Only family can build stronger families

Russell King, CEO
I settled into the bleachers with the other parents at the girls' softball game, happy to have my focus on something lighter than the issues we deal with at work.  My daughter, Maya, has had a great season that's been fun to watch, and I was primed to cheer her on.  It was not to be.

The dad next to me arrived at the game from a funeral, and he needed to talk. The funeral was the result of an unspeakable tragedy that had befallen a staff member at an agency where this dad was chair of the board.  The tremor in his voice and the tears in his eyes, as he told me the story, revealed the deep personal investment this board member has in the agency he serves.

As I listened with horror and sympathy, the story changed.  His voice strengthened and his mood lifted as he told me about the therapist who came to the agency to help the staff find their way through the early stages of grief and loss.  The therapist was there because the agency had the foresight to provide an employee assistance program (EAP) as a benefit to its staff.

He told me how great both the program and the therapist were, and how the staff members were effusive in their praise and in saying how helpful, how important the program was to them.  I nodded in agreement, while wishing more employers would learn about EAPs and see the wisdom in their use.  But when he said, "Everybody just loved the therapist - Greg was his name. He was fantastic." I smiled.

I smiled because Greg is FSM's own Greg Chism, director of our EAP program.  I smiled because it was good to have my own impression of Greg confirmed by the people Greg serves.  I smiled because it is great to hear about the healing that FSM is doing in our community.  This is why FSM exists. This is why we do what we do. 
This is why we're inviting you to help with the healing. Individual heroes, like Greg, are important - and we have a lot of them on staff at FSM - but they are not enough.  Service agencies, like FSM, are important, too, but they are also not enough.  We are
necessary, but insufficient.  You, and others like you, are what completes the picture. 

Healing, building strong families, is a community thing, a "family" thing in the broadest sense of the word.   Join us, if you can, on the 13 th , but - more importantly - join us every day, join us in your heart and in your thoughts.  Support FSM with your time, your effort, your checkbook.  Support FSM, too, in your conversations at work, at church, in your club, among your friends, wherever an opportunity presents itself.  Let's grow this family to build stronger families. 
   
We Are Family silent auction prizes
 
Below are (most of) the items you will find irresistible at the FSM silent auction tables Aug. 13, 5:30-8 PM at the CUNA Mutual Conference Cent er on Mine
ral Point Road.
  • Date Night:  Downtown Madison Hilton stay (two people not on home football weekends), plus two  $50 gift certificates for the Capitol Chop House.
  • A Night Out:  $150 toward one-night stay at Hotel Red (expires 12/30/15, excludes game days and black-out dates), plus two $25 gift cards for any Food Fight restaurant.
  • Eat, Drink & Be Merry!  Vermont Valley Community Farm - 4 week CSA (Aug. 20 - Sept. 10); one four-course wine tasting session for two people at von Klaus Winery; and a Metro Market gift certificate.
  • Dinner & a Show:  $70 gift card to Muramoto, and a gift certificate to Sundance Theatre.
  • Fore!  The Meadows of Sixmile Creek Golf Course - four rounds of golf, 18 holes; Pleasant View Golf Course - four rounds of golf, 18 holes; Edelweiss Golf Course -  four rounds of golf,  18 holes.
  • Family Getaway:  Two-night stay in a Family Fireplace Suite at Great Wolf Lodge (includes waterpark passes for each registered guest).
  • Around Dane:  Gift certificate for the Great Dane; Big Sky Restaurant gift certificate; and a $50 gift certificate to Eno Vino Wine Bar.
  • Get Out of Town:  Two-night stay at Holiday Inn in Port Washington; one four-course wine tasting session for two people at von Klaus Winery.
  • High Class:  Rare Restaurant gift card; Modern Twist Coasters, set of four; Hyart necklace, silver, CZ, plated in rhodium; and a bottle of wine.
  • Glamorize:  Hyart Ring, silver, CZ, plated in rhodium and gold; Hyart Earrings, silver, CZ, plated in rhodium, black pearls; and Hyart Necklace, silver, CZ, plated in rhodium.
  • Wisconsin Proud:  Luxury suite (14 tickets) at a University of Wisconsin women's basketball game.
  • Pretty Things:  Painting by Raven Albrecht of Ravenworks; three $10 gift cards from America's Best Flowers; handmade jewelry - turquoise necklace and earrings; and Hyart Earrings, Sri Lanakn, pearl, amethyst, garnet.
  • Yard Work:  Fiskars basket of garden stuff (clippers, tool for cutting wood, garden spades, etc.).
  • Crafty: HP Smartphone and tablet wireless printer; Fiskars basket of craft goods (scrapbooking tools, large punches, scissors, paper crimper; Midori paper clips, duck and bicycle).
  • Sleep Now, Play Tomorrow:  Vermont Teddy Bear; sleep consultation by Maya; Modern Twist Mark mat with markers; Fiskars basket of school stuff (11 scissors, pencil sharpener, compass and protractor sets).
  • Bucky!  Two Badger football tickets:  September 12 vs Miami of Ohio - Section E Row 34
  • On Wisconsin!  Two Badger football tickets:  September 19 vs Troy - Section E Row 34
  • Up North:  Two-night stay at The Waters of Minocqua 
  • Family Service Madison Hero:  Any bid is a winner! (Just an easy way to make a donation to FSM.)

 
We Are Family schedule of events

5:30        Doors open at CUNA Mutual; grab a bite to eat, have a drink, bid on silent auction items, buy raffle tickets, take a shot at the wine pull, and enjoy musical entertainment by Marcy and the Highlights (dance if the spirit moves you!)
6:15        Welcome remarks by CUNA Mutual's Steve Goldberg, our host and master of ceremonies, and by Russell King, president and CEO of Family Service Madison.  
6:30         The MadHatters, the a cappella group from the University of Wisconsin,               treat us to their special blend of youthful talent and energy.
The MadHatters of UW-Madison

7:00         Awards presentation
7:20         More music!  Bidding on the first silent auction table closes.                       
7:30         Raffle drawing
7:40         Bidding on the second silent auction table closes
7:50         Bidding on the third silent auction table closes
7:55        Farewell!
8:00        Event ends



 
FSM's  Employee Assistance Programs
Employers recognize their most valuable resource is their own employees. Employers also know employees can face difficult and challenging times in their lives that may affect their ability to perform at 100%. So the que stion is:  Where can my employees get access to services that help address life's challenges and be successful personally and professionally? The answer is: the FSM Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefit.
FSM is an external EAP provider that successfully provides services to more than 30 employer groups. FSM's EAP provides brief in-person counseling and therapy, and assistance with locating community resources. These services to employees are provided by Master's-level therapists who will effectively assist employees in dealing with a variety of issues.

FSM's EAP also provides the employer group with on-site services. These on-site services can include: management and employee training, and responses to critical events in the workplace (see below).

The FSM EAP can be the first step in assisting employees in getting the help they need. This early intervention may prevent issues from worsening. Your EAP can assist you with many personal, family, and/or job-related stressors and challenges. Examples of what you can seek EAP for include:
  • Marital/relationship problems
  • Depression/anxiety
  • Financial difficulties
  • Stress
  • Balancing family and work
  • Grief/loss
  • Substance abuse
  • Domestic violence
  • Interpersonal relationships at work
  • Locating community resources
  • Elder care issues
Our EAP is affordable, and we specialize in partnering with our EAP accounts to make this benefit successful.

When an employee wishes to schedule an in-person assessment, our goal is to be able to offer you an appointment within 72 business hours. Flexible scheduling will occur to meet the needs of the employee. The EAP benefit provides you with short term counseling sessions. Many issues can be resolved in short term counseling through the EAP benefit. Should an issue require longer term therapy or specialized services, your EAP will assist you in identifying your options.

Help is also available via telephone. You can call and consult with an EAP counselor. The EAP counselor can also assist you in locating community resources you or your family may need.

FSM's EAP offers the following workshops

Reasonable Suspicion: This workshop assists supervisors on better understanding the definition of reasonable suspicion, document their concerns appropriately, and to have a greater awareness of the signs and symptoms of alcohol or drug use. The company policy is also discussed so they know the appropriate procedures to follow when they suspect an employee is under the influence.

Alcohol and Drug Awareness: This workshop serves to better educate all employees on the physiological aspects and effects of alcohol and drug usage.

Harassment: This workshop will define what, exactly, harassment is. It will also discuss the two different types of harassment found in the workplace. The discussion will cover the responsibilities of supervisors and managers in maintaining a harassment-free workplace, and to review the organization policies and procedures.

Supervisory Training: This workshop will work with supervisors to have a clear understanding of patterns of job performance deterioration, proper documentation, evaluation of job-related issues, and how and when to use EAP as an effective referral option.

Stress Management: This workshop helps to identify the symptoms of stress (physical, emotional), assess their own stress levels, and to identify stress reducing techniques. The workshop will introduce the physical, spiritual, and emotional framework to combat and help to prevent stress. Principles of rational emotive therapy will be explored and introduced as an effective technique.

Conflict Resolution: This workshop identifies the five basic methods of resolving conflicts.

Anger Management: Anger is a common and normal emotion in response to any situation in which we perceive a threat exists. This workshop will identify the spectrum of anger and violence, identify signs of anger, including hidden anger, and effective skills for managing this normal feeling that often creates significant difficulty. This workshop will use rational emotive therapy principles as effective skills.

Bullying and Respect in the Workplace:  This workshop will address creating a respectful workplace environment. It will also identify and raise awareness of bullying behavior so these behaviors can be eliminated.

Domestic Violence: This workshop will examine facts vs. myths of domestic violence. It will also explore the cycle of power and control and the different types of violence. Solutions are identified for victims of abuse.

Self- Esteem: This workshop will define what self -esteem is and ways to improve your overall self-esteem.

Grief and Loss: This workshop explores the stages of the grief cycle and identifies possible warning signs for the grief cycle. The workshop does not have to be limited to bereavement resulting from the death of a person, but can be a broad application of the stages of the mourning process.

Communication: This workshop will explore patterns of communication and identify ways we can more effectively communicate with others. It will also explore roadblocks or barriers to effective styles of communication.

Relationship Building: This workshop will work to identify marital myths and develop understanding of you and your partner's "love language." This workshop will assist in looking at ways to build a couple's overall level of intimacy and closeness.

For more information, contact Greg Chism by phone 608-316-1171 or 866-968-7327; or by  email here.

 

Thank you to our "We Are Family" sponsors

 

As of August 11, the following people and companies have sponsored our August 13 event: Mike Serpe & Deb Hertzberg of Door County, and Jen Winiger of Madison; Artful Asker, Capitol Air, Crazy Lenny's E-Bikes, CUNA Mutual, Great Wolf Lodge, iHeart Media, Johnson Bank, M3 Insurance, MadCity Labs, Madison Magazine, McGladrey LLP, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Monona Plumbing and Fire Protection, PDS IT Services, Ryan  Signs, S&R Remodeling, Summit Credit Union, Quality True Value Hardware, Wegner CPAs, and WISC TV.

 

Mike Serpe and Deb Hertzberg of Door County

 

Jenifer Winiger

 

Mike and Nancy Beilke