CONSERVANCY COMMONS

We now have a page on our website that addresses the pending permit for the Patriot Prayer rally on August 26 at Crissy Field. It will be updated continuously, so content will change as we learn more. Please read it if you would like to have more information, especially if you have been receiving questions from the public.

Our Employee Assistance Program, which is available to all staff, can be an important confidential resource during times of stress and uncertainty. You and your immediate family members can receive free and confidential counseling for issues such as depression, anxiety, stress and grief. Call Claremont EAP at 800-834-3773 for a referral for short-term counseling. (Long-term mental health counseling is also covered by our medical benefits.) For more information, contact HR or see the Claremont website below.

A group of Conservancy staff has formed a Commuting Benefits Workgroup to brainstorm potential solutions to ease commuting burdens for staff. This survey is to gauge employee interest on two of the options: expanding the Commuter Check program to include an employer match, and expanding resources that encourage staff to bike either as part of their commute, or in between work sites with a company bike fleet. Your responses will be incredibly valuable in how we prioritize these ideas in our proposal. Thank you for your input!

From Aug. 1-31, 80-100 goats from City Grazing will be munching invasive vegetation below the General’s Residence to expose historic walkways and “kick off” the East Black Point restoration project. The project goal is to repair and reopen the century-old scenic garden walks down to Aquatic Park. We've agreed to check the fences every 2 hours during the day, so we need lots of volunteers willing to do a 15 minute walk around the fenceline. Staff, residents, partners are all welcome to sign up below!

PrAna has offered Conservancy staff access to their Influencer Program, which allows all non-profit employees 50% off prAna gear - year-round - for personal use. The discount can be used at prAna.com and their 7 flagship retail stores. Apply at the link below. Choose the "Non-Profit Employee" classification and use your Conservancy .org email address when you apply.

6 - 8 pm. Be the first to know what’s happening in the parks with an evening at the Presidio Tunnel Tops Design Lab! Check out the latest designs and videos of the Presidio Tunnel Tops project, take a guided tour of the Design Lab, and enjoy complimentary brews and tasty snacks from Fort Point Beer Co. and Whole Foods. This 21-and-older event is ticketed and space is limited, so follow the link to purchase tickets below and bring your ID!

The Magic Theater, Fort Mason Center. A stage adaptation of the Robin Williams film "The Fisher King" is coming to Fort Mason, and will feature Alcatraz Cell House employee Peter Finch in the Ensemble. The production is a tribute to Williams, and all proceeds will go to charity. Find out more and buy tickets at the link below.

8:30 pm - midnight, Presidio. We’re hosting the first-ever NightHowl, a dance party happening after the Trails Forever Dinner! Join us for a howlin’ night out with spins by DJ D Sharp (official DJ of the Golden State Warriors), savory & sweet eats, complimentary drinks, entertainment, games, and more! Tickets are $100/person. But wait! We have a STAFF ONLY DEAL: Bring 4 friends and you get in for free! (Or if you'd like to split with 5 people, it would be $80/person.) The staff deal promo code is TFDNH2017. You must purchase the tickets in a bundle. Questions? Email amecruz@parksconservancy.org. Hope to see you there!

2 - 4 pm, 201 Fort Mason, 3rd Fl Conference Rm. HR is bringing back free flu shots for all employees! Shots are given on a drop-in basis; no need to RSVP. If we have remaining shots, vouchers will be available afterwards.

9:30 am - 12:30 pm. Presidio. In this workshop, Desmond Murray (Presidio Nursery Community Coordinator & Longtime Bay Area Gardener), Rebecca Blanck-Weiss (Nursery Manager & Landscape Designer) and Will Schell (Nursery Intern) will emphasize natural pruning techniques, fertilizing, pest care, and water management for California native plants. Tools and gloves for the hands-on portion will be provided.

noon - 1 pm, 201 Fort Mason, 3rd Fl Conference Rm. Especially recommended for staff nearing retirement, this training contains important information about how to factor Social Security into your retirement plan. Lead by Ben Herrera, an engaging presenter who is also a Director of Retirement Education at OneAmerica. Lunch provided. Please RSVP to hchrobak@parksconservancy.org by Tues., Aug. 22.

Crissy Field Center. Federal Jobs Boot Camp will go from 10-11:30 am, and Resume and Cover Letters will start after a (provided!) lunch break and run from 1-4 pm. Led by Jennifer Flores (NPS Interpretive Ranger), the Federal Jobs Boot Camp will cover how to use the USAJobs website as well as subjective elements of applying to a federal job. In the second part, Elizabeth Lindner (Program Manager, Internships & Service Initiatives) and Jaimie Baxter (Associate Director, Park Stewardship) will review how to tailor your résumé and cover letter to get an interview. Bring your in-progress résumés.

This week we welcome 7 new staff members, who will be working with Visitor Services, Retail, and Projects. Welcome!