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Show IjV 1997 ' Sponsorship program aims at helpibj efMfeS liiilsiresl S & I; Sponsors pitch in itrficfeiiae Sf i .4 S- - - & h lems that people experience during transition," Blesse said. "And then the goal is to ensure that relocation has a positive effect on productivity." Blesse said that sponsors are chosen within the directorates and then she provides the sponsorship training. Usually, sponsors are people the newcomers will be working with. Hilltop Times staff bases closing and workloads shifting, members aren't the only ones are moving. And the Civilian Sponsorship Program helps make the move smoother for civilians who maybe haven't moved before. Some civilians from Kelly AFB, Texas, and McClellan AFB, Calif., have transferred to Hill AFB organizations and more are on the way. The newcomers are being assigned sponsors. According to Dottie Blesse, relocation specialist, at Hill's Family Support Center, the goal of sponsorship program is to help ease the transition for the newcomer. "Sponsors can help by answering the newcomers' questions and their concerns by giving them the information they need," Blesse said. "It would be helpful if the sponsors can, for example, pick them up and take them around the area; maybe showing them where a hospital, supermarket or post office is. "Our objective is to minimize the delays and prob With t . nSw jobs, the base tohelpkanreesgi uqtMntedw by Lisa Ryan ' During the training, Blesse teaches sponsors how to be effective, ease tension and lessen culture shock. She also tells them that friendships won't necessarily be formed but if the sponsor is someone who can be contacted with questions, then they've done their jobi- - vr "We ask that sponsors cattthe- individual and write them a letter," Blesse sai45vl give the sponsors a checklist of questioftthey can ask the incoming person such as if thei? families are. coming, if they need school infof nation,, if they want to rent or buy a place, or if theyjrieed kennel infor' c mation for their pets," BlessVsaid.; . - '. are also handouts "that sponsors can incoming people that include a health guide, phone "numbers for the and Traffic Management Office Transportation There and local community and checklists of things to do before moving. Blesse said a great resource is the "Standard Installation Topic Exchange Service," which is a brochure that provides information on every base, the community, education opportunities, area employment, housing, relocation and support services. "SITES is available on the Internet or can be printed on hard copy," Blesse said. "The information is updated quarterly by the Family Sup- port Centers." Blesse tells sponsors to tell incoming Utah's weather, the Buzz, the Jazz food is taxed in this state. Blesse also has some more comprehensive checklists that sponsors can give the newcomers on such things as cleaning out the garage and having a yard sale before they move here. "There's a lot of time to do things usually while you're waiting for orders," Blesse said. "Civilians jieed to be reminded because many of them have never moved." Blesse encourages supervisors to contact her if they have people moving to Hill from other bases. Her extension is Welcome package, job fair make positive impression by Lisa Ryan Hilltop Times staff Jim Colvfn didn't really want to leave his job at McClellan AFB, Calif., in June but he decided he wanted to continue his federal career. And his move was made easier because of his sponsor and supervisor, Steve Johnson. Colvin and Johnson both work in the Landing Gear Division of the Vf .. r ' tU . ' , ,' ' u - f .? v H U , - - Sisters Carol Locke and Cindy Bowers sponsored John Bitner, a newcomer to Hill AFB from Kelly AFB, Texas. Now that Bitner Is settled In, the two are ready to sponsor the next person coming into the ICBM System Program Office. (L-- ' S r) Sponsors liedp Commodities Directorate. Johnson said the sponsorship training provided by Dottie Blesse, relo- cation specialist at the was Family Support Center, The meaning of sponsorship for Sieve Johnson (left) came to Colvin's in (Colvin himself Jim (right). pJace was a real .help. putting "And then' T just kind Hill from McClellan AFB, Calif.)a JohnsonHissaid he knows first was affects family. of thought If I were going hand how relocation Defense of Ogden. the Depot affected closing by to relocate, what would I want to know about? Sacramento Job Fair Sept. 20. Hill repJohnson said. "And that's what kind of information I put in the resentatives went to McClellan to show that at Hill they can packet. I also included my home phone the workers federal career. their feel continue and duty phone and told him to "I the think job fair was successful," free to contact me." . ' said: Colvin time first the for Johnson met Colvin Johnson aid he toicjhis employwhen Colvin and his wife were in Utah ees. to put themselves in Colvin's shoes for a househunting trip.. "But before I came, he sent me a big 'arid to help Colvin if he needed it. But supervisors also need to be welcome packet with information on with these people coming to and Davis patient the local schools, hospitals.. v f r nA toecauscA U a Vinave it'll i Ku a Fv. him nice nc mcy aha 4a and real hotis WpWrm.nfv idenan and to to " Colvin said. finance sonnel, get wplrnmintr lptter Colvin tification card and register their . "I think I came to a good place," a lot said. "I may have ended up somewhere vehicles," Johnson said. "There's done to be to needs that of all." at paperwork else and not gotten a job them away." the to squared get Colvin took that sentiment ."r"- Hilltop Times staff , sister-in-la- and help me to geVto knowmjuiiew by Lisa Ryan w - Aspart of BtoieVVVelcome package," a John Bitner, an inventory management 'letter was included from thelCgMstem specialist, reported for work at Hill's ICfciM . Program Office sigaetTB? ftnsner director System Program Office Aug. 8 and his spon- - Col. Terry Crossey and currentdeputy direcv-sors, sisters Cindy Bowers and Carol Locke, tor Tom Tate. 0"A letter like that is acoiiraged because . went to Civilian Personnel at 7:30 a.m. it says the directorate are happy that peoon their day off to meet him there; "They took me to Personnel and all of ple are" coming," Dottle Blesse, relocation the other buildings I needed (o go to in-- ; specialist, said. "It also tells them about their process," Bitner said. "They also took me new organization. The letters are an added . around the local area I probably would have plus." been able to stumble throiigh getting around '. But after his arrival at Hill, Bitner, Bowers because I had been here a few times TDY, and Locke discovered they had many things but it was nice to have someone there who in common. "We were all Air Force 'brats', so we knew knew where to go." . Bitner came to Hill from Kelly AFB.Texasl something about moving to a new place," Both women said they had a positive spon- -' Locke said. "I had Carol's and Cindy's family as well sorship experience. as my own over for a barbecue when I moved "I would sponsor someone again," Locke said. "If I were in his shoes, how would I feel into my duplex," Bitner said. "It was nice if I were going somewhere new? I would . and other people from San Antonio also want someone to be able to welcome me joined us." -- - f . ' . - ? - |