Geneva Lacking helps kids hurt by domestic violence
Checking Services Rep Geneva Lacking has been volunteering at the Milwaukee Women’s Center, operated by Community Advocates, since the spring. The center helps people who have been affected by domestic violence, addiction, mental health issues, and poverty. Geneva talked to Shorelines about her experiences with Community Advocates and why she volunteers with them. “Domestic violence is something that has affected me and some people close to me, so it’s important to me to help,” she says. Read more about this important work!

Thank you for helping us SOAR!
A note from Chris Boland, Nicole Daniels, and Miguel Pesqueira:

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the SOAR survey at the end of June covering Loan Administration and Mortgage Originations. We have reviewed the responses, and they are helpful to us to deliver on our commitment to the SOAR principles we all follow.

We used the feedback from last year’s survey to find ways to improve on the quality of our SOAR Together interactions. We saw improvement in many areas, and found some areas where we will continue to work on improved interactions.

Feedback is the best tool we have for figuring out what we are doing well and what we can do better. Please continue to provide feedback and comments directly to us anytime! •••

Employees help at Pulaski golf outing

North Shore Bank presented and helped out at the Pulaski Chamber of Commerce’s golf outing at Crystal Springs Golf Course on August 2. Employees ran the registration table and helped get participants signed in, handing out blue NSB goodie bags as the golfers arrived.

Then we sold raffle tickets at the 17th hole to win a giant Tommy Bahama party cooler. “It was a big hit and we actually sold every single ticket!” reports Appleton Northland Branch Manager Heather Starr. She estimates that 100 people attended. Heather doesn’t have a final amount for the money raised by the event, but says, “I know it was a big success.”

Employees who helped out along with Heather were Teller Dan Baglien, Universal Banker Samantha Frank, and Assistant Branch Manager Karen Jach. •••

Children’s Day at Racine fair draws at least 300

At least 300 kids, parents, and grandparents showed up for Children’s Day at the Racine County Fair on July 28, and Burlington and Union Grove employees helped out. The kids played games, won prizes, and decorated farm-themed picture frames. There was also a drawing to win a pack of four tickets to a Kenosha Kingfish baseball game, reports Union Grove Branch Manager Amy Sweet.

Other employees who helped out were Burlington Assistant Branch Manager Barb Blazina, Union Grove Teller Supervisor Tiffany Duck and Teller Jackie Miller, and MLO Pam Lanting. •••

World Giraffe Day a “neck-tacular” success

It’s an event we’re glad to stick out our neck for: North Shore Bank sponsored World Giraffe Day at the Racine Zoo on June 25, an event to spread awareness about the challenges facing wild giraffes and their depleting population.

The bank is the main sponsor of the zoo’s Giraffe Encounter, which gives visitors a chance to have an up-close experience with the two Masai giraffes there, Bo and Mac, and to feed them. For World Giraffe Day, we were the event’s main sponsor and gave out 100 free encounter tickets. Bank employees also greeted guests, handed out NSB goodies, and entered visitors for a chance to win a zoo membership, Area Branch Manager Lisa Brooks reports.

Other employees who helped out were Regency Teller Erik Bankhead, Burlington Branch Manager Robin Callis, Kenosha Area Branch Manager Julie Goebel, Westgate Personal Banker Ray Guardiola, and Regency Branch Manager Merissa Modory. •••

Promotions for July 2016 •••
The following employees were promoted in July. Leave a comment to congratulate them!

“Moving into my new position helped me see that yes, it is more demanding — and yes, it is more rewarding,” says Oak Creek’s Kelsey Vander Bloomer, who was promoted from Teller to Teller Supervisor. “I’d like to thank every mentor I crossed paths with that’s shown me more about my capacity to succeed. They know who they are.”

Other promotions:

• Maria Castro, El Rey, promoted from Universal Banker to Personal Banker
• Rebecca Dougherty, Bayshore, promoted from Assistant Branch Manager–Sales to Branch Manager
• Joshua Hagar, Kenosha Festival Foods, promoted from Personal Banker to Assistant Branch Manager–Sales
• Kyle Vaclav, Customer Support Center, promoted from Universal Banker at Wauwatosa to Investment Processor

New Hires for August 11
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.

Customer Assistance Representative Tracee Born is originally from Antigo, Wisconsin. At her last job, she was a claims clerk for United Health Care. “One fun, interesting, and kind of goofy fact about me is that I’m actually related to the Ringling Brothers!” she says. “They are my first cousins four times removed.”

MLK Drive Teller Marissa Carrasco is from Milwaukee. She formerly worked as a cashier at Las Brisas Mexican restaurant in Malden, Missouri, where she lived for two years. She is hoping to enroll in school in the fall and interested in studying criminal justice. She has a 7-month-old son, Jadiel. “It is an honor to be a part of the team, and I am looking forward to a great experience during my time here!” she says.

Allouez Teller Bobbi Kline is a native of Green Bay who previously worked for Nicolet National Bank. When possible, she likes to spend her leisure time leisurely: “I enjoy going up north with my family and floating down the river,” she says.

Westgate Teller Kate Kretschmar comes from Lake Villa, Illinois. In her last job, she worked with Kohl’s department stores, doing everything from customer service and merchandising to dealing with mannequins and the cash office. “I have a passion for horseback riding — specifically, I’ve trained in hunter/jumper style since I was a girl,” she says. “Recently, though, I’ve put a pause on my riding activities to save up for my wedding in 2018 and for a new car this fall.”

Customer Care Representative TaShenia Mimis was born and raised in Milwaukee and was previously a customer care lead at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Call Center. One factoid about her? “I love teriyaki beef jerky bites,” TaShenia says.

Northside Assistant Branch Manager–Sales Cathy Straka is from Racine and previously worked as a customer service manager for Shopko. She is one of 11 children. “I am the third oldest,” she says. “Growing up, it never seemed like we had that many brothers and sisters — that was our normal. At least we always had someone to play with! Even though we have such a big family and we might not see or talk to each other as often as we like, we are extremely close. Everyone lives in Racine, except for one brother who lives in Colorado — which gives us a vacation destination.”

And Kenosha South Universal Banker Jamila Taguba just moved to Wisconsin from Oahu, Hawaii, where she worked as a sales associate for Pacific Diamond jewelry store. “I love to play roller derby in my free time,” she says. •••

North Shore Shape Up: Walking works wonders
Walking — it’s such an everyday activity that many people don’t think it counts as “real” exercise. But the Move It Monday! blog says otherwise:

A 2013 study found that walkers who cover the same mileage as runners enjoy comparable improvements in a variety of health markers. One reason is because walking works the same muscles as running, only the intensity and duration are different.

The post notes that regular walking will:

• Keep weight in check
• Help regulate blood sugar
• Promote digestion
• Prevent varicose veins
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• Improve your mood
• Help you sleep better

To get the benefits, you do need to walk at a rate of about 3.5 mph. “That will feel like hurrying to a bus or trying to get out of the rain; the point is to feel slightly winded,” the post notes. “If you’re a beginner, see that goal as an aspiration and slowly work up to it.” •••

Upcoming Events
Tomorrow night, Friday, August 12, will be Sussex Movie Night at Sussex Village Park. The movie is Rango, and there will be free popcorn and other concessions. More upcoming events here.

Internal Job Postings

No internal job postings this week.

For a complete list of internal job postings and to apply for one, go to nsbcareersforyou.silkroad.com and click on “Internal Openings” at the top. To refer an external person to an opening, go to our intranet page. You can earn cash and prizes for a successful referral!