Year: 2024

Don’t forget to change your voicemail greeting and schedule an “away” message to your email for Monday, January 15 so that callers and/or e-mailers will know all Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day.

Voicemail example:

“Hello, this is (your name). All Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed on Monday, January 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I will get back to you when offices reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16. Thank you.

Email “away” message example:

Thank you for your email. All Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed on Monday, January 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I will respond to your email upon my return when offices reopen on Tuesday, January 16. Thank you.

If you need assistance with either task, please contact the Central Rivers AEA Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.

Mark your calendars and please join us for Courageous Conversations! Each month we will have one topic and two opportunities to join in the conversation. Dates and zoom link are below.

• January 10, 11-11:45 am
• February 2, 8-8:45 am
• February 14, 11-11:45 am
• March 1,  8-8:45 am
• March 13, 11-11:45 am
• April 5, 8-8:45 am
• April 10, 11-11:45 am
• May 3, 8-8:45 am
• Zoom link: https://centralriversaea.zoom.us/j/86278274919

Please reach out to Dr. Dana Miller with questions.

Get more of what you want in life!

Do you have wellness goals for 2024, want to decrease the impact of stress on your life, or want to increase your life satisfaction? If so, consider how your own personal coach can support you in achieving those things! By connecting via Zoom at your convenience with Central Rivers AEA Leadership Coach, Dr. Leslie Moore, you will have the opportunity to reflect on what you want more of in your life and how your thoughts and emotions are impacting your actions. All sessions are confidential and scheduled by you when you send Leslie an invitation through Google Calendar. Questions? Email her at lmoore@centralriversaea.org. Happy New Year!

February 15 Key Mindset: Bringing Purpose

On February 15 at 9 am, the third of four “Key Mindsets” will be shared in person at all three Central Rivers AEA offices in Clear Lake, Marshalltown and Cedar Falls prior to regional meetings. As a preview, the gateway to Bringing Purpose is: I’m finding meaning in all my moments. There is something for me to learn from all people and situations. One practice we will explore to bring purpose is, “Appreciate the process and detach from the outcome.” Check out this article for more. Here is a related article on how to practice acceptance. We look forward to learning with you in February!

Get INspiring emails delivered to your inbox!

If you would like to receive weekly emails that support your personal and professional leadership, join ESSDACK’s INspired weekly mailing list. You can also sign up to receive their INspired Leadership blog.

Warm Up Iowa Challenge

Now that January has arrived, let’s keep the giving season alive! Let’s have a little friendly competition to see if we can “Warm Up Iowa.” Details can be found below or view the flyer for more information.

The agency goal: from January 2 through the 31, let’s collect a minimum of 100 of each of the following items* to be distributed to our schools/shelters in need:

• Gloves/mittens
• Scarves
• Stocking caps
• Blankets

*All donated (brand new or gently used) items will be distributed to our local community schools/shelters (equally at the Clear Lake/Marshalltown/Cedar Falls offices). To celebrate our victory on January 31, we will host a soup potluck at each office location!

• Sign-up sheet for CF office
• Sign-up sheet for Clear Lake office
• Sign-up for Marshalltown office
• Sign-up sheet for River Hills School

---

Sweater weather winners

Thank you to all the staff that participated in the ugly sweater competition last month. Congratulations to our following winners!

• First place: Laurie Huftalin
• Second place: Angie Gansen, Corlene Collum and Rebekah Robbs
• Third place, three-way tie: Carolyn Wanatee, Amanda Hennigar, Patsy Luker

The Central Rivers AEA board of directors have approved the agency office calendar for 2024-25. The calendar lists all holidays and office closed days for the school year. A downloadable copy of the calendar can be found on the staff website under Resources.