Rays of Light:
Bringing Sunshine Into the Workplace
Presenters:
Stacy Nale, LMFT
Stephanie Preston, LMHC
Introductions
Stacy Nale, M.A.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Stephanie Preston, M.Ed.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Learning Outcomes
• Provide information about the Sunshine Committee and
how it creates a culture of ethical workplace caring
• Share simple and cost-effective ways to recognize staff
milestones and celebrate aspects of staff diversity
through passive programming
• Bring together staff from across campus in a spirit of
play and fun
Pop Quiz
How many people work at CAPS?
49
Pop Quiz
What is the name of our
animal-assisted therapy dog?
Pop Quiz
Where is CAPS located?
Pop Quiz
Approximately how many therapy groups do we
run each semester?
21 Groups
CAPS Services
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Brief Individual Counseling
Brief Couples Counseling
Group Counseling & Workshops
Crisis Intervention
Educational Outreach Programs
Consultation & Referral
Innovative Programming: Healing Arts, Animal
Assisted Therapy, Healthy Knight Expo
CAPS Staff
CAPS Staff 2014-2015
Committee Structure of CAPS
Primary:
Secondary:
Clinical
Outreach
Training
Sunshine
Workplace Wellness
Clinical Review
Equity and Inclusion
Program Evaluation & Research
What is Sunshine?
Sunshine Committee Mission Statement:
To create a culture of caring and connection by
acknowledging special occasions for CAPS staff.
• Organize and encourage CAPS participation in
campus-wide events
• 5 members (Staggered 2 year commitment)
• Monthly meetings and communication via email
Examples of What We Do
• All are welcome to participate in events
• We scale events based on resources
• Financial sustainability through voluntary donations
• We strive to recognize diversity
Sunshine Examples
• Welcoming of newly hired staff members (Ongoing)
• Participation in SDES School Supply Drive (August)
Sunshine Examples
• Monthly birthday celebrations and “Happy
Birthday” door signs (Ongoing)
Sunshine Examples
• Halloween Trick-or-Treating (October)
Sunshine Examples
• Gratitude Potluck Luncheon (November)
Sunshine Examples
• Acknowledgment of significant milestones such as passing
professional licensure exam (Ongoing)
• Participation in SDES Door Decorating Contest and Toys for
Tots collection (December)
• Food Drive for UCF Knights Helping Knights Pantry
(December)
• Farewell celebrations for departing staff members (Ongoing)
Sunshine Examples
• Holiday Potluck Luncheon and gift exchange
(December)
Sunshine Examples
• Purchase of Keurig machine for staff break room
• Expression of support for staff during times of illness and
bereavement (Ongoing)
• Crockpot chili cooking contest (February)
Sunshine Examples
• Valentine’s Day “What Do You Love?”
appreciation hearts (February)
Sunshine Examples
• Staff self-care programs during Spring Break
(March)
Sunshine Examples
• Baby showers for expectant parents (Ongoing)
• St. Patrick’s Day Lucky Charms breakfast cereal bar
(March)
Sunshine Examples
NEW IN 2015!!!
Work Appropriate April Fool Pranks
Sunshine Examples
• Administrative Professionals Day gifts and
appreciation (April )
Sunshine Examples
• End of Year Potluck Celebration for Trainees
& Interns (May)
Why This Is Important
“Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners”
NASPA and ACPA (2010)
- Personal Foundations Competency Area
- Human and Organizational Resources Competency Area
CAPS Staff Feedback
• “Guaranteed time away from the hustle and bustle to spend
time with co-workers and interact and chat about non work
related issues. A good sense of feeling valued and cared for
when my birthday is recognized. I like that we recognize
special events in peoples lives and have an opportunity to
celebrate”
• “I appreciate that we are encouraged to indulge in fun things
like eating cake or watching a fun video or participate in a
holiday party or dancing! Participating in a sunshine event
forces me to stop and pause and I value that.”
CAPS Staff Feedback
• “I think it is GREAT! My absolute favorite was Halloween.
That was beyond anything I have ever experienced at any
workplace. I also love the potlucks and birthday celebrations.
It really makes it a fun workplace, makes people feel special,
and brings humor to a sometimes heavy day with the cases we
have.”
• “I love the signs on the doors for people’s birthday and/or
special life events. I love all the pot luck meals we have
(awesome to taste everyone’s special recipes), and I love just
the existence of the committee”
CAPS Staff Feedback
• “It brings staff together. It makes us feel like we are
valued as employees.”
• “I appreciate Sunshine Committee’s innovation;
partnerships with other committees, for example: Work
Place Wellness committee to create larger events; and
commitment to diversity (i.e.: potlucks. Celebrations to
include partners, etc.). I appreciate Sunshine Committee
checking in with people individually before making final
decisions to celebrate an event or to acknowledge a loss
due to differences in wants/needs.”
Issues and Considerations
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Continue providing essential services
Most events occur during lunch
Sunshine fatigue
Boundaries/Privacy
Approval for Bigger Events
Financial Limitations
Bringing Sunshine into
Your Workplace
IDEA SWAP
What are you doing within your area that
enhances morale or increases productivity?
OR
Share something about your workplace or
position that energizes you…
Special Thanks to Wade Arnold
for taking CAPS pictures
and to Glenda Brown
for creating PowerPoint!