With Memorial Day just a few days away, I thought I’d take this opportunity to let HR managers, recruiters, and employers know that the there is a brand-new special internship available for employers and military service personnel who are nearing the end of the military service (“EOS”).  The program is available to special operations forces in every branch of the military (SEALS, Green Beret, etc.).  It is a government-paid internship lasting 179 days.

US Special Operations Command (“USSOCOM”) (headquartered in Tampa, Florida) has created the “Care Coalition,” a program dedicated to transitioning wounded or medically eligible veterans to civilian jobs under recent amendments to the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act.  The program is open to veterans from special operations of all service branches who, for medical reasons (that may or may not rise to the level of a permanent disability), cannot complete their current tour of military service.

The  Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, section 551 (“Section 551”) authorizes the military to create programs to provide eligible members of the armed forces with job training and employment skills training, including apprenticeship programs, to help prepare such members for employment in the civilian sector.  According to USSOCOM, to be eligible, the service member must have at least 180 days of active duty to their EOS period.  A service member on active duty is paid by and receives benefits from the military.  The internship can last no more than 179 days. Thus, throughout the internship, the vets are receiving salary and benefits from the military.

For the program to be eligible,

• The assigned tasks, duties, obligations and responsibilities imposed by the principal must be secondary and subordinate to any absences required by the service member’s care giver for treatment of the medical condition.  In short, doctor’s appointments first, work second.

• The principal cannot pay salary to the service member, and the service member must sign an express statement acknowledging that he or she will receive no pay from the principal.

• An internship does not guarantee employment and, in most cases, will not lead to employment.

• The program must provide meaningful training to assist the vet to transition to the civilian workforce.

For more information on the Care Coalition’s Internship Program, or for other information on hiring military veterans, contact Mary Wright.

Are you ready to support these ex-military internships? 

Photo credit.

The Human Resources department is one of the most vital and influential departments within any organization. They are tasked with hiring and managing multiple levels of staff from your hourly worker to a salaried manager and in some cases a c-level executive. Even though this department doesn’t have employees report to them, they’re in charge of communicating company news, keeping employees happy and resolving any issues that might arise.

Without Human Resources your company would have to simultaneously manage recruitment, compliance, talent management, fostering a good work environment, as well as multiple other things this department handles. In order for any successful company to expand and grow into a Fortune 500 company it’s necessary that you have a well-rounded Human Resources department. Here are just a few ways that a powerful HR department will expand and grow your business:

HR departments maintain good working environments for employees

A company is only as successful as the employees who work for them. The Human Resources department is tasked with probably the most important task aside from business development and overall strategy goals. Hiring and retaining top talent is an essential task that must be performed with exceptional results in order to best suit a company and their overall strategic vision. A product or service is only as good as the team that develops it. In order to create the best you must hire the best.

HR departments help resolve employee disputes

Ever had an employee walk up to you and claim that another employee has harassed them? The consequences of handling a certain situation in an improper manner could be the difference of being sued or working something out internally. The HR department is responsible for employee oversight that includes handling conflicts. As the ultimate mediator of employee disputes, the HR department will be able to avoid lawsuits and get to the bottom without managers mishandling a situation. Without HR departments your company might suffer from setbacks due to employee relationships.

HR departments set benchmarks and review employee success

Along the same lines of retaining good employees, HR departments are usually tasked with reviewing each employee and making recommendations based on where they’re best suited. They’re in charge of employee performance reviews and making sure only top talent is retained at a company. These reviews are designed to help identify talented employees and determine areas of strength or weakness and head off personal problems before they affect job performance. The greatest benefit of employee reviews to an employer is the creation of realistic job descriptions, which will help your workplace in the future.

No matter what they do, HR departments are able to act as a checks and balances in your organization. They’re able to help you determine the best-suited employees for each job you’re hiring, retention of top talent, manage disputes, and review the success of each individual. It’s no secret that the HR department is one of the most powerful and necessary departments in the organization.

What does your HR department do that you couldn’t imagine delegating to any other department?

Photo by Bigstockphoto.com.

My Grandpa

As far back as I can remember, he had always shuffled as he walked.  I watched and knew as he passed that he would somehow make fun of me and ruthlessly tease me or pop his teeth out just to scare me.   I was fascinated by his bottle collection, the variety and size of his garden, the old coins he so often sifted through, and his stories.   He had a “gun room” of countless collectibles and I, being a girl, was not allowed to enter.  I didn’t really want to, even though my brothers were often escorted and allowed to croon over priceless items not only collected over the years, but saved from wars. 

The Man

My grandfather, Ray Hamlin, served in the United States Army during World War II.  He was proud of his service but to my recollection rarely spoke of it.  I do, however, remember him telling, in a pained voice, about a friend who was killed while standing right next to him.  I knew he had been through a terrible time and that as a result, he had been changed forever.  But it was his duty and he never complained or renounced the actions of the war of which he was a part.  Post-war, he returned to his wife (my grandmother) and their little girl (my mother) and fathered two more sons, my uncles – both of whom subsequently survived military service of their own.  One uncle even went on to serve with the elite Green Berets.   My father served for a time in the National Guard; there is an ingrained sense of military pride and gratitude in my family.

With Gratitude

My message today is a simple message out to any and all those who sacrificed life or limb, self or mind, fear or pride.  Thank you.  Because of your service, I will never know the tragedies many others have known throughout time.  I will sleep soundly tonight in a bed protected by four walls and the freedoms I so often take for granted.   I will start a summer with certainty instead of hopeless hope and I will raise my children in a place where they can walk safely down the road and feel free to shake the hands of neighbors of any gender or orientation, race or religion.

May this recognition and fortune be yours, as well. 

Take care and live wisely.

This blog was originally posted by Tiffany Kuehl on the Peformance I Create blog. Every other Wednesday, Blogging4Jobs will feature a guest post from the up-and-coming multi-contributor blog, Performance I Create. 

The beginning of the year often serves as a time for reflecting on what we have accomplished during the previous year, and identifying our plans and focus for the coming year. Successful organizations make strategic planning a priority, set long-range goals, and identify objectives to assist with achieving those goals. As individuals, it is equally important for us to set our own goals and objectives to help drive personal productivity and contribute to business results. As you document your road map for success, here are some things you should keep in mind.

Goal vs. Objective

While “goal” and “objective” are frequently used interchangeably, they are different and serve different purposes. Goals are broad and not necessarily measurable; however, they help guide your direction. Goals are something one tries to achieve, a general intention, such as – I will be healthy. Objectives are concrete and have a purpose or definitive target and can be validated, such as – I will hire a personal trainer to assist me with my exercise and eating routine, on or before March 1.

Although you have determined what you aim to accomplish for the year, take a moment to audit yourself and ensure what you are setting out to do is S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. For example, a talent acquisition director may have the following:

• Goal:  Provide candidates with a best-in-class recruiting experience

• Objective:  Complete an analysis of candidate experience survey data from the last three years and identify key target areas for improvement by April 1

SPECIFIC

Define exactly what is to be achieved. What do you want to get done? Why does it need to be done? Who is involved? Why target this issue or action? What is the benefit?  In the example above, the talent acquisition director knows exactly what is to be achieved and why – an analysis of the feedback provided by candidates.

MEASURABLE

Be sure to indicate what the benchmark is. This will help you, and others, determine whether or not your objective has been met. There should be an observable outcome. When your activity or task has been completed, is cost, quality, and quantity impacted? If so, how do you know? Our talent acquisition director’s performance can be measured by whether or not the analysis of candidate survey data is complete.

ATTAINABLE

Make sure the objective is something within your control. Is this objective achievable? Is it something you have the desire and motivation to accomplish? As a talent acquisition director, reviewing feedback from candidates who have gone through the recruitment process is well within his/her span of control.

REALISTIC

Is this work you are willing and able to do? Do you have the tools and resources available to you to get the work done? If the accomplishment of the objective requires skills beyond your reach or requires authorization that is not within your span of control, the objective at hand may not be a realistic one for you. Reviewing candidate feedback is definitely a realistic action for a talent acquisition leader to take.

TIMELY

Setting a date for completion helps you attain your desired outcome.  Assigning a due date helps prevent your objective from being overruled by the day-to-day issues and activities that come up in your work or life. Use a specific timeframe (i.e. days, weeks, months or an exact day or date). Your deadline should be clear. Our candidate experience objective is timely as the target completion date for the analysis of candidate survey data is set for April 1.

 Other examples of S.M.A.R.T. objectives:

• Implement a new hourly worker performance management program for use by all front line supervisors by July 31, 2013

• Create a new employee onboarding program and submit it to the HR leadership team on or before March 31, 2013

• Negotiate contract with third party payroll administrator by Q3 2013

• Expand my professional network by attending at least three local SHRM chapter events in 2013 and exchange business cards with at least two people at each event.

Realistic objectives are motivating. If they include things you’re already doing they are not true objectives. Challenge yourself! And be sure your targets tie into or align with your organization/team objectives and goals.

To be successful, you should not just set your objectives and forget them. Take time throughout the year to ensure you are on track. As you achieve your objectives, set new ones. Or take an opportunity to modify them, ensure they are still relevant and suit your needs and the changing needs of your organization or team.

Good luck and much success!

Photo Credit. 

*This post was updated last at 2:21 PM CST on 5/23/13. My goal is to provide at least 2 updates per day going forward as new information and resources become available to me. Follow the Twitter hash tag, #mooreisok for specific updates and changes to blog.

May 20th Oklahoma Tornado Forever Changed Me

If you’ve been following me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, you know that I’ve been posting live updates and information as I am aware  in relation to the devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma on May 20th, 2013. My house is 1 block from all the damage, and this morning (5/22/13) I was able to leave my house for the first time in 2 days. Since I am so close to ground zero, I have been helping in any way I can using my mobile phone to drive information and assistance. Yesterday, with the help of Blake, my community manager, I was able to blog about the events in Surviving Moore.

To understand how large the devastation really was and the large path of the tornado, you can click to view Google’s Crisis Map. Having just been able to drive my car through most of the affected areas, it hurts my heart. I often can’t tell what street I am on as their are no street signs or landmarks that would help me recognize. My daughter, who is 4 has seen the damage as we drove her to school. She told me that the tornado ate houses and after it was done, pooped everywhere including our yard. I think it’s an accurate description of what happened especially from a 4 year old. It’s unreal.

Today (5/22/13) was the first day we have been able to leave our home and I was able to see how close me and my family came to loosing our lives and our belongings. It’s likely that our storage unit we had just down the street and everything in it is gone, but I am very lucky.

For those of you who are not in Moore and are looking to do something that will directly impact those who have been affected, please see the information below. For those of you who are looking for information or contact information in relation to the storm, donations and assistance, my friend Carrie Corbin has compiled a stellar list. I’ve updated to reflect what I know and will continue to make additions and updates as more information is available. Please feel free to leave a comment and share your own information or assistance in the comments and I will update for you.

Oklahoma and Moore Tornado Assistance Guide

LIFE ESSENTIALS (Important Updates for Residents) 

• Ice and Water Available. Ice available for residents at Southgate Baptist Church 740 SW 4th St. Moore, OK or Phone: (405) 799-8889. Deliveries into neighborhoods are trying to be coordinated. City recommends you don’t wait for delivery. Bring your ice chest to church. Available each day going forward during recovery and at no charge.

• Access to Birth Records. Emergency access to birth records and important documents is available at no cost. Fees are waived and will remain in effect until June 30, 2013. Storm victims can apply for birth or death certificates at the Oklahoma State Department of Health office at 1000 Northeast Tenth Street in Oklahoma City. Information by clicking here.

• HUD Offers Homeowners Foreclosure Protection for 90 days. Click here for information or call 1-800-CALL-FHA to see if your home is FHA insured.

• Free Laundry Service. Tide is set up in the Wal-Mart parking lots on 19th street and Telephone offering free laundry services to tornado victims

• Cell phone charging stations are set up in the parking lots of the Moore Home Depot also at 19th and Telephone

• Getting Around Moore & Oklahoma City. As of 5/23/13, Telephone Road has reopened between 4th and 19th streets. 4th street is also open but Santa Fe is closed between 4th and 19th streets.

• Food is available to residents and volunteers at Operation BBQ Relief. Check on their Facebook Page for updates on current locations and distribution times. As of 5/23/13, food is being served at Hillsdale Baptist College at 3701 S. Frontage Road, Moore, OK 73160 or call (405) 625-2462.

• Mail Service. The Moore OK Post Office Branch, servicing ZIP Codes 73153 and 73160 sustained heavy damage Monday and the employees have been relocated. The letter carriers from Moore Branch are temporarily housed at the Airport Finance Unit located at 6500 Air Cargo Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73195. Beginning, 5/23/13, Letter carriers for both Santa Fe and Moore will attempt delivery where possible. Customers that cannot receive mail at their residence in the impacted ZIP Codes of 73153 and 73160 may pick their mail up from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Airport Finance Unit (AFU). Impacted customers in ZIP Code 73170 can pick up their mail from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Santa Fe. Customers are required to provide their delivery address and a valid photo ID in order to pick up their mail. Nearby retail services are available at Penn 89 Station located at 9201 South Penn and are also available at the AFU.

• For Pet Owners Wanting Temporary Housing. La Quinta Inns and Suites allows pets in their hotel rooms. Nearby locations: La Quinta Inn & Suites 2140 Riverwalk Dr. Moore, OK 73160 Phone: 1-405-759-7700 & La Quinta Inn Oklahoma City Del City 5501 Tinker Diagonal Del City, OK 73115-4613 Phone: 1-405-672-0067

• Short Term Rental Rooms & Homes. Go to AirBnB.com. Download their mobile app. Some very affordable homes, rooms and options in the surrounding areas. I also encourage renters or home owners to have available rooms to list them here. Much more reliable than Craigslist and less likely to be scams

• List of Where Emergency Aid Stations & Food Are. This page is updated for those who are looking for Red Cross assistance, food and where the stations, trucks and aid will be. Click here.

• Photo and Personal Items Found Dropoff. Amy Innovations in Moore is collecting & cleaning photos found in the rubble. Studio Innovations address is 201 N. Broadway, Suite #104 Moore, OK 73160 (Inside the Moore Old School building), Phone 405-626-3686. They also have Facebook Fan Page

• Unemployed or Unable to Work? Disaster Underemployed Assistance Program is available for those small business owners or workers who are unemployed because of the tornado. You can file a claim by calling OESC Unemployment Insurance Service Center at 1-800-555-1554 at Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to begin the claim process. More information can be found by clicking here. Access the OESC website.

Resources & Information for Oklahoma and Moore Tornado Victims

HOUSING (subject to change quickly)

• 4-6 houses ready to move in for anyone that is displaced. Let anyone you know to call 405-801-2293 we can get people moved in today. I know this is a tough time and we want to be available to help if you can’t get through or it’s after hours please call cell 405-209-5379

• The Greens at Norman has immediate availability for all tornado victims. We are furnishing several apartments specifically for those that have lost everything. Please let everyone know!! We don’t want to sit in vacancy while people go without homes!

• Remington Apartments in OKC are giving away free apartments for the people who lost their homes!! 125 South Santa Fe Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73139(405) 634-2428

• Short Term Rental Rooms & Homes. Go to AirBnB.com. Download their mobile app. Some very affordable homes, rooms and options in the surrounding areas. I also encourage renters or home owners to have available rooms to list them here. Much more reliable than Craigslist and less likely to be scams

• HUD Offers Homeowners Foreclosure Protection for 90 days. Click here for information or call 1-800-CALL-FHA to see if your home is FHA insured.

• Housing Grant up to $2,000 per Household Available. Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency announced today the availability of grants for families impacted by tornadoes in Oklahoma in 2013. The grants, capped at $2,000 per household, may be used for housing related expenses including utility deposits, security deposits, hotel rooms and first month’s rent. There is no income limit attached to the grants.(405) 419-8196

EMPLOYMENT 

• Disaster Underemployed Assistance Program is available for those small business owners or workers who are unemployed due to the tornados. You can file a claim by calling OESC Unemployment Insurance Service Center at 1-800-555-1554 at Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to begin the claim process. More information can be found by clicking here. Access the OESC website. 

FUNERAL SERVICES

• West Haven Memorial Gardens is offering free burial and service

• Primrose Funeral Home in Norman is offering free burial and service

PRICE GAUGING

Sadly, I have already heard from friends of this occurring. Know your rights and who to contact.

• From the Oklahoma Attorney General: If you experience price gouging w/ car rental, hotels or apartments, call the AG’s Office immediately at (405) 521-2029.

RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS

• FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA, visit their Facebook Page, how to get involved including fantastic tips and the FEMA website. The FEMA site has a robust mobile version to so you can sign up there directly and not have to wait on hold.

• REGIONAL FOOD BANK (more cost effective to donate cash than food). Text FOOD to 32333 to donate $10, visit their website or their Facebook Page.

• RED CROSS (have shelters & are also working to provide food and supplies to first responders). THEY DO NOT NEED ANY MORE PHYSICAL DONATIONS. Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.00 (provides food, shelter, and emotional support services), 1-800-REDCROSS. To find a location or make an appointment to give blood near you in or outside of Oklahoma visit their website by clicking here. Check out the RedCross Facebook Page. If you’d like to donate directly to Red Cross Oklahoma Disaster Relief visit their website. 
  

• SALVATION ARMY. Text STORM to 80888 to donate $10.00, their website to donate in Oklahoma and check out their Facebook Page.

• CHRISTMAS CONNECTION:  (405) 634-2006 5728 S May OKC-closed toe shoes, lace up shoes, NO SANDALS, household items (dishes, small appliances, etc), hand sanitizer, wipes, work gloves, toiletries, Check out their Facebook Page.

• OKLAHOMA BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF: Monetary Donations only, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (provides listing of organizations who are helping). Click to visit their website.

SOCIAL MEDIA RESOURCES AND COMMUNITIES

• Moore Tornado Relief Facebook Page

• Group Moore Oklahoma Tornado Volunteers (this is another great page for centralized information)

• Group to Return Photos Found From the Moore Oklahoma Tornados

• Facebook Page just for Pottawatomie and Lincoln county volunteers and those affected by clicking here

• Facebook Group for Moore Tornado Volunteers

• Moore Giving Tree Facebook Page. Look for families posting specific items they need so you can donate directly to them.

Other volunteer efforts:

• www.teamrubiconusa.org

• Samaritans’ Purse (Granbury TX – deploying efforts to Oklahoma) http://spvolunteernetwork.org/projects/oklahoma-tornado-response.aspx

LISTS OF SHELTERS:

• Visit News 9′s website which has a comprehensive list by clicking here

• Chabad Community Center of Southern Oklahoma just opened their doors on 5/22/13 to accept individuals. Click here for more information

PETS & ANIMALS (supplies needed here too for shelters)

• https://www.facebook.com/okhumane

• https://www.facebook.com/PORC247

• https://www.facebook.com/animalresourcecenter

• Lost Pets: www.okclostpets.com

• Facebook Group for Lost & Found Pets

• Home Depot (Moore) is helping with animal rescue (405) 895-6064

• Other donation items for pets: Crates and Kennels are also needed and can be dropped off at: 1) Cleveland County Fairgrounds at 615 E Robinson St 2) Norman Animal Shelter at 3428 S. Jenkins Ave 3) http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/how-to-help-animals-affected-by-the-oklahoma-tornado?WT.z_mod=HPDL 4) Second Chance Animal Shelter 4500 24th Ave NW Norman, OK 73069 (405)321-1915 for Fostering (360) 201-6222- NEEDS: Purina One Lamb and Rice, Purina One Puppy, Purina Cat and Non-Clumping litter 5) Horse Donations (623)776-3533

• Displaced horses can be temporarily housed with Yvette Fees. Contact her at 405.589.0833 or email at yvettefees@alo.com

To Volunteer:

• Moore Recovers 

• OK Strong 

Searching for Friends, Family or Pets:

• For family & friends use Safe and Well 

• For pets use OKCLostPets.com

How You Can Help Moore Oklahoma Tornado Victims

MONETARY DONATIONS

Just a reminder that CASH is always the most cost-effective way of donating through an established organization (either directly through a formal organizations website or via a text donation) because the food banks and other non-profits can purchase items tax-free at reduced rates and can provide entire meals for less than what we can donate – and you also ensure that people who actually need the help, receive it.

AGENCIES PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR SPECIFIC FAMILIES 

There are a number of agencies that assist with providing families items or donations.

• National Disaster Adoptions. This is not an official non-profit but provides individuals who are looking to help others with a way to adopt those who have qualified for FEMA. Visit their Facebook Group. 

DONATING TO INDIVIDUALS

Personal Fundraising. Contact Mary Yap at mary@crowdtilt.com. They are waiving all credit card fees and can help get national donations for supplies or for local church/organization relief efforts as well. http://bit.ly/FundraiseForOklahoma. You are welcome to list your individual fundraising campaign in the comments section. I will update them as I learn of more as well.

DONATING BLOOD 

The blood banks are asking that you begin to schedule donations for July and into the fall. The response has been overwhelming for them. Oklahoma Blood Institute: www.obi.org (405)-278-3100-Wants blood donations later in the week call for times. Red Cross: To find a location or make an appointment to give blood near you in or outside of Oklahoma: www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation.

ALL OTHER DONATIONS: (SEE EXTENSIVE LIST BELOW) 

Most organizations are requesting specific items to be donated and do not want to be the place just for everyone’s cast off items that would end up in a garage sale or thrift shop.  Please call ahead before donating if you do not know the specific items that are needed.

FUNDRAISERS

My friend Leslie Spears has a nice list of fundraisers and events happening in the OKC Metro to benefit the tornado victims and community. To learn more click here.

OTHER DROP-OFF LOCATIONS *By City*

MOORE:

• Moore Community and Development (405)793-5053-Heavy Machinery for cleaning debris

• Home Depot (Moore) is helping with animal rescue (405) 895-6064

EDMOND: 

• Crawford Family Funeral Service – call 405.340.2333

• Memorial Road Church of Christ: 2221 East Memorial Road, 405.478.0166

• Juice Blendz at 1200 West Covell Road in Edmond (405-285-0133)

• All Edmond High Schools have drop-off’s. Edmond Memorial High School (405) 340-2850-Clothing, Edmond North (405) 340-2875-Bottled Water, Edmond Santa Fe (405) 340-2230-Canned Food

OKLAHOMA CITY: 

• New Direction Ministries – 10109 N. Western Avenue (405-242-4692)

• The Gate Church is accepting: Water, Sunscreen, Baby Items, Toiletries, Gloves, etc. 7700 North Council Road (405-728-7700)

• 50 Penn Place: Clear Channel station in 50 Penn Place will accept donations at the west entrance. N.W. 50th and Penn West entrance

• LifeChurch.tv is partnering with Convoy of Hope: Drop off information: http://www.facebook.com/lifechurchtv,  Locations: www.lifechurch.tv/locations

• McNellie’s OKC and Norman-Water, Gatorade, clothing, baby supplies, paper towels

• Carl’s Auto Repair (405) 677-7446-All Items

• Home Depot metro area you can buy items for donation at store an they will deliver to Moore

• Chili’s Metro Locations-Can drop off any items at any of their locations

• Catholic Chairities (405) 523-3000

• Science Museum Oklahoma (405) 602-6664-Bottled water, Gatorade, wipes, baby formula, canned food

• David Stanley Dodge (405) 737-3700 7609 SE 29th St OKC-Everything but clothing

• Council Road Baptist (405) 495-2727 Mon-Fri 7am-530pm 2900 N Council OK-All donations

• Asbury Medical Supplies (405) 858-0097 9am-5pm 3401 N May-Any Donations

• Trinity Clinic (405) 848-7246 4236 NW Expressway Ste 115 OKC-Any Donations

• St. James Anglican Church OKC 204 104th St. OKC  (Intersection of Walker and 104th)- Any Donations

NORMAN:

• Journey Church in Norman I-35 & Tecumseh in Norman

• McNellie’s OKC and Norman-Water, Gatorade, clothing, baby supplies, paper towels

• OU Housing and Food (405) 325-9900 Donations accepted at the Main Walker Tower on campus 1406 Asp Ave in Norman- Diapers, baby supplies, toiletries, phone chargers, dog and cat food, board games and DVDs, new clothes for both adults and kids

• Second Chance Animal Shelter 4500 24th Ave NW Norman, OK 73069 (405)321-1915 for Fostering (360) 201-6222- NEEDS: Purina One Lamb and Rice, Purina One Puppy, Purina Cat and Non-Clumping litter

MUSTANG: 

• Mustang Brewing Company Headquarters – Open 5/21 at 7:00 a.m. Several thousand square feet of warehouse space opened up. Will get it to those who need it. 520 North Meridian Avenue, Oklahoma City. (405) 943-0100-Water, non-perishable food, baby supplies, clothing and home goods

MIDWEST CITY: 

• Beta Delgado at Door Christian Fellowship 405.705.1919

CHOCTAW: 

• Choctaw Road Baptist Church – collecting water, diapers, toiletries, snack foods, work gloves, gatorade, sunscreen, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, ibuprofen. PLEASE NO CLOTHING. Between 8:15 am and 4:15 pm Tuesday and Wednesday. 14971 East Reno, Choctaw (405-390-9002)

SHAWNEE: 

• Shawnee Mall (405)275-7253 4901 N Kickapoo St Center court in front of Jc Penny-Any Donations

• Shawnee Expo Center: Any donations including clothing. Call (405) 481-5871 05/22 after 10am for details. They are taking things to Moore, Carney etc as needed.

BARTLESVILLE: 

• Bartlesville Professional Firefighters, Local 200 accepting the same as my original list above, plus clothing and shoes.

EL RENO: 

• Lucky Star Casino, Event Tent — a trailer is set up for donations from 7:00am till 3:00pm Tuesday and Wednesday (Event Tent on the West Side of the Casino). A cashier will be available for monetary donations. Necessary items, water, gatorade, non perishable foods, diapers, formula and wipes, hand sanitizer, gloves, trash bags, rakes, shovels, flashlight and batteries, suntan lotion, pre packed snacks. No clothes, bedding or household items at this time, as Red Cross has no storage or distribution center set up for these items at this time. Will be needed in the very near future though. EL Reno, Oklahoma (405-422-6500)

ELK CITY: 

• Culver Electric: filling trailers with water, diapers, wipes, formula, gloves, hand tools, sunscreen, Gatorade, and all needed items on the salvation army and red cross list. 1823 West 20th in Elk City

LOCAL MEDIA: 

• KYIS 98.9 (405)848-0100 4045 NW 64th St (64th and Wedgewood)-Everything but clothing

• www.News9.com (405)-843-6641 7401 N Kelly Ave OKC-Accepting anything but clothes

• www.Newsok.com

• www.Kfor.com

• www.Okcfox.com

• Clear Channel station in 50 Penn Place will accept donations at the west entrance. N.W. 50th and Penn West entrance

OTHER DONATIONS: (not sure of location)

• Twisted Route Art (580) 512-5191-Clothing

VOLUNTEERING

Please stay out of the affected areas until search and rescue and emergency crews have said it’s safe and so that traffic doesn’t stay congested. As a victim, it’s so hard to be stuck trying to get to and from your home (or what’s left of it) because there are so many people in the area coming to sight see or to try and volunteer before they are needed.

Please consider contacting any number of the organizations listed below or anyone who you know is organizing efforts to help. You don’t have to be in the zone to be impactful.

• Please call organizations before showing up to volunteer unless they have asked otherwise.

• The County Commissioner for the area is Brian Maughan and once search and rescue is wrapping up, his county crew will be working on clean-up and will needs lots of manpower and for well past this weekend. Please follow him for updates https://www.facebook.com/commissionerbrianmaughan

PETITIONS: (Shelters in Schools) 

Those of you may know that two schools were leveled in the storm and a number of children’s lives were lost because there was not a shelter, safe room or basement in the school. I picked up my own daughter at her school just minutes from when the tornado hit. Ryleigh’s school was spared. I watched the tornado desend from the sky and we narrowly missed our lives being taken. Please consider signing these to support the addition of shelters in all schools in Oklahoma.

• White House Petition

• Change.org Petition

• Causes.com Petition

Supporting Each Other. Supporting Oklahoma

Please feel free to leave a comment below and add to the list. We will work to keep the list updated but it’s up to you. Let’s work together to help overcome this obstacles. Let’s support Oklahoma.

Photo Credit @stormcoker.

Diversity - change, difference, variation, dissimilarity

Diversity can mean a lot of different things. Hiring a diverse group of people.  Learning to like different foods.  Embracing different cultures.  Choosing an unusual set of rules to solve problems.  It can also mean developing a new way to think.  Over the last few years, I have been lucky enough to learn a new way to think on a number of different fronts and it has been a direct result of my exposure to diversity.  Thankfully.

Exposure

I started tweeting consistently a few years ago and have enjoyed the information share and getting to know people I never would have met otherwise.  I can honestly say that some of my closest friends are people and colleagues whom I have met on Twitter.  Its global reach and searchability have helped me align with certain individuals with similar interests.  I like shaking the hand of a new friend I have been following online but finally had yet to meet in person.  Lucky for me, this happens often and my ring of friendship – my network – is ever-expanding

Lifetime of Surprises

Ten years ago, I never would have guessed that I would learn about relaxation on a South Seas isle nor would I have thought I would be working in London or Canada every now and again.  The changes that life presents can surprise and enlighten us.  I have been exposed to diversity and it has been one of my life’s greatest lessons.  I am shocked by how little I knew about the world outside of my own little space.  I am happy at this realization as this admission is one step further away from ignorance.

 A Global Point of View

Here’s an interesting thought that makes absolute sense.  I used to think that the UK and Europe was global and to me, it is representative of global.  But to my friends around the world – outside of my country and even my state, my home represents globility.  Sometimes, you just need to step outside of yourself and your personal location.  You see, it is all about perspective; point of view is everything. 

The changes this little thought brings to how we do business are boundless, imagine what it could do for “life”.

by Rayanne Thorn