Thursday, January 28, 2016

Imagine!’s Leadership Development Group Update from November 2015

What have I gotten myself into? And why might others want to join the Leadership Development Group (LDG)!

Tim West-Heiss, Shannon Bundy, Laura Ball, Maria Klickna, Sterling Wind 

The purpose of the LDG is to provide a platform that strategically develops talent within Imagine! to address the company’s leadership needs in the future. This program is designed to educate employee participants about the complexities of our company and to assist management in learning about LDG members with talent that may be good matches for leadership roles here at Imagine!.

What this means is that there is an LDG curriculum that allows LDG members to:

Attend high-level meetings internally and externally, such as the following: 
  • Executive Team and Government Relations meetings, 
  • Strategic Planning meetings, 
  • Legislative Sessions with the Joint Budget Committee 
  • Other conferences and meetings relating to intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) services. 
Select three books that focus upon leadership to read and discuss as a group. 

Select and complete a case study that has been approved by LDG Planning Group. 

Perhaps most importantly, each LDG member has two executive mentors that they meet with at least monthly.

Whew, so there you have what the LDG looks like . . . a more important question is … why should this interest you?

Great question! If you’d like an opportunity to observe and wrestle with the complexities of a large nonprofit organization through direct observations and opportunities to engage the executives, who are leaders in the field of I/DD, a chance to debrief with your mentors and other executive team member, to stretch yourself by asking questions and engaging in discussions with Imagine! team members at all levels - then the LDG is for you! Being an LDG member provides employees with an incredible opportunity to learn and grow through access to diverse leaders with a genuine willingness to assist you to grow personally and professionally. That’s why you might want to talk with your supervisor about your interest in joining Imagine!’s Leadership Development Group in the future.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Imagine! Celebration 2016

The Imagine! Celebration is this Friday, January 29. To get you excited about this spectacular event, we thought that we would share a sneak peek at the amazing items that will be up for bid during the event’s Live Auction. Watch the short video below to get started, then scroll down to learn more about the items.

Can’t see the video? Click here

1. Wine-A-Month Special Selection 
Value: $100 


You will benefit as Liquor Mart's Fine Wine Manager personally selects one bottle of wine each month for one year for top-notch value and quality. 12 bottle total. 

Expires 1/31/2017. 

Donated by: Liquor Mart 

2. California Wine Tour 
Value: $1,650 


Envision rolling hills, towering oaks and lush vineyards. Nestled at the gateway to wine country is La Bellasera luxury boutique hotel in Paso Robles, CA, offering guests an indescribable Central Coast travel experience with 80 world class wineries within ten miles. Includes one King Deluxe room for two people for three nights, a three-day car rental, and $400 in airfare credit. Restrictions apply, and space is subject to availability. 

Expires 11/15/2016. 

Donated by: Cain Travel Group 

3. Gorgeous Greek Island Villa
Value: $8,000 


Enjoy a magical week at a deluxe villa on Lefkas island off the west coast of Greece. Villa sleeps six in three bedrooms with tennis courts, a pool, and breathtaking ocean views. Cross the swing bridge to the mainland where you can explore ancient archeological sites or settle in at your villa and enjoy the island's many offerings including sailing, diving, and windsurfing, or simply soaking up the sun. 

Redeemable in 2017, and timing is flexible but needs to be confirmed with owner as available. Airfare not included. 

Donated by: The Palmos Family 

4 VIP Longmont Brewery Tour 
Value: $2,500 


Your party of eight will start your night off right in the Left Hand Brewing Limo that will take you to four award-winning Longmont breweries for tours, brews, and tasty treats. Breweries include Left Hand Brewing, 300 Suns Brewery & Tasting Room, Grossen Bart Brewery, and Wibby Brewing, who will also provide pizza from Rosalee’s Pizzaria for the party. 

Holidays are excluded and dates are flexible but subject to availability. Expires 1/29/2017

Donated by: Left Hand Brewery, 300 Suns Brewery, Grossen Bart Brewery, Wibby Brewing, Rosalee's Pizzeria 

5. Beach Daycation
Value: $2,000 


Escape to the beach for a day! Whether you prefer to lounge on the beach and build sandcastles, or go boating, water skiing, tubing, or fishing, you will find all this and more at your private Beach Daycation in Longmont at Pelican Shores. You will also be treated to a cookout and beverages and it is sure to be a summer day to remember! 

For up to 10 guests, redeemable in 2016 with flexible dates arranged with donor. 

Donated by: Dale Charles, Katie Hawkins 

6. Buff VIP Experience
Value: Priceless 


You and three of your favorite Buffs fans will receive four premium seats to a Pac 12 Conference game with a parking pass for the 2017 basketball season. You will also be invited to an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the basketball facility and be able to watch the basketball team practice for their next big win! But wait! There's more. Enjoy lunch with Coach Tad Boyle. 

Game date and lunch to be arranged with donor. 

Donated by: University of Colorado Athletic Department 

7. Playa Viva Eco Trip
Value: $2,000 


Get away for a four night stay for up to two adults and two children in a luxury EcoCasita at beautiful Playa Viva - a sustainable boutique hotel located 30 minutes from Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa (ZIH) in Mexico. Enjoy 200 acres of private reserve with close to a mile of pristine beach, a turtle sanctuary, archeological sites and much more. Your stay includes airport transfers, all meals and non-alcoholic beverages. Playa Viva is committed to preserving the cultures, traditions, communities, species and habitats that make this planet worth exploring. You will find out more about yourself, and the world, at Playa Viva. 

Holiday weeks excluded and valid through 1/29/2017. Airfare not included. 

Donated by: Playa Viva 

8. Cape Cod Getaway
Value: $3,500 


Make memories in this spacious 5-bedroom Cape Cod cottage with inviting deck and beautiful gardens located in Orleans, MA. Every activity – beaches, the bay, restaurants and shopping – is within 5 minutes, including one of the best beaches in the country – Nauset Beach. This picturesque home can comfortably accommodate 10 people and is fully equipped with beach chairs, boogie boards, toys, umbrellas, and all you need to enjoy lobster dinners and entertain inside and out. 

Available for one week in September or October 2016. Airfare not included. 

Donated by: George & Kristin Karakehian 

9. African Safari
Value: $3,500 


Your unforgettable adventure starts with five days and nights for two people at the beautiful four star Manyatta Rock Camp in the Kwa Madwala private game reserve. You will be nestled amongst boulders and trees that form a kopje overlooking the private Kwa Madwala Reserve, with magnificent views from the dining deck, bar and private lookout deck of each chalet. All rooms are air conditioned and your stay will include three delicious meals prepared daily by South African chefs and High Tea with cake in the afternoons. Included is one professional ranger guided safari each day and a two hour walking safari with the opportunity to add Microlight air tours, elephant back and horseback safaris and so much more. You are sure to have an unforgettable experience viewing animals, birds, plants and culture unique to this diverse ecological region. Relax in the outdoor swimming pool or schedule a spa treatment – you can tailor your stay to your whims and are sure to make memories to last a lifetime! 

Valid through 1/23/2018. Airfare not included. 

Donated by: African Eyes Travel 

10. Aruba Beach Resort Stay
Value: $3,500 


Spend a luxurious week relaxing at the beautiful four-star Caribbean beachfront resort, Divi Aruba Phoenix Resort. The spacious one-bedroom Master Suite with Jacuzzi sleeps four with a full kitchen, washer & dryer, picture windows, queen sleeper/couch and a private balcony overlooking the azure water. There is something for everyone with beautiful beaches at your doorstep, snorkeling in the pristine waters, two fresh water pools with a swim-up bar, spa and local golf courses. The area is beautiful, the people are friendly and welcoming, and the food is amazing. You can walk to just about everything or easily take a cab and you will find Concierge service available 24/7. This is an ideal spot for a family vacation or a romantic get-away! 

Available February 18-25, 2017. Airfare not included. 

Donated by: Jeff & Judy Gass 

11. Spectacular Snowmass
Value: $15,000 


Stay for seven days in this spectacular Snowmass Village Mountain home with a King Master Suite, two queen masters, and a bunk room with four beds - easily accommodating up to 10 people. Located across from Two Creeks lift with a private ski-run groomed right to your back door. Two 2nd level decks and an outdoor hot tub and patio afford stunning views of the mountains. A fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, and media room ensures the perfect spot for everyone in your group to unwind.

Redeemable for one week in March 2016, including spring break! 

Book Saturday to Sunday from one of the following weeks available: 
3/5/16-3/12/16 
3/12/16-3/19/16 
3/19/16-3/26/16 
3/26/16-4/2/16 

Donated by: Mike & Mikhy Ritter 

12. Celebrity Chefs Dinner for 12
Value: Priceless 


Tempt your palate on Sunday, May 15, in Boulder Brands’ Innovation Kitchen. You and your guests will enjoy a lavish meal with wine pairings prepared by not one, but two, celebrity chefs. Chef Hosea Rosenberg, season 5 Top Chef winner and owner of Boulder’s Blackbelly Market, learned from some of the finest including Wolfgang Puck, Kevin Taylor, and Dave Query. Kelly Whitaker, owner of Boulder’s Basta and Denver’s Cart-Driver, sharpened his culinary skills in Switzerland, Italy, and in some of L.A.’s Michelin Star restaurants. They will prepare a scrumptious feast before your eyes in Boulder Brands’ Innovation Kitchen located on Pearl and 16th in Boulder. 

Date is set for Sunday, May 15, 2016, and cannot be changed. 

Donated by: Boulder Brands, Chef Hosea Rosenberg, Chef Kelly Whitaker

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Respect Ability

Check out this link HERE from The Respect Ability Report. You’ll see a great picture of Donna, who is a past member of our Board of Directors and also accepts services from Imagine!. In this report you can read about the various national candidates’ positions on disability issues.

http://therespectabilityreport.org/2016/01/05/voters-with-disabilities-key-to-campaign-2016/

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Innovations Super Hero: January 2016

One of Imagine!’s Innovations department’s recognition programs is to name staff members each month who have gone above and beyond in providing services.  This program was designed to recognize and thank employees and providers in the categories of:
  • Health, Safety, and Wellbeing
  • Effectiveness and Efficiency
  • Respect and Dignity
  • Opportunities
  • Integrity
  • Care
All employees who are given a Heroic Award within a month time period become eligible for being named the “Super Hero of the Month.”

We are very proud to announce that this month’s Innovations “Super Hero of the Month” is Martha Heimbaugh, who works in our Innovations for Children program as a Administrative Assistant.


Below is some information from Martha’s nomination, which shows why she was selected as this month’s recipient by her colleagues:

Martha has been such a trooper through all the changes that have recently occurred within our Innovations for Children program. She also has one of the most upbeat attitudes when the going gets tough. Martha does such a great job keeping everyone organized and is an amazing support to both staff and foster families. Her organization skills help to keep our foster care program running smoothly.  Martha is always willing to assist with projects and to create new tracking systems that are effective and efficient.  She is a wealth of knowledge and is pleasant to be around.

When you see Martha, please congratulate her for her hard work and dedication.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Mandy and Stacey on Accessible Pariking

Last September, we shared a few photos of Imagine! SmartHome residents Mandy and Stacey filming of a video for the Longmont Department of Public Safety about accessible parking spaces and the importance of citizens respecting those spaces and leaving them open for those who really need to use them. Well, the video is complete, and we are delighted to share it with you today.


Can’t see the video? Click here.

We’re not sure if there is a category in the Academy Awards for local Public Service Videos, but if so, we’re voting for Mandy and Stacy for “Best Actresses.”

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Imagine!'s 2015 Gift Giving Campaign . . It's a Wrap!

Please take a moment to watch the short video below that thanks the many generous donors who helped make the holidays so much brighter for 361 children and 147 adults that accept services from Imagine!.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Karen's New Experience

Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Karen is always looking to try new experiences. For instance, she had been hoping to try Indian food. So last week, Karen and Site Supervisor Shannon Bundy went to lunch at an Indian restaurant. Karen told Shannon she really enjoyed the flavors!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Imagine! Excellence in Customer Service Award: January 2016

Congratulations are in order for Zoshia Tracey, a Supported Living Services Case Manager, on being selected as the January 2016 recipient of the Imagine! Excellence in Customer Service Award.


Below is some information from Zoshia’s nomination, which ably demonstrates why she was selected as this month’s recipient:

One of Zoshia's clients lost her rep payee unexpectedly, and Zoshia worked tirelessly to locate another RP. Unable to find a family member or friend who was willing or able to do so, Zoshia took the initiative and proceeded to advocate for Imagine! to become the client's rep payee, if only for the short-term. Zoshia completed the necessary documentation herself, and moved quickly to ensure her client, and her client's finances, suffered the least disruption possible during the transition. Zoshia's quick action and don't-take-no-for-an-answer attitude exemplifies the best of Imagine!'s commitment to the individuals we serve, their families, and the community.

Great work, Zoshia, and congratulations on this well-deserved honor!