SUMMER FUN

Financial Services' Summer Fun Days

The days might be longer, the temperature might be hotter, but that is not stopping the Financial Services Team from having some fun this summer! While the summer months provide a lot of great opportunities for ABA staff to catch up, plan, complete projects and maintenance, Financial Services see the summer as the accumulation of the year with deadlines and year-end reporting. That is why it is even more important for them to let loose and celebrate their accomplishments!

Priscilla Llamas-McKaughan in the Financial Services AVP’s Office has seen the Financial Services family summer fun day evolve from its inception in 2009. “We started out with a Hawaiian shirt day, red, white and blue day, sac state attire day, to the current summer fun days, since 2015.” The goal, since the beginning was always to build comradery amongst the staff while having fun.  And oh what fun they have!

The shift to the summer fun days in 2015, really took on a new meaning. As Priscilla notes, “the three days of events, really encourages the large team to get to know each other in a fun and interactive way.” With over 60 members of the department who work across campus in Lassen, Modoc and Sacramento Halls, the team really looks forward to getting an excuse to visit each other and also work together to team build.

In June, summer fun days, kicks off with a creativity contest. Each office receives a bag of items. Each team is instructed to design and create a product out of the items, name it and write a story that explains their creation. Each submitted creation is judged by an impartial panel and the winning team is awarded. This year’s winner was the Bursar’s Office with “Turkey Crossing Commons.”

In July, Financial Services staff members participate in Office Games Day. The daylong event goes from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and all Financial Services team members are invited to each other offices to play a game. The goal is to play all of the games offered and be entered into a drawing for prizes. This year’s games included: Face the Cookie, Sting the Target, Bursar’s Bowling Alley and Putting. Examples of each can be found below:

 

 

The activities are also a great way to break up a normal work day. "Some feel that their workloads are too heavy and don’t have time to 'play around', which is understandable," said Candace Ensley, accounting technician II. "However it has been proven that office games boost morale and make for a more productive workplace. These summer fun days do just that!"

In August, AVP Gina Curry picks campus clues, including people, places and things. Participants visit the clues and are required to take selfies as proof, photo creatively is encouraged. Everyone who correctly finds all the clues is entered into a drawing for small prizes provided by Financial Services managers.

 

Ken Armstrong

This July Ken Armstrong traveled with his brother-in-law for a quick day trip to Clearlake. When they set out on their trip, they were hoping for a relaxing day and maybe a few fish, but they were certainly surprised! Ken said it was his, “"best day of fishing for fresh water fish in 45 years. I had to stop fishing because there is a limit of 25 fish per day for pan fish."

It was shocking to the pair that they could haul that many fish in such a short period of time! Who knows if it was all the rain this past winter, or just their lucky day, but nonetheless, a great memory to share with family.

 

 

 

 

Kevin Brisco & Deneilia Pappas - Relaxing in Martha's Vineyard

Manager of Custodial Services, Kevin Brisco, and Scheduling Coordinator, Deneilia Pappas recent returned from a relaxing visit to Martha's Vineyard.

An island off of Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard is known for its beautiful landscapes, beaches, and lighthouses. But relaxation wasn't the only reason for Kevin and Deneilia's visit: "The purpose of the trip was to visit former faculty member Dr. Charlotte Cook at her long time family summer home," said Kevin. "Deneilia has known Dr. Cook for 25 years when she first began working with her in the Faculty Senate Office."

While visiting friends, Kevin and Deneilia enjoyed shopping in town, morning walks along the beach, and hikes to the lighthouses that dot the shoreline. "We visited the Gay Head Lighthouse. It was first commissioned by President John Adams in 1799," said Kevin. "It is the oldest of the 4 on the island. We were able to walk to it and even climb up it and enjoy views of the island as well as the Atlantic Ocean."

Did you know? Martha's Vineyard is only 100 square miles in size, and can be driven from one end to the other in about an hour!

 

Susan Colley-Monk - Alaskan Cruise Vacation

In June, Risk Management Analyst, Susan Colley-Monk went on a seven-Day Alaska Cruise that departed from Seattle. From there, they cruised to Tracy Arm Fjord and made port in Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria, BC before returning to Seattle. It had been 11 years since her and her husband, Mike, went on a cruise vacation. Susan’s mother, son, and daughter-in-law were also passengers on the ship.

At Tracy Arm Fjord, they saw glaciers, observed seals on floating ice, and witnessed numerous beautiful waterfalls. In Skagway, they walked the paths of the early pioneers in town and saw the beautiful mountains that surround the town. In Juneau, they departed on a whale watching tour. They saw bald eagles, humpback whales, sea lions, and a family of orcas. In Ketchikan, they walked the town, shopped, saw totem poles, clear rushing creeks, and watched seaplanes land. 

On the way to Victoria, BC, they watched numerous humpback whales from their balcony room. In beautiful Victoria, they walked to the city center and saw the British Columbia Parliament buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and docked boats.

One perk to being out of California during the month of June was missing the high summer temperatures. They dressed in fall and winter clothing as the temperatures never went over 60 degrees. All in all, it was special to spend time with close family members in beautiful Alaska. They can now cross that destination off their bucket list.

 

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ABA FOCUS
is published by the Administration & Business Affairs

Office of Strategic Planning & Quality Improvement

California State University, Sacramento

PRESIDENT
Robert Nelsen

VICE PRESIDENT/CFO

Ming Tung "Mike" Lee

 

EDITOR
Elisa Chohan

Andrew Stiffler

WEB EDITORS

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WRITERS
Elisa Chohan

Susan Colley-Monk

Don Nahhas

Andrew Stiffler

PHOTOGRAPHY
Bruce Clarke

Don Nahhas

Andrew Stiffler