News

In the Spring of 2020 the AMS Safety Team took on the greatest challenge to employee safety they had ever been presented with. Employees at the AMS Fulfillment Center were considered essential workers, asked to stay on the job and risk the threat of COVID exposure. The safety team worked triple speed to separate the workstations by six feet and install plexiglass shields. Shields were installed throughout the warehouses, in the lunchroom and classroom – everywhere needed. 

AMS increased the number of bathrooms, hired a team to sanitize all surfaces throughout the day, placed stations where employees could wash and sterilize their hands, installed devices to check all incoming personnel for elevated body temperature, had custom face masks made for all employees and visitors – the safety team did everything they could.

AMS Safety Team was Exceptional!

The team’s efforts were so thorough, and safety was given such high priority that we decided to do a series of safety blogs as a guide to other warehouses. We did a series of 24 blogs, covering the various choices and changes AMS was making. 

Marco Pelaez, VP of Operations, took one more exceptional step and arranged for vaccine clinics to be held on the AMS campus. Over a period of two years Marco held 14 clinics that administered vaccines to people from within AMS and the surrounding community. People received the vaccines at no cost, and they could bring their children, ages 12 and up. AMS employees and the community took strong advantage of these clinics.  

Is the pandemic over? 

Gradually we began to emerge from the pandemic. Over the past few months rules that AMS had in place on mask wearing, sanitizing and temperature taking have eased off in the warehouse. Knowing that 98% of AMS employees are fully vaccinated, Marco and the team followed the CDC guidelines carefully and started easing up the mask-wearing and the safety distancing. They have continued to follow the proper protocols when employees are sick with COVID-19.

Have we reached the end of the pandemic? A headline from Reuters.com states: “US to end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11!” The article states that the current administration will end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11, 2023. This means that COVID tests and vaccines are no longer going to be free of charge.  

The article states, “The government has been paying for COVID-19 vaccines, some tests and certain treatments under the PHE declaration. When it expires, those costs will be transferred to private insurance and government health plans.” It ends with a warning, “COVID-19 cases are declining in the United States, though more than 500 people continue to die each day from the disease, government data showed.” 

Remember to Protect Yourself and Others

This statement agrees with Marco, who offered the following. “Even though the government is lifting all restrictions, please keep in mind that the virus is going to stay around for a long time and, we need to be mindful about experiencing any symptoms of getting sick and act to protect ourselves and others at the workplace. We ask employees to wear a mask if any symptoms are present and feel free to remove the mask when well.

“Just remember to protect yourself first so you can protect others. And most importantly, if you test for COVID-19 and the test is positive, stay home and get well. If the test is negative, depending upon the severity of the symptoms, stay home or wear a mask to avoid getting other people sick.”

Thank You to the Safety Team

We asked Marco what it has been like, to protect essential employees during this very dangerous time. He stated, “Keeping employees safe during this pandemic has been a very stressful experience. We had to learn about this virus, not knowing how it behaves, and at the same time try to keep people feeling safe and secure at the workplace. We also had to learn about the CDC safety protocols and implement them at AMS. They were two long years of stress, tears and satisfaction.

“When we were able to bring the vaccination clinics to our workplace and see the employees’ response as they brought their friends, kids, and family members to our clinics it was a big win for AMS. We knew that we were providing our employees with the best protection against this virus.”

We would like to offer a very sincere THANK YOU to Marco and the entire safety team for being an example for other warehouses and businesses with essential employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 8 is International Women’s Day. This is a day when we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women, and we also look at areas where women still face discrimination or oppression.

We all know the history and the struggle, and we wonder… what are women facing today? In the business world there has been a lot of progress, and the glass ceiling is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Progress is being made in the STEM arena and we appreciate that. Also we’ve looked at the top position in Fortune 500 companies and there is improvement there too. But, around the world there are still more severe battles to be fought with regard to education and there are areas of the world where oppression is the norm.

The Biggest Challenge

An article in Politico magazine asked a group of women lawmakers and presidential candidates what they see as the biggest challenge facing women in the US, and internationally. We’ll look at two responses.

Answer #1: “One of the struggles that underlies all of our policy battles is the continued lack of women in positions of power. From corporate boardrooms, to the courts and political leadership around the world, the lack of women in senior positions continues to stymie progress on issues from pay to humanitarian aid to discrimination in all its forms. The sooner we understand that the lack of women in leadership roles holds back not only women, but all people, the sooner we will be able to advance society as a whole.”

Answer #2: Women in the world, particularly in developing and middle-income countries, face the far more elemental problem of still being considered property. Saudi Arabia’s system, for one, is open about this relationship, requiring women to get the permission of their male “guardian” to enroll in school, travel or take a job. But in many countries, women are still forced to be legally and socially subservient to men, with no means of gaining financial or social independence, much less equal agency. A global women’s movement must thus focus on creating legal and social conditions in which women and men have equal access to nutrition, health care, education, jobs and the ability to control their bodies and choose a mate. We will be making progress when parents around the world greet the birth of a girl with equal pleasure and expectation as the birth of a boy.”

The world of Business

In the world of business, there is a measure that tells a lot. Here is the headline from a January 2023 issue of Forbes Magazine: Women CEOs run more than 10% of Fortune 500 companies for the first time in history. Women have made great progress in the business world, and there are many companies where women hold CEO, President, CFO and other executive positions, but the Fortune 500 representation lets us know there is significantly more to achieve. Here’s a paragraph from the article:

“It’s fair to ask whether it’s worth celebrating a meager 2% difference, especially when it also makes clear how far we still have to go for equal representation (almost five times where we’re at today). Yet, these victories, however small, do matter. After all, the biggest leaps require innumerable small steps to make them possible. So before rolling up our sleeves and getting back to work, let’s take a moment to recognize how far we’ve come by celebrating some of the history-making women who brought us over the 10% line.” To read the stories click HERE.

How is AMS Doing

One might ask… how is AMS Fulfillment doing with regard to women in top management? We can brag a little about that as we have a very balanced and strong representation. Last July we began a blog series called “Women in Management.” In that blog series we interviewed ten of AMS’ women in management.

Our first interview was with someone the entire company loves and respects, Betty-Lou Wiseman, President of AMS West. You can enjoy that interview HERE. We also did a great interview with AMS CFO Bobbie Booher, click HERE, and another fun interview with Dori Bornstein, Human Resources Manager for AMS East, HERE. All ten of the interviews are available at this LINK. The featured image for this International Women’s Day blog is of the latest woman to join the AMS team, Sarah Smith, VP of Marketing. Enjoy her interview HERE.

The International Picture

What can be done to be of help to women of the world? This question is discussed at the United Nations under the theme of “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

The UN website explains, “This theme is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67), ‘Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls’.” We encourage you to visit the website HERE and read about what the UN is doing to support the women of the world.

We close with a salute to all of the women of the world on this International Women’s Day, March 8, 2023. It has been a long journey, and we still have a way to go, but oh the victories!!

How does a Fulfillment Company recognize and celebrate World Wildlife Day? Let’s explore.

World Wildlife Day was established by the United Nations on December 20th, 2013. A day of recognition of world wildlife was first proposed by Thailand. The goal was to raise awareness that the world’s animals and vegetation are in a poor state. Thailand’s proposal was inspired by a series of articles in a UK newspaper about the destruction of habitat and wildlife in East Africa, written by Sir Julian Huxley. It was a businessman named Victor Stolan who pointed out the urgent need for an international organization to raise funds for conservation. Thailand made the proposal and the UN General Assembly established the commemorative day. We celebrate it on March 3^rd.’

We all know our Earth is amazing – the wild animals and wild plants are amazing. We love our Home – the beautiful abundant Earth.

What does the UN say?

Let’s look at some facts from the UN.

50,000 Wild Species Meet Needs of Billions Worldwide

*1 in 5 people around the world rely on wild species for income and food, while 2.4 billion people depend on wood fuel for cooking.

*It seems surprising, but cacti, seaweeds, giraffes, parrots, and oak trees are groups of species endangered. Currently there are one million species under threat.

As the UN website pointed out, billions of people benefit daily from the use of wild species for food, energy, and medicine. While most of us will not be consuming wild plants, we do use wood and some wild plants for health. Many of us turn to nature for recreation and inspiration, and that’s our primary experience with wildlife. Since we do love the wild natural world, we have a desire to protect it and see it continue in good health and balance.

As said, there are approximately one million species under threat of extinction. That’s distressing. Conservation is absolutely vital, and we need to explore and see how the wonderful biodiversity of our world can be conserved.

The UN website states: This Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects, Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss.

Goal 15

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

What can corporations do?

If we ask “what can AMS Fulfillment do,” the answer is “everything possible.”

When we look at the destruction of forests, oceans, and streams we unfortunately find corporations as the major destructive force. The reality of environmental destruction for financial profit is dispiriting, and we have to be willing to look into it and call it out. We the People can have some power in deciding who we’re willing to support with our dollars. Globalwitness.org provides some helpful information, and we can do our own research as well.

The B Corporation Movement

The B Corporation movement is made up of corporations that care about their impact on the environment and are willing to put that care into action. As a B Corporation, AMS invests in making its own impact on the environment as small as possible. We know that plastics and similar waste products in the environment are damaging to wildlife, so in addition to recycling for many years, and using recycled or biodegradable packaging, recently we took another step with regard to recycling plastic.

Out of concern for the forests AMS makes an annual contribution to the Rainforest Trust on behalf of our clients. They are doing some good work. Our desire is to be carbon neutral soon, and have no negative impact on the beautiful world we share.

What else can we do? We can create awareness and talk about the very concerning activities that take place in pursuit of profit. At wildlifeday.org you will find some materials to share, especially with children and youth. They are the future leaders of wildlife conservation and they deserve a future where we humans live in harmony with wildlife that share the planet with us.

And one more thing… we can appreciate the wildlife in our own back yard, as well as in the nature preserves and the national parks nearby. In past years AMS volunteers have signed on to help in the local efforts to respect, restore and protect the nature preserves and rivers nearby. Let’s keep it up, AMS!!

Happy World Wildlife Day! Protect, Restore and Promote.

Click HERE to watch an enjoyable UN video on World Wildlife Day.

March is designated as B Corporation Month. At AMS Fulfillment we know what a B Corporation is, and what a B Corp does, because we are one! But for those who don’t know let’s ask Google.

“B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.”

B Corp Certification

The process of certification is not easy, but AMS undertook it and achieved B Corporation certification in 2017. At that time AMS had already been focused on helping and serving the communities that surround us, we were already engaged in offering excellent benefits and on-campus educational opportunities to our employees, and we were recycling and being as environmentally conscious as we could be. All of this while serving our clients as their operations partner.

Being the change had been our goal since the founding of the company, so achieving B Corp certification didn’t require a lot of changes in what we were doing, but it did require some effort.

We went through the process, achieved the certification, and kept on improving. The AMS Green Team has continually upgraded our facilities, packaging, and recycling. We are so proud of our achievements with regard to our facilities and equipment, our use of recycled materials, and our recent gains in the recycling of plastics. With regard to valuing our employees, their educational opportunities, their safety, their benefits, we are top notch and always looking to improve. We have wonderful relationships in the community in hiring individuals that face difficulties, and helping those in need. And we serve our clients with the same dedication to their success as would the operations arm of their own business.

B Corporation Month

Let’s look at what B Corporation Month means to the world. From bcorpmonth.com we see the following:

Every year during March, B Lab, Sistema B, and the global B Corp community join together to celebrate everything it means to be a B Corp. Throughout the month we build awareness and educate different audiences on the ways in which the movement is transforming the economic system for the better. Talking about what it means to be a B Corp, we strengthen the meaning, understanding, and trust around the B Corp Certification.

The world is facing some of the biggest crises and challenges of our time. Our environment is in rapid decline. Social justice gaps are widening, not closing. By choosing to prioritize profit over people and the planet, most businesses are adding to the problem.

This B Corp Month, the We Go Beyond campaign will present the world with the community of impactful businesses who go beyond the harmful status quo and take action to transform the economic system. 

We encourage you to visit the website HERE and enjoy the full message.

The B Corp Community

At this time there are over 6,300 Certified B Corporations around the world. These corporations span across more than 150 industries and they employ almost 400,000 people. AMS Fulfillment is proud to be a part of this community that puts people and the environment before profit. Click HERE for a directory of B Corporations around the world.

As we continuously strive to improve, our clients know that we are going the extra mile to protect the environment and care for our employees and our community. Our B Corporation certification attracts clients protective of their brand, and we enjoy employee loyalty and longevity as well. By living up to the standards of a certified B Corporation, we also stand out against the increasingly prevalent “greenwashing” engaged in by larger companies. Certification lets our clients know that they are doing business with a truly environmentally responsible fulfillment company.

The AMS Culture

We frequently talk about the AMS family, and the AMS culture. The reason we have such a strong culture is the fact that we have a purpose. While profit may enable a business, purpose is what drives it. There are five stakeholders in the decisions that AMS makes – our community, our employees, our shared Earth, our clients and our stockholders. We do not live for profit alone. We are here to Be the Change and we are thankful to the founders of the B Corporation movement, and all of the 6,300 businesses that join with us.

The organization’s website, bthechange.com, features a number of stories by and about B Corporations under the categories of Racial Equity, Stakeholder Economy, Climate Action, and B Corps. We encourage you to visit and enjoy these inspiring stories.

Happy B Corporation Month!! Let’s continue to Be the Change we want to see in the world.

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of January: PAOLA A., SILVIA S., LIDIA P., JACK S., ERIK V., DAVID N., AMBER S., and GAIL N.

In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. At AMS Fulfillment we appreciate and value our employees, and we respect and invest in them.

All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate, T-Shirt, and Quarterly Celebration Lunch!

PAOLA A., Talent Acquisition Specialist (08/2021)
HQ Admin HR, CA

I would like to nominate Paola for Employee of the Month because… Paola is a rockstar who tackles any assignment given to her with enthusiasm. She was recently promoted to a Talent Acquisition Specialist, and she has hit the ground running. She is a team player, hard worker, and a true asset to not only the Talent Acquisition team but to AMS as a whole.

SILVIA S., Operations Lead II (01/2004)
HQ Warehouse, CA

Silvia is my choice for Employee of the Month. She is always actively getting her work done efficiently and in a timely manner. She helps people search for items missing and always does her best to problem solve before asking for help. She always comes to work with a smile. Silvia understands her work and gets it done no matter what. She understands the needs of the business, and therefore she works hard to get it done the first time around. Even when it was slow, she asked for more work and helped inventory and receiving this past season. From sorting to replenishment and picking she does it all.

LIDIA P., Operations Associate III (12/2018)
LIV, CA

My nomination for January Employee of the Month is Lidia. We really needed someone to help manage the day-to-day requests for our largest client. They constantly have daily requests for specifications, email inquiries and managing very tight shipping windows. Lidia volunteered to take on this task and she is the perfect person to manage this because of her attention to detail and her drive. Her dedication to doing her best has helped us tremendously by helping the department run much smoother.

JACK S., Operations Associate II (02/2022)
WIL, CA

I am nominating Jack for Employee of the Month because he is a great employee and is always willing to help others who need help. He always has a positive attitude. We are glad to have Jack as a part of our team.

ERIK V., Operations Associate II (03/2022)
WIT, CA

I have chosen to nominate Erick for January Employee of the Month. Erick has gone above and beyond in our client’s department and has only been here a short time. When he got hired, he quickly learned the engraving process along with PNP and he has done an outstanding job learning all procedures quickly. He comes to work with a positive attitude and is ready to work. He is willing to help in any department without hesitation. We are so happy to have Erick working with us at WIT!

DAVID N., Operations Associate I (03/2022)
New Castle, DE

David is my choice for Employee of the Month for January. He has been with us for a couple years and has never clocked in a minute late. He works with pride and dedication to his daily routine. David has one of those jobs that no one thinks about during an RPH discussion, but the building is well aware when he has a day off because he is a vital part of the day-to-day operations. He always has a smile on his face and a friendly word – or whole conversation! I have never heard him complain about his job, unless we give him help and then he lets us know he can handle it – that’s the type of ownership everyone should take for their department, their day-to-day tasks, etc. David is such a joy to work with and we should count ourselves lucky to have him here in New Castle!!!

AMBER S., Operations Supervisor I (05/2022)
Newark, DE

My nomination for January Employee of the Month is Amber. She started with a temp agency, moving to an AMS employee as a Lead and now an Operations Supervisor!!! I can remember one of our first conversations… “Hey Amber where do you see yourself going as an employee with AMS?”  Amber replied, “I just want to be somebody.” Amber is a very talented hard-working person. She is a go getter and thrives to be the best!! It is great to be able to witness your growth and success. Thank You for all your efforts Amber, and I look forward to working with you for many years to come.

GAIL N., Account Manager I (12/2020)
New Holland, PA

I would like to nominate Gail for Employee of the Month because she goes above and beyond to provide extraordinary customer service to all of her clients. She is always willing to work with Operations to find the best way for AMS to serve her clients. Gail is a leader in her role and has an incredible work ethic. She is always willing to assist the team in anything needed. She is creative in cultivating new ways to keep processes running smoothly. Gail is a pleasure to work with and a true asset to the Client service team.

** **

To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You!

KEEP DOING YOU!

We have been enjoying and practicing Random Acts of Kindness for some years now. Sometimes we intentionally wait for another driver to merge, we give an insightful compliment, we happen to have some cash in the pocket for the homeless man, we help get an item off the top shelf, we like how it feels to be kind. In fact, we’ve been into it for so long that a new word has been coined: RAKtivist!! That’s a random acts of kindness activist!!

Let’s let Google tell us… what is a RAKtavist?

“They’re the people that end up brightening what otherwise would’ve been ‘just a normal day’. You know the sort. The clerk at the store who tells you to ‘have a great day’…and really means it. The person on the bus who offers their seat to a pregnant or elderly person. The little, tender gestures when you need them most, (but expect them the least).

“Yep. Those are the ones that stay with you. The Random Acts of Kindness that connect you to your humanity, reminds you how much love there is in the world, and inspires you to pay it forward. Can you imagine a world where Kindness is the Norm?

“Yeah. That’s the world RAKtivists want. That’s why they do what they do. And it requires some intentional actions. The RAKtivist community connects passionate people to one another to share ideas and resources and celebrate kindness in everyday life.”

Well that’s interesting. RAKtivists inspire and celebrate Random Acts of Kindness. That’s definitely not normal in today’s world, but it could be and it might be in the future if we make it so.

History of this Kindness week

We’ve long been aware of the phrase and the concept of a spontaneous gesture of kindness towards someone who needs it. The phrase “practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty” was coined in 1982 in response to another phrase about random acts of violence. It was intended to put an end to violence. A children’s book was created with the overarching message that every individual can choose to become an agent of goodness and beauty.

We have also encountered this term in pop culture. The 2007 film “Evan Almighty” concludes with God telling Evan, the main character, that the only way to transform the world is by doing one Act of Random Kindness (ARK) at a time. You can read more about the history HERE.

Random Acts of Kindness Week is celebrated annually from February 14 to February 20. During the week we are encouraged to find ways in which we can become a positive influence in each other’s lives. If we can… why would we not? Even one small act of kindness can mean a great deal to somebody. You never know what circumstances changed because you inserted a positive moment. The world can be selfish and cruel sometimes and in such a world, it is important for us to make a habit of being kind to one another. A smile, a positive word, a gesture of help, and if that act gives someone hope it can go a very long way.

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

There is an organization called the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation where people have written their stories of kindness. One of the pages they offer is called “kindness at work.”

They offer an action plan for kindness at work, pointing out seven steps to cultivate a workplace culture where people feel connected, where they have a sense of purpose and where they are appreciated and recognized for their contributions.

• Setting a Tone
• Modeling Behavior
• Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment
• Strengths, Mistakes and Growth Mindset
• Trust, Boundaries and Belonging
• Communication and Collaboration
• Celebration

Visitors to the page can download a guide and read an inspiring pledge. AMS, as a B Corporation, is committed to employee well-being. We appreciate this special Random Acts of Kindness Day, and week and we encourage everyone to enjoy being kind – go ahead and lift the spirit of your co-worker today.

Most of us are aware of the environmental toll of plastics, especially if we have seen the horrific images of plastic in the Pacific Ocean. Google describes it like this: “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also known as the Pacific trash vortex, spans waters from the West Coast of North America to Japan. The patch is actually comprised of the Western Garbage Patch, located near Japan, and the Eastern Garbage Patch, located between the U.S. states of Hawaii and California.”

There is more

From Environmental Health News we read the following:

*Chemicals added to plastics are absorbed by human bodies. Some of these compounds have been found to alter hormones or have other potential human health effects.

*Plastic debris, laced with chemicals and often ingested by marine animals, can injure or poison wildlife.

*Floating plastic waste, which can survive for thousands of years in water, serves as mini transportation devices for invasive species, disrupting habitats.

*Plastic buried deep in landfills can leach harmful chemicals that spread into groundwater.

*Around 4 percent of world oil production is used as a feedstock to make plastics, and a similar amount is consumed as energy in the process.

All of us are concerned with the environmental and health consequences of discarded plastic. Plastic can be recycled and used to make any number of items. All that is required is a consumer committed to recycling and companies that handle the recycling process. At AMS we are careful to recycle and sort waste for recycling, and we take every step forward in the process when the means become available.

Plastic use is increasing

Since it began being mass produced in the 1940s, plastic’s convenience and unique usability has made it an essential for our way of life. It’s hard to name all of the uses of it. We have plastic food containers, plastic bottles, plastic hangars, degradable plastic, tape, paper, foam peanuts, silica packets. Container after container. If these products are single use, an awful lot of waste is being created. Globally almost 360 million tons of plastic were produced in 2018. Shockingly, in the first ten years of this century, from 2000 to 2010 we approached the total of plastic produced in the entire century, from 1900 to 2000.

What we do

Like all B Corporations, AMS is very concerned with the damages to the environment and ourselves with plastic use, and we carefully sort for recycling. The majority of the waste our company produces is corrugate and plastic stretch film (used for packing, wrapping, and shipping of many types of items). Recently we took steps to solve a problem with plastic film that had become very concerning.

Unlike corrugate which is recyclable, plastic stretch film in small quantities is not accepted in the majority of local recycling centers. Stretch film is generally made with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) which is denoted as category four in recycling programs.

The AMS Green Team

Our Green Team was concerned that this stretch film was rejected for recycling, and therefore ending up in a landfill. On average, each facility receives an average of 60-80 stretch wrapped pallets a day, and with 5 facilities, that is A LOT of plastic waste.

AMS’ Green Team searched for a solution. They located a company that will pick up and properly recycle our bailed plastic stretch film once we reach 10K lbs. We have purchased 92 waste bins to distribute in all our warehouse facilities so our team can properly dispose of this waste, which will be collected, bailed, weighed, and stored for our goal of 10K pounds.

We are so pleased to be returning this waste plastic for re-use. This type of plastic is most often recycled into composite lumber, which is used for benches, decks, and playground sets. It can also be recycled into small pellets, which can be made into new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipe. It is a very good feeling to know there will be less plastic waste in the landfill due to our efforts.

We encourage everyone to recycle what plastics you can. Our Green Team is continually searching for local drop-off locations. If you’re interested in finding a location near you, please check at this link.  https://bagandfilmrecycling.org/ 

What can we do to create more LOVE in the world? How does a corporate family celebrate Valentine’s Day? Turns out it’s not hard to do, and we’re doing it. The day that started out many years ago as a celebration of romance is becoming a day to appreciate and encourage others. Beginning with personal family, spreading to corporate family and embracing the human family, we want to show some love on Valentine’s Day.

Celebrating each other

For Valentine’s Day, AMS employees show each other love by purchasing for one another a $1 fortune cookie which our Volunteer Representatives will be handing out on Valentine’s Day. The cookies symbolize appreciation, luck, fate and wisdom. All proceeds go to a Black History Month charity that we support. We want to make a few moments of life a little better for our co-workers on Valentine’s Day.

The quote below is about a brand being built from the heart. A fulfillment company can be a brand too, embracing the human spirit and being authentic.

“In this ever-changing society, the most powerful and enduring brands are built from the heart. They are real and sustainable. Their foundations are stronger because they are built with the strength of the human spirit, not an ad campaign. The companies that are lasting are those that are authentic.” Howard Schultz

Other ways to celebrate

What else can we do to celebrate the day of love? In addition to encouraging and appreciating the people we work with, there is plenty more we can do if we wish to. A quick Internet search showed a number of calls for charity. For example, at the website of the Save the Children organization we find opportunities to support early education, buy a warm blanket for a child experiencing a disaster, donate to supply nutritious meals at school, help with the education of girls who don’t have access, help fund efforts to provide clean water and more. When the day of love inspires us to give, there is an abundance of suffering that we can and do respond to.

In addition to giving a financial gift to help children, we can also celebrate Black History Month by purchasing our personal Valentine’s Day gifts from a Black-owned business. At this LINK you will find a listing of 22 Black-owned brands including gifts, jewelry, sweets, wine, flowers, plants, paper goods, shirts, cheesecakes, candles and many more items including sea moss!

Romance is important too

But what about romantic love? Isn’t that what the day is really about? Wouldn’t it be enjoyable to hear a real LOVE story? Well, another quick Internet search takes us to four beautiful stories that expand the heart and bring a renewed appreciation for that person who is your beloved Valentine.

On February 14th as we seek ways to celebrate, we begin with our romantic partner, and then our children, and our brothers and sisters, our grands… our family. If you’re fortunate and you have any of these, well, that’s where love begins. The family is the core – the seed of love.

Our B Corp family

Can there be such a thing as an authentic corporate family? Yes, and we’re creating it. AMS is a B Corporation, committed to Be the Change. We do what we can to make working at AMS as enjoyable as any job can be, with as many benefits as possible, including job training, higher education and training for advancement. Our employees also join together as donors and volunteers in support of individuals and families in need within the community. And they do environmental work as well! We know that our B Corp values are shared by many of our employees and our clients too. And… we’re grateful to be a part of the global B Corp family, making a better world for us all.

Happy Valentine’s Day to ALL of us – LOVE is the answer.

In our monthly B Corporation Series we report on featured B Corporations, sharing their achievements with the readers. AMS is a B Corporation so we’re going begin this year’s series by sharing some of our own achievements. A good part of our B Corp culture is our dedication to the education, training and advancement of our employees. AMS is moving ahead post-pandemic, and here below is the story.

AMS Fulfillment has long been committed to uplifting the community in one manner or another. With its massive warehouses, kept busy with shipping and receiving, assembling, picking and packing consumer goods, AMS hires a large number of entry-level employees. Knowing there are many individuals who need employment but may not have the basic skills to enter the workforce, AMS has since 2016 offered training programs and a fully equipped a classroom space within their headquarter facility. In addition to training in basic skills to enter the workforce, AMS has offered ongoing internal training on core job responsibilities and cross-skills training. 

Relationship Begins with College of the Canyons

The AMS adult education and career development programs began when a relationship was established with College of the Canyons (COC), a Santa Clarita community college. In the arrangement with COC, AMS would provide the classroom space, and COC the curriculum, instructors, materials and registration. The classes and certification programs are free to AMS employees.

Over the years the classes have included adult education courses and life-skill training including English as a Second Language, with General Education Diploma (GED) Citizenship courses, and career specific training including Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Beginner Microsoft Excel classes, and on-the-job training leading to a first of its kind nationally recognized Apprenticeship in Logistics. The courses attracted employees who not only wanted to learn, but also wanted to advance and step into a leadership position. 

DOL Certified Logistics Apprenticeship

When the apprenticeship program was being certified, AMS became the first company in the State of California to offer warehousing and shipping apprenticeship and the first company in the United States to apply for a registered apprenticeship with the Department of Labor in the area of logistics. To gain the DOL Certified Logistics Apprenticeship, AMS employees received on-the-job paid training while participating in the education program.

The apprenticeship was a big ‘first’ for COC as well, for developing the program. Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Van Hook from COC said, “This is an example of how a corporation and a college can work together to make a difference in the lives of people regardless of their past. AMS and COC will continue to strive for excellence in serving the clients, the students and the people of Santa Clarita for years to come…stay tuned.” 

There was another very special educational effort as well. AMS participated in a summer leadership and career readiness pilot program, organized by S.T.R.E.A.M. Global Innovations (SGI) in cooperation with Goodwill Industries. Working with Goodwill Industries and S.T.R.E.A.M. was an appreciated opportunity to serve the community. 

Advance My Skills Learning Center

AMS had finished outfitting a new and specific room for training, education and professional development by 2017. Employees took part in naming the classroom the Advance My Skills Learning Center (The Learning Center “TLC”). The ‘classroom at work’ idea was successful from the very beginning due to its convenience for employees and members of the community. AMS then added a 20-person computer lab as an additional learning center space which the company made available for lease to other SCV businesses and not-for-profit organizations. From 2017 to 2020 the AMS Learning Center was the hub of a great deal of beneficial activity with students learning at a college level right on the AMS campus… all at no cost to the student! 

Responding to Change

Then we reached a crisis moment as did everyone – TLC was temporarily shuttered in early 2020 when the COVID pandemic brought about the necessity of many changes including safety measures for the protection of employees.  

AMS is a company that adapts to change, so it didn’t take long for the TLC to pick back up with training after our usual 4th quarter learning hibernation. In 2021 we adopted external professional development opportunities to include online training programs and Zoom for interactive bi-coastal training with a live instructor. For those with transportation hardships to and from their facility, we provided tablets and a quiet workplace within their facility’s office space.

The measures continued. With safety as a first priority, each computer station in TLC was equipped with plexiglass. We kept the in-person participation spaced out to a safe number of employees and we hired a cleaning crew to sanitize the room before and after trainings. We gaged the learning experience with surveys to ensure quality training, in addition to the instructor providing a ‘passing grade’.

We Begin 2023 in TLC

As we begin 2023, a new session of classes is underway, taking place in the TLC with Zoom available for employees not at the Valencia location. In this year’s curriculum there are ESL Beginner and Intermediate classes, Management Toolbox and Emerging Leaders classes, Customer Relations and Mindful Coworker classes and EXCEL Spreadsheet Basics. The classes are taught during work hours, which is an additional benefit.  

For AMS employees TLC is a place to grow and learn and progress. We look forward to our learning center becoming a community hub of activity once again as well, and we love being a B Corp!

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of December: TERESA G., STACY C., MARIA H., MARY N., GLORIA J., SAMANTHA C., KYLE D., JENNIFER L. and KENNETH S.

In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. At AMS Fulfillment we appreciate and value our employees, and we respect and invest in them.

All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate, T-Shirt, and Quarterly Celebration Lunch!

TERESA G., Operations Associate II (March 2015)
HQ Warehouse, CA

I nominate Teresa for Employee of the Month because she is an extraordinary employee who exceeds all expectations when given a task or working on a project. Whenever you hear the phrase “Team Player” Teresa comes to mind. This peak season, her impact was felt in virtually every department at HQ. Teresa is always willing to step in and help with a positive attitude. She is dependable and reliable. If you need her to come in earlier than her regular schedule she will and would stay later if needed. She represents and embodies the AMS culture, when approached to be the B-Corp representative she gladly accepted the task and did an amazing job managing all holiday events at HQ. We are glad to have you on the team. Keep doing a great job and keep the fire burning!

STACY C., Sr. Account Manager (April 2016)
AMS HQ Office, CA

Stacy is the employee I am nominating for December Employee of the Month for two reasons: Stacy’s leadership is not based on a title, it is based on actions and examples. Stacy goes above and beyond to make sure everyone understands the process. She is always striving to be the best. Clients really trust and enjoy her guidance. Stacy’s dedication to AMS is visible each day as she always brings positive energy to the team and other departments! Great work Stacy!

MARIA H., Operations Associate II (March 2022)
LIV, CA

I am nominating Maria for Employee of the Month because she is an outstanding employee here at Livingston who comes to work and gives 100% effort from the time she reports to work until the second she leaves work. Maria demonstrates amazing urgency the entire shift, her dedication, attendance, and work ethic is AMAZING. I can always count on Maria to finish all tasks given to her and she stays overtime whenever needed. Thank you Maria for all of your hard work, commitment, and amazing urgency.

MARY N., Operations Associate II (May 2022)
WIL, CA

Mary is my choice for Employee of the Month because she has done an amazing job in the receiving department and is an excellent employee to work with. Mary always comes to work with a positive attitude and is always willing to help others who need help. She pays attention to her work and is very detailed. We love having Mary as part of our team.

GLORIA J., Operations Associate II (November 2010)
WIT, CA

I nominate Gloria for Employee of the Month for December. She plays an important role at Witherspoon. She has an outstanding work ethic. Gloria is one of our top pickers. Her attention to detail and ability to absorb the processes and information has a positive impact on our team. She works extremely hard and always has a great attitude.

SAMANTHA C., Inventory Receiving Specialist I (August 2020)
New Castle, DE

I would like to nominate Samantha for December Employee of the Month because she only recently joined the team but shows up every day with a big smile and great attitude. She has learned a lot very quickly, and is a great team player!!!

KYLE D., Inventory Receiving Specialist (November 2020)
New Holland, PA

Kyle deserves to be our choice for Employee of the Month because he was an essential part of the team during December, making sure all the needed inventory was available for orders to be picked. He has a terrific work ethic, a steady pace and is very accurate in everything he does.

JENNIFER L., Sr. Account Manager (August 2001)
East Admin New Holland, PA

I am nominating Jenn for Employee of the Month because she goes above and beyond in her role as Senior Account Manager every day. Her vast knowledge in operations helps CS work smoothly with our Ops team. Jenn has been with AMS/Echo for 21 years. Not only is she willing to assist in her home office, but she will also assist in other facilities as well. She is always willing to help others. She is always positive. She is a complete pleasure to work with and makes coming to work enjoyable.

KENNETH S., Exact Staff Newark (November 2022)
Newark, DE

For December Employee of the Month we are nominating Kenneth. He has been with us since the middle of November and has been such an asset to our team. First, he is always working and keeping busy – you will not ever see this man standing around. If he isn’t sure about something he will ask and find out. He is also very positive, and his positive attitude rubs off on the entire team. Every day he starts the day off with a “good morning” to the people he runs into. That kind of spirit is contagious. Whatever he is asked to do, he gets to it without hesitation. We appreciate all your hard work around here Kenneth!!

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

World Cancer Day is meaningful to so many of us because this devastating disease has directly affected our lives. We have become familiar with cancer – ourselves, our friends, our families – and we are dedicated to finding solutions. On World Cancer Day, February 4^th, we join with others to focus on moving forward in a number of ways.

An organization called Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has stepped into a leadership position in the fight against cancer. Their intention is to reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity, and integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda. World Cancer Day was created by UICC.

Foundation of Beliefs

What does this organization believe – what is their foundation? According to their website their belief is as follows: 1) We believe that access to life-saving cancer diagnosis, treatment and care should be equitable for all – no matter where you live, what your income, your ethnicity or gender. 2) We believe that governments must be accountable and national leadership on policies, legislations, investment and innovation is key to accelerated progress and 3) We believe that every action matters, whether it is small or big, and that by working together we will create lasting change.

Belief #1 is completely in alignment with AMS Fulfillment’s beliefs as a B Corporation. Every one of us wants cancer care to be available to all. And yes, in #2 governments could be made accountable for progress. We believe that corporations are accountable for progress too. Belief #3 is an easy one to join on to – yes – every action matters, we know that, and the way to make a change is to work together.

How did world cancer day begin?

World Cancer Day was discussed and agreed upon at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium, which took place on the 4th of February in the year 2000. The UICC organization is dedicated to promoting research, preventing cancer, improving patient services, raising awareness and making progress against cancer. The date of the agreement is the celebration day – February 4th.

The organization asks us to realize that nearly half the world’s population lacks access to basic cancer care even though there are so many advancements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment. That is a sad truth and the task before us is great. We need to work together to be the change we want to see in the world.

Closing the Equity Gap

The World Cancer Day celebration and the organization that brought it to pass has the intention of Closing the Gap. What does that mean, to close the gap? The following is from the WCD website:

“We can close the gap. The reality today is that who you are and where you live could mean the difference between life and death. It isn’t fair. But we can change this. 

“This is the equity gap – and it’s costing lives. People who seek cancer care hit barriers at every turn. Income, education, geographical location and discrimination based on ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle are just a few of the factors that can negatively affect care. The most disadvantaged groups are also more likely to have increased exposures to a host of other risk factors, like tobacco, unhealthy diet or environmental hazards.  

“The gap affects everyone. You might feel like the equity gap doesn’t impact you personally, but it likely does affect someone you know. While it’s more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, well-resourced countries show dramatic disparities too. It’s almost guaranteed that the gap affects you or people in your community.”

How to celebrate and help

AMS is a B Corporation, and we have a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring and promotion and in all areas of interaction with the world. We want a world that fully embraces equity in cancer treatment and care, and we support organizations such as UICC working to close the gap and bring cancer treatment and care to everyone.

World Cancer Day is not limited to medical centers and international organizations. People, local businesses, corporations, and governments all come together to inform the general public about the types of cancer, how to be aware of it, and the potential treatments and measures to be taken in case of detection.

Cancer has numerous types, so there are various colors and symbols used to mark a specific type of cancer and promote the fight against it. For example, the orange ribbon creates awareness of cancer in children, while the pink ribbon is associated with breast cancer awareness. The American Cancer Society uses the daffodil flower as a symbol of hope for patients and survivors. 

Participate in a Campaign

We are happy to bring to the attention of our readers to World Cancer Day on February 4^th and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). Nearly every one of us has a relationship with cancer through family or friends and we want to see healing, and a world where no one is denied the best of care due to birth or economic circumstances.

We encourage participation in the World Cancer Day campaigns which are taking place in many cities around the world. Readers can click HERE for a map of activities taking place in many cities and countries. If you don’t find your city in that world map, we recommend a quick google search as some of the events are online in the form of virtual races and other events.

Let’s join in and Close the Gap!

Since 1976 U.S. presidents have officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. 1976 is nearly 50 years ago! One might ask, “Has dedicating a month to Black History helped us?”

Fifty years ago there was a profound absence of Black history in our education. Yes, it has helped. We have learned much with the focus on Black history in February, but there still are many events we need to learn about in order to know each other better. More Black history will be presented in the media this February and we appreciate it.

To add to the national educational effort AMS is happy to offer, in this blog, a story we didn’t know, featuring a word we’ve never heard… Exodusters! This month’s theme is Black Resistance and the Exoduster story has to do with resistance and courage. Here follows a quote from an article at Khan Academy regarding Black Resistance stories.

“In an effort to live, and maintain and protect economic success, Black people have organized/planned violent insurrections against those who enslaved them, such as in Haiti, and armed themselves against murderous white mobs as seen in Memphis, TN (1892), Rosewood, FL (1923), and New Orleans, LA (1900). Additionally, some Black people thought that the best way to resist was to self-liberate as seen by the actions those who left the plantation system, of Henry Adams and Benjamin “Pap” Singleton, when they led a mass exodus westward in 1879 and Bishop Henry McNeal Turner of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, who organized emigration to Liberia.”

Black Resistance

In this blog we are going to tell the story of the group of freedmen and women who chose to take advantage of the Homestead Act of 1862 which parceled out millions of acres of land to settlers. All US citizens, including women, freed slaves, and immigrants, were eligible to apply to the federal government for a “homestead,” or 160-acre plot of land.

Northerners and Republicans wanted to open the land to settlement by individual farmers, while Southern Democrats sought to make the land available only to slaveholders. The Exodusters were the freedmen who became migrants and left the South after the Civil War to settle in the states of Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Benjamin “Pap” Singleton

A Freedman named Benjamin “Pap” Singleton was the major organizer of the movement of thousands of Black men and women to homestead land in the free state of Kansas. He was living in a Union camp for fugitive slaves where he built and peddled cabinets and coffins. This was in the late 1860s. He saw his mission to help his people improve their lives by urging them to organize and claim farmland in Kansas. Singleton testified about the “Exodusters” before a committee of the U.S. Congress in 1880. A second wave of nearly 20,000 freedmen and women came to Kansas in 1879 and 1880.

Quoting from an article in the National Park Service (NPS) website, “This ‘Kansas Exodus,’ also referred to as the ‘Exoduster’ movement, represents the first major episode in an extensive history of voluntary mass migration among African Americans.”

Let’s break in with a quick question – did you, dear reader, know this Exoduster story? It is one among hundreds of untold stories that give us a far better picture of American history. In this story there were hopes and dreams ignited by the thought of land ownership. The NPS article goes on to say, “In 1879, a rumor spread that the US government was giving away free land for ex-slaves in Kansas. This further encouraged thousands of black Americans to move to Kansas. By the end of the year, over 40,000 had begun the journey to Kansas. Tenant farmers as they were now called often couldn’t make enough to provide for their families. It was quite rare for a southern black to own his land. In addition violence upon blacks was increasing. Many families began to look for ways to leave the South.”

The Kansas Story

One wonders about the rest of the story. What did they find in Kansas, did they establish towns and farms? More information on that time period is as follows:

“The reality of life for the exodusters in Kansas was difficult, however, and many of those who attempted to homestead the land remained poor. The most successful exodusters were those who migrated to urban areas like Topeka and found domestic or trade work. Despite Kansas’ reputation as a land of opportunity for blacks, many whites resented their presence, and the efforts of local governments to provide relief to the new arrivals frequently failed. As a result, the exodusters founded several black communities, such as the one at Nicodemus, Kansas.”

Read more of this exodusters story HERE at the Legends of America website.

As readers likely remember, in 1929 there was a crash of the stock market, followed by the drought and Great Depression. Kansas became known as the ‘dust bowl’ in the 1930s and food production progress came to an end.

We Create History

The history of the People of the United States is very interesting when you tell the whole story. We the People are evolving and thankfully the stories of Black Resistance are being told to celebrate Black History Month 2023. Many of us do not know these stories, and we benefit from learning. As we go forward, we need far more than one month in the year to learn the complicated, painful, and ultimately encouraging and inspiring stories that we the People make living day by day.

The AMS Fulfillment blog may bring you more Black Resistance stories before the month is over. AMS is a B Corporation, committed to Be the Change we wish to see in the world.

We encourage readers to visit one more link – HERE – for some information on how to celebrate Black History Month plus a list of videos and books to enjoy.