October is recognized as Employee Ownership Month, and we’re inviting all VGM employee owners to find what adventures await at Camp Ownership! All business units, or "cabins," will have opportunities to rack up points (and eCash) by participating in various activities throughout the month. Both in-person and virtual activities will be available so no matter where your cabinmates are located, all employee owners can join in the fun and help add to their business unit's points.
Ownership month will conclude with Cabin Finals—where each cabin will compete against each other in 6 in-person activities at HQ. When the dust settles, the top cabin will receive the Camp Ownership championship trophy.
On top of the fun, there will be plenty of educational opportunities with the launch of VGM's ESOP University—a new online education series introducing employees to VGM’s 100% employee-owned status and all of the benefits that come along with ownership.
Adventure awaits! See the full Camp Ownership schedule below to learn s’more of what’s to come.
Camp Ownership begins! It’s coffee galore at Headquarters*—each employee owner will receive their own Camp Ownership mug. Stop down to C1 entrance to pick up your mug and get your day started with a complimentary cup (or refill) of coffee from Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck from 8-10 a.m.
*Mugs will be available at remote locations as well.
Introducing the first installment of ESOP University! This course introduces you to VGM’s journey to 100% employee ownership and dives into what that it means for you as an employee owner. Whether you’re in your first month or 10th year with VGM, there’s always something to learn! Courses will be assigned to employee owners each week. To access them, visit your VGM online learning plan through VGM Education. Finishing ESOP 101 by Friday, Oct. 10, will contribute toward your cabin’s points and put $10 eCash into your account.
If you or a fellow employee owner would like to spread the word about VGM’s unique benefit – our ESOP – click the button below to submit your nomination. VGM's Employee Ownership Ambassadors serve as goodwill ambassadors to build awareness, energy, and enthusiasm about employee ownership at VGM. Ambassadors serve for three years and meet monthly to discuss ownership and ESOP-related communication and events. Nominations are due by Oct. 24.
Submit Nomination
Have an idea for our 2026 tagline? Submissions are due by Oct. 24. The winner will get to work with the Corporate Communications team on designing the poster! Submitting a tagline will contribute toward your cabin’s points, and you’ll receive $10 eCash!
Submit
Bring your family out to the VGM Farm and “camp out” to watch the 1998 classic “The Parent Trap” on the BIG screen in the machine shed. There will be pizza, s’mores, and beverages for everyone! Feel free to bring lawn chairs, bean bags, and blankets for an evening of family fun! (Sign up by noon on Friday, Oct. 10)
Sign Up
Are you ready to take ownership of your financial future at VGM? Join us for an engaging and insightful webinar where we’ll walk through how to use VGM’s powerful Wealth Calculator—a tool designed to help you visualize and plan your journey toward life-changing wealth.
Stop by the C2 loft for the VGM Camp Store! Check out some of the NEW items available to purchase with your eCash*. The Employee Ownership Ambassadors will be there to show you samples of all the apparel you can purchase on the eStore.
*eCash accounts will be updated at the end of each week so be sure to stop by or visit the online store throughout the month.
Follow these quick steps to access your account and start spending your eCash:
Click on the Online Store Button Below
Enter your Username - this is your email address used from the previous store login.
Click on the "Forgot Username/Password" link to create a new password.
You will receive an email to reset your password.
Click on the link provided in the email to create your new password.
Log in with your email and new password.
Your eCash account balance will be located in the upper right-hand corner of the window.
You are ready to shop!
If you have any questions or issues, please email Strategic Imaging at sales@strategic-imaging.com
In the second installment of ESOP University, you’ll learn a little about the difference between an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and a 401(k) and how your participation in an ESOP works. Courses will be assigned to employee owners each week. To access them, visit your VGM online learning plan through VGM Education. Complete ESOP 102 by Friday, Oct. 17, to contribute toward your cabin’s points. PLUS you’ll receive $10 eCash.
Everyone who attends will earn points toward their cabin total. Can’t make it in or work remotely? Post a photo to the ESOP Communications Facebook page of you doing some sort of beautification or service to earn points!
*Rain date for beautification at ALO locations is Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Sign Up And Order Shirt
Employee ownership gets better every single year. During Camp Ownership, let’s take time to celebrate those important milestones. If 2025 marks your first year or a 5-year milestone anniversary at VGM, watch your email for an invitation to celebrate this momentous occasion!
For the third installment of ESOP University, you’ll learn more about your ESOP and how your account grows during your time as an employee owner. Courses will be assigned to employee owners each week. To access them, visit your VGM online learning plan through VGM Education. Completing ESOP 103 by 2 p.m. CT Friday, Oct. 24 will earn your cabin points and put $10 eCash into your account.
We talk a lot about the life-changing wealth that comes with employee ownership. But there’s so much more to celebrate. Learn what employee ownership really means at Campfire Chat. Our panel of VGMers in various stages of ownership will share inspirational stories from their experience—whether they’re recently retired or recently vested! Join in-person* in the Walsh Theater or online. Attendees (whether in-person or virtual) will earn points for their cabin AND $10 eCash.
Panel:
Megan Joachim, VGM Fulfillment, Employee Owner Since 2023
Travis Caruth, VGM Forbin, Employee Owner Since 2021
Wendy Frost, VGM & Associates, Employee Owner Since 2019
Debbie Kline, Retired 2024 (HOMELINK)
*Space is limited to 50 in-person attendees
Register Here
Each cabin will be assigned one pumpkin to pick up in the C2 lounge between 3:30-4:45 p.m. Assign a pumpkin committee or have one or two teammates take the lead. Each pumpkin will come with a bag of three mystery items that MUST be incorporated. Bring the finished pumpkin back to VGM Headquarters on Monday, Oct. 27. Employee owners can check the entries out on the ESOP Communications Facebook page and vote for their favorite. Points will be assigned to each cabin based on voting results.
For the fourth installment of ESOP University, you’ll learn more about your ESOP and how your account grows during your time as an employee owner. To access the course, visit your VGM online learning plan through VGM Education. Completing this course by Noon on Tuesday, Oct 28, will earn your cabin points and put $10 eCash into your account. Completing after Noon on Oct 28 will still result in $10 eCash.
It’s the last day of Camp Ownership, and we’ve got jam-packed FINALS for all cabins to rack up more points. Each cabin will designate teammates to participate in 1 (or more) of the six challenges in the Camp Ownership Month FINALS. This will be the last chance to make up points to take that #1 spot. Employee owners should stop out anytime after 3 p.m. to cheer on their cabinmates and see which cabin gets the first place trophy. Be sure to bring your mug as warm beverages and snacks will be provided. followed by an all-employee photo in front of Building D.
All employee owners are encouraged to meet out in the south parking lot at VGM Headquarters to learn which cabin took home first place during Camp Ownership! Immediately following the trophy presentation will be group photo including everyone who is able to attend. Snacks and beverages will be provided. We hope everyone had fun this month and that you enjoyed your stay at Camp Ownership!
VGM’s annual HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR is happening from 3:30-5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, at HQ. Employees and their littles are encouraged to dress in a spooktacular costume and Trick or Treat throughout the various business units at VGM.
Business units can decorate their spaces with a theme as they see fit, and everyone is encouraged to dress up. We will have costumes judged for solo, duo, and small/large groups, with prizes handed out to the winners. Business units are encouraged to hand out candy to the little ones (and adults too) as they make their stops throughout VGM. Candy, decorations, etc. will need to be purchased at each business’ own expense.
Remote employees can participate in the costume contest—just post a photo to the VGM ESOP Communications Facebook page by 2 p.m. CT.
Sign UpThank you to everyone for Owning Your Ownership and Making A Difference every single day.
You should be proud of the work you do and the future you’re helping create.
Cheers to 17 years of 100% employee ownership, with many more to come.
