Saving Lives Every Day! - October 2022

Employee Monthly Newsletter                                                                          October 2022

Message from Director Robinson

Hi Team DMV! Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Thank you for reading our October 2022 employee newsletter. There's a lot happening during this month and you can read more fun, informative and engaging content below. First, a few announcements and reminders: 1) I am happy to announce that in partnership with our local test proctoring center, DC residents now have the option of completing their knowledge test virtually. You can read more details here. 2) If you missed our agency Director meeting, which was held on Wednesday, October 26, you can view it here. During this meeting, I congratulated everyone on their promotions and new positions. We are truly saving lives everyday! 3) It’s time to complete your FY 2022 self-evaluations, Team DMV. All evaluations must be completed and entered into PeopleSoft by Friday, November 4. 4) Cybersecurity starts with YOU! All Team DMV employees and contractors must complete the mandatory cybersecurity training by Wednesday, November 30. Login here to complete the training. As previously mentioned, October is a busy month with many events and activities to recognize and celebrate including: -Breast Cancer Awareness Month -Domestic Violence Awareness Month -Pedestrian Safety Month -Cybersecurity Awareness Month And much more! Continue reading to learn more about these events below. As the weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter, I encourage each of you to continue to make exercise a priority. Button up and take a walk/run during lunch or after the workday is complete. As an additional option, employees can use the fitness center located at 95 M Street SW. Let's be fit together, Team DMV. -Gabriel

"Don't be Afraid. Be Focused. Be Determined. Be Hopeful. Be Empowered." ~Michelle Obama

Welcome to Team DMV

What's Happening at DC DMV

2022 Sooouuul Train Employee Recognition Program

On Thursday, September 22, Team DMV held its 2022 Employee Recognition Program. Congratulations to everyone who was honored for your outstanding service.

5 Years                               10 Years                             15 Years                         20 Years

Talayna Clements      LeAndrea Jackson             Jeremy Beegle                Vanessa Newton Bernard
Joseph Davis               Roxanne Neloms              James Edwards               Angela Brighthart
Thurman Dunstan                                                  Darnell Fountain, II        Stephen Lawson
Timothy Jackson                                                     David Glasser                 Gregory Simpson
Jujuan Jordan                                                          Shaumika Tate                Marvin Ruffin
Marcus Lewis                                                          Claude Thomas               Larry Walker
Kiina Powell
Karen Campbell Tate
Walter Wadley

25 Years                              35 Years                           40 Years                          45 Years

Valerie Warren Ali             Wanda Shorter              Ursula S. Holmes           Christopher Collins (retired)
Dulce Angelica Macias      Bobby Smith (36)          Jacquelyn Murphy
Letitia West

(left to right) Director Robinson, Lisa Payne, Montii Osei-Djan, and Odessa Nance

Donate Life DC saves lives and heals communities through the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation. Another person is added to the waiting list every 9 minutes. | 17 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant. | One organ, eye and tissue donor can save and heal more than 75 lives.

Sahida Tarawali (October 3) | Dakarai Thompson (October 4) | Alexus Stinnett (October 5) | Karlotta Ford (October 6), Gerard James (October 6) | Marcus Lewis (October 9) | Marcus Jackson (October 10) | Shirley Shephard (October 14) | Kayode Akinrinlola (October 15) | Antaeus Hayes (October 17), Tiara Graham (October 17), Wanda Williams (October 17) | Lakisha Favorite (October 19) | Jasmine Spencer (October 20) | Denise Sedgwick (October 21), Sierra Weaver (October 21) | Brigid Anderson-Snipe (October 23) | Lakeithia Lymore (October 26) | Paula Coyoy (October 28), Aliya Berry (October 28) | Nyla Carthens (October 29)

#DCDMVSpotlight Our Spotlight Wednesday campaign on DMV's social media channels is a great opportunity to highlight employees for their outstanding work and dedication. Learn more Meet Letitia “Tish” West, Legal Instrument Examiner at the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Center. Tish has always performed her duties at a high level, has trained and developed numerous new DMV employees, and has been integral to the success of the service centers where she has worked. You can always count on Tish to report to work early and volunteer to assist others when necessary, including members of the management team. Thank you, Tish for your hard work and dedication to DC DMV and District residents! ❤️🎉🌟

#KudosDCDMV

(Compliments from our Social Media Fans)

"Kudos to the @dcdmv Rhode Island Ave office for a friendly and efficient experience this morning. In and out in less than 20 minutes!" ~Michael Thorning he/him [for Quanda Edwards]

"@MayorBowser @charlesallen @dcdmv I complain about DMV at times but vehicle inspection at Half Street SW was fast, efficient and nice people. Good job DMV… keep it up and Thanks!" ~Grady Forrer

"@dcdmv Best DMV experience EVER thanks to Tionna!!!! In at 10:35 out at 10:50!!!" ~Brett&Tiffini Greene

"@dcdmv is having an issue processing registration renewals online so I had to go in person to the Benning Ridge location. In and out in less than 5 minutes. Very pleasant person helping me. Well done." ~Jill Normington [for Natorie Ashton]

#DidYouKnow

Announcements

Retirement Celebration Honoring Jacquelyn Murphy
40 Years of Dedicated Service

Please join members of the Driver Services team for a retirement celebration honoring Jacquelyn Murphy's 40 years of dedicated service to DC Government. ❤️🎉💜

A fun afternoon is planned to socialize, eat, drink and honor Jackie for her years of service! All are welcome to join, including guests. Payment is required for all attendees. Hurry! Reserve your spot today!

Read more

Mayor Bowser's 15th Annual Disability Awareness Expo

On Wednesday, October 26, Staff Assistant Joelle Flythe (left) and Human Resources Specialist/Agency ADA Coordinator Lisa Payne (right) attended the mayor's 15th annual disability awareness expo. During this time, Joelle and Lisa were able to provide District residents information about DMV's services, while receiving some of our awesome giveaways.

The disability awareness expo highlighted resources and programs available to residents with disabilities as well as the many caregivers and advocates who live and work in DC.

Warm home. Safe home. Fireplace safety tips.

Brrr, it's getting cold outside! Have you been using your fireplace? Is your fireplace causing you more worry than enjoyment?

Here are some tips to avoid fireplace mishaps so you and your family can safely enjoy the comfort of a crackling fire this winter.

Student Loan Debt Relief Program

The White House announced in August 2022 it will cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for eligible Americans. The US Department of Education estimates over 105,000 DC residents are eligible for debt relief. If you have student loans and would like to apply for the student debt relief program, please visit the Student Aid website to complete the application. It takes about 5 minutes and no documents are needed to complete.

HRs Corner

Update your resume and sharpen your interview skills. -Operations Manager (Driver Services) (closes Nov. 3) -Human Resources Specialist (closes Nov. 3) -Driver License Examiner (CDL) (closes Nov. 14)

Mayor Bowser Announces 2022 Leave Policies

Restored Leave Remains Available through April 2024
On October 14, 2022, Mayor Bowser announced that employees have two years to use leave restored due to COVID-19 from the date the public health emergency ended, which was April 2022. Therefore, excess annual and universal leave that accrued in 2020 and 2021 will be available for employees’ use through the end of April 2024.

Employees who will have excess annual leave at the end of the leave year because they used their restored leave from 2020-21 instead of their annual leave, will have those restored leave hours returned. Employees will have until April 2024 to use those hours.

2022 Use or Lose Leave
As we approach the end of 2022, many employees will have accrued more annual or universal leave from 2022 than can be typically carried into the new year. This excess leave is considered “use or lose” leave. Any “use or lose” leave that is not taken by December 31, 2022, will be lost. If you are fortunate enough to have “use or lose” leave, we encourage you to donate your excess hours to the annual leave bank to support your colleagues.

Make a Donation to the Annual Leave Bank
The District’s Annual Leave Bank Program allows employees to contribute unused, accrued “use or lose” leave to bank members who are experiencing a personal or family medical emergency and who have exhausted their personal leave. Employees may donate annual leave by completing the DCSF No. ALB-01 "Application to Donate Leave to the Leave Bank form. Employees who wish to donate must complete and submit their form to Jeanette Pinnix by Sunday, December 4, 2022.

For additional information, please refer to Issuance 2022-15, Use or Lose (2022) or contact the DCHR Policy and Compliance Administration at DCHR.Policy@dc.gov.

2023 Employee Benefits

Open enrollment for your 2023 employee benefits begins Monday, November 14 and ends on Monday, December 12, 2022. This is your annual opportunity to review your current benefit elections and make any necessary changes.

Please note: If you need a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2023, you must re-enroll with a new annual pledge for healthcare and dependent care programs. Current annual pledges do not carry forward into the new plan year.

For more information, please visit DCHR's website or email DCHR.Benefits@dc.gov.

Percipio Learning Management System (Percipio)

Percipio, the District's eLearning platform has over 500+ curated channels! Employees/learners have access to a wealth of current content on a host of professional topics (with badge credentialing) to include project management, leadership, communication, Microsoft Office, and so much more!

For questions, please contact DCHR at DCHR.Percipio@dc.gov.

Learn more

Move Your Body, Shape Your Future

First Impressions and First Stages of Communication

by Coleman Caldwell

Within that first stage of communication, your communication style will create an initial impression. Some attributes of a great first impression include: smiling, being kind, funny, passionate, motivated, creative, innovative, pensive, expressive, and respectful.

Read more by clicking the image ⬇️👇

Interview Tips to Make a Great Impression

by Karen Dickerson

You've found a job posting you love, polished your resume, submitted your application, and now you've landed the job interview. Congratulations! Job interviews are a crucial part of the hiring process. Along with getting to know you as a person, hiring managers use interviews to learn more about your background and skills and whether you would be a good fit for the company. This article shares ways to make a great impression during your job interview to help guide your career journey.

Read more by clicking the image ⬇️👇

Fun Facts

Welcome to Jamrock

From September 13-20, Correspondence Management Specialist Michelle Small enjoyed a week of fun in the sun at the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa located in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Michelle stated, “The resort was beautiful and well-kept. Lots of bars and great places to eat, especially the Jerk Hut and Seafood Restaurant. I really enjoyed the pool and the beach. A great place to relax and unwind! There were plenty of live performances and theme parties every night.  Never a dull moment.” Yah mon!

It's Football Season Baby

On Sunday, October 2, the DC Super Bowl took place in Arlington, Texas: the Washington Commanders vs the Dallas Cowboys. It was an exciting game for fans of both teams. The Cowboys beat the Commanders 25-10! In attendance was NMVITIS Program Coordinator LaChelle Johnson-Britton. LaChelle stated, "I had an enjoyable time. The people were so nice. I would definitely go again, but stay a little longer and hope for a different outcome".

Not sure who the team you cheer for plays next. You can find the 2022 NFL schedule here!

Heathcliff and Friends...The Last Episode

A short story by Tonya Miller...

The humans took him home after completing the paperwork.

Heathcliff was placed in the back of a very large truck. The woman clamped the smaller humans in seats directly in front of him. He laid down to see what this was all about.

He dozed off on the drive and when they arrived at their destination, the humans put him on the leash.

He and the male human, also known as Antony, walked around the very large park area. “This is your new home, boy. This is the yard where you can lay in the sun and play.”

Heathcliff wagged his tail. This seemed to make the human happy. After spending a bit of time outside, they went into the square box.

Heathcliff was led to something large and squishy on the floor next to a fire. He backed away from it, remembering the fires he had seen. The woman reassured him that it was okay. She sat on the squishy thing waiting for him to come over to her.

He walked around the room sniffing the strange new scents. Something definitely smelled like a cat. Heathcliff had only one run-in with a cat. It did not go well.

He walked into the kitchen smelling something strong. He went to the trash can and tried to open it. He knocked it over instead. The smell was in there. It smelled delicious and he wanted it. Heathcliff let out an annoyed woof.

“No,” the man said. “No, trash.”

“Good thing we got the locking trashcan. We thought it would be for Ryan, but clearly it will be for Maxwell.”

Maxwell? Heathcliff thought. Who was Maxwell? He woofed again and the man gently moved him out of the kitchen with his legs. Heathcliff was getting sleepy. He went over to the squishy thing and laid down near the woman who was still sitting there. He closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Now, he knew what happened to the dogs that left with the humans. He got a new bed, a new family, and a new home. The end...

Thank you for reading Heathcliff and Friends!

What's Happening Around the District

DPR Weekly Veggie Giveaways DC residents, stop by DC DPR's weekly veggie giveaway, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until December 15 (weather permitting). You can get free, fresh, and organic produce. Kale, collards, lettuce, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, herbs, flowers, and more! Learn more

Leaf Collection Season is Almost Here The DC Department of Public Works (DC DPW) will provide leaf collection service from November 7, 2022 - January 28, 2023 to District residents who receive DC DPW's trash and recycling services.

District households serviced by DC DPW are asked to rake leaves into the tree box (or at the curb in front of their home when there is no tree box) on the Sunday of the week of their scheduled collection. Learn more

Have Some Exciting News to Share?

Have some exciting news to share with your colleagues? It can be a family recipe, birth announcement, vacation, sporting event, etc.

Send your photos and a small write-up to Kellye.Underwood@dc.gov by Thursday, November 10.