As our workspaces and communities start to return to more in-person meetings, CSMFO welcomes chapter meetings to start to return to in-person gatherings dependent upon their County’s Health requirements and the comfort level of chapter members.

While I couldn’t attend, I was so happy to see the South San Joaquin Chapter emerge as the first official in-person event since the beginning of the Pandemic. The June 10, 2021, event, led by Chapter Chair Jasmin Bains (Financial Services Director, City of Coalinga) was held at the Ridge Creek Golf Club in Dinuba (author note, check out “Don’t bite the bone” for fun BBQ). I can’t wait to hear more about how it went.

As a bit of a reminder, following the start of the Pandemic in 2020, CSMFO canceled all in-person meetings. Later, CSMFO created two-tiered dates that allowed for in-person activities. On July 5, 2020, the first date allowed each chapter to determine on their own, based on the State or their own local public health restrictions. if they wanted to meet in person. On the second date, December 31, 2020, let all other CSMFO event organizers also consider in-person activities, again based on the State or their own local public health restrictions.

So, where does that leave us today? We’re likely to continue to see the virtual CSMFO Webinars and virtual chapter meetings, mixed in with the occasional in-person meeting. Following are the two currently planned in-person CSMFO events:

• 2022 Conference -in person*. President-Elect and Host Committee Chair Scott Catlett reminded readers in his June 2021 message that it will be in person in San Diego (February 16th-18th).
• 2021 Strategic Planning Session – in person. As the Board approved on May 27, 2021, this session will be held at the Disneyland Hotel on October 10th – 12th for CSMFO’s leadership (Board, Officers, Committee and Chapter Chairs and Vice-Chairs).

*President-Elect Scott Catlett also shared that the 2022 Conference is expected to have a virtual option scheduled after the live conference. More details are still under development.

CSMFO committees and chapters will continue to consider the interest and safety of in-person gatherings. So, for now, you can assume most CSMFO events will be virtual, but do look at the “location” advertised because you just might see a location near you soon.

Pensions. As CalPERS closed their March 2021 quarter with a total 25.5% 1-year PERF return, they are approaching the trigger within their Funding Risk Mitigation Policy to lower their discount rate. On February 14, 2017, the CalPERS Board approved their risk mitigation plan that further lowers the discount rate below the current 7%. Should they continue with a return over 24%, their discount rate/rate of return could drop by 25 basis points.

As of the date of this message, CSMFO helped promote a CalPERS webinar on the Risk Mitigation Policy and impacts from their 2020-21 investment returns on CSMFO member’s 2023-24 CalPERS payments (June 24, 2021, at 10am). If you were unable to attend, you can access the recorded session on CalPERS’ video channel. To help model the impacts of a possible change, you can use the CalPERS pension outlook tool or look within your CalPERS annual actuarial reports on the impacts of a change in the discount and investment rates of return. Otherwise, reach out to your CalPERS actuary or utilize any internal models or systems to calculate this impact.

Compensation. For many of us, it’s bargaining time. If so, please be sure to review your eligibility within the American Rescue Plan Act to restore compensation or fund certain emergency response premium pays. Otherwise, good luck.

Workspace. I just wanted to mention the captain’s obvious statement, don’t throw out your workplace dividers. While we are still under a Pandemic with new COVID variants, we may return to masks, social distance, and other mitigations in the near future. But, when we get to that wonderful point of permanently removing those interim physical dividers, think to recycle first.

I’ll end with the hope that you will take some time off this summer and disconnect from your emails and phone calls at least for a couple of days. The status of our mental health is so important. And, just like how your physical muscles need a recovery period, so does your mental health. Please let your teams know and plan for off-the-grid time to focus on fun activities and get you up and out.

With that, I’m deviating from my monthly food recipe to a recipe for how to find joy. Thank you all for choosing to be a part of our CSMFO family.

Together Towards Tomorrow,

Marcus

A recipe to change your perspective and “find joy in the mundane.”

This is borrowed from a daily email from mindful.org.

Your moment of joy doesn’t need to be big and extravagant—that’s why it’s called Tiny Joys! “We don’t have to aspire to picture-postcard ideals of happiness to feel more joyful,” says mindfulness instructor Kelly Barron. “Those are more than welcome. But so, too, are the quiet, happy moments that arrive when we’re present for them.”

Here are three tips for cultivating joy. For more information, check out the full article in mindful.org.

1. Shift Your Frame of Reference: Too often, we reserve jubilation for milestones—a wedding day, the birth of a child or a hard-won promotion, etc. When we think of joy as belonging only to big events, we sideline the many small pleasures strewn along the way. Finding joy in our daily routines makes it far more accessible and creates a positive feedback loop. The more we attend to joy in the ordinary moments of our lives, the more we experience it, and the more joyous we become.
2. Slow Down: It can take the brain a few seconds to register that something good is coming your way. Slowing down lets your heart, mind, and body acknowledge pleasure is present. Savoring the flavor of a Rhubarb Cherry Pie allows you to enjoy it more as does pausing to feel your bare feet in the grass or lingering over the lines of a beautifully written poem.
3. Non-Problematic Joy: Sometimes, finding joy is as simple as noticing what’s not wrong. In the wild swings between pleasant and unpleasant, we often neglect the contentment of the neutral middle. Most mornings, for example, my teeth feel fine, the sun rises with confidence, and birdsong fills the air. While these experiences might not thrill us, paying attention to them encourages an appreciation and gratitude for all that’s still right in the world.