Welcome to SSU Staff Development
Fall Birdwatching Around SSU
Thursday, September 26th – Meet Commons back patio – Noon to 1:00PM
Becky Olsen, Financial Services - Join Becky to explore our campus on a walk around the Duck Ponds, and Native Garden/Copeland Creek area to look for local and migratory birds and learn a little about their natural history. Bring binoculars if you have them and be prepared for an hour of walking (comfortable shoes and weather appropriate gear).
Acceptance and Commitment: Strategies to Enhance Health and Performance
Dr. Glenn Brassington
NEW DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON – Noon to 1:00PM – Stevenson 3042
Dr. Brassington will discuss exciting new scientifically supported psychological techniques that will help you more effectively deal with the inevitable stresses and strains of life at SSU and beyond. The Serenity Prayer reads: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." In his talk, Dr. Brassington will focus on ways to work with our minds, hearts, and bodies to promote serenity and happiness both within ourselves and among our family, friends, and colleagues. This will be a hands-on workshop so expect to be engaged and to leave feeling upbeat and with a renewed senses of confidence and calm.
Glenn Brassington, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at Sonoma State University, a lecturer in the Continuing Studies Program at Stanford University, and a Licensed Clinical, Health, and Performance Psychologist. He has published numerous peer-reviewed scientific papers on sleep and health. Dr. Brassington’s lectures and classes have been some of the most well attended health and wellness events at organizations such as Stanford University, Apple, HP, and Roche.
Self Defense: What You Need to Know – Tony Johnson
Thursday, Oct. 10 - Noon to 1:00PM – Stevenson 3040
Criminals are not like you and me - they think differently. If you understand how they think, you can avoid the majority of criminal situations. If all else fails, there are some simple rules of body mechanics that can give you an unbelievable advantage in a physical assault. Everyone who takes this course comes out of it with something new, no matter their experience level. Everyone welcome, no R.S.V.P. required.
This is a lecture/demonstration only. Come however you are to listen to Tony talk and see a demonstration by several SSU staff members who have studied these techniques with Tony.
Later this semester, we will have him return for a multi-part series for hands-on practice of these demonstrated skills. The R.S.V.P. list has already started for this training. If you wish to be included, please e-mail Janet Henker ASAP. Dates for the additional training are tentatively set for Thurs. Oct. 24th, Tues. Oct. 29th and Thurs. Nov. 7th. Participation in all 3 sessions is encouraged but not required.
Tony Johnson, Sensei, Martial Arts Academy, Rohnert Park. Tony is an accomplished practitioner and excellent instructor. He currently teaches a Kick boxing class through In Motion at the Rec Center on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 noon to 1 PM. in addition to his martial arts studio here in Rohnert Park where he teaches kick boxing, karate, Japanese swordsmanship & kung fu.
Sound Meditation for Relaxation – Claire Victor
Tuesday, Oct. 22 – Noon to 1:00PM – Ives 80
Singer, songwriter and choir director Claire Victor will lead us on a restful, meditative sound journey using voice and sacred instruments from many cultures including drum, Tibetan singing bowls. Come and explore how the use of voice and sound can help us reach a deeper meditative state, reduce stress and increase wellness.
Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat or towel to lay on. Chairs will also be available to those who would prefer to sit. Workshop to start sharply at 12:05 PM. If you have to enter after that time, please enter quietly.
Staff Halloween Party
Thursday, October 31st - noon to 1:00 PM - Location TBA
Join us for the annual Staff Halloween Party! We promise great music, fun contests and fabulous prizes!!! Get those costumes ready!
Sailing the Seas with Soccer Balls, Archbishops & Sensational Students
Monday, Nov. 4th- Noon to 1:00PM – Environmental Technology Center
Rocky Rohwedder, Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Planning, will share his experiences all over the world as a professor with Semester at Sea — as well as some life lessons learned on his many voyages. Rocky will also highlight his related research on Ecological Handprints, which is also the focus of his TED talk.
An Introduction to the Special Collections at the Schulz Library
Tuesday, Nov. 19th - Noon to 1:00PM – Schulz Library
Lynn Prime, Librarian - Join us for a look at some of the many Special Collections housed in Schulz Library, which include everything from Jack London’s papers to original panels of Brenda Starr comics. We’ll meet in the Quiet Reading Room on the 3rd floor south for Lynn to give us an overview of these, plus Santa Rosa earthquake photos from 1906, Gaye LeBaron’s Sonoma County collection, and the Dust Bowl Migration Archive. After Lynn’s introduction, we will be able to browse the materials and ask questions.
Holiday Readings - The Tradition Continues!
Monday-Thursday, Dec. 2 – Dec.5th - Noon to 1:00 PM - NICH 242
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson—a dramatic, noisy, and hilarious reading by Kathryn Atwood
The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. Their interpretation of the tale -- the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating -- has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year's pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.
Come by for popcorn & hot cocoa as Hutchins Administrative Specialist (and probably distant Herdman relative) Kat reads aloud from this unconventional holiday favorite.
Monday-Thursday, Dec. 16 Dec. 19 – Noon to 1:00 PM - STEV 3042
Get into the holiday spirit(s) with the Ghosts of Past, Present, and Future! Relax and enjoy hot cider and cookies while Beth Warner, Extended Education, reads A Christmas Carol, a chapter each day from Monday through Thursday.
Dickens is at his best in this delightful story, and the movies do not capture his humorous solemnity and solemn hilarity. So give yourself a holiday treat and hear it the way he wrote it!
Bring your lunch any day you can. We all know the story, so drop-ins are very welcome.
