February 2017 Chartwells Monthly

Chartwells Monthly | February 2017

Be Encouraging Associates and Students Share Positive Messages During Inclusion Week 2017

communication / executive message

letter from the ceo

Diversity and Inclusion

table of

contents:

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Letter from the CEO

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All Together: Chartwells Embraces the Spirit of Diversity and Inclusion

I’m inspired to see that our associates represent these values both

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Inclusion Week Photos

inside and outside the workplace.

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Contact Chartwells

As I read through the stories in this month’s edition of Chartwells Monthly I am reminded of how proud I am to lead such a passionate and driven group of people. Embracing diversity and embodying a genuine ethos of inclusion is an important aspect of our culture and

Lisa McEuen

President & CEO, Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services

It is an honor to be among a group of people who value understanding and encourage each other to be their best selves. Understanding cultivates acceptance and empathy, which allows us to better serve one another as well as our guests. Encouragement helps those around us believe in their potential, especially when they are wavering. Being open enables us to bring together diverse cultures, diverse ways of

thinking and diverse experiences to better enhance our guest’s lives.

It is my pleasure to share with you the stories from this month’s edition. In it you will see how our people have the power to create positive change in our business and communities each and every day. They are the true #differencemakers.

Lisa McEuen President & CEO Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services

Be Kind Chartwells associates at Texas State University participate in the Random Acts of Kindness Challenge during Inclusion Week 2017.

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CHARTWELLSMONTHLY.COM | FEBRUARY 2017

All Together Whether shaving their heads to support childhood cancer research, initiating a Halal Day dining event on campus, or befriending someone who is different, Chartwells’ associates are taking diversity and inclusion to heart. When associates work together, the results can be life changing.

Inclusion Week 2017 at Texas State University: Associates share “Bet You Didn’t Know?” facts about themselves to promote understanding.

n Texas State University Dining Celebrates

Inclusion Week 2017 With Daily Themes

Each day brought a special theme to spark discussion and personal reflection during Texas State University’s second-annual Chartwells Inclusion Week. Chartwells’ associates at TSU’s San Marcos, Texas, campus participated in thought-provoking activities during this five-day event.

Associates kicked off the week with Monday’s theme of “Be Understanding,” a perfect segue for their “Bet You Didn’t Know?” activity. During this activity, they shared accomplishments, goals and obstacles that are facing them every day. Everyone learned that there is more to someone than preconceived perceptions.

As knowledge of their coworkers increased, the stereotypes and biases decreased, leading to a more compassionate and inclusive environment.

Tuesday’s theme asked associates to “Be Encouraging.” Each associate chose a positive affirmation for a coworker to wear with his or her nametag for the day. To continue this theme, cashiers paid it forward to guests by handing them positive affirmation cards with their receipts. There was a notable boost

in confidence on the TSU campus. On Wednesday, momentum was building with the “Be Kind” theme. “Random Acts of Kindness” challenges at every dining hall encouraged 100-percent participation. The challenges asked associates and students to donate blood, call their grandparents, register to be an organ donor, and return a Redbox movie with a few dollars in the container for the next person to find. This day reminded everyone to acknowledge others. A kind gesture is all it takes to improve someone’s day, inspiring the cycle to continue.

As the week wound down, Thursday’s “Be Unified” theme pumped up Chartwells’ associates at TSU to appreciate the value of teamwork. They played a fun team-building game called Silent Organization, where they lined up sequentially in the order of their birth months. To conclude Inclusion Week, TSU surveyed both associates and guests for their “Be Innovative” ideas on such categories as theme events, menus, campaigns and fundraisers.

Chartwells’ associates at TSU unanimously agree: they finished this five-day event as stronger individuals and more cohesive teams, both at work and in their personal lives.

FEBRUARY 2017 | CHARTWELLSMONTHLY.COM

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culture / diversity & inclusion

n BGSU Associates

Shave Heads To Fund Cancer Research Bald is beautiful! Take it from six Bowling Green State University Dining associates who participated in BGSU’s fifth annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation Shave-a-thon.

These dedicated Chartwells’ associates solicited pledges from coworkers, friends and family with the promise they would completely shave their heads. An important fundraising tool, Shave-a-thons fund childhood cancer research and promote solidarity with children who have lost their hair while battling cancer. To help the cause, the Chartwells’ BGSU team raised a record $2,400-plus and racked up an impressive event record of more than $13,400! St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a national organization, has provided more than $200 million in research grant funding to help conquer childhood cancers.

n Northern Kentucky

University Associate Takes A Closer Look At “Disability”

By NKU Marketing Director Celeste Manning

Recently, our cashier at Callahan Bistro residential dining hall, Jenny Keene, shared an inspiring story. Jenny remembered me mentioning last year that diversity and inclusion entails more than sex, race and religion. She watches students from all over the world mingle in our dining halls daily, but a chance weekend meeting really opened her eyes to what it means.

Jenny ran into a Northern Kentucky University student, Lilly, at the local Kroger grocery store. Lilly, a freshman, is legally blind. She was walking around Kroger alone when Jenny approached her and said hello. Lilly recognized Jenny’s voice. Jenny invited Lilly to join her for a Starbucks,

BALD I

UL

EAU S B TIF

at Bowling Green State University!

The Chartwells team at BGSU raised more than $2,400 for childhood cancer research by participating in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Shave-a-thon!

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CHARTWELLSMONTHLY.COM | FEBRUARY 2017

NKU dining associates, Jenny Keene, left, and Bianca Mahan, exemplify Chartwells’ spirit of kindness, diversity and inclusion.

and they talked about life, school and more. While enjoying coffee together, Jenny learned Lilly was born legally blind, has a sister who is also blind attending the University of Cincinnati, and has a wonderful personality! A courageous person, Lilly goes everywhere by herself, using phone voice controls to order an Uber and perform other tasks. Spending time with Lilly was the highlight of her weekend. When Jenny shared this, I felt she had embraced our motto, “Where Hungry Minds Gather.” She truly cares about our students. We knew we had to recognize her because we want more associates like Jenny!

Jenny also mentioned that Bianca Mahan, a NKU junior and foodservice associate, often eats lunch with Lilly. Jenny noted that Bianca and Lilly are both majoring in Social Work with minors in Women Gender Studies. Bianca realized she shares many interests with Lilly, and she looks up to this NKU honors program student. In December, Bianca contacted the Association of the Blind to learn how to present Lilly with a Christmas greeting and Starbucks gift card. Lilly was very appreciative! Along with Jenny, Bianca learned that a person is not defined by her disability; someone like Lilly will never be limited in what she can achieve.

diversity & inclusion / culture

n Stockton University Hosts First Halal

Day Dining Event

Last Semester, Resident District Manager Stephanie Moye, working alongside Stockton Muslim Student Association (MSA) and Stockton Dining Management Team, proudly hosted the first Halal Day at Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey.

MSA initially reached out to Stephanie during its first “Dine with the Director Meeting” last September. As a small population on campus, students of MSA believed that their voices were not always heard.

But RDM Stephanie — a leader on the DIAC (Diversity and Inclusion Action Committee) and someone who takes inclusion seriously — was determined to make their voices heard. She quickly pulled her team together to create Halal Day, a food event featuring items permissible according to Islamic Law. SU Dining Chef Ellen Stewart and Director of Retail Adrian Jankowski developed a fabulous menu for the event, and SU Dining Associates Ribon Kareem and Nekia Ward prepared the meal. To help promote it, Marketing Manager Elizabeth Masterson distributed flyers, handouts and posters.

“We wanted this to be a well-rounded event,” said Masterson, “meaning that simply putting Halal food on the line for the day would only serve half purpose, educating the students, and removing uncertainty about different types of cuisine. Culture is an important piece as well.

Food is a common denominator across all cultures, therefore using it presents a great opportunity to break barriers, stereotypes and misconceptions we may have.”

The Halal dining event was extremely successful. University President Dr. Harvey Kesselmen and Dean of Students Pedro Santana were pleased to see the excitement on MSA students’ faces, knowing their voices and presence matter. Stockton Dining looks forward to hosting this event each semester, as well as providing ongoing support to MSA and other groups on campus that are under-recognized.

The Halal Day food celebration event at Stockton University was extremely successful and will be hosted once each semester.

York Dining team members Jami Smith and Chef Levi Briggs.

Birthday party guest of honor, Zach Foller, blows out the candles on his Lego Batman cake.

n Chartwells Dining At York College Of

Pennsylvania Partners With Best Buddies For Birthday Bash

Sometimes birthdays can be reminders of how isolated someone feels. In this case, for a boy about to turn 13, Chartwells Dining at York College of Pennsylvania joined forces with the college’s chapter of Best Buddies to transform a usually sad event into a happy birthday bash. Zach Foller, of nearby Dover, Pennsylvania, was used to kids ignoring invitations to his birthday parties. Recently diagnosed with autism, his mom, Robyn, wanted to cheer him up after years of disappointing celebrations.

To help turn this around for Zach, Nina Greiman of York College Dining gained support from other campus and student organizations. York College Dining raised $250 to buy Zach the new Lego Batman set he wanted, gifting him the remainder in cash. Working together, Chartwells and Best Buddies — a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities — threw a party for Zack at Johnson Dining Hall. The Chartwells management team volunteered their time to plan the party, decorate the room and serve food. 35 staff members came, many with their families and gifts for Zach. In total, 175 people attended the birthday bash, complete with a DJ, dancing, party games, cake and a piñata.

Zach also received nearly 3,000 birthday cards from Australia, Germany, Afghanistan, Canada, Italy and the United States after his mother posted a request on Facebook.

York Dining Services was honored to partner with Best Buddies to provide Zach with a birthday party he will never forget.

Reaching out to help people in the community is another way the Chartwells team “walks the walk” of inclusion.

FEBRUARY 2017 | CHARTWELLSMONTHLY.COM

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culture / inclusion week 2017

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in Diversity and Inclusion Week 2017 February 6–10, 2017 CORPORATE Kimberley Butz Rhonna Cass Lisa Gray Kristina McCarter Cindy Noble

be kind

HIGHER EDUCATION Tracey de Jager Joe Fischioni Karen Gray Kevin Lyden Michael Marafito Lisa McEuen Stephanie Moye Kylene Ott Athur Smith Scott Steiger Erin Stoltenberg K–12 Whitney Bateson Jackie Blomeke Verdelle Bowie Susan Forbes Keleigh Green Patton Sara Hess Amanda Mendenhall Darla Moll Karina Rodriguez-Thomas

wheel of kindness

be understanding

THOMPSON HOSPITALITY Juanita Thorne

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CHARTWELLSMONTHLY.COM | FEBRUARY 2017

inclusion week 2017 / culture

be innovative

be unified rk Teamwo e t makes h ! k r o w dream

be encouraging

FEBRUARY 2017 | CHARTWELLSMONTHLY.COM

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Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services • 2 International Drive, Rye Brook, NY 10573 Media interested in any additional details for content published in Chartwells Monthly can contact Meredith Bracken.

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