hour-long orientation, volunteers will learn more about the Canyon County Animal Shelter, tour the facility, and choose which tasks interest them the most.
The Canyon County Animal Shelter depends on volunteers and would not exist with them. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Lindsay Reynolds at lindsayreynolds@cwi.edu or 208.562.2377 to reserve a spot.
FCC to Light the Night
Members of the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fun and Culture Committee (FCC) are organizing a group of volunteers to help staff the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual Light the Night Walk. The event, which serves as a nation-wide fundraiser for the organization, will be held Oct. 2 at Ann Morrison Park in Boise. Registration is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. There will be a remembrance ceremony at 6 p.m. and the walk will begin at 7 p.m. More information on the event can be found at www.lightthenight.org/oswim.
Volunteers are needed to help with set up, clean up, first aid stations, and more. CWI employees interested in joining the FCC volunteer team should contact Sean Muldoon at seanmuldoon@cwi.edu or Lindsay Reynolds at lindsayreynolds@cwi.edu before Sept. 26.
