Article in the Indy Star

Okay, I know I'm a newbie to this Marketing Coordinator role, so I still get excited over the little things - like having not only my press release in the Indy Star's online edition, but they even used my name in the byline! I'm super excited - and incredibly humbled!

Here's the link...
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090226/LOCAL010106/902260491/1274/LOCAL06

Here's the text...

February 26, 2009
Aspen Group Earns 2009 Best Christian Workplaces distinction
Provided by Abbie Mantor

The Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) recently honored Aspen Group, the Midwest's premier ministry-enhancing church design/build company, with a certification as a Best Christian Workplace in America. Aspen Group is one of only 55 churches, Christian schools, and businesses to receive this honor and one of only six service companies to earn the distinction.

"No one can deny that Christian organizations are feeling the effects of the nation's worry over the economy," says Al Lopus, President and Cofounder of Best Christian Workplaces Institute. "Although we believe that Christian organizations should do all they can to pay competitively, our survey shows that there are other factors even more influential in making your employees feel blessed by their work, including work being a place of community."

Aspen Group is a leading design/build firm with over a decade of experience serving the church and para-church markets. Aspen Group partners with churches throughout the Midwest with offices in the Chicago and Indianapolis areas. Their staff includes architects, project managers, field superintendents and other design and construction professionals working together as a unified team.

They believe this collaborative approach, along with their dedication to understanding the alignment of ministry, culture, leadership, and facilities, is highly beneficial for churches.

In order to be certified, organizations must complete the Best Christian Workplaces Institute Employee Engagement survey and meet predetermined standards of excellence.

"The survey confirmed some things we knew - we have a great group of employees who are very dedicated to the mission and purpose of Aspen - while giving us some things to work on as well," says Brad Eisenmann, General Manager of Aspen Group. "While receiving the certification is certainly gratifying, we know we can't rest on our laurels. The survey provided great feedback to help Aspen in our ongoing desire to serve our clients well and provide a great environment for our people to grow and thrive."

The survey covers such issues as: job satisfaction, organizational commitment, Christian witness, supervisory effectiveness, work satisfaction, personal growth and development, management effectiveness, customer/supporter satisfaction, teamwork, communications and pay and benefits.

The Best Christian Workplaces Institute has surveyed more than 80,000 employees across North America in the past eight years. BCWI is a research based organizational and human resources consulting firm based on Mercer Island, Washington. They are online at www.bcwinstitute.com.
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Grandma Marian

Today we celebrated the life of my Great-Grandma Marian (pictured above with me and the girls - I had just had a baby, so no funny comments!). Grandma Marian passed away on Friday from pneumonia (among other things). She was 97 years old!

She lived in the neighboring town growing up. As her closest relatives (her kids all lived here in Chicagoland), we frequently took her out to eat, helped out around her house, and had her over for birthdays and such. I can't remember a time when Grandma wasn't OLD, but I also can't remember a time when she wasn't quick witted and enjoying life either.

Today at her service, family members shared memories about her and I enjoyed recalling a few things as well:

• Her recipe for good health included a shot of Black Velvet every day. I discovered today that she liked buying her BV in Wisconsin so she didn't have to pay Iowa's sales tax!
• Occasionally her and her friends went up to Marquette, Ia. to "make their donation to the county" (AKA gamble on the riverboat).
• Up until the day she gave up her license, she was the only lady over 70 that drove that fast! In fact, I always bucked up in the back seat of her boat of a car (before that was law) because I was scared to death!
• She made the world's best homemade applesauce!
• Despite being legally blind she walked everywhere she went in her home town and even around the block alone when moving in with her daughter 3 yrs ago!
• She had the first big screen TV I ever saw - so she could see her Cubbies!
• She had an endless supply of DoubleMint gum (distributed in half pieces to us kids)
• Her laugh was incredibly contagious - loud, boisterous, and genuine!
• She knew all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren by name - and didn't miss a birthday!
• She was the benchmark for determining the age of things in our house. If something was older than Grandma Marian it was considered ancient!!

I appreciated seeing all of my extended family and reminiscing about Grandma. I was privileged to have known her and even more blessed that my children knew her! My prayer is I can be as fun-loving and generous as her when I am 97!

We'll miss you Grandma Marian!