November is host to both National Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day in the United States. Below we offer some of the basics about each and highlight what our member organizations are doing to acknowledge both.
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush designated November “National American Indian Heritage Month.” It is also referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage month. The month gives the general public the opportunity to learn more about the diverse cultures, traditions and histories of Native people. American Indians and Alaska Natives make up about 2 percent of the total population.
The states with the highest populations are Alaska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota and Montana (in descending order).
The Library of Congress website has a multitude of resources to help educate your organization’s community about Native people in the US.
In addition, Diversity Best Practices members can access our Native American Heritage Month Resource Hub.
VETERANS DAY and NATIONAL VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES MONTH
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. Armistice Day was first celebrated in 1919 in honor of those who had served in World War I. After World War II, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day to honor all American veterans, wherever and whenever they had served.
In its 99th year, the Department of Veterans Affairs is broadening that tradition of observance and appreciation to include both Veterans and Military Families for the entire month of November.
For more information and resources, members can visit our Veterans Day Resource Hub.
We asked our member organizations what they will be doing to acknowledge and celebrate National Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day this year. Here is what they shared:
AbbVie
- For Veterans Day, we are hosting an internal breakfast with the theme Everyday Heroes. The keynote speaker is Medal of Honor Recipient, Allen J Lynch. The breakfast will be held on Thursday, November 7.
- We also have three social media messages planned across all of our social channels, including an employee #abbvielife feature.
Aramark
Aramark
Here are a few things we’re doing at Aramark, specifically led by Aramark Salute (our Veteran’s ERG), to honor Veteran’s Day:
- Currently holding a donation drive for items to include in care packages that will be shipped to service members currently serving overseas through a local organization, Operation Yellow Ribbon.
- We created and distributed approximately 1000 Veteran’s Day postcards to locations throughout the US where associates can write notes to service members. Those post cards will be included with the care packages.
- On Veteran’s Day itself, Aramark In Tune (employee singing group) is partnering with Salute ERG and will be holding a tribute performance. Representatives from Operation Yellow Ribbon will be our special guests during the performance and will be given the donations at that time.
- Lastly, we will send out a Veteran’s Day newsletter which will include employee highlights and their stories along with a letter from the ERG’s executive sponsor.
Booz Allen Hamilton
As a part of our Unstoppable employee movement, we’re asking each Booz Allen office to pause to recognize our military-affiliated employees during November with a breakfast (or similar style event).
Building upon the overwhelmingly positive response to our 2018 military appreciation efforts, we’ll again be distributing military lapel pins to recognize our employees who have newly identified in Workday as being a veteran, military spouse, and/or member of the National Guard or Reserves.
All employees are encouraged to attend—each event will be promoted to employees locally.
CSAA Insurance Group
Last year, our Oklahoma City Regional Center launched the company’s first Native American employee resource group, the Native American Employee Association (NAEA), in an effort to create an inclusive and culturally-based program that promotes the American Indian tribes of the United States and local communities.
For Native American Heritage month this year they will host a Native Art and information display in the building lobby. The company intranet site featured an informational video recognizing Native Americans and their great influence on the history, culture and growth of our country and introduced the passionate co-leads of our first Native American employee resource group.
Here are the activities planned by our Military Appreciation Groups (MAG):
Colorado Springs
Annual backpack drive for homeless vets. MAG Colorado provides backpacks with necessity items, i.e. gloves, socks, tooth brush/paste, etc. to homeless vets as well as items for their pets.
Glendale
Participating in the Phoenix Veteran’s parade.
Hamilton
Hamilton will have various military gear on display and allow teams to try on. We will have Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) for those brave enough to eat. There will be a POW display table and a dedicated day where we are asking employees to wear red shirts.
Las Vegas
Participating in the downtown parade & hosting a lunch for veteran employees.
Mt. Laurel
MTL is planning a display of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), facts about how they are used and rationed, and a potential raffle for 3 of the MREs if anyone is interested and willing to try them J. There will be a display along with military gear/uniforms. We are also coordinating with a local veterans facility to donate leftover candy from Halloween to the veterans from November 1st – November 11th.
Oklahoma City
Coordinating with the local AAA club to walk in the Veteran’s Day parade in Midwest City.
Walnut Creek
From 11-14 Nov, Walnut Creek will have a Veteran’s Wall in the lobby where employees can post pictures of veterans (themselves, a family member, or a friend) along with added sentiments and notes. A POW/MIA table will be on display as well as the 13 Folds of the Flag.
Estee Lauder Companies
Veteran’s ERG planned activations/events for Veteran’s Day and month of November include:
- Veteran’s ERG + MAC Makeovers at VA Hospital in NY
- Collateral/Posters in office locations
- Nov. 14th Veteran’s ERG Networking Event
- Red, White, and Blue Notes (details below)
This Veterans Day we are excited to announce a new initiative called Red, White & Blue Notes. As a retired member of the military and the man who came up with the Company’s prized “Blue Notes,” Mr. Leonard Lauder will be sponsoring this initiative to support active military members deployed overseas.
U.S.-based ELC employees will have the opportunity to write letters to active military members that will be collected and sent out in time for the holidays and we are looking for volunteers to help!
Red, White & Blue Ambassadors:
Volunteers are needed to be location ambassadors to help set up posters, note cards and collection boxes in all common spaces (kitchen, reception, etc.) in participating offices.
Each ambassador will be responsible for receiving the collateral items, setting them up and then collecting and sending them back to the GM offices once the initiative is complete. We will then work with the USO to have them shipped to active military members overseas!
Red, White & Blue Notes Video Feature:
There is also a video component to this campaign, in partnership with Mr. Leonard Lauder, thanking ELC employees who are veterans and their families, while also introducing the Red, White and Blue Notes initiative, encouraging employees to take a moment and write a letter to an active military member.
We are looking to feature 3-5 ELC employees who are veterans to share their story, why they love working for ELC, and why receiving letters while on active duty is important. The video will be featured on our internal and external channels (MyELC, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.).
Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bank values its active duty military and veteran employees and the service they have provided to our country. During the month of November, the Bank and its employees will honor these servicemen and women in a variety of ways.
In Greater Cincinnati, the military business resource group will present an exhibit that honors veterans. The program will include the presentation of colors, the National Anthem and a keynote speech by theBank’s chairman and CEO.
The Fifth Third Bank Museum staff will also kick off a veterans’ history project to document the military service of Bank employees, both past and present that includes first-hand accounts of their service experiences. During the month of November, a display will be shown in the museum that will feature employees’ loved ones who served in the armed forces.
The military business resource group will also be collecting items and assembling care packages for the Veterans Day care package drive, which will be distributed to patients on Veterans Day at the Cincinnati and Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, Veterans Administration hospitals.
Members from the group and additional employees will also participate in the Disabled American Veterans 5K run that honors veterans. DAV is a non-profit organization that helps more than 1 million veterans in life-changing ways each year. The event helps further the mission of DAV to ensure injured heroes are not alone on their road to recovery.
Finally, the group will be participating in the 2019 Veteran’s Salute. The event is co-presented by the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society, in collaboration with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Queen City Concert Band, and Lytle Camp 10, Department of Ohio, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. It honors veterans in Greater Cincinnati with a full day of patriotic programming, theatre, visual arts, symphonic music and history in a celebration of the armed services.
In Central Ohio a group of 25 military business resource group members and Bank employees did home repairs and improvements for a Navy veteran in Columbus. Every year the group partners with Rebuilding Together to identify a homeowner who is a veteran who needs help with improvements, repairs, and general upkeep in their home.
Members of the Bank’s Greater Indiana military business resource group reached out to customers and employees who self-identified as veterans and completed a veteran’s build project. The project, which was completed in the Spring, benefitted HVAF of Indiana, an organization supporting homeless veterans and their families in need.
Members of the resource group along with some of the Bank’s regional senior leaders joined clients and community partners at the Folds of Honor Patriot Black Tie Gala, which supports education assistance to Gold Star families.
The West Michigan military business resource group once again hosted the West Michigan Military Roundtable, a group that collects military memorabilia, at one of the Bank’s campuses in Grand Rapids. This year the group brought in military memorabilia and vehicles from WWII, specifically the invasion of Normandy, which had its 75 th anniversary this year.
Bank employees and the public are invited to tour the ‘museum’ that the Military Roundtable sets up on campus. The business resource group members
also allowed employees to display military pictures and memorabilia from family members who have served or are currently serving so their service could be recognized.
Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac’s Military Appreciation employee resource group (ERG) will host a series of events to recognize those who have served along with their families. The events and activities planned are arranged under the theme “The hero in all of us.” Here is a list of some of the planned events andactivities.
Toys for Tots
We’re brightening the holidays for area children by collecting toy donations for Toys for Tots, a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to distribute toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them.
POW/MIA Displays
We’re remembering the sacrifices of those who served with a public POW/MIA table display.
Networking Reception
Employees can learn about military working dogs, enjoy light refreshments and network with Military Appreciation ERG members.
Corporate Innovation/Entrepreneurship Workshop
In partnership with the Freddie Mac Single-Family Innovation Lab, we’re hosting a workshop on veteransand entrepreneurship and how those skills can be leveraged in a corporate environment.
Volunteer at Ambleside School
Veterans at Freddie Mac are sharing their experience at a local school.
Stop & SERVE
Employees can stop and learn about Soldier On’s commitment to ending veteran homelessness and their efforts to provide homeless veterans with transitional housing and supportive services. Package “Move-In” care packages to ensure veterans have the basic household necessities as they begin the new chapter in their lives.
GIANT (Ahold)
GIANT Food Stores, LLC will be honoring Veterans in a variety of ways:
- All Veterans and family/friends are invited to submit a photo of their Veteran with a brief description of their service and role. These will be featured in our Weekly Internal Newsfeed columns.
- At the Support Center, located in Carlisle PA, we will be having a special luncheon and for a $5 donation, will help to support the Toys for Tots program, which is kicking off that day and running through 12/12.
- At our Perishable Distribution Center, we are hosting all of our team members to a luncheon, and our Veterans who are our Truck Drivers, will be given a special magnet to attach to the truck driver’s door “Driven by a Veteran”. The Perishable Distribution Center will also be kicking off the Toys for Tots campaign on this day.
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC)
HCSC Celebrates National Native American Heritage Month
HCSC has several activities taking place in celebration of National Native American Heritage Month. Our Native Americans in Progress (NAIP) BRG, who helps achieve strategic goals of promoting and supporting diversity in the workforce by encouraging leadership growth for Native Americans, will be hosting these events.
Additionally, HCSC will send out company-wide communications and leverage technology to engage employees in the activities taking place in November.
HCSC is proud to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month and the contributions of Native Americans in the workplace.
Below is a list of planned activities:
- Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Albuquerque HCSC employees will participate in National Rock Your Mocs Day. Employees will take group pictures wearing moccasins, turquoise ribbons and tribal regalia.
- Tulsa and Oklahoma City HCSC employees will host a Caddo Nation artist who will provide information and history on the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. Employees will
receive instruction on how to create a Caddo design on canvas. - NAIP BRG members will volunteer with HCSC community partner organizations and attend community events and celebrations.
HCSC Celebrates Veterans Day
HCSC has several activities taking place in celebration of Veterans Day.
Our Supporters of Military Veterans at HCSC (SMVH) BRG, who works to advance the company’s business goals and contributes to attracting, retaining, advancing and supporting employee veterans and their families, will be hosting these events.
Additionally, HCSC will send out company-wide communications and leverage technology to engage employees in the activities taking place in November.
On Veterans Day and every day, HCSC is proud to celebrate veterans and the contributions they bring to the workplace.
Below is a list of planned activities:
- HCSC employees will celebrate Veterans Day with ceremonies in Chicago and Richardson. The celebrations will honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and
service to our country. The events will include guest speakers, a presentation of colors and entertainment. - SMVH BRG members will volunteer with HCSC community partner organizations and attend community events and celebrations.
Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC), and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest customer-owned health insurer in the United States and fourth largest overall, operating through our Blue Cross and Blue Shield ® Plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
HSBC
Thanking Heroes this Veterans Day
HSBC Valor (Veterans, Family and Friends) Employee Resource Group is driving many celebratory events for Veteran’s Day, November 11.
At HSBC we understand the value that veterans can bring to an organization, which is why we are dedicated to attracting and hiring veterans and their families. For the fifth consecutive year, HSBC has sponsored Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS), a broad initiative dedicated to honoring former and current military personnel by facilitating career and business opportunities within the financial services industry.
As part of this year’s annual symposium on November 4th, VOWS member organizations will conduct a Networking session with HSBC leaders with veterans which will result in promising prospective hires.
HSBC Valor’s Signature Annual Event is on November 6th. Three HSBC locations (NYC, Chicago and Buffalo) will be on video conference for the event to maximize employee attendance. Each location has their own keynote speakers.
The event will kick off in NYC with keynote speakers Emma Moore and Jeff Barden. Opening remarks for the event will be by the new CEO, Michael Roberts.
Emma Moore is a Research Associate for the Military, Veterans, and Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).
Prior to joining CNAS, Moore served as Executive Assistant and Social Media Lead for Narrative Strategies, a group of experts using strategic communication to combat violent extremism. Previously, she worked as a Program Manager with ProVetus, a veteran peer-mentoring organization, interned at the US Naval War College’s Center on Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups, and worked with Brown University’s the Cost of War Project. Moore earned a Master of Arts in War Studies from King’s College London and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Brown University.
Jeff Barden, SEVP, HSBC Head of Strategy and Planning and Chief of Staff to CEO & National Board Member for Bunker Labs.
Jeff has served in a number of US and Global roles over his 10 years with HSBC. His most recent role at HSBC was as Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy & Planning for Global Commercial Banking. He has also held various international and US-based operating and strategic planning roles with the Boston Consulting Group and Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.
Over the last year, he led Strategy and Business Development for Small Business at JP Morgan Chase and managed many of their innovative fintech partnerships, notably the Quick Capital digital small business lending platform. Jeff has extensive experience in new business and product development, business transformation, strategic planning, operational improvement, and organizational restructuring.
The NYC event will conclude with Networking, whilst Buffalo and Chicago sites will have additional keynote speakers.
Buffalo keynote speaker:
Thomas A. Giannettino has 21 years of service as Air Security Forces. He was deployed to Operation Desert Shield and was later a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Tom also served in dozens of deployments and was also called to title 10 active duty after 9/11 in support of Operation Noble Eagle and assigned to Andrews AFB for Presidential and executive protection. Some of Tom’s highest awards are the Air Force Commendation, Air Force Achievement with 3 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit with Valor and numerous New York State Air Guard Service awards.
Chicago keynote speaker:
Retired Brigadier General Stephen K. Curda, Ph.D. serves as will serve as Executive Director of the Illinois Joining Forces (IJF). Dr. Curda is an Associate Professor in the National College of Education at National Louis University and serves as Senior Advisor to the President on Student Veteran programs.
He formerly served on the Governor’s Cabinet as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA), the 1,300-person state agency dedicated to serving those who have served. He was responsible for establishing long term strategic goals for the future of the IDVA and provided oversight of four veteran homes caring for over 900 Veterans and coordinated over 80 veteran service offices throughout the state of Illinois. Dr. Curda served in the US military for over 30 years in active duty, Guard and Reserve positions.
- On Friday, November 9th in Buffalo, WNY Heroes, Inc. (local non-profit Veteran organization provides financial services to local veterans) will host their Annual Gala. HSBC will provide 15 volunteers for the event.
Other initiatives to note:
- In the USA Today “HSBC is Proud to Support Military Veterans” Ad
- HSBC also recently posted an internal video for HSBC employees highlighting the military service of employee, Nicholas Schumann, Head of Engagement Strategy Financial Crime Threat Mitigation.
A few words from HSBC Valor National Chairs:
Michael DePrisco, National Chair: “HSBC is proud to once again support our nation’s Veterans and continue partnering with diverse organizations in support of D&I efforts. We especially wanted to highlight the contributions through our firms Valor ERG in our communities ahead of the Veteran’s Day holiday. Our nation’s military veterans contribute greatly to our freedoms we enjoy in the country.”
“As one of the lead sponsors of Veterans of Wall Street (VOWS), HSBC’s commitment to facilitate career and business opportunities for our nation’s military personnel is established – we strive to hire, promote and retain more veterans and support veterans in the community. As we look forward to 2020, we aim to drive economic opportunity for veterans through education and financial inclusion. On behalf of the Valor leadership team, thank you for everything you do to help Valor, our ERG’s and HSBC succeed.”
Barbara Janese, Deputy National Chair: “I’m so proud of the work the HSBC Valor ERG has led this year within our communities and with our employee base. The Veteran’s Day events is really a way for HSBC employees to honor our service men and women. Each year our programs become more robust and the focus continues around the challenges Veterans face every day and the support available to help them”
Mission: HSBC Valor’s Mission is to provide a forum for employees to discuss issues faced by veterans, military personnel and families and friends within the workplace and to enhance recruitment of military veterans to meet the present and future needs of HSBC.
L’Oréal USA
- On November 14, L’Oréal USA will give back to military personnel, veterans and their families at the company’s annual Have A BEAUTIFUL Day event.
- That day, L’Oréal’s VALOR (Veterans at L’Oréal USA) employee-led resource group, in partnership with Bridging The Gap, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Stand Beside Them, USO, and Women Veterans Interactive, will host and celebrate approximately 60 active duty women U.S. military personnel, veterans and their family members for a day of beauty education and complimentary services at L’Oréal USA’s headquarters in Manhattan.
- Participating veterans, military personnel and their families will be greeted that morning at L’Oréal USA’s Hudson Yards headquarters by flag-waving employees welcoming them and honoring the military personnel and family members for their service.
- Participants will receive a day of beauty including makeup and manicures and hair services from volunteer professional stylists from the company’s Consumer Products Division and Professional Products Division.
- A keynote address will be given in the afternoon by Jas Boothe, an army veteran, cancer survivor and founder of Final Salute. Final Salute provides homeless women veterans with safe and suitable housing.
Since its inception, Final Salute has raised over $2 million dollars to support homeless women veterans and their children, assisted over 3,600 women veterans and children and provided over 12,000 days of housing. Jas also founded the Ms. Veteran America competition and is featured in the documentary “Served Like a Girl,” honoring the women beyond the uniform and highlighting the service and sacrifice of every woman that has served in the U.S. military.
She also has been recognized as or a recipient of: Oprah Winfrey Standing Ovation Recipient; American Veterans Center Lillian Keil Award – Women’s Contributions to the Military; CNN Hero; People Magazine Hero Among Us; YWCA Woman of Distinction.
- Have a BEAUTIFUL Day participants will also hear from a panel of L’Oréal USA veterans about their career journeys and career opportunities at L’Oréal.
- Finally, the event will wrap up with comments from Carol Hamilton, Group President, Acquisitions at L’Oréal USA and Executive Sponsor of VALOR.
Merck
November is Native American Heritage Month and our company believes in celebrating and recognizing the contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the US.
One of the ways that Merck supports our country’s Native American heritage is through project Wakan Tu Naji, a brainstorm of Pamela Abaza, who is one of the founding members of the Native American EBRG team.
Join us to learn more about how Wakan Tu Naji contributes to driving our company’s goal to improve diversity and inclusion while simultaneously driving business results. The Next Generation Lakota Dance Troupe will be accompanying Pam to teach us about the diversity within Native cultures through dance and story-telling.
Microsoft
Indigenous Heritage Celebration
November is Native American Heritage Month. There are 6.6 million Native American and Alaska Native people living in the United States, as well as millions of other Indigenous people living throughout the Western Hemisphere—all with unique traditions, languages, values and histories.
Celebrate the diversity and contributions of the various Native cultures with the Indigenous@Microsoft community on Tuesday, November 19th.
Participants will hear from Indigenous employees across the globe, as they teach, learn and foster an understanding about the Indigenous peoples, their traditions, performances, food and culture.
Military@Microsoft Veteran’s Day Celebration
The Military@Microsoft Employee Resource Group is again hosting their annual Veteran’s Day event on Monday November 11, 2019. The event will include a fireside chat with senior leaders and veteran’s who will be speaking about Microsoft’s commitment to serving veteran’s and military families.
There will also be an open house event with local nonprofits that serve veterans. The event will be live streamed across eight U.S. sites so employees across the country can join and be recognized for their service.
Northern Trust
Northern Trust’s Military Appreciation & Assistance Resource Council (MAARC) will be holding a number of events across the United States to observe Veterans Day.
As our name suggests, the events focus on demonstrating our appreciation to our military community, in addition to raising awareness around military issues.
In Sarasota and Seattle, luncheons are being held with Northern Trust partners, clients and members of our local military community to engage on military topics, and recognize the commitments made by our military community.
In Chicago, MAARC is a sponsor of and will participate in A Safe Haven’s 25th Anniversary Gala, a fundraiser to further their goals to address the problem of homelessness, which is a particular problem in our veteran community.
Also in Chicago, a letter writing campaign will be held ahead of the holidays to provide notes and cards to veterans and deployed military to recognize their service and express our thanks.
In accordance with Tempe MAARC tradition, the Veteran’s Wreath will be hung in the lobby over the Veteran’s Day Holiday. We use this wreath as a symbol of appreciation and recognition of our Military partners as well as the families who support them during their service to our nation.
MAARC in the US is partnering with MAARC in Bangalore and London as well as our Global Communications team to develop a video to thank our employees who are also veterans for their service. Senior executives will be featured, and the video will be distributed via our intranet and other media.
PayPal
PayPal observes the entire month of November as Veterans Recognition month, and will be celebrating with many activities to highlight their contributions to our company and our communities.
- Serve chapters across global will host Poppy drives.
After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Scientists attributed the growth to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by the war. From the dirt and mud grew a beautiful red poppy. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battle following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields.”
The red poppy is a recognized symbol of sacrifice worn to honor those who served and died in all wars. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms. 100% of the proceeds of the Poppy sales across PayPal will go toward supporting the welfare of veterans, active military personnel, and their families where financial and medical need is evident.
- PayPal President and CEO sat down with Alex Cross, President of Serve – PayPal’s employee resource group for veterans and allies. The two discussed the importance of helping veterans successfully transition from military service into civilian careers, why veterans are an important talent pool, and the unique skill sets veterans bring to the workforce. See the interview, here.
- PayPal CFO and Executive Sponsor of Serve, John Rainey, went on CNBC’s Mad Money to speak with host Jim Cramer on how PayPal is a stronger company thanks to the contributions of our veteran employees. See the interview, here.
Qualcomm
- Hosting a panel of women across different functional areas for Navy women who are looking for jobs. Our veteran affinity group will host a resume assistance booth.
- Flag raising ceremony
Sodexo
American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
Sodexo’s Global Culture and Origins Taskforce and US based Native American and Aboriginal Council (NAAC) Employee Business Resource Group are convening throughout November to celebrate the American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.
As they celebrate this Federal Heritage Month, they will focus on the theme, “Honoring our Nations: Building Strength Through Understanding” to enhance Indigenous community relations through mutual respect and trust.
A toolkit that includes posters, newsletters, social media, etc. enable unit level celebrations to be enjoyed by employees, clients and customers.
Globally, renowned lecturer at Harvard University, Terzah Tippin Poe who is an Inuit from the US Arctic, will join Sodexo via webinar on November 12th at which time she will speak about indigenous rights, sustainability issues and business resilience.
T-Mobile
We have a lot of ways we support veterans at T-Mobile, within our company and out in the community. Below is a quick summary:
- Veterans & Allies Network (VAN): VAN is one of our six D&I employee network groups – this one dedicated to expanding the conversation and support for the veteran community in our workplace. The network currently has over 11,100 members and counting!
- Recruiting Partners/Hiring Commitment: In 2018, T-Mobile pledged to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses by 2023 – and we are well on our way to accomplishing our goal! We also continue to work one of our key military recruiting partners, FourBlock, to host events and help the transition from military service to civilian workforce.
- Magenta Military Plan: The Magenta Military plan continues to have some of the best prices in the wireless industry for the military community! The best part? This isn’t a deal just for Veterans Day, the military community can take advantage of this deal year-round.
- Sponsorships: T-Mobile will be a top sponsor for the United War Veteran’s Council (UWVC) Veteran’s Day Parade on 11/11 in NYC for the third time. 110 T-Mobile veteran employees will march in support of Veterans, and also have a weekend full of networking, a 9/11 memorial tour and hear from both external and internal leaders at the company. It is our way to give back to the veterans who have given so much to our country, and our company!
Additional Resources
Here a personal story of a veteran employee at T-Mobile: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/james-buckingham-buck-the-status-quo-customer-care-giant
Other Initiatives and Events
- For NYC Veterans Day Parade: VAN is sponsoring an all-expense paid weekend for T-Mobile employees (mostly veterans and some allies) to be honored and appreciated for their service. The weekend will also include several development and networking opportunities for participants, and senior leaders will be in attendance.
- VAN is hosting a T-Mobile “Talking with Trailblazers” event for all employees where they have invited Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour (the first African American female combat pilot) to speak about her experience.
- VAN is hosting a supply drive in partnership with Operation Gratitude. They will help gather supplies to develop care packages to send to deployed service members.
- We also have local VAN chapters who take part in their own initiatives for Veterans Day such as:
- Toys for Tots drive in San Diego
- BBQ event in Houston supporting Wheelchairs for Warriors
- Several VAN chapters are hosting a Veterans Day Appreciation Brunch for veteran employees
U.S. Cellular
At U.S. Cellular, we are celebrating Veterans with the following events and activities:
- Our Chicagoland Veteran Associates Leading Organizational Results resource group (VALOR) decided to extend the celebration of Veterans Day to include a week of activities including:
- A celebration at the Operational Services Center in Chicago on Veterans Day (Mon. 11/11), featuring Freedom Farm the organization VALOR volunteers with throughout the year
- Partaking in the D&I Supplier Diversity Fair where veteran-owned businesses will be highlighted and VALOR will share more information about the resource group (Tues. 11/12)
- Hosting a Lunch & Learn with Kris Urbauer from Hiring Our Heroes on the topic of “Your Role in Making U.S. Cellular Veteran Friendly” (Wed. 11/13),
- Participating in Public Affairs’ Operation: Veteran Smiles packing and distribution event to create personal care packages to be delivered to a local veteran’s hospital (Thurs. 11/14 and Fri. 11/15)
Verisk
On Veterans Day, our Verisk Veterans Employee Network in Jersey City will be hosting a Veterans Day Recognition Lunch for all Veterans, members of the Veteran & Military Service Network, and other invited guests.
The Network Lead for the group, Rich DiBenedetto, will lead a presentation on veteran issues and challenges in the post 9-11 world using a TedX talk as the discussion catalyst. They will also be providing a collective listing of veteran benefits that are available.
Zurich North America
In honor of Veterans Day, Zurich North America is saluting the bravery, leadership and sacrifice of men and women who serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Their stories and their impact on our society both during active duty and upon return to civilian life are part of the fabric of our company and our communities.
“Our Vets bring qualities and experiences to the workplace that are quite unique in individual leadership development,” said Head of Programs and Executive Sponsor of the Veterans Engagement Team at Zurich (VETZ) Greg Massey.
“The Behaviors that drive our Strategy, Purpose and Values, such as ‘make it happen,’ ‘collaborate together,’ ‘provide clear direction,’ ‘develop and grow,’ are not new to our Vets; they are a collection of behaviors they’ve lived by while serving our country.”
Zurich will recognize the significance of Veterans Day on November 18 when the VETZ employee resource group (ERG) will sponsor Master Chief Stephen Drum, U.S. Navy Retired for “Performing on the X” – Leading and Excelling When the Stakes are High.
Stephen is a combat-tested Navy SEAL with more than 27 years of experience leading and developing high-performing teams. During his illustrious career, he not only served as a leader with SEAL Team 10 in Iraq and Afghanistan but also directed the “Warrior Toughness Program” at Naval Recruit Training Command, which is a holistic mind-body-soul character development program designed to build recruits ability to perform under acute and sustained stress.
The event will begin with the presentation of the U.S. Flag by members of a local Color Guard.
All employees are welcome and encouraged to wear red, white and blue that day.
Additional Events planned during the month of November:
Safe Haven Supply Drive
Donations of toiletries and linens will be collected to help benefit the Safe Haven Veterans Housing Program in West Dundee, Illinois.
2nd Annual Veterans Day Reception
A reception will be hosted and is open to all employees to thank / recognize the Veterans in the Overland Park Office.
Red Shirt Friday
Employees are encouraged to help show their support of our service men and women by wearing a red shirt. For each of the first 1,000 colleagues wearing a red shirt that day, Chief Actuarial Officer Bob Effinger has pledged a $1 donation benefitting the Paralyzed Veterans of America (www.pva.org) and the Wounded Warrior Project
(www.woundedwarriorproject.org). Zurich will match the donation dollar-for-dollar.
Other locations and for those who cannot attend the photo op:
Employees are encouraged to take selfies and email them to show their support and to be counted in the donation.
