ENGLCOM ENTRY 4

Oct 13 - 16 2008 Journal 4

I will type in a new format for journals per week since topics are better discussed with this.

Let me start with what came into my mind first. I have the writing process in mind. Like the reading process, there are also strategies and techniques done when writing. Before you write, you think of the topics that are of interest to readers, since you write for others to read, plus, you have to write with sense.

"Brainstorming" is the right word that you need to know before you write something. You think of ideas that comes into your mind related to the topic when you brainstorm. Lately, brainstorming is not only done by groups but it can also be done individually. You don't filter out ideas when you brainstorm. It is done after you finished brainstorming.

The second strategy that came into my mind is "Outlining". When you outline, you follow a format like the one below:

I. ENGLCOM ENTRY 4
A. Think about pre-writing strategies
B. Type in the journal
1. In the Y! Groups
2. In the Blog

~spaces are placed within the outline, if the blog indents it to left, then please understand the topic, bear with me and my writing style.~

The topic nearest the left margin has the most significant idea within the outline. As the idea gets more insignificant or becomes a supporting detail, it indents to the right.

So, why do we do outlining? Some people can make essays better when they have an outline. You have a plan for your topic, together with the supporting ideas or details. Instead of just writing about the topic, the output will be better if you have thought and outlined your topic.

Third process that came into my mind consists of two pre-writing strategies, one is "Looping" and the other is "Freewriting".

So, what does a loop mean? It is a continuous circle that ends in the middle. So what does this have to do with writing? When you engage on looping, you write until you get to that middle or the center. That center will be your focus. You focus on the topics and get the parts of the loop that are of significance, value or can support the topic you are focusing on. On the other hand, freewriting can be understood by reading the strategy name. When you engage on freewriting, well, you write freely. Topics that come out of your mind are placed in a paper. Duration of minutes ranges from five to ten and you stop after time runs out. You base your paper to the topics or details written on the freewriting paper.

So, what have we done this week you may ask? Well, we did some writing, more writing, and more writing. ENGLCOM is dedicated to teaching us how to read and write. Descriptive Essays are now our current essay form. As we make an essay about topic/s that is/are important and/or of interest to us, we are told to "show" and not to "tell" in a descriptive essay. We use words for readers to know what we saw, heard, tasted, smelled and felt when they read our essay. Hopefully, my first draft essay about my online gaming would give inspiration to others and make them try playing the game. :D

ORGMGNT ENTRY 2

ORGMGNT PROJECT : CHAPTER 2

S22 Group 3 Members:

Albert Reyes
Dustin Jordan
Jonathan Maralit
Miguel Gamboa

Organizational Structure as a whole:


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Organizational Structure as a branch:

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Overview of Current Management practices of the SSS Cainta Branch

Planning:

All SSS Branches has this thing they call Target Coverage and Target Collection. Once a year, they plan for the Target Coverage and Target Collection. The TC1 or Target Coverage talks about the target number of members to be covered by the branch in addition to the current membership of employers, employees, household helpers, self-employed and voluntary members while Target Collections or TC1 are contribution collections of members. The Branch Head, in coordination with all supervisors, handles the planning of the Target Coverage and Target Collection.

They set goals/quotas for the branch to surpass and makes plans/decision based on the plans.

They also plan about what the responsibilities of each personnel are and at what point will they exert more effort to improve front line service to SSS members. There are times in the SSS wherein they have more members filing loans and the branch must be flexible with these problems.

Organizing:

SSS has this department called the CPMD or Competency and Personnel Management Department. This department, located in the Main Office, is in charge of the recruitment of workers for each branch/sections. The Branch heads coordinates with CPMD and organizes the files needed to be filled-out so CPMD could send workers to the branch.

Branch Heads also does the budgeting. They see to it that the budget given by the higher management is spent effectively and efficiently. They have this policy which states that budget spent should not exceed .4% of the total revenues of SSS as a whole. Transportation Expenditures such as car maintenance, gas budget and Capital Expenditures such as building maintenance, personnel salaries and wages, procurement of equipment and furniture and other miscellaneous expenses are the usual expenses of the branch.

Most of the time, the budget is not enough to supply the maintenance and needs of the employees so the branch head often donates for the branch's own good.

Leading:

Section Heads are the people that handles supervision within the employees. They submit reports based on the performance of the employees and gives it the the Branch Head. The Branch Head monitors the reports and makes decision based on the reports. When a worker is evaluated having poor performance, the branch head does not fire the worker immediately, rather, he/she recommends administrative saction from CPMD (Competency and Personnel Management Department) to the employee.

For employees whose performance meets the quota, benefits are given to them.

Benefits include:

• Performance Bonus
• 13th Month Bonus
• Mid-Year Bonus
• Birthday Cash Gift
• Anniversary Bonus
• Cash Gift

The Relationship Management Department is the one responsible for granting benefits to the employees of the System.

The Branch Head added that to get the full cooperation and establish teamwork among the employees, you must befriend them. They know each other as co-workers during office hours but as friends after. Communication within the branch is needed to relate real life with work. Remember that life outside work may affect the working skills/capabilities. When you have problems within your family, it is harder to do something that is assigned to you.

Controlling:

The Branch has this monthly meeting about the monthly progress and development. They talk about the branch when they meet the quota or not. SSS Cainta Branch never had a moment wherein they did not meet quota. They see to it that they meet the targets and if not, then they have this plan B.

Plan B:

1) Talk about the things they did that month.
2) Compare the months wherein they surpassed the quotas to the month wherein they did not.
3) List down all the factors that affected their downfall.
4) Plan what is needed to do.
5) Make decisions based on the planning process to surpass quota next month.

The Branch Head also coordinates with other branches. When they have to refer problems and cases handled by other branches. For example, when SSS members file for loan but the branch does not have the authority to give them the loan, the branch refers them to the specific branch to file. Another example is when the branch needs repair of computers; processing of referrals of various voichers for payment; requesting of supplies and building/office maintenance, they refer to the Main Office.

Data Capture plays a big role in the Controlling part. It is a preventive measure to those scams and frauds wanting to file loans and get heaps of cash without contributing to the collection. We use the biometric system in the data capture of SSS members done at the branch and file-processed at the ID Center, Main Office. Database is maintained in the Main Office. Various reports are done through MS Excel. We have Intranet for all personnel nationwide which we use for communication and exchanging information. We have a secured network to prevent others from hacking into our files.



"So all in all as a Branch Head, I plan/set goals together with the Section Heads, organize the distribution assignment of personnel, how to implement the plans, direct/lead the personnel to carry out the plans, coordinate with various branches/departments of the System, other government agencies and other local government units, controls the branch by reviewing the performance of the different sections and personnel of the branch."

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Interview for Planning:

INTERVIEWER: What does SSS Cainta Branch usually plan?
INTERVIEWEE: The branch plans the annual Target Coverage and Collection; how to improve front line service to SSS members. Target Coverage is the target number of members to be covered by the branch in addition to the current membership of employers, employees, household helpers, self-employed and voluntary members. Target Collections are contribution collections of members.

INTERVIEWER: How often does SSS Cainta Branch plan?
INTERVIEWEE: Once a year.

INTERVIEWER: Who plans for the Branch?
INTERVIEWEE: The Branch Head in coordination with all supervisors (Section Head)

Interview for Organizing:

INTERVIEWER: Who takes care of the recruitment of workers for the branch?
INTERVIWEE: The CPMD or Competency and Personnel Management Department of the Main Office.

INTERVIEWER: How do you spend the budget given to you by the higher management?
INTERVIEWEE: We see to it that the budget is used effectively and efficiently. As a policy, budget spent should not exceed .4% of the total revenues of SSS as a whole. Expenses include Capital Expenditures such as building maintenance, personnel salaries and wages, supplies and materials, procurement of equipment and furniture and other miscellaneous expenses.

Interview for Leading:

INTERVIEWER: Do you supervise your workers?
INTERVIEWEE: The Section Heads supervise the workers but I monitor the supervisors through their submitted reports of the branch personnel.

INTERVIEWER: Do you fire workers when what you expect from them does not show?
INTERVIEWEE: No, but we could recommend administrative sanction from CPMD in case of an employee's poor performance.

INTERVIEWER: Do you give benefits to your workers? What kind of benefits?
INTERVIEWEE: Our relationship management department is the one responsible for the granting of benefits to the employees of the System. Benefits include:Performance Bonus, 13th Month Bonus, Mid-Year Bonus, Birthday Cash Gift, Anniversary Bonus and Cash Gift.

INTERVIEWER: As a manager, is there a need to befriend your workers?
INTERVIEWEE: Yes. So that we could get their full cooperation and to establish teamwork among the employees.

Interview for Controlling:

INTERVIEWER: Do you meet your planned quotas?
INTERVIEWEE: Yes. We see to it that we do not only meet the quotas but surpass them.

INTERVIEWER: What do you do if you don't meet those quotas?
INTERVIEWEE: We further plan on how to meet our quotas/target.

INTERVIEWER: Do you coordinate with other branches? If yes, why?
INTERVIEWEE: Yes. When we have to refer problems and cases handled by other branches. We also coordinate with other departments in the Main Office such as the repair of computers, the processing of referrals of various vouchers for payment, request for supplies and building/office maintenance.

Source/Contact Person : Priscila F. Maralit, SSS Cainta Branch Head

ORGMGNT ENTRY 1

ORGMGNT PROJECT : CHAPTER 1

S22 Group 3 Members:

Albert Reyes, Dustin Jordan, Jonathan Maralit, Miguel Gamboa

Company Name : Social Security System ( Cainta Branch )

What is SSS?

A dependable social insurance program plays an important role in the dispensation of social justice, and the turnaround experienced by the Philippine SSS over the past few years is not only good news for them but a lesson for us all. The SSS or Social Security System administers social security protection to workers in the private sector. It provides replacement income for workers at times of death, disability, sickness, maternity and old age. Social Security System is a government owned and controlled corporation.

When was SSS established?

SSS was established on Sep. 1 1957 by virtue of the Social Security Law as amended by RA 8282 on May 1 1997, also known as the Social Security Act of 1997.


Why/When did SSS Cainta Branch start?

SSS Cainta Branch was established to provide closer services to SSS members and residents of Cainta, Rizal. The branch was formally opened on November 6 2005.

What are its mission and vision?

MISSION:

It's mission is aligned with Section 2 of RA 8282 which states:

"It is policy of the State to establish, develop, promote and perfect a sound and viable tax-exempt social security system suitable to the needs of the people throughout the Philippines which shall promote social justice and provide meaningful protection to members and their families against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old-age, death and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to extend social security protection to workers and their beneficiaries."

VISION:

"SSS aims to develop and promote a viable, universal and equitable social security protection scheme through world-class service."


What are the products and services offered by SSS to its members?

• Sickness benefit

-The sickness benefit is a daily cash allowance paid for the member of days a member is unable to work due to sickness or injury.

• Maternity benefit

-The maternity benefit is a daily cash allowance granted to a female member who was unable to work due to childbirth or miscarriage.

• Disability benefit

-A benefit granted to a member who suffers partial or total permanent disability.

• Retirement benefit

-It is a cash benefit either in mothly pension or lump sum paid to a member who can no longer work due to old age.

• Funeral benefit

-It is given to whoever pays the burial expenses of the deceased member or pensioner.

• Death benefit

-It is a cash benefit either in monthly pension or lump sum paid to the beneficiaries of a deceased member.


Transcipt of Interview:

1)What is SSS?
The SSS administers social security protection to workers in the private sector. It provides replacement income for workers at times of death, disability, sickness, maternity and old age.

It is a government owned and controlled corporation.

2) When was the SSS established?
SSS was established on Sep. 1 1957 by virtue of the Social Security Law as amended by RA 8282 on May 1 1997, also known as the Social Security Act of 1997

How/When did SSS Cainta Branch start?
SSS Cainta Branch was established to provide closer services to SSS members and residents of Cainta, Rizal. The branch was formally opened on November 6 2006.

3) What are its mission and vision?
Mission : RA 8282
Vision : "SSS aims to develop and promote a viable, universal and equitable social security protection scheme through world-class service."

4)What are the products and services offered by SSS?
It provides benefits to SSS members such as Sickness benefit, Maternity benefit, Disability benefit, Retirement benefit, Funeral benefit, Death benefit.


Name and Position of the contact/resource person.
Priscila F. Maralit - Branch Head, SSS Cainta Branch

Reference:
http://everrarealestate.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/sss_logo.jpg
http://www.unitedworld-usa.com/reports/philippines2008/sss.asp
Guidebook for SSS Members

ENGLCOM ENTRY 3

Oct 6 - 9 Journal 3

Monday:

Last Monday, we discussed about the graphs and tables we made from the previous meeting day. I've realized that in interpreting graphs, you just have to take note of the items in the graph or table. Determine the highest and lowest points, and from when those lowest and highest points occur.

We also made an activity paper regarding the paper plate assignment. What we usually do in a day was put into non-prose form and illustrated in the paper plate. A pie graph was used to illustrate our time management. We made an essay regarding the pie graph, showing how time really is gold. This activity made me realize that my time management is not that good. I should really add more sleeping time...

Tuesday:

No ENGLCOM. Tuesday is LASARE day.

Wednesday:

This day, we discussed about summarizing and paraphrasing. Paraphrasing is putting a selection into your own words. You usually do it per paragraph while summarizing is shorter than paraphrasing. You only take the important parts for summarizing.

Plagiarism was also discussed last Wednesday. It is the act of stealing one's intellectual property. Punishments are given to those who commit this act. Stealing is punishable by law, not just by the La Salle committee.

There are ways for properly citing references and selections taken from others when you put it into your own work. Mostly, the APA style is used for these. You must not forget to cite the surname and copyright year when you want to include others' work into your own.

Thursday:

We discussed outlining last Thursday. You brainstorm first before you can outline. You fix all the things relevant to the topic. Then, you outline the ideas. You put the most important things near the left margin and the sub topics indents as the importance lessen.

We made an outline on how high school students apply to colleges. Hopefully, what I did was correct. :D

ENGLCOM ENTRY 2

Sept 29 - Oct 2 Journal 2

Monday:

"Activating one's schema" --- What does this statement mean to me? I'm really new to the word schema but I guess that's what I do before I read. I try to remember things when/before I read. Before, While and After Reading strategies were discussed last monday.

Tuesday:

The ENGLCOM Department provided us an introduction to the services of the main library which could help us in the near future. I know for a fact that CCS students don't rely much on books in the library, rather, they use the internet to search on things BUT having knowledge on to how we can use the facilities, borrow books and materials is an advantage.

We paid a lot for this. Might as well use it, right?

Wednesday:

NO CLASSES.

Thursday:

The professor discussed about people being visual beings. When someone tells them to do something, the people would either be:

* Following the tone of voice
* Follow the leader
* Follow what was said to do

So, yes. The second would usually be what the people are doing. In connection to the new topic which is non-prose selections, people comprehends easier and faster with non-prose selections. Examples include visual aids, pictures, signs and symbols, etc.

In a visual aid, it may consist of the following: graphs, charts and/or tables. You use these when you are presenting. Instead of reading a 1000-word paragraph to know that there aremore boys than girls in CCS, you can use graphs. :D