The Sandwich Generation

I wanted to share this article from Safety Daily Advisor as I know that we have alot of employees in the "Sandwich Generation" that may find this interesting!



Many middle-aged Americans find themselves caring for two generations: their children, both young kids and young adults, and their elderly parents. This situation is caused by three trends that are listed in "Why It Matters." One of the most frustrating issues in caring for growing kids and aging parents is managing their independence levels. Both groups fluctuate between wanting to be independent and needing assistance and security from the middle-aged adult.

Give your workers these strategies for managing three generations in one household:

• Set up house rules. Include household responsibilities for all family members. Establish schedules and assign chores. Also work out space arrangements and quiet time.
• Revisit rules regularly. Get family members together to talk about how the arrangements are working, and be flexible to changing situations. Encourage the generations to respect one another’s experiences and values.
• Set up a financial plan. Include income from all household members, and assign responsibilities for paying expenses. Help teens establish independence by taking on financial responsibility. Help seniors retain independence by letting them continue to pay bills.
• Help young adults transition from kids to renters. Set up a plan akin to a renter’s agreement outlining the financial obligations of young adults living at home. Let them know that while they’ll always be your kids, they are now legal adults who need to begin supporting themselves.
• Respect privacy. Elderly parents and young adults should have their own rooms, telephones, and televisions, if possible.
• Take care of yourself. Make time for yourself, your spouse, and your friends. If you burn out, everyone loses.

In addition, use these caregiving resources. You need to remember that you're not alone, and you shouldn’t hesitate to use the help that is available at these resources:

• National Family Caregivers Association at www.thefamilycaregiver.org or 800-896-3650 celebrates 18 years of speaking up for family caregivers in 2011.
• National Alliance for Caregiving at www.caregiving.org includes publications, resources, events, and legislative updates.
• Eldercare at www.eldercare.com is a noncommercial site with essays on "Home Care vs. Retirement Homes" and "Assisted Living."
• Eldercare Locator at www.eldercare.gov or 800-677-1116 weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET; this service from the U.S. Administration on Aging connects users to state and local resources.

Denim Day is 11/18/2011

Donate $1 to Breast Cancer Research at http://www.denimday.com/team_page.aspx?tid=240923 or give to your manager or the HR Department and you can wear pink and denim tomorrow!

Newest Newsletter with Halloween Contest Winners!

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a80271616bb3e9fb95dd78e08&id=ea07e23058

Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life-- Time to make any changes!

Interested in insurance but want to learn more?  Carry our insurance but need to make some changes?

It's just about Open Enrollment Time.  This means the one time of year you can make any changes necessary to your insurance plans, or enroll for the first time.  We will be distributing information regarding rates and how to sign up to the stores soon, so please be aware this information is coming.  In addition, we'll have Colonial representatives visiting each store to discuss and sign you up for ALL THE BENEFITS (not just Colonial).

Start thinking about any changes you want to make and please email me any questions regarding insurance at gvanalstine@rickers.net or post them on Facebook on the Ricker's Superstars Wall.

Let's see your Monster Mash: Ricker's Annual Halloween Costume Contest

Dearest Witches and Wizards:

The horror of your participation is requested for the Annual Halloween Costume Contest.

Judging will take place on Halloween, 10/31. 

Thank you and have an enchanting day!

 Sincerely,

 Gabby the Ghostly

Shout out to Amanda Brown...Loss Prevention Rock Star!

It's never too early to start preparing for retirement!

Financial Briefs from your 401(k) team @ CAMI

As a value added service to your 401(k) plan, we are pleased to provide you with these financial articles. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact us.

>>> Creating A Financial Independence Plan Everyone needs a financial blueprint for life after work. Operating without one is a little like closing your eyes as you barrel down the freeway. It’s essential to know where you’re going and how you expect to get there. But a financial independence plan will help you achieve your goals only if you incorporate it into your financial life, and that won’t happen unless the plan feels comfortable. And that comes from understanding its component parts and how they’re connected. Consider these elements: click for more . . .

>>> Planning Ahead Doesn't End In Retirement After working for many decades, buying a home, raising a family, sending children to college, and paying for a wedding or two, retirement probably seems like a just reward. Yet now is no time to sit on your nest egg. Even if you’ve been retired for several years, you need to keep planning for the future, which could extend beyond your 80s. In 2010, the average life expectancy for a U.S. citizen was 77.8 years. And if you’ve made it to age 70, the average rises to 87. Since many retirees can now reasonably expect to live into their eighties or nineties, retirement planning never really ends. click for more . . .

>>> Social Security Payout Choices Can Be Confusing Social Security may make up only a small part of your expected retirement income, but it can be a crucial part, perhaps covering a significant portion of your basic expenses. Figuring out what you’ll actually receive, however, can be complicated, and you’ll have to choose from among many variables that could make a big difference in the amount of monthly income for you and your spouse. Understanding Social Security’s complex rules needs to be an essential part of your retirement planning. click for more . . .

Rockstar Alert: Derek Stone at Pendleton Store!

Weekly Customer Service Sensation: Tameka McDowell and Brittani Bowman!

Weekly Customer Service Sensation

Calling All Superstars!  If you have someone you'd like to be the weekly "Customer Service Sensation," send me a facebook message, email me at gvanalstine@rickers.net, send me a note through the courier, or contact me via telepathic powers (just kidding on the last one...or am I?!?). 

ANYONE (CSR, Customer, Manager, Corporate) can nominate ANYONE (CSR, Manager, Corporate) to be a Customer Service Sensation!  The key to this program is your participation!  The Customer Service Sensation will be featured on the e-bulletin board on this here blog AND facebook Ricker's Superstars, and mentioned in the monthly newsletters.

LET'S MAKE THIS A SUCCESS! 

Congrats to Diana Fields, who is next?!

News, Announcements, and Excitement-- Oh my! Click here for the newest newsletter!

Come Join us at Ricker's Town Hall Meetings!

Exciting News- the Executive Team of Ricker's will be visiting each one of the markets, Fort Wayne, Anderson, and Indianapolis, to answer your toughest questions and provide feedback on anything you'd like to discuss!  View dates and times here:  http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a80271616bb3e9fb95dd78e08&id=d73ca48652

You can submit questions/topics for discussion at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TownHallQ

Thank you and hope to see you there!

Ricker Oil Company, Inc., Mentoring Program

Exciting News!  Ricker Oil Company, Inc., is pleased to announce its new Mentoring Program! 

Why offer a Mentoring Program, you ask? 

The Mentorship Program offers individual employees an opportunity to develop a relationship with a leadership practitioner.  The individuals who serve as mentors share their experiences, perspectives and wisdom regarding leadership and diversity.


For more information, please visit:  Ricker's Mentoring Program Guidelines

Alternate Link: Mentoring Program Guidelines

Note: The program is open to any mid-level management employee.  Mentors are management members with leadership experience.

Newest Ricker's Newsletter!

Go to: https://us2.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/preview?id=908697  to view the newest newsletter, or visit our Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_152829634735600

NACS Scholarship Applications-- If you are in school and work at Ricker's, PLEASE READ!

Applications Now Available for NACS Scholarship Program
The scholarships assist future retail leaders with their tuition costs and award attendance to the upcoming NACS Show.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Many of the current leaders of the convenience store industry got their start at the store level. Through hard work and commitment to learning, these individuals followed the career paths of the industry to positions of senior leadership.
Since its founding in 1998, the NACS Scholarship Program has awarded 84 scholarships totaling $255,000.
The NACS Scholarship Program in Memory of Jim Yates and in Memory of David Erickson assists developing retail leaders by providing them with $3,000 for costs of undergraduate career education, as well as attendance to the NACS Show.
Only students who are a current full- or part-time employee of a NACS retail member company are eligible for the scholarship. The student must be enrolled for the fall 2011 semester at any accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical institution, and continue to be enrolled for the entire year.
The deadline to submit applications for the 2011 NACS Scholarship is Friday, June 3. Print an application packet today! Companies may nominate multiple applicants for scholarships. Award winners will be notified by the end of June. 
For additional information about applying for the NACS Scholarship Program, contact Jenn Makarsky.
If you or your company would like to donate to the NACS Scholarship Fund in Memory of Jim Yates and David Erickson, click here to download a contribution form. For additional information regarding corporate contributions, contact Derek Gaskins at (703) 518-4236.

---

NACS Daily News
www.nacsonline.com/news
webmaster@nacsonline.com
(703) 684-3600

Ricker's Song by Plainfield & US40/Jeremiah Maxwell: Come On In

World of Difference Entries

We had wonderful entries for the World of Difference Contest!  Although there is only 1 winner, the entries were amazing and every store that participated should be PROUD of their submission.  We know that every Ricker's Superstar does make a world of difference on a daily basis, and for that, we thank you!

Check out the entries:

Post Road:

Email gvanalstine@rickers.net for booklet to be emailed to you.

Exit 14:

We, as a team and individuals, try to do as much as we can to help our customers.  We try to go above and beyond whenever possible.  There are many stories that come to mind when thinking of how this store has made world of difference.  While debating, one name stuck in my mind.  His name is Rick.  He passed away a few months ago from Cancer.  He was a local so all of the other customers, my staff, and I knew him well.  At first, we didn’t even know Rick was ill.  His roommate came in one day and asked if we would put a can out to collect money because Rick was in the hospital.  Everyone was shocked.  He was always happy when he came in so none of us knew there was anything wrong.  Throughout Rick’s battle with cancer we kept the can out and tried to collect as much money for him as possible.  In my opinion, this act wasn’t what made a difference.  We stayed informed as to what was going on with Rick so we could share when people asked.  We also had customers come in daily to  tell us what news they received.  This was the difference and it wasn’t only created by this store; It really seemed we were all a family.  It was heartwarming to see the community come together and care about this man.  In the end, most of the money went to getting his family up here to attend his funeral. Before Rick passed, he asked that his roommate take some of the money and buy us flowers as a way to say thank you for our help.  He was a sweet man and he will be missed by our customers and us.  I guess in a way, this story isn’t about how we made a world of difference.  It is more about how Rick made a difference in our lives and the lives around us.  We were just happy to be a part of it. Thanks, Chelsea, Shaina, Laerra, Rich, Brandon, Emily, Kylie, Justin, Daniel, Eric, and Alicia

151st Street

A World of Difference At Ricker’s store 44 we make a world of difference by being the best we can be, not only giving our customers a hot or cold drink but also a warm greeting and a cool refreshing smile.    We at store 44 pride ourselves on a clean, well stocked store.  Take a look at our past inspection scores, they speak for themselves.  Our restrooms are kept so our customers can feel good about using a public facility.  We have blow dryer that not only cleans the water off but the grim as well (we know cause we clean that grim off the walls).  We love our customers and know several by their first name.  We have some of the best customers around town which was seen in the recent Salvation Army kettle drive.  We look forward to serving their needs each and every day.  If those needs include carrying ice bags to the car, pumping gas, carrying drinks because mom has her hands full with a small child, whatever the needs, we are there.  Stop by and see for yourself and feel what our customers feel.  Maybe hear a good joke and take a little smile with you.  Our store mission is to make you happy and leave wanting more.  At Ricker’s 44 we truly do care about our customers, our store and our company.

Central Avenue:

Here at Central Avenue, Store #1. We do make a World of Difference for Ricker's and our customers. Without our loyal customers, there would be no Rickers.   We make each and every individual feel like they are the most important customer. And they do not hesitate to tell us so.  We have elderly customers and individuals with physical impairments that enjoy our pleasant attitudes and helpful deeds. For instance, we pump their gas, carry out their items, and help them shop. We have all sorts of customers that may come in a tad shy of the necessary amount of money to complete their transactions, however we may even pull some change from our own pockets and so do other customers.  When we do this, our customers remember the generosity, therefore they offer to pay us back, so when they do, we put it into the penny pot to help someone else.  Paying it forward really does work.  We have had children come in that do not understand how to count money.  Sometimes we  take on the role of teacher and show them how to count, this of course is hard to do if we are too busy.  Though It can be fun and rewarding when we have extra time.  We have all worked diligently to keep the store very clean and organized.   This not only helps the customers locate items easier but it also teaches them to help keep the store neat and clean.   We are training our customers to feel safe and to take pride in their Rickers. In the winter, there is a constant flow of walking traffic each one of the employees share in the duty of maintaining the steps, gas pumps and entrance by constantly keeping them well salted and shoveled.  Some of us have even given people rides home in bad weather.  We have also made our customers feel very comfortable, approachable and caring.  Somedays, we are also counselors or a shoulder to lean on.  All of our employees and customers are a Ricker's family, and we get new members, every day.

Plainfield & US40

Here’s our submission to the World of Difference competition.  It’s an audio file, a song, and therefore too big to email.  We’ve uploaded it to a file sharing site (completely safe and no registration needed) for you guys to download.  Just click the link below and select download from the page it takes you to.  The file will only be available on that page until April 8th.  It should only take a few minutes at most to download.  Lyrics are posted below.  Enjoy.  (If you can’t get it to work for whatever reason, let us know and we’ll find another way of getting it to you.) https://www.yousendit.com/download/UFh1WmdqQzdQb0x2Wmc9PQ Lyrics: We know your brand We know just the way you like it So come on it, yeah come on in Greet you with a smile Everybody knows your name Yeah, so come on in, so come on in Come on in We’re in your neighborhood Anytime you need us Just come on in, please come on in We got all you need So much of everything you know Come on in, you should just come on in Ricker’s makes your day a little better No matter morning noon or night Ricker’s makes the world taste a little sweeter And if you need a friendly face just come inside, just come inside You know we’re here for you We’ve got more than just convenience So come on in, you gotta come on in At a price you’ll love At deals beyond believin’ Just come on in, you gotta come on in If you love Sunday morning coffee Or an ice cold Ricker’s pop If you love hanging with your friends Then come on in If you love everyday good service And better discounts all year long If you love having fun on purpose Then come on in, you gotta come on in Naaaa, naaaa, na nana nana na  Na nana   Are you gonna come on in

Newest Newsletter and Safety Newsletter!

Read all about it!

Newsletter can be found here: http://gallery.mailchimp.com/a80271616bb3e9fb95dd78e08/files/Rickers_HR_Review_Complete_February_2011.pdf

Safety Newsletter can be found here:
http://gallery.mailchimp.com/a80271616bb3e9fb95dd78e08/files/March_Safety_Newsletter.1.pdf

Employee Appreciation Week

Truly so excited for Ricker's FIRST EVER Employee Appreciation Week!  The schedule has been set, and the week will be complete with the events below AS WELL AS Gifts for each employee and a Brag Book sent to each store with some great comments about our Superstars collected throughout the year!

Please join in the fun!

Monday, 3/28: Wear your favorite jersey day! This could be a professional sports team (ANY), college team, or even your child's team!

Tuesday, 3/29: I'll be sending out a trivia quiz to all stores. The stores to respond correctly will be entered into a drawing to win a Party for their store!

Wednesday, 3/30: Wear a T-shirt advertising your favorite charity. This could be Habitat, ASPCA, Komen Foundation, etc.

Thursday, 3/31: Employee Annual Recognition Banquet

Friday, 4/1: Another contest! I will be accepting reasons WHY your store makes a World of Difference. These can be emails, written statements, etc. I'll review all and gather a panel of judges to pick a winning Store. That store will win a Party for their team, AND be the first winners of the Travelling Trophy which will remain in their stores for a year!

Employee Appreciation Week!

Ricker's Superstars:

I am planning an Employee Appreciation week the last week in March!  Details to be sent out later, but let me know some things you'd like to see during this week!  It will be a great time and an opportunity to show our appreciation for YOU!

Gabby

New Ricker's Newsletter, January Edition!

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a80271616bb3e9fb95dd78e08&id=98962ed09c&e=63a6a55c24