Vertrue Launches Adaptive Cares Initiative

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Adaptive Cares, the bimonthly electronic newsletter that promotes environmental awareness, community involvement and the personal wellbeing of Adaptive Marketing employees.

Building on the success of the Going Green newsletter, Adaptive Cares will continue to embrace and encourage a broader conservation and environmental consciousness while also expanding its focus to promote community involvement through volunteerism and personal wellbeing.

By taking better care of ourselves, our community and our planet, Adaptive Marketing employees can help strengthen the bonds that tie us closer to our colleagues, community and environment.

6 Things You Can Do to Slow Global Warming

Scientists say that global warming will cause the extinction of penguins and polar bears and by raising the sea level, cause massive coastal flooding, making prime waterfront communities from New Jersey shoreline to Louisiana bayous uninhabitable. Scientists predict that global warming will also trigger droughts, hurricanes, and disease outbreaks.

Global warming is caused when carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels like oil
and coal.

Although global warming seems like a global event that's beyond the means of one person to contain, there are steps we can all take to slow down the rate of the earth's warming. In many cases, you can reap multiple benefits by taking steps to reduce global warming since it usually saves you money and sometimes improves your health, too.

• Be a good citizen. Legislators are beset by a host of competing interests every day and it's often those issues that receive the most vocal support from voters that get Congressional attention. Write or call your local representatives and urge them to support stronger car and power plant emissions laws.

• Drive a gas-sipping vehicle. Not only will you save money, but you'll cut carbon dioxide emissions. If a new, energy-efficient car is not yet in your future, make sure your existing car is regularly tuned and its tires inflated; both moves will boost fuel efficiency.

• Ditch the car. It's time for a new way of thinking that replaces America's car-centric culture. When possible, incorporate public transportation, carpooling or walking into your daily routine.

• Shrink your home's carbon footprint. Buy Energy Star-rated home appliances, replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, weatherize your home with weather-stripping and better insulation and, if your state permits residents to choose their electricity supplier, pick one that generates at least half its power from wind, solar and other clean sources.

• Become a vegetarian. The meat industry (both poultry and four-legged animals) produces more greenhouse gases than all the world's motor vehicles, trucks, planes and ships combined, according to a 2006 United Nations report. “Refusing meat is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint." Replacing just one meal of chicken a week and substituting vegetarian fare instead would be comparable to taking more than 500,000 cars off U.S. roads.

• Plant trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides of your home will naturally cool your home in summer and let sunlight warm your home in winter, reducing energy bills. Just three strategically placed trees planted on your property can save up to 30% in energy costs.
  

March is Red Cross Month

There's a constant need for blood supplies for victims of car accidents and those who suffer from cancer and other illnesses. Healthy, living donors are the only source of blood, yet only 5% of the U.S. population donates blood. Blood transfusions save lives.

Become someone's hero by donating at one of the upcoming blood drives in our areas. The Red Cross will be onsite in the Omaha office soon ⎯ watch for an upcoming email announcement for the specific date and time.

Adaptive Marketing Hosts Job Search Workshop at Norwalk's Open Door Shelter

This spring, representatives of the Human Resources Department will be taking time out from a part of their day to host a job search workshop at Norwalk's Open Door shelter. We'll address such topics as dressing for success, interviewing tips and techniques and how to manage job applications. We welcome all to join our group (after obtaining approval from your department head).

The shelter is struggling to meet a growing demand for its services as more than 200 people arrive daily for a hot meal. There is an urgent need for food donations to replenish the dwindling inventory. Please consider donating a few non-perishable items in the cardboard bins located in the kitchens of the second and third floors.

To coincide with our job search workshop, please consider an additional donation of gently used professional attire in good condition (business casual or more formal business clothing). Showing up at a job interview wearing appropriate attire can not only boost confidence but improve the first impressions of prospective employers.

As you do your spring-cleaning, please consider donating gently used articles of clothing in the designated cardboard bins adjacent to the food bins in each kitchen.

In Omaha, Vertrue employees are encouraged to reach out to any of the homeless shelters in the city, including the Open Door Mission and the Francis House Men's Shelter.

If you have an idea about a possible future volunteer opportunity for Vertrue employees, please email AdaptiveCares@vertrue.com.

Shape Up for a Great Spring

Spring is just around the corner. It's a great time to shed those unwanted 10 pounds that accumulated over the winter. Several Norwalk health clubs are offering special discounts for Vertrue employees.

New York Sports Club (NYSC)
250 Westport Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
203.847.2244

(Other locations exist in Danbury, Greenwich, Stamford and Westport.)

Discounted monthly fee: $68.95 (normally $94.99 + $149 initiation fee and $59 processing fee) One-time processing fee: $69

LA Fitness
761 Main Ave.
Norwalk,CT 06851
203.842.0012

(There is also a Stamford location.)

Monthly fee: $39.99 a month. Initiation fee: waived

We encourage Omaha employees to take better advantage of their onsite gym. Regular visitors say it can get a little lonely there!