https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNORGMETC/bulletins/3343677   

A couple years ago, I participated in the MentoringWorks program and had the good fortune to be mentored by South Garage Manager Doyne Parsons. In the few meetings we had before the pandemic put a damper on things, Doyne attentively listened to me talk about my work and what I hoped to achieve in the future, encouraged me, and offered to help in any way that he could. If nothing else, it was a reminder that support can be found in every corner of this organization. I found myself reflecting on that experience this week when I heard calls for new mentors and mentees weren't generating a lot of interest. And it's understandable -- as managers, it can be hard to find time to meet with your own direct reports, much less someone in another part of the organization. But I'm willing to wager we can all make time. It's also a pretty safe bet that this time would be well spent. So, please, consider this my personal plea to consider getting on the MentoringWorks bandwagon. Applications for mentors and mentees are being accepted through November 18. - Drew

Situational Awareness

• A mild weekend looms, Sven says. 
• The Gophers could pick up a much-needed win versus Rutgers at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29. Kick-off is at 1:30 p.m. 
• The 5-1 Vikings return to U.S. Bank Stadium for a noon game against the Cardinals on Sunday. 

Metropolitan Council

• The Metropolitan Council meets today (Wednesday, Oct. 26) to adopt the Public Comment Draft of the 2023 Unified Budget. 
  • Comments will be accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 14, when the budget will be adopted. 
  • From the GM: Budget proposal keeps us on the right path

Managers' Meeting

• The next Managers' Meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. to noon, and will focus on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). 
  • Read more about the CIP in the September 30 Insights
  • Watch recent Managers' Meetings on Stream

Open Enrollment

• Several on-site and virtual Open Enrollment info sessions are being offered to give employees a chance to hear more about the enrollment process and to ask the Benefits team questions.

  • Virtual sessions will be held on Teams on October 31, November 3, November 8 and November 18. If you did not receive an invite, please email benefits@metc.state.mn.us. 
  • More information about  Open Enrollment, on-site information sessions, and login changes for the Open Enrollment website was sent by email earlier this week. 

Job postings

• Police Officer (closes 10/31)
• Facilities Technician (closes 10/31)
• Associate Market Development Specialist (closes 10/31)
• Supervisor of Electrical Maintenance (closes 10/31)
• Associate Community Outreach Coordinator or Community Outreach Coordinator-Green Line Extension (closes 10/31)
• Supervisor-Rail Systems QA and Training (closes 11/2)
• Assistant Director-Bus Maintenance Technical Support (closes 11/2)
• Manager-Bus Maintenance Warranty, Contracts, and Analysis (closes 11/2)
• Police Data Analyst (closes 11/3)
• Customer Relations Specialist (closes 11/6)
• Transit Control Center Supervisor (closes 11/7)
• Manager-Sustainability (closes 11/7)
• Instructional Designer-Material Management (continuous) 

Review all current job postings

Upcoming operator hiring events: Job seekers can apply and interview for bus operator positions at upcoming hiring events at the Instruction Center. The next hiring events will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5, and Wednesday, Nov. 9. Learn more at metrotransit.org/drive. 

Happening at home

• Here and elsewhere, Kindle-like digital displays are being looked as a new way to provide real-time transit information. 
• Ridership among University of Minnesota students has picked up significantly since the introduction of the Universal Transit Pass.
• The City of Minneapolis plans to buy a defunct gas station at George Floyd Square. 
• The vacated Sears store just south of the Green Line's Rice Street Station could become an entertainment complex that would hold reality show contests (yes, really). 

Happening elsewhere

• After a string of violent incidents, New York's MTA is pushing a plan centered on more police, cameras and mental health resources. “Here’s what we’re calling it: Cops, Cameras, Care,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said. 
• SEPTA's new mobile ticketing app is getting a lukewarm response. 
• Chicago's CTA has introduced an online scorecard that tracks service reliability, staffing and facility improvements. 
• Ridership in Austin, Texas, is at its highest level since the start of the pandemic. 
• Half of the open seats on the board overseeing Denver's RTD don't have candidates in the November 8 election.