Flex Week Fall 2023

MON, AUG 7
10 am - 10:30 am

Zoom

OMNI 403(b) / 457(b) - What You Need to Know

General overview of OMNI's administrative services. During this session, we will walk through the OMNI website and review the most used features of Marin Community College District's 403(B) AND 457(B) webpage. This will also be a great time for employees to ask any questions that they may have.

Session Outcomes

• Learn where you need to go in order to start, stop, or change 403(b) contribution amounts, as well as which providers are approved vendors for Marin Community College District.
• Learn where you need to go in order to ask questions or get assistance with your 403(b) account.
• Learn where to go in order to submit transaction requests such as loans, hardships, withdrawals, and more.
• Learn some basic financial literacy information.

Ryan Phillips
OMNI

MON, AUG 7

10:30 am - 11:30 am

AC 240

Your Retirement Plan at Work

In this workshop, you will learn about how your CalSTRS or CalPERS pension, Social Security Benefits and individual retirement savings complement employer pensions and help you maintain your lifestyle well into retirement. In addition, the presenters will discuss the reasons people delay saving for retirement, how much you should save for retirement, the benefits of participating in your employer-sponsored retirement plan and planning for your retirement early or mid-career.

Session Outcomes

• Participants will gain a better grasp on how much they need to start saving for retirement based on multiple factors including age, tenure and cost of living.
• Participants will learn the different investment risks and know how these risks will affect their long- time goals.
• Participants will have a better understanding of how each retirement benefit works together with the others to provide a comprehensive path to retirement.

Jeff Isley
Financial Advisor,
Retirement Services, VALIC Financial Advisors, Corebridge Financial

TUES, AUG 8
9 am – 11 am

Zoom

Register in advance to receive a Zoom link to access this session.

CalSTRS – My Retirement System and CalSTRS Pension2

CalSTRS will be conducting a webinar, designed specifically for Marin Community College District employees, combining two of our most essential webinars, My Retirement System + Start Saving Now with Pension2, into one.

PART I:
My Retirement System

This session is designed to provide you with the foundation you need to know as a CalSTRS member. You will learn important topics that include understanding the CalSTRS hybrid retirement system, contributions, creditable services and other resources CalSTRS offers based on your career stage.

Session Outcomes

• Designed specifically for new or mid-career employees to understand CalSTRS contributions, creditable service and retirement formula.
• Educate participants on other CalSTRS resources available.

PART II:
Start Saving Now with Pension2

This session provides information regarding the one voluntary component of the CalSTRS hybrid retirement system that may seem optional but for almost all employees, is crucial for ensuring a comfortable retirement. CalSTRS Pension2 is CalSTRS’ voluntary defined contribution plan. Pension2 offers the opportunity to invest through tax-advantaged payroll deductions in low-cost, flexible 403(b), Roth 403(b), and 457(b) plans for additional retirement savings. In this portion of the webinar, you’ll understand how valuable saving even a little money today will benefit you hugely by the time you’re ready to retire.

Session Outcomes

• Learn how saving through CalSTRS Pension2, complements your CalSTRS retirement benefit.
• Discover how CalSTRS Pension 2 features low fees and tax-advantaged contributions and a variety of investment plans.

Pablo Bermudez
Rian Troth
CalSTRS

TUES, AUG 8
1 pm – 2 pm

Zoom

Benefits 101 / Open Enrollment 2023 / BenefitBridge

In this educational workshop, SISC will present an overview of the medical benefits and the added value services available to College of Marin employees. Also, Keenan & Associates will give an overview of the College of Marin’s new employee benefits portal, BenefitBridge. This platform will host all enrollments, benefit plans, and rates, health plan resources, and more! This is a perfect time to ask all your benefit-related questions!

Session Outcomes

• Basic Understanding of Plan Terms & Benefits
• The importance of staying in -network
• SISC Added Value Services
• Introduction to the BenefitBridge platform

Shawna Smith
SISC Account Manager

Patrick Foley
Keenan Service Analyst

WED, AUG 9
10 am - 11 am

Zoom

(REPEAT)
Benefits 101 / Open Enrollment 2023 / BenefitBridge

In this educational workshop, SISC will present an overview of the medical benefits and the added value services available to College of Marin employees. Also, Keenan & Associates will give an overview of the College of Marin’s new employee benefits portal, BenefitBridge. This platform will host all enrollments, benefit plans, and rates, health plan resources, and more! This is a perfect time to ask all your benefit-related questions!

Session Outcomes

• Basic Understanding of Plan Terms and Benefits
• The importance of staying in -network
• SISC Added Value Services
• Introduction to the BenefitBridge platform

Shawna Smith
SISC Account Manager

Eddie Barfield
Keenan Account Executive

WED, AUG 9
1 pm – 2 pm

Zoom

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

Attendees will obtain a deeper understanding of Health Savings Accounts, their benefits, and the rules and eligibility guidelines for opening an HSA! Receive answers to your personal questions!

Session Outcomes

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of HDHP Terms and Benefits
• Describe differences between a HAS and HSA-Compliant HDHP
• Identify HSA Eligibility and Rules.

Beto Borja
Sterling Administration Account Manager

THUR, AUG 10
10 am - 11:30 am

AC 240

Introduction to Cultivating Compassion Through Nature

Scientific studies suggest that nature plays an important role in enhancing our creativity, compassion and joy. In this 90-minute introductory session, we will explore how the ABCs (Awareness, Belonging and Caring) have a positive impact on reducing stress, anxiety and lifting our spirits. You will experience ways of slowing down and relaxing through guided meditations and engage in activities that stimulate your curiosity. You will practice being in the present moment by using your five senses in nature. Bring a box lunch if you wish to stay after the workshop and eat with the other participants. This 90-minute session is a prelude to a half-day workshop that will be offered on Friday, September 8, 2023.

Note: This session will be outside and mobile for part of the workshop (walking from the Academic Center to Fusselman Hall). Please bring appropriate clothing for the day and a hat for sun protection, if appropriate.

Session Outcomes

• Participants will explore the role of the ABC’s (Awareness, Belonging, and Caring) in increasing their well-being.
• Participants will use their five senses to become more keenly aware of the present moment.
• Participants will have a better understanding of the role of nature in reducing stress and promoting happiness, creativity, and compassion.

Andrés Edwards
Certified Forest Therapy Guide

THURS, AUG 10
1 pm – 2:30 pm

AC 240

Using Creative Play and Applied Improvisation to Develop and Reinforce Psychological Safety within our Workplace

Psychological Safety is a big buzzword these days, and thank goodness it is because it is so important for employees to feel safe to share and be their authentic selves! However, awareness of the importance does not always improve our behavior, right? Employees, leaders, and teams need to practice and experience the skills and takeaways to reshape and reinforce the foundation of psychological safety within their organization. That is where Applied Improvisation comes in. The skills of improvisation that are used to sustain a scene on stage, such as “Yes, and…” (or accept and build), listening, looking at mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow, and making your scene partner look good, are also the same skills that can help establish psychological safety within your workplace and other environments. It’s not enough to just read and hear about what works. This workshop is all about practicing and advancing our essential life skills to truly understand what it takes to create a psychologically safe environment for everyone in our workplace. This workshop is not just for those in leadership positions. ALL employees can use these applied improvisation skills to improve their mindset and perspective, which can shift and shape psychological safety and engagement at work.

Session Outcomes

• Practice specific skills, such as a growth mindset, letting go of perfection, and active listening through applied improvisation exercises to improve their interactions with co-workers and colleagues.
• Collaborate and work together to create and experience a psychologically safe environment through “Yes, and…” exercises and encouragement not to overthink their answers and responses.
• Perform exercises in a low-stakes environment and discuss how to apply to higher-stakes environments at work to build inclusive environments that foster adaptability, trust, and respect.

Dayna Gowan
Senior Health and Wellness Manager

FRI, AUG 11
11 am – 12 pm

AC 240

Self-Care Practice: Sleep, Exercise, Love, and Food

These all make up the SELF in self-care. At this point, you have probably heard all the self-care tips and tricks that you can do to take better care of yourself. But how well are you implementing them into your daily life? We get it — the busy days go by fast, and it can be hard to create and fit into your self-care routine and practices. This interactive session will be about practicing self-care techniques and learning what works and resonates for you.

Session Outcomes

• Participate in self-care exercises to experience different ways of taking care of themselves
• Discuss and brainstorm with others about how they can overcome barriers to self-care
• Leave with practical tips and strategies for infusing self-care into their busy days

Dayna Gowan
Senior Health and Wellness Manager

8 am – 12 pm

PE 22

Adult First Aid/CPR/AED

Come learn valuable life-saving skills needed in case of cardiac arrest or other emergencies at this class hosted by the Red Cross. All training classes include 2-year certifications, free digital training materials, and free digital certificates.

Session Outcomes

• Respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies.
• Identify and respond to common sudden illnesses such as seizures, strokes, allergic reactions, poisoning, and diabetic emergencies.
• Pre-registration is required: The maximum number of participants is ten people.

Paul Stewart

Red Cross Representatives

9 am – 12 pm

AC 255

Department Chairs’ and Coordinators’ Meeting

All chairs/coordinators, deans, and directors should attend. This meeting will offer a concentrated, dedicated time for chairs and coordinators to discuss important topics for the semester. The information and discussion will be applicable to share at department meetings.

Jonathan Eldridge

10 am – 11:30 am

AC 245

Accommodations: Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

In this session, come to learn and have your questions answered about COM's Student Accessibility Services (SAS). We will be covering a diverse set of topics related to SAS. This includes information on how a student can contact SAS and what a SAS counseling appointment can entail with a student. There will also be information on what accommodation is at the college level and what an accommodation is not. Additional information about the SAS testing center and the timeline for instructors receiving accommodation letters during the semester will be covered. We encourage everyone attending the session to feel free to participate and ask any questions that you would like answered regarding SAS.

Session Outcomes

• Learn more about the different policies and procedures that are at SAS.
• Find out what the counseling process is like for students who are getting in contact with SAS.
• Have your questions answered about SAS.
• Feel supported by SAS.
• Get to know the SAS counselors more.

Carl Freschl

Luna Finlayson

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

FH 110 and Zoom

Mandatory Revision in eLumen

This workshop will provide step-by-step instructions about how to complete mandatory revision in eLumen for faculty who need a refresher or are new to eLumen.  We will also review criteria for revisions that require a presentation to the Curriculum Committee when there are substantive changes to a course outline of record.

Session Outcomes

• Refresh your knowledge of or learn to use eLumen.
• Understand when changes require presentations to the Curriculum Committee.

Gina Cullen

Cari Torres-Benavides

Grace Mengqi Yuan

12 pm – 12:55 pm

AC 255

Prof Learning through Serving on an ACCJC Team

The ACCJC peer review teams that conduct the comprehensive review of COM during our accreditation process are composed of faculty members and administrators from other ACCJC member colleges. Did you ever wonder how they are recruited?  Or how are they trained to do these visits?  Perhaps you want to be on a team that evaluates another college.  Join COM faculty and administrators who have been on accreditation teams and a special guest speaker, Kevin Bontenbal, ACCJC Vice President, to learn the inner workings of peer review teams and how you, as faculty, can participate in this great professional development experience and provide service to other institutions at the same time. 

Lunch provided.

Session Outcomes

• Identify what visiting teams do, their workload, and outcomes.
• Determine if you would like to serve on a visiting team.

Yolanda Bellisimo

Jonathan Eldridge

Kevin Bontenbal
ACCJC Vice President

1 pm – 2:30 pm

Zoom

Fostering Student Success: Supporting Basic Needs

With approximately a third to half of community college students facing challenges with accessing food and/or housing, the classroom and spaces on campus can be a refuge from the everyday challenges of life. Faculty and staff play an integral role in cultivating this safer space for students to ask for help. In this session, participants will gain tools to support delicate situations and learn about resources to refer students who are experiencing financial difficulty, limited access to healthy food, mental health concerns, relationship concerns, and more.

Session Outcomes

• Define basic needs.
• Identify community resources to offer students facing basic needs concerns.
• Identify on-campus resources.

Presentation Slides

Links to other resources given during the presentation:

Community Action Marin Community Resource Guide

Lia Lara

Sadika Sulaiman Hara

Community Partners

1 pm – 2 pm

AC 255

Hiring Committee Training: Elimination of Bias

Prior to serving on a recruitment and screening committee, all individuals must receive training on the elimination of bias in hiring and employment from the Human Resources Department on the following requirements and topics:

1. Title 5 regulations on Equal Employment Opportunity (Title 5, section 53000 et. seq.)
2. Federal and state non-discrimination laws
3. The District Equal Employment Opportunity Plan and related District policies on nondiscrimination, recruitment, and hiring
4. Principles of diversity and cultural proficiency
5. The value of a diverse workforce
6. Recognizing and eliminating bias in hiring decisions
7. Best practices in serving on a screening committee

Session Outcomes

• Understand diversity and equity at MCCD.
• Describe equal employment opportunity laws & policies and screening committee charge.
• Identify unconscious bias and microaggressions.
• Promote diversity and equity in the hiring process.

Nikki Harris

Mia Robertshaw

3 pm – 4 pm

AC 240

Elimination of Sexual Harassment In the Workplace

Pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 1343, all employees must be trained in sexual harassment and abusive conduct prevention every two years, and this session provides the opportunity to complete this training in an in-person format. Note: This session is for non-supervisory employees and does not meet training requirements for managers and supervisors.

Session Outcomes

• Understand the definition of sexual harassment in the workplace.
• Prevent and do not engage in sexual harassment.
• Understand actions for victims of sexual harassment, and complaints and investigations procedures.

Mia Robertshaw

3 pm – 4 pm

Zoom

Learning Outcomes Basics and Curriculum Mapping

The beginning of this workshop will cover the basics of Student Learning Outcomes: what they are, how they are measured and assessed, why we assess SLOs and how data from outcomes can lead to innovative teaching. The second half of the workshop will take a deeper dive into how the assessment of our learning outcomes can provide us with information on disproportionate impact on student subpopulations. We will begin by taking a look at how SLOs are mapped to PLOs and ILOs and discuss how mapping can provide faculty with disaggregated data at the program and institutional level.

Session Outcomes

• Describe what makes a good student learning outcome.
• Identify how CLSOs, PSLOs and ISLOs are mapped
• Describe how assessing outcomes can help faculty identify areas in learning where student subpopulations are not meeting success rates.

Logan Wood

SLOAC

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

FA 214

Learning to See, Drawing Exercise

This workshop is a hands-on activity encouraging participants to trust the relationship between looking and drawing. This process reveals the universal relationship between visual skills and their application to other subjects. No prior experience with drawing or charcoal is necessary. (Some mess will be created. Don't wear clothes that shouldn't get dirty)

Session Outcomes

• Improve their learning experiences.
• Translate this experience into their own classroom practice

Carol Lefkowitz

10 am – 1 pm

AC 103

New Faculty Orientation

Are you new to teaching at COM? If so, welcome! We’re glad to have you as part of our faculty. We want to give you the support and information you need to be successful, so please join us for this orientation session. You will meet other new faculty and learn important information about COM policies and procedures to help ensure that you are ready for the first day of classes and beyond.

Session Outcomes

• Gain key information about College policies and procedures.
• Learn about resources and support services.
• Meet new colleagues.

Cara Kreit

Cari Torres-Benavides

Stacey Lince

9 am – 10:20 am

Zoom

UndocuAlly Training: Supporting Undocumented Students

This presentation will provide participants with knowledge, tools, and resources to support undocumented students at COM. We will cover common terms, state and federal laws affecting undocumented students, resources available on and off-campus, and share best practices.

Session Outcomes

• Identify state and federal laws that impact undocumented students.
• Learn mindful ways of connecting with undocumented students.
• Refer undocumented students to resources on and off campus.

9:30 am – 10:20 am

Zoom

Leveraging Pronto (Canvas) for Increased Classroom Communication

Learn how to increase student engagement and communication using Pronto, a chat tool integrated right into Canvas. Pronto makes it easy to communicate with your students, allows students to communicate and collaborate with each another, builds community, and satisfies RSI requirements while creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable community for us all.

Session Outcomes

• Enable Pronto for your courses.
• Implement steps to begin using Pronto in your classes.
• Learn tips for presenting this tool to students.

Stacey Lince

Sydney Dutson
Pronto

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Zoom

NameCoach (Canvas): Celebrating Students and Their Unique Identities

Namecoach is a DEI focused software integrated into our Canvas instance that places an emphasis on individual identity through proper name pronunciation. We ensure your diverse student body is welcomed with open arms from the moment they step on your campus. Facilitating proper name pronunciation promotes engagement between your teacher and students. Studies have shown that when a teacher knows how to pronounce a student's name correctly, they are most likely to address them in class. This in turn promotions student engagement in the classroom and outside in the community. Please join our Namecoach representative, Noelani Obermeyer, for an introduction/refresher and learn inspiring ways to incorporate Namecoach into your classes.

Session Outcomes

• Access Namecoach through Canvas Explore ways to incorporate
• Namecoach into in-person and online course

Stacey Lince

Noe Obermeyer
NameCoach

11 am – 1:50 pm

SMN 207

Equity Practices in the STEM Classroom/Lab

In this interactive session, you will be the "student" for many of the activities. You will learn about inequities students may experience in our STEM labs and perhaps may have also experienced in their K-12 school districts. You will learn some practical applications that you can do in the labs/classrooms to increase equity, participation and respect for students preferred names/gender. This session will also teach you about "growth mindset" practices and show you activities that you can do to incorporate growth mindset into your classroom. Note: This workshop is open to all but geared particularly toward supporting equitable practices in STEM labs. Some of these activities can also be incorporated into lecture classes as well.

Session Outcomes

• Implement a growth mindset activity in the lab/classroom
• Recognize how our students’ diverse backgrounds have shaped their preparation for STEM/lab classes
• Identify inequities present in STEM labs/classrooms
• Develop methods to increase equity in STEM labs/classrooms
• Implement equity-minded practices that provides a safe space for learners to dare to contribute to classroom conversations
• Implement techniques that easily incorporate students preferred names

Tina Christensen

12 pm – 12:50 pm

FH 110

Collection Development in the Library Stacks

Find out how you can ensure the Kentfield Library’s physical collections provide access to anti-racist materials to support teaching and learning in your discipline as we prepare to move to the new LRC in fall 2025.

Session Outcomes

• Ensure access to anti-racist materials in your subject area within the Kentfield Library's physical collection.

Sarah Frye

Dave Patterson

1 pm – 1:50 pm

FH 110 /  Zoom

Collection Development of Library Databases

Come learn more about the library’s databases to ensure we are providing access to anti-racist materials to support teaching and learning in your discipline.

Session Outcomes

• Ensure access to anti-racist materials in your subject area within the Kentfield Library's physical collection.

Sarah Frye

Dave Patterson

2 pm – 2:50 pm

SMN 106

Building Student Engagement with Immediate Feedback Assessment

Come learn about adding team-based activities to your classroom through the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IF-AT forms) to increase student engagement! In this approach, after an individual quiz, students work in teams of 3-4 to complete a quiz using an IF-AT form that provides immediate feedback. Teams discuss, debate, and come to a consensus on an answer, receiving instant feedback and additional attempts until a correct answer is reached. IF-AT forms may also be used for individual summative exams to improve accuracy and provide instructors with more information about student learning as well as provide a mechanism for partial credit in multiple-choice exams. Participants will have the opportunity to be the students -- come learn and have fun!

Session Outcomes

• Identify the benefits of team-based learning and immediate feedback.
• Implement a formative assessment using the IF-AT form.

Dayna Quick

3 pm – 4:30 pm

FH 110 / Zoom

A Conversation about ChatGPT: Deterring Misuse and Exploring Pedagogical Applications

The use of OpenAI and large language models (LLM), such as ChatGPT are becoming increasingly common in workplaces, in the private sphere, and in education. Because of this increase in use, it is critical that faculty and students understand the nature and pitfalls of these systems. You don’t need to be an expert to get started on having digital literacy conversations with your colleagues and your students about these tools!

In this workshop, we will introduce background information on language models to spur discussion on AI capabilities, shortcomings, ethical concerns like bias and privacy and specific impacts of AI in our fields. We will also discuss assignment and writing prompt design to deter the use of AI, address concerns about academic honesty, and explore some of the exciting ways to incorporate language models in our pedagogy.

Session Outcomes

• Define the kinds of understanding of AI systems necessary to choose when and how to use AI.
• Describe three class activities that can introduce critical AI literacy.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of several approaches to deterring misuse of AI in college writing assessments.
• Describe the conditions under which students might benefit from formative AI feedback on their writing.

Session Recording

presentation slides

Links to other resources given during the presentation:

AI Text Generators and Teaching Writing: Starting Points for Inquiry

MLA/CCCC Joint Task Force on Writing and AI Quick Start Guide

Classroom Policies for AI Generative Tools

Using ChatGPT: Strategies for Faculty, Staff and Administrators, webinar recording

Anna Mills

Elle Dimopoulos

Kathleen Smyth

Stacey Lince

8 am — 8:45 am

Jonas Center

Meet and Greet – Coffee, tea, and light refreshments

9 am – 11 am

Jonas Center

Convocation

Join your friends and colleagues as we prepare for the new year and hear important updates and information about the College.

Keynote: Learning Communities Student Panel

Students across the learning communities at COM will be discussing their experiences in conversation with COM Learning Communities Program Coordinator Nequeshe Dyer.

Convocation Recording

David Wain Coon
Superintendent/President

11 am - 12 pm

Black & African American Affinity Space

Miwok, Room 124

Non-Black People of Color Affinity Space

Building 5, Room 116 (Pomo Cluster)

White Antiracist Affinity Space

Farm Building/28B
Room 201, 202

Post-Convocation Breakout Session: Communities in Practice;

Following the model of COM’s monthly Community in Practice, we will convene in our affinity groups to strengthen our diverse community as we reflect, engage, and strategize on how to deepen our equity practices and solidarity in the classroom, our departments, on campus, and in our greater community.

Session Outcomes

• Cultivate community affinity spaces
• Reflect on key takeaways of Convocation
• Discuss the purpose of Community in Practice and how it supports equity and anti-racism

IDEA Committee Communities in Practice Facilitators

12 pm — 1:30 pm

Jonas Center

UPM Meeting and Lunch

UPM members are encouraged to attend this meeting to hear the latest on UPM activities. Lunch provided.

Patrick Kelly

1:30 pm — 3:30 pm

Various Locations

Academic Department Meetings

Join your academic department meeting for updates and planning information. Check your ProLearning Workshop Calendar for room locations, or download the PDF for reference.

9 am — 3:30 pm

KTD

COM Equity in Mental Health Symposium 2023 — Day 1

This year, the last two days of Flex Week, Thursday, August 17, and Friday, August 18, will feature a specific focus on mental health for all Flex sessions, organized as the Equity in Mental Health Symposium 2023. Participants will include COM employees (staff, faculty, and administrators) and community members. Organized by COM Psychological Services and the Umoja Equity Institute, the symposium sessions will tap into ancestral wisdom, the power of nature, culturally responsive pedagogy, healing, and mental health to create a culture of community rooted in equity.

Because this is a COM and community event, please register for this opening session directly through the event site rather than ProLearning: www.equityinmentalhealth.net. You'll receive Flex credit by signing in at individual sessions.

Umoja Equity Institute

COM Psychological Services

Marin County Department of Health and Human Services's Behavioral Health & Recovery Services

4 pm – 5:30 pm

Cafeteria

President’s Reception

All faculty and staff are invited to join Dr. Coon for an informal time of refreshments and conversation.

David Wain Coon
Superintendent/President

9 am — 3:30 pm

KTD

COM Equity in Mental Health Symposium 2023 — Day 2

This year, the last two days of Flex Week, Thursday, August 17, and Friday, August 18, will feature a specific focus on mental health for all Flex sessions, organized as the Equity in Mental Health Symposium 2023. Participants will include COM employees (staff, faculty, and administrators) and community members. Organized by COM Psychological Services and the Umoja Equity Institute, the symposium sessions will tap into ancestral wisdom, the power of nature, culturally responsive pedagogy, healing, and mental health to create a culture of community rooted in equity.

Because this is a COM and community event, please register for this opening session directly through the event site rather than ProLearning: www.equityinmentalhealth.net. You'll receive Flex credit by signing in at individual sessions.

Umoja Equity Institute

COM Psychological Services

Marin County Department of Health and Human Services's Behavioral Health & Recovery Services