There has been a coffee conundrum of sorts in the Johnston Regional Education Center (REC) for the past few years. Questions like “Does the Agency provide coffee?”, “Who can drink the coffee?”, “Is it only for certain meetings?” and “What about professional development classes?” have continued to bubble up.
Hot Beverage Vending Machine
In response to this issue, last week the Agency installed a self-service hot beverage vending machine in the Johnston REC lounge. This central service will meet the needs of our visitors attending classes and meetings at all times -- days, evenings and weekends -- and is also in line with how the Agency provides other beverages through vending machines (water, pop, juice).
The installation of a hot beverage machine will also free administrative staff from maintaining coffee pots and related supplies and cleaning up, so they can invest more time in meeting the needs of our visitors in other ways. The Agency’s current vending company, American Munchies (Iowa Department for the Blind), recommended the Cafforia machine, which has received positive reviews from other business customers. Cafforia provides up to 12 hot beverage choices, including espresso and hot cocoa, and visitors will pay $.50 for a 12 oz. cup and $.75 for a 14 oz. cup. There is no cost to the Agency for this new service aside from electricity and water fees. The new vending service will be monitored for product quality, safety and cost-effectiveness, and if it is well-received, the Agency will explore the addition of a hot beverage vending service for other regional offices that host large meetings (Adel and Ames).
Coffee Q & A
Q: Will the Bunn coffee machines be removed from the building?
A: No, but they will be relocated to only the kitchenette areas.
Q: Can Johnston REC staff members still have “coffee clubs”?
A: Yes. Please work with your colleagues on how you want to manage the coffee for your club.
Q: Can staff members use the Bunn coffee machines?
A: Yes. Any staff member and/or professional development instructor may supply their own coffee and use the Bunn machines and agency carafes to provide coffee for their events.
Q: Will there still be coffee supply baskets in our conference/meeting rooms?
A: We will remove the coffee supply baskets from the classrooms and keep one in the lounge by the new coffee machine and others in the kitchenettes.
Q: Will the Agency still purchase coffee?
A: Yes. There are limited occasions when members of our leadership team will direct administrative assistants to make coffee for agency events.
Q: How will I know the "coffee procedures"?
A: See this flowchart for a decision-making guide.
If you have any questions, contact Brandie Gean, Licensure & Conference Center Manager, at ext. 14459.
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