SAC Conference Focuses on Wellness, Reaching Goals

SAC Conference Focuses on Wellness, Reaching Goals

By Shelley SheltonUniversity Communications
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Afternoon keynote speaker JoAnn Contorno receives a glass cactus trophy from interim SAC President Claudia Arias as a thank-you for speaking at the Crossroads Conference. Each presenter received a similar statue. (Photo by Beatriz Verdugo/UANews)
Afternoon keynote speaker JoAnn Contorno receives a glass cactus trophy from interim SAC President Claudia Arias as a thank-you for speaking at the Crossroads Conference. Each presenter received a similar statue. (Photo by Beatriz Verdugo/UANews)

A Human Resources administrator, a contingent of Life & Work Connections coordinators, a Pima County Sheriff's detective, a public-speaking expert and a 66-year-old cheerleader converged on the J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort last week for the annual Staff Advisory Council conference.

They all were there to impart their wisdom to University of Arizona classified staff members during the Crossroads Conference – themed "Tapping Your Own Resources" – held June 18. (Click here to see a photo slideshow from the conference.)

Morning keynote speaker Cathy Nicholson, director of Human Resources at the Arizona Health Sciences Center, gave a talk titled "Finding Happiness: Pursuing Regret and Life in the Margins."

She talked about the supposedly inspirational question, "What would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail?" and suggested that it's preposterous because it's asking people to talk about what they would do if there were no challenge, courage or demonstration of character necessary to become happy.

It's important to make mistakes as we reach for what makes us happy, she said. And sometimes that includes regrets along the way.

The afternoon keynote, motivational speaker JoAnn Contorno, was a last-minute addition to the lineup after the original speaker, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Tannya Gaxiola, had a conflict in her travel schedule.

Contorno, 66, showed up in a cheerleader outfit emblazoned with the words "Go 4 Gold." She broke into a presentation that was part thought-provoking inspiration and part standup comedy routine, as she discussed her tribulations competing in a national triathlon – and finishing dead last.

She shared what she learned about life along the way and told the audience – which gave her a standing ovation when she finished – that when it comes to reaching goals, "You gotta wanna. Because if you don't wanna, it's not gonna happen."

Breakout workshops focused on many kinds of wellness, including Life & Work Connections presenters Nancy Rogers, Jan Sturges, Caryn Jung and Dave Swihart speaking in sessions on emotional eating, balancing family caregiving with work and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Part of the conference's aim was to show classified staff how many resources the UA offers to help with wellness, and Life & Work Connections' involvement was intended to help do that, said Claudia Arias, administrative associate in engineering administration and interim SAC president, in an interview before the conference.

SAC also brought in presenters from other areas of the University. Among their presentations:

  • Cheralyn Schmidt, a program coordinator at Arizona Cooperative Extension, imparted nutrition and food preparation tips while people who attended her presentation sampled different fruits and vegetables.
  • Loretta Pedraza, a senior Human Resources specialist, helped workshop participants determine their "conflict style" and learn strategies for handling uncomfortable situations at work.
  • Lorey Pro, assistant director of fitness and wellness for Campus Recreation, offered tips on physical fitness.

But the day wasn't only about physical wellness and learning how to get ahead at work.

Pima County Sheriff's Detective Brian Greeno advised participants on keeping identity safe in the digital age.

He described how criminals can manipulate the information on the magnetic strips of stolen hotel key cards, gift cards and phone cards to turn them into fake credit cards.

He said some methods of keeping personal information safe include checking bank accounts online several times each week, switching from paper to electronic account statements, not using an ATM if it looks weird, and using a paper shredder to dispose of unwanted credit offers that arrive in the mail.

"With any new technology, bad guys are finding a way to get into it," he said, adding that he's not trying to scare people. "The point here is, watch your accounts."

The conference also offered vendor booths staffed by local business representatives from Arizona State Credit Union, Vantage West Credit Union, Lodge on the Desert, Hotel Tucson City Center InnSuites, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, BeautiControl cosmetics and more.

A gourmet lunch was served, and several prizes were raffled off.

The purpose of the annual event is to give classified staff an opportunity to interact with other classified staffers and learn how to care for themselves so they will be happier at work, Arias said.

Classified staff wear all kinds of hats at the University, including those of business managers, maintenance and grounds people, administrative assistants and office specialists.

They comprise the largest segment of the UA workforce: In fall 2011, there were 5,466 classified staff, compared with 2,922 faculty members and 3,519 appointed personnel.

Some staff members don't realize the UA has a plethora of resources to address many issues that create stress in their work and personal lives, Arias said.

About 240 people attended the conference.

Among them was Lupita Carrasco, senior credentials evaluator for the Office of Admissions and New Student Enrollment, who said she enjoyed the workshop on "Leading Your Way to Success" because she liked learning about workplace culture and building strong communication within a department.

She's been coming to the conferences for five years, she said, and always learns something new that she likes to talk with her colleagues about when she gets back.

Norma Gaviria, also a senior credentials evaluator for admissions, said she appreciated the session on emotional eating.

"When I'm under stress, I tend to overeat," she said. She learned ideas for other things she can do so she doesn't think about food.

And Julie Farrington, an accountant in Facilities Management, said she appreciated the overall diversity of topics at the conference.

"The keynote speakers were great," she said. "They both made you think."

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