Associates Advisory

By Joann Stevens, Guest Blogger

The mood at the Smithsonian All Staff and Volunteer Picnic on October 10th was as bright as the sunny, breezy weather - a radical departure from the humid, 99 degree July day it is typically held.   

On October 10th, a group of Smithsonian Associate volunteers gathered with our leader, Jenna Jones, in front of The Ripley Center for a photo.  I had a chance to enjoy the catered picnic lunch with a few fellow volunteers, Claire Block and Mary Jo Rubino, and learn why they volunteer at the Smithsonian.

 

Halloween Edition of Natural History Museum Sleepover: Saturday Nov. 2

Just as the doors are closing, the lights dim, and the crowds shuffle out...

...a night of adventure awaits you as you enter the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in this special Post-Halloween sleepover.

Volunteer Activity Leaders guide an interactive exploration of the museum and provide hands-on crafts projects, topic-based puzzles, games, and challenges.

For this fall sleepover, kids and adults alike are invited to celebrate Halloween by wearing a costume. 

You can check out this video to get a sense of just how much fun volunteers and kids alike have at these events.

Next step: Email Jenna at jonesjel@si.edu to sign up to volunteer on Saturday, November 2^nd from 6 pm to 11:15 pm.

Hope to see you there! It will be a fun, fast paced evening and you get to go home to the comfort of your own bed, where you can sleep in the next morning!

 

Secretary Bunch's Installation: Two Watch Parties for this Historic Ceremony

Secretary Bunch’s installation ceremony on Friday, November 1 is at full capacity but you can watch the live webcast of this special event online.

Better yet, join your colleagues to watch the webcast at the Hirshhorn’s Ring Auditorium or the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Oprah Winfrey Theater.

Please register here if you plan to attend the watch party at NMAAHC. Space is limited!

No registration is required at this time for the Hirshhorn’s watch party, which will be open to all (space permitting.)

For more information about this message, contact Alex Butera at ButeraA@si.edu

** If you plan to attend, please let Jenna know at jonesjel@si.edu so we can meet up and sit together at NMAAHC. 

October Thrills at the Castle: Movie and Dance Party

The Castle Programming Committee is creatively and collaboratively working with the Smithsonian community to bring engaging programs to their historic halls, ensuring the Castle is a must-see destination for visitors.

To kick off the fall season, there are several events planned for October. Get ready for Thrills at the Castle!

In partnership with the Smithsonian Year of Music, enjoy Music Movie Monday in the Castle Commons. On Monday, October 28, watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, featuring John Williams’ Academy Award-nominated score.

Next Thursday, October 31st, the Castle is kicking it up a notch. Visitors can take a haunted docent tour through the Castle and garden. And don’t miss out on learning Halloween-inspired choreography at the “Thriller” Dance Party on Halloween Night in the Castle’s Great Hall. 

Doors open at 5:30 pm for all events; events start promptly at 6 pm. Concessions will be available while supplies last, including free popcorn and Castle-themed cookies! Visit si.edu/thrills to register.

Special Program at NMAAHC on November 3rd

Treat yourself to delicious food and thought-provoking conversation on racial disparities in health outcomes on November 3rd at  NMAAHC A Seat at the Table program. A Seat at the Table is a free interactive program for participants to consider challenging questions about race, identity, and economic justice over a family-style meal.
Cindy George of Texas Medical Center's TMC Pulse Magazine will moderate a discussion between health administrator and attorney Martin Hamlette and professor Craig Fryer on their efforts to end the racial disparities. The speakers will discuss the latest studies on how economic and social inequities negatively affect the health of communities of color.
After the presentation, audience participants will have the opportunity to share their stories and ideas on ways of improving their health and the health of their communities.
A Seat at the Table is an interactive program for participants to consider challenging questions about race, identity, and economic justice over a family-style meal.

Plant-based options will be available. The program begins at 6:45 pm on Sunday, November 3rd with hors d'oeuvres. The main course will start at 7:00 pm, and the panel will begin 7:15 pm.

SI Staff receive a $10 discount using this link.

Spread the Word, Not the Flu: Free Vaccinations next week at Ripley

The Smithsonian's Occupational Health Services (OHS) strongly encourages all volunteers, along with employees, and affiliated staff, to get their free flu shot.  

OHS will be administering flu shots on the Quad (Room 3112) on the following dates:

Tuesday, Oct 15: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Wednesday, Oct 16: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Thursday, Oct 17:  9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Friday, Oct 18: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

For individuals 65 years and older, OHS will have the Fluzone High‐ Dose as recommended by the CDC.

Pregnant women of all stages are eligible - however, if you call into this category you should check with your doctor prior to receiving the shot. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. The vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these viruses, or it can make your illness milder if you get a different flu virus.

OHS will be administering the 2019 - 2020 Quadrivalent formulation which is comprised of four different flu strains available in the Intramuscular route. For individuals 65 years and older, OHS will have the Fluzone High‐ Dose as recommended by the CDC. Pregnant women of all stages are eligible – however, they should check with their doctor prior to receiving the shot. Please note that family members of Smithsonian employees are not eligible to participate.

Please review the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Information Statement prior to attending one of the clinics. Informed consent will be signed at the time of vaccination with the Occupational Health Services health care provider.

Natural History Sleepover on Sat. Nov. 2: Activity Leaders Sought

Many Associates volunteers can vouch for how much fun it is to engage kids and their chaperones at this scavenger-hunt style evening. We are gearing up for a bonus "Halloween Edition" of this museum sleepover, which puts the dinosaurs in the new Fossil Hall front and center!

With a fellow volunteer, you’ll oversee a game, craft, relay race or other creative learning activity at a stop along the route. Orientation provided at 6 pm. You may recruit your own volunteer partner if you like.

At 11:15 pm, you’ll head home to sleep in the comfort of your own bed, where you can peacefully sleep in the next morning.

To volunteer, sign up in Vsys or email Jenna at jonesjel@si.edu.

Join Smithsonian Associates in creating special childhood memories!

You’re invited to dress in costume!

 

Throw a Party at the Smithsonian!

By Joann Stevens, Guest Blogger

Once considered “the nation’s attic,” the Smithsonian Institution wants to become the nation’s celebration house.  A new policy is making many special event spaces, including the National Zoo and  the Smithsonian Castle  and Enid A. Haupt Garden available for anyone to host private events, such as bar/bat mitzvahs, birthday parties, corporate receptions, and the like. You can learn about all the venue possibilities online.

New Secretary Articulates His Dreams and Confidence in Workers

By Joann Stevens, Guest Blogger

Lonnie Bunch, 100-days into his role as the 14^th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, held his first all-staff meeting with employees and volunteers, Tuesday, October 8.  Mr. Bunch articulated his dreams for the institution and his confidence in all facilitating its mission. 

 

Welcome, Newest Art Representatives: Fall 2019 Class

 

These talented ladies participated in a Studio Arts Training on September 28th. They will be helping the instructors and students at these courses:

Front Row:
Rebecca Rose - Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Rima Hassan - Introduction to Afghan Manuscript Illumination
Morgan Murray - Holiday Card Workshop: Making Memorable Masterpieces

Back Row:
Rebecca Durgin - Continued Drawing
Caroline Linne - Beginning Drawing
Suzanne Tofalo - Collage, Assemblage and Mixed Media
Claire Block - Quilting: Applique and Edges

Not pictured:
Jessica Reeder - Exploring Eastern Calligraphy: Persian and Arabic Script
Emily Reynolds - Sogetsu Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging