MTAS Mustard for weeks ended 9-18, 9-25, and 10-2-20

 

Good Tuesday Afternoon MTAS,
 
Wow, it’s been a busy few weeks. I hear from many of you that you are as busy as ever, and that the pandemic hasn’t slowed your work load. Our customers need us, and I’m so proud of you that you continue to deliver despite all the challenges in the world right now.
 
I have a lot to share with you, so sit back and get ready to read for a few minutes.
 
First off, MTAS has been selected to be a pilot tester of the new UT Concur travel system. Our travelers have had multiple training opportunities to learn about the exciting new changes. So, if you’ve missed this, what are some of the changes? There is an app now to help with receipts and mileage tracking.  You can have emailed hotel receipts uploaded to the system without having to scan them first. If you enter your beginning and ending addresses, the system will automatically calculate the distance for you. Oh, and the travel card is back so that you don’t have to foot the bill for your travel and wait for reimbursement. See K@te (https://kate.tennessee.edu/) for a recording of the training sessions that have been offered. Emily Tipton has been the instructor.
 
Now is the open enrollment time for your health insurance. You have until the middle of the month (10/16/20) to make any changes. Click here to get to the Partners 4 Health web page that describes the various plans and their associated costs and coverages for higher education plans.
 
Please don’t forget to complete your flu vaccine verification form. Once you get your shot, or if you qualify for an exemption, you need to submit the form via IRIS. Click here to get the “how to” instructions. I had my shot last week, and encourage you all to do this sooner rather than later.
 
Next, I have a few personal shout outs to give for efforts that went above expectations. The first goes to Gary Jaeckel for his assistance with a MTAS presentation for the upcoming TCMA in November. Gary wasn’t slated to present an educational session, but when another speaker had to back out, Gary stepped up to do a session on Assessment Centers and he asked for backup from John Grubbs who didn’t hesitate to assist. My next shout out goes to Sherri who is helping several employees with the Concur transition. She took the initiative to send her own “how-to” guide to have folks set her up in the system as an assistant to input their travel reports.
 
The third shout out goes to the team that helped create Melissa Ashburn Day (September 25). Thanks to Sharon, Nancy and Armintha for coming up with the concept and making the celebration happen. I have uploaded my photos from the event to the Teams folder (General Files – MTAS Share – Melissa Ashburn Day Photos), and I am including a couple here. Thanks also goes to the wonderful people who supplied food for the event. It was a special day, and it reminded me of why I love MTAS so much – we deeply and truly care about each other and we really are a family.



Continuing on, September 15 was a special day as well. We had dignitaries from USDA in the office to help celebrate the awarding of grants. Jim Tracy, USDA-TN State Director was in attendance with Marisol Torres, the USDA Area Director, Rural Development to honor and recognize efforts at IPS to improve rural outcomes. Chris Shults wrote the two successful grants. The first will develop a program aimed at improving pharmaceutical waste disposal systems in low-income rural Tennessee communities. When used properly, controlled substances can improve the quality of life for the intended patient. However, prescription drugs are falling into the wrong hands at alarming rates. Tennessee is near the epicenter in opioid misuse and addiction. Proper pharmaceutical disposal is part of a system that ensures that unused prescription medicines do not inadvertently or intentionally fall into the hands of others. By properly disposing of pharmaceuticals, a community reduces opportunity for theft and opportunity for accidental harm. MTAS is working with CTAS’ Kim Raia on this effort.


 
The second grant will allow MTAS, in conjunction with the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL), to develop a rural community leadership program that will provide a training academy and technical assistance program to low-income rural communities in the Appalachian region of Tennessee. The primary goal of the program is to improve community facilities and promote economic and community development. This program will teach the importance of leadership, innovation, growth and resilience, but more importantly, how they are interconnected with community facility improvements, economic development and community development. President Boyd came to help celebrate, and I’m happy to share the photo of the special occasion. In the photo, left to right are: Sharon Rollins, President Boyd, Margaret Norris, Jim Tracy, Abb Oglesby, Macel Ely, Marisol Torres, Kim Raia, and Chris Shults.
 
For those of you who have been with the agency a while, you will remember Jennifer Hicks who served at MTAS in a variety of roles and for several teams. She left MTAS in 2008. Armintha reported about a month ago that Jennifer was having surgery and to keep her in your thoughts. I’m happy to report that I spoke with Jennifer today, and she is doing very well. She still has a journey ahead of her to reach 100% recovery, but she’s strong, has a great team helping her, and she has an optimistic outlook. She asked that I tell everyone “hi.”
 
Okay, now I want to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries from the last few weeks. On the birthday front, please join me in wishing happy birthday to: Eric (9/14), Warren (9/19), Abb (9/22), Kelley (9/23), Lisa (9/23), and Brett (10/1). I hope that you all had a good year and that the one ahead is even better. We also had one work anniversary, Frances, on October 1. Happy anniversary Frances!
 
With all of the bad news in the media today, I am so grateful to report on some of the positives in the world. You are a big part of my joy at the office. In fact, yesterday while I was conducting an interview, the candidate asked what I like best about MTAS. I didn’t hesitate to respond with “the people.” Thank you for being part of my world, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of yours.
 
Be well,
Margaret