THE ORANGE TIMES

Happiness Advantage @ Work
Edition 3 September 25, 2016
THE ORANGE TIMES
Stories from our Orange Frog GISD Team!
Anthony Buza: As I continue the orange journey, I am continually reminded of looking at things through a
different lens. Even outside of work, I am seeing positive behavior. Last night, after reading "The Rainbow
Fish" to my 5-year old (the Rainbow Fish is a story about how sharing can bring happiness and acceptance),
my daughter and I had a conversation about happiness and doing good for others. It was amazing for me to
see the willingness in the eyes of a child to be HAPPY and to share that happiness with others.
Lisa Hagel: Yesterday, in one day here is what I overhead:
" I love this orange stuff."
" It is so nice actually seeing people take care of each other."
"Oh my god I am so thankful I work here."
"Those orange name tags are so awesome, great idea."
"Let's keep the orange ideas as part of every agenda."
" Here is a picture of us at the meeting, we knew you would want
to be included."
Amazing impact you are all having on one another and our
culture.
Deborah Martin: Navigator Debra Marien is president of the
support staff bargaining unit. She and I were scheduled for a
meeting, and Deb brought me a bottle of orange nail polish to use
to demonstrate the positive interaction shared between the union
and Human Resources. I never wear nail polish, but I polished the
index fingernail on my left hand so I'll be showing the orange.
Amy Hackett: Staff at MMC can write something positive and put
it on a bulletin board in the main office. It is AWESOME!!
Chad Sexton: One of our school bus drivers is also a mime.
Herman Cohill demonstrates how to safely care after one of our
special needs students In a training. This is definitely not in his job
description to be a mime so thank you for going above and
beyond!
We will keep the stories coming with your help! Become a reporter today!
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Happiness Advantage @ Work
Edition 3 September 25, 2016
Jeff Adams: This week,
Dana Stephens from Human
Resources wanted to spread
some orange, so she worked
with the rest of the HR staff to
purchase "orange" products
such as pop and chips. While
Mr. Burt was having his head
custodian meeting, the entire
HR staff (blowing noise
makers), came into the room
unannounced to hand out the
orange products and deliver
high fives. It was great to see
all the smiles from everyone
involved.
Leila Rivard: The Staff at
Mott Middle College is acting
Orange... There are smiles
everywhere and it is reflecting
well with the student body....
Our Administration and
Administrative Assistants
provided coneys for the whole
staff on Friday... It was an
Orange Day....I leave you with this Hadin Marshall poem... The Tide recedes but leaves behind bright
seashells on the sand; The sun goes down but gentle warmth still lingers on the land; The music stops yet
echoes on in sweet refrain; For every joy that passes ... Something beautiful remains....
K. Moore: I received a call from a company that would like to train students and then hire them. Four young
men have interviews today. If accepted, they will be able to use the training as an internship and then have a
lucrative job opportunity.
Jim Ply: The culinary para-educators at GCI prepared popcorn for their students as a way of saying thank
you for a great start to the year. Best of all, they
brought the extra bags to the office to share with
the office staff.
David Burt: Members of the Operations staff
welcomed the Early-On staff to their new offices
at Carman park, Shannda Markee made
cupcakes and we shared with them how me we
appreciated their hard work in serving the
Children of Genesee County.
Amy & Cherie: Met for lunch with my
accountability partner to go over the highlights of
our individual plans and discussed how we will
continue our habits to live happier more fulfilling
lives. She feels that reflecting/journaling daily has
made her more grateful. And my action plan of
conscious acts of kindness was very self
rewarding and helped others feel happy. Both
action plans were successful in living the
Happiness Advantage and spreading the orange!
We will keep the stories coming with your help! Become a reporter today!
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Happiness Advantage @ Work
Edition 3 September 25, 2016
Amy Hoeksema, HR: My personal action plan was to complete a conscious act of kindness.....I was
shopping at Meijers, which I seem to do as a part of my daily routine. As I walked into the store, I heard two
young children screaming somewhere in the store. By the time I finished my shopping and checked out it
was obvious where the screaming was coming from. It was a mom with a crying infant and 3 year old that
was trying to get his mom's attention as toddlers do. They had just checked out with a large basket full of
groceries. I walked up to the mom and asked if I could help by taking her cart out to the car for her. She
graciously accepted my offer. She was able to hold the infant and calm her down. I asked the toddler to hold
on to the cart and asked him questions about his favorite things on the way out to the car. His favorite
superhero? Game? Color? (I told him mine was orange :)) As I unloaded the bags of groceries into her car
while she buckled the baby into the car seat, I heard the toddler ask his mom, "are you happy now
momma?" She replied, "yes, I am very happy.”
STORIES NEEDED: It appears that some GISD reporters are unaware that we will continue to
publish Orange Stories. Please in advance of our next call let’s get our stories published. Good
things are happening! Sharing is Caring! http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2907006/Pond-4Reports-GISD
We will keep the stories coming with your help! Become a reporter today!
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