CONSERVANCY COMMONS

There are a lot of difficult farewells ahead for people who are leaving the Parks Conservancy. Every employee may have different preferences about how to hear or say goodbye – individually, on Zoom, with a phone call or a note. Teams are encouraged to take the time to gather electronically over the next couple of weeks during work hours to acknowledge these coworkers.

The Parks Conservancy has committed to follow guidelines of public health officials, and we believe that this is an important time to share this information as you are making decisions about the holiday season. SF officials strongly encourage people not to travel for non-essential purposes. The “Parks Conservancy Updated Travel Guidance” includes tools and tips for the current situation.

Our 2021-2025 strategy challenges the Parks Conservancy to be more intentional about our focus, as we seek to harness our strengths and deepen the impact of our work. Learn more about the Parks Conservancy's Strategic Planning on SharePoint. You can read the 2021-2025 Strategy Direction document, access information from the Strategic Sprint, and see the Task Force Teams.

Colin Lind, chair of our Board of Trustees, sent along a letter of appreciation, reflection, and hope.

Join us in welcoming Lau-Rene Manuel, the new Sr. Director of Safety. Lau-Rene will be serving as the first-ever Safety Director at the Parks Conservancy. We are excited to welcome her and her expertise. Her position represents a milestone in our efforts to build a culture of safety across our organization and the many types of work that we do.

As the year ends, the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) and Safety Committees would like to take the opportunity to share our collective learnings and intentions with you all. Read the message from both Committees on Sharepoint.

The new 4-month Womxn of Color Mentorship Pilot Program will start Jan. 19. This program aims to increase opportunities for professional development for womxn of color and supports the Parks Conservancy's DEI efforts. If you identify as a womxn of color and want to participate as a mentor or mentee, fill out the interest form (due 1/8). For questions, contact Amy Tam, atam@parksconservancy.org, or Tessa Wei, twei@parksconservancy.org

Please share information about these NPS internship opportunities with your networks. The Mosaics in Science (MIS) Diversity Internship Program provides college students and recent graduates 18-35 years old that are under-represented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) career fields with on-the-ground, natural resource science-based, work experience in the National Park System.

The Bridge to the Future Fund (BFF) provides short-term emergency financial assistance to Parks Conservancy employees. Assistance is need-based and open to applications from both active and furloughed staff.

In 2020 the parks proved to be a vital refuge for everyone during these uncertain times, offering space to escape, heal, and reflect. Here are some favorite Parks Conservancy photos from this past year, including some from the pre-COVID “before times.”

If you are struggling with life’s challenges, Claremont offers a new, free, and helpful service. Join an Online Support Group with others who have similar issues and can offer you ideas, support and encouragement. Support groups can be accessed by computer, tablet or smartphone. To register, call Claremont EAP, 800-834-3773.

Help the DEI Committee reimagine Community Circles in 2021. We have heard from you that Circles have been hard to attend due to work schedules, don't always meet your needs, and that they have also given you a sense of community when you needed it the most.

Sharon Farrell hosted our All Staff Meeting on 12/18. The agenda focused on work from home extensions, a DEI update, a report on the progress of the Tunnel Tops project, an acknowledgement of layoffs, and an presentation on our budget and strategic planning.

The Training Portal offers on-demand trainings that can be taken any time! Click the "On Demand" tab to view choices in: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Safety, Health, and Wellness; Technology and Systems; and Park Resources. You can also check out the Training Portal calendar tab for new time-specific trainings.

Tues., Jan. 12, 10-11:30 AM
During these unprecedented times, resilience training workshops provide a much needed community building experience for teams. Employees will learn to successfully manage stress, effectively deal with fear and bias associated with the current health crisis, and facilitate better communication, conflict management, and rapport across your entire team. This session provied by nonprofit Hollaback is specifically scheduled for Conservancy staff. Sign up on Training Portal.

Have a submission for the Conservancy Commons? Send content and images to commons@parksconservancy.org by Friday at 10am to be included in next week's newsletter.

Share your favorite Park Pics on Yammer by logging in with your work email and password.