JULIE 2024 Spring Newsletter

A Message from Mark

Welcome Spring! Welcome Spring! Welcome Spring!

Welcomebusyseason!Welcome,inearnest,thestartofour50thAnniversarycelebration! And...welcomeandwelcomebacktoournewandreturningemployees!

Spring 2024 is certainly promising to be a season of special possibilities. Not only do we have the chance to meet or beat past call and message volume records, but we also moving forward with efforts to strengthen the JULIE Law to assist our members and Illinois excavators manage the anticipated increases in work which is forecasted to occur during the next 3-5 years. At the same time, we are starting to prepare for Center LOGiX, our next generation call center ticket entry and message delivery solution. And all of this comes amidst the backdrop of our 50th Anniversary celebrations.

I know that RSVPs for our Scene 75 family event in Romeoville is strong and I am grateful for all of your interest and the efforts of the 50th Anniversary Committee.

May this Spring bring you renewal, celebration and appreciation for all of the blessings in your lives!

P.S. For those of you who are looking for a new, unique way to color your Easter eggs...tie-dye-eggs

EMPLOYEE FEATURE

Director of Finance

Ryan

Horne

Wheredidyougrowup?

Blah blah blah - LOL

I grew up in the backwoods of St. George, SC (population 2,200). The name of the road I lived on was “Horne-TaylorRoad” because a second cousin married the foreman of the paper mill, and we thought including his name would help everyone get jobs. The town was so small the entering and leaving sign were on the same pole and the main street was the drive through for the Farmers Bank and Trust. St. George is known for eating more grits per capita than any other town in the nation. So much that we host an annual “Grits Festival”.

Tellusaboutyourfamily?

My father was the youngest of six boys who were raised in a shotgun shack with outdoor plumbing His father was a sharecropper and founder of the Baptist church My mother was the oldest daughter of the foreman for the Dorchester County Highway Department My parents married after high school My father drove a pulpwood truck until he was accepted into the IBEW Local 776 in Charleston I have an older brother and sister who still live on Horne-Taylor Road, 26 first cousins, and an estimated 24 second cousins at last count.

I met my wife at Clemson University and followed her to Chicago. We were married in 1997 on the same day as Princess Diana’s car crash, so it’s generally easy for me to remember. We’re lucky to have 3 healthy children – 2 older boys and a daughter who attends NIU majoring in Finance. When I asked her if I inspired her choice, her response was ‘No, I don’t know what you do and when I ask, you make it sound boring.’

Whatdoyouliketodoinyoursparetime?

One of my college roommates is a forestry portfolio manager by day and a southern gothic writer at night. He’s had a few articles published. Every Wednesday night, I host a zoom meeting with three of our friends to read through rough drafts and discuss plot points. Also, my wife and I build Legos and watch 80s movies. Last week we worked on a Harry Potter Lego and watched Weekend at Bernie’s

Whataresomeinterestingfactsaboutyou?

In college, I overcame my fear of heights by joining the Sky Diving Club I have a creative streak that compelled me to design homemade Halloween costumes for my kids

WhatdoyouloveaboutworkingatJULIE?

I work with a great team – we work hard, but we also take the time to help each other and laugh at ourselves

Jedi Family Costumes

Jedi Family Costumes Jedi

WORK/LIF BALANC

April is National Voluntee

National Volunteer Month in April celebrates the impact volunteers have in our communities and encourages active volunteerism in generations to come. The act of humanitarian services is traced back to World War II and the Civil War where women volunteered to help wounded army soldiers. In 1943, Canada held the first-ever National Volunteer Week to recognize the work of women in WWII and the U.S. adopted this week and month in 1974.

Volunteers impact the organizations and communities where they provide their services. Yet volunteerism has many benefits for the person performing these labors of love.

Member Services Representative EricHogan and his husband Greg are active volunteers. They volunteer with Holiday Shores Fire Department. They both also spent a week in Guatemala at the Land of Hope as volunteers with ER Abroad where they provided medical care to residents and maintenance updates to buildings on the property This opportunity is in partnership with Southern Illinois University, but anyone is welcome to be a volunteer

Call Center Agent LizGron organizes a Sensory Meet Up Group for families of children with special needs. They meet at Pizza Ranch in Shorewood where the owner allows them to use a room for no charge. Kids of all ages can come to a fun place where they can meet new friends, explore, eat, laugh, and have fun in a non-judgmental way. At their last meeting, they had over 30 families and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Liz brings resources for parents such as a speech/feeding therapist, a karate instructor that deals with special-needs kids and recreational opportunities.

Volunteeringcan helpyoumake friends,learnnew skills,advance yourcareer,and evenfeelhappier andhealthier.

Call Cen

Brit Tor

EMPLOYEE FEATURE

Whatdoyouliketodoinyoursparetime?

I cherish spending time with my husband Tito and our babies Elena and Lorenzo I love taking the kids anywhere and everywhere whether we are shopping, spending a day at the zoo, apple picking or visiting our families. We always have an adventure.

WhatdoIloveaboutworkingatJULIE?

My favorite thing about working at JULIE is the people I work with Everyone is so kind and welcoming I’m a very shy person and working here has brought me out of my shell It has encouraged me to become more outgoing.

Telluswhereyouliketotravel?

I love going on weekend getaways. Our favorite spot is Wisconsin Dells. This year, we are planning to go to Michigan and Nashville. I am most excited about taking our littles to Disney at the end of summer.

Whatdoyoudoinyourfreetime?

We are huge Chicago Bears fans. Every year we attend training camp at Halas Hall. We try our best to go to a couple games every year too. Last year, Elena joined in our festivities by going to Family Day at Soldier Field. I’m excited for the upcoming season to include our newest fan Lorenzo in our favorite tradition

Whatwouldbeyourdreamjobbeotherthan workingatJULIE?

If I didn’t work at JULIE, I would want to be a labor and delivery nurse. I love helping and caring for people. I also love babies. So that would have allowed me to have the best of both worlds.

Whatisaninterestingfactaboutyou?

I can recite my favorite movie, A Night at the Roxbury, word for word from beginning to end. You can give me a line and I can instantly pick up from there and finish the entire script.

JULIE OPERATIONS

Our Member Services Representatives (MarshaHunt, EricHogan, BrittanyHayes and KevinShain) are part of the MemberServicesDepartment.

Earlier this year, Remote Services and Member Services Manager PaulaBrowning reorganized the duties within her department. Two of the biggest changes deal with Remote Ticket User roles and were important to implement before the busy season to allow staff to adjust. The purpose of this division was in response to the overwhelming task during the verifier week.

Here is a summary of the roles each MSR is responsible for on a rotating basis:

2024JobDutyReorganization

Database/System: this role will monitor the system, handle any eFax issues, work with members to resolve any delivery issues, work with DebiAndre, Database Manager, on any database updates or if something should come into the member info email box.

Backup: the main focus of this role is to work on ERQ pinks, cover breaks/lunches for all roles, cover for a specific role when vacation or call-in occurs and assist wherever needed.

RTES1: this role is the primary person responding to the tags the call center places on the RTE users' tickets in the verification review.

RTES2: this role is to be the support for RTES1. If the verification review queue is too busy, the RTES2 will work with the RTES1 to help clear the queue. If the queue is fine, then the RTES2 will work on verifying tickets so the queue remains steady (trying to avoid an overload in the afternoons) This role should have the largest number of tickets verified by the end of the week

By PaulaBrowning Remote Services/Member Services Manager

There is one email box that all four MSRs monitor, memberinfo@julie1call.com Data@julie1call com is no longer a functioning email

New members are handled by Debi with the assistance of Kevin If a question comes up regarding becoming a member of JULIE, please forward that call to Kevin to start the process

If there is a question about a discrepancy sent to Member Services, Brittany would be the contact

Reach out to MemberServices with any questions

HUMAN RESOURCES

By DwightKlein | Director of Human Resources

The Benefits of JULIE Benefits

One of the most valued treasures we get to enjoy working at JULIE is the comprehensive benefits package This is not just about the medical insurance, but all of the other benefits that are included in our plan. In fact, when you really start to break it all down, the program at JULIE is actually quite strong. For example, when we look at what our plan offers versus other similar companies, we are right at the top Even our fellow current and former co-workers have spoken about their own experiences with our benefits and have shared how much the benefits have made a positive difference in their own lives.

We know that pay or wages are only part of what is referred to as “total compensation.” That is a big part, of course, but we know that benefits are also just as important. For example, many employees at JULIE enroll in the insurance plan that covers medical and prescription expenses These treatments can be very costly, but with the JULIE plan, it makes those expenses very manageable. Here is another way to look at this: in many organizations, employees are required to pay 3035% of the insurance premium; JULIE only requires 15% The annual deductibles are also significantly lower than what other companies charge as well Looking at other coverages, the dental plan is only a small expense while our premium vision and shortterm disability benefits are free. As it goes in the high-cost world of employee benefits and you add this all up, our insurance plan is looking pretty good for both you and your loved ones

Infact,whenyoureally starttobreakitalldown, theprogramatJULIEis actuallyquitestrong.

But wait, there is more! Have you checked out the everyday discounts available to you on EAP or Lifemart (via ADP)? There is also free resources, coaches and counselors, and training available through EAP right at your fingertips. What about the retirement plans that JULIE offers? When you save up to 6% of your income, JULIE matches that amount. That is 100% free money that you could be earning! Another great benefit is to be able to take time away from work A better one is where you can take time off and get paid for it! Finally, for those thinking about transitioning to retirement, our health reimbursement plan is a benefit that is just not found at many employers out there.

When you think about it, there is even more that you can add onto the benefits pile. These include a year-end bonus, our annual wellness program, the holiday celebration and for many, the ability to be able to work from home. In 2024, our 50th Anniversary celebration will assuredly bring many extras that we all get to enjoy Want to get a better idea of what your personal total compensation looks like? You can by logging into ADP and then click on the “Pay” tab. In reality, the JULIE program offers a strong package that we can all be proud of. A benefits program that can be treasured.

EMPLOYEE HAPPENINGS

Director of Call Center Operations

OkiePicco had a wonderful start to 2024! Her daughter was married on January 6.

Cristihan&Brittany Acevedo

Congratulations to Call Center Agent Brooke Donabaueron the birth of Jayden Glover!

It was a busy start to the year for Call Center Agent Jerry Daniel. He and Johnathan were married on January 6. They also recently remodeled and moved into his grandparents’ old house and welcomed a new nephew

Call Center Quality Auditor JeremyErvins

baby girl Linnea was born December 3. She weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces at birth. Linnea is settling in with Jeremy and mom Robbi.

Born November 17 at 2:48 am, weighing 8 pounds and 4 ounces. He is adored by his brother Joseph and his parents Brooke and Renaul

Congratulations to Member Services Representative Eric Hogan who wed Dr. Greg Jennings on November 18 in a ceremony performed by Greg's cousin at Jacob Henry Mansion. Greg and Eric also recently purchased a new home.