Make Your Voice Heard
It’s Just Four Days Away!
Your vote is truly your voice! There is no greater way to be heard than to cast your ballot in this year’s critical election on November 3. As a voter, you decide who leads our communities at all levels; from your local school boards to the U.S. Senate and Congress all the way to President of the United States. That is why it is important to support pro-labor candidates who will keep the work that you do every day at the forefront of their minds when they make important decisions that impact you and your family.
While classified employees in other states are facing widespread layoffs, furloughs and unsafe school re-openings, it is important to remember that California classified employees are in a better position because of the state lawmakers we have elected. California legislators helped pass a budget that protected classified jobs this year that—for the first time ever—gave classified staff protections that are normally only available to teachers. It is critical that we continue to support elected officials who value the work we do as classified employees.
CSEA Voter Guide
Classified employees have a lot at stake in the coming election. That’s why CSEA is supporting a number of pro-education, pro-labor candidates in the November 3 General Election. For a list of statewide endorsements, see our Voter Guide.
CSEA 262 Supports Cyber-Security Efforts
Is it spam or phishing?
By Chris Schroeder, Director of Infrastructure and Data Security
Spam — Spam is the digital equivalent of the junk mail you receive at home from the post office. The name used to be associated with a meat substitute, but now refers to unsolicited and unwanted marketing e-mails. Spammers are professionally known as “Direct Digital Marketers.”
Use these tips to reduce spam to your inbox:
Filter your mail - Follow these instructions and report the message as ‘Junk’. Future mail from the sender you tag as ‘junk’ will land in your Junk Email folder.
Limit your exposure – Limit posting your email address on social media sites where possible. If a conference sign-up form has an option to hide your contact information, use it.
Phishing — Phishing attacks use e-mail to collect sensitive information or infect your computer. These e-mails are targeted attacks, often containing attachments or links that lead to something bad. Attackers attempt to convey a sense of urgency and the need for immediate action. Report suspicious e-mails to the IT Help Desk at helpdesk@mtsac.edu.
These emails will have some tell-tale signs associated with phishing:
Vague or dramatic subject lines – Watch for ‘URGENT’ or ‘Important’ or ‘Warning.’ Phishers try to create a sense of urgency to lower your guard to trick you into taking the bait.
Unrealistic threats or demands – Some emails threaten loss of your account or threaten to blackmail you if you don’t send money.
Requesting sensitive information – If you’re conducting business with the company, they will have your information and should not be asking for passwords or other sensitive information.
Poor grammar and misspellings – Phishing e-mails may contain poor grammar and spelling errors which are a red flag.
How to avoid phishing:
Assume nothing – Phishers can get your name and other information online and feign legitimacy in their message. Trusted companies will not e-mail you for your personal information to begin with.
Don’t respond – Do not respond to the e-mail, especially if being solicited for personal information. This includes links and attachments in the e-mail too.
Don’t click on it – URLs for websites in an e-mail may look identical to the legitimate site, but have variations of the domain. One latest phishing example was the substitution of .com for .org in the URL.
Watch for Safe Links – Safe Links is part of the Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection suite and protects you by scanning and testing the website before allowing you to connect. URLs are replaced in your e-mail and are prepended with ‘https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?.’ The connection will be blocked if the site is determined to be malicious.
Work & Family Month
In 2003, the United States Congress designated October as “Work and Family Month.” During the month of October, employers throughout the United States are encouraged to promote healthier and more flexible work environments for their employees. Mt. SAC has its Wellness program, which is one of the ways the District supports its employees balance work and health. It is a good start.
The National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW) has compiled data that suggests employees thrive in positive work environments that show the organization cares for its employee’s overall well-being. This caring environment often results in improved job performance, more effective leadership, improved health, greater worker satisfaction, and better work-life balance among the employees.
Today’s families come in all shapes and sizes, and employees find themselves facing many responsibilities between work, family, and personal life. Mt. SAC employees are no different. During the past six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, balancing work and home responsibilities has never been made more clear, and the need to support classified professionals find a healthy balance has never been greater.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has identified seven essentials to an effective workplace that benefits employers and employees. SHRM’s Effective Workplace Index consists of:
Job Challenge and Learning Opportunities
Supervisor Support for Job Success
Autonomy
Culture of Respect, Trust and Belonging
Work-Life Fit
Satisfaction with Wages, Benefits and Opportunities to Advance
Co-worker Support for Job Success
Does Mt. SAC meet these essential elements of an effective workplace? Which of these are present? Which are missing? What can we do about it? If you have any ideas, comments, or suggestions, speak up at the next chapter meeting and voice your ideas. If we want to improve our work-life experiences at Mt. SAC, we need to hear from you.
Welcome to Mt. SAC: New Classified Professionals
At the October 14 Board of Trustees meeting, the college welcomed these new or promoted classified employees:
Permanent New Hires
Cristian Meza, Administrative Specialist I (Natural Sciences)
Promotions:
Catalina Quintero, Administrative Specialist III (High School Outreach)
Reclassifications:
Deborah Catingub, Program Account Specialist (Event Services)
During our current telecommuting period, send an e-mail and welcome them to Mt. SAC. Extend a warm welcome, invite them to a Zoom lunch or to lunch when we all return, and, if they work in your area or near you, make them feel welcome. Invite them to and encourage them to attend the next “virtual” Chapter meeting so they can introduce themselves.
A Message from Your CSEA President
Ben Valdepena, President California School Employees Association
Hello fellow brothers and sisters,
I’ve said it before, and I will emphasize it again: Joining CSEA is much like becoming part of a family! We all have our different strengths, weaknesses and values. So, when we come together, we can achieve remarkable things. We hold one another up during the difficult times and join in celebration for the many achievements and milestones along the way.
One of the most important ways to exercise your values is by voting! This year’s election day is less than two weeks away and is one of the most critical elections in our lifetimes. I cannot stress enough how simple it is to vote now, vote early and stay engaged with where your ballot is along the way. I just mailed mine in the other day and I already got a notice that it was received and would be counted! You can get updates on the status of your ballots too at california.ballottrax.net.
Just like in a family, CSEA also encourages and offers opportunities that help you learn and grow. Two of these events are our upcoming Paraeducator Conference and Maintenance & Operations Academy. Both trainings will be held completely online, which makes it accessible to more members than ever before! Our M&O Academy will be offered on two days: November 6th and 7th, with the same content on each day. The 24th Annual Para Conference will be held March 3-5, 2021.
One of our newest benefits exclusively for members is called Wisely Direct by ADP and it lets you have access to your money without having a bank account. You can have your paycheck directly deposited into your Wisely Direct account - without a check cashing fee - and have instant access to all your money via the Wisely Direct debit card. You can use that card to make purchases, access cash from ATMs and pay your bills online. It's really a great service that is only available to our members. To learn more or sign up, call Member Benefits today at (866) 487-2732.
I hope you walk away from this week’s email and video knowing that CSEA is here to support you through all the opportunities for personal and professional growth we have to offer. As always, stay safe, wear a mask, wash your hands and socially distance.
In Solidarity,
Ben Valdepeña
Association President
CALIFORNIA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
CSEA CalPERS Pre-Retirement Webinars
It's never too early to learn how CalPERS pays you later for a lifetime. Learn all about your CalPERS pension rights and benefits. As we keep our members health and safety the highest priority, CSEA is not currently holding in-person events. However, CSEA's Pre-Retirement Committee has arranged to bring you free online webinars. All CSEA members who are CalPERS members are invited to attend. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Please see the list of dates/times below and click on the link to register. Hear from CalPERS Board Member, Rob Feckner and CSEA Member Benefits Coordinator, Debb Jachens, as well as additional speakers. Learn all about:
The state of CalPERS (Your pension remains strong)
What benefits are available to you now and in the future
What information CalPERS uses to calculate your retirement
Options for retirement
The importance of the CalPERS Power of Attorney form
Learn how to obtain an estimate of your benefits
Get your questions answered in real time
The benefits of staying a member of CSEA when you retire by joining the CSEA Retiree Unit
November 10 – 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
https://actionnetwork.org/events/csea-webinar-calpers-pre-retirement-webinar-8?source=direct_link&
December 5 – 10:30 a.m. to Noon
https://actionnetwork.org/events/csea-webinar-calpers-pre-retirement-webinar-9?source=direct_link&
As we keep our members health and safety the highest priority, CSEA is not currently holding in-person events. However, CSEA's Pre-Retirement Committee has arranged to bring online webinars. All CSEA members who are CalPERS members are invited to attend. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Please see the list of dates/times below and click on the link
No-Cost College Programs for CSEA Members
CSEA is proud to offer two no-cost college programs for you and your family members. Take college classes for professional growth, personal enrichment, or to earn an Associate or complete a bachelor’s degree, all at no-cost for tuition, books, and fees. Find out how by attending this free webinar
The online Associate degree program is offered in partnership with Eastern Gateway Community College and the online Bachelor's degree completion program is offered in partnership with Central State University. Both are regionally accredited, public, and not-for-profit institutions based in Ohio. Degree programs are offered at no-cost for tuition, books, and fees* for CSEA members and their family members.
Attend this Free Webinar and Learn:
All about the college partners
Who is eligible to attend
How to apply and what is needed to apply
What degree programs are offered, including how to earn a teaching credential
How credits transfer in and out (both colleges are fully accredited)
Register: Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please select and click on one of the dates below and follow the steps to reserve your space.
Tuesday, November 10 - 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. https://actionnetwork.org/events/csea-webinar-csea-no-cost-college-programs-for-you-and-your-family-members-4?source=direct_link&
Contact CSEA Member Benefits at (866) 487-2732 or at memberbenefits@csea.com if you have questions.
