The annual Schlegel Villages Operational Planning retreat is an opportunity for leaders, team members, residents and trusted partners to come together and reaffirm their commitment to the organization’s mission to push past the institutional model of care for the elders of our communities.
The focus this year was on the concept of Neighbourhood Life, where individual relationships between team members, residents and families are the root of well being for all. The agenda over three days was packed with thought-provoking sessions led in large part by Dr. Al Power, a globally-respected thought leader in the realm of gerontology who has helped lead international change in the culture of aging.
There is much to unpack and stories to share in the days and weeks that follow the event as teams return to their Villages with detailed operational plans to hone in on in the coming year, and a sense of commitment and optimism will carry forth.
Len Carter, a resident from the Village of Erin Meadows who was invited to join the event, says he was amazed to see how engaged and committed the teams and leaders in attendance are to continuous quality improvement.
“It’s been very interesting,” Len says. “We, the residents, look at them and say they’re going on vacation when they head off to this retreat, so this has been a real eye-opener. We see the intention – the ‘why’ behind all they do.”
Len says he spoke with general manger Curtis Ferry during one of their smaller breakout planning sessions and says they must make efforts to educate all residents about what it means to plan for each step of progress in the efforts for continual quality improvement.
Melvin Alejo, a PSW from The Village of Riverside Glen, was part of the delegation from his Village as a Success Award winner, one of the direct care partners whose insights from the neighbourhood level are critically important when developing and implanting plans for progress.
“It’s really amazing here,” Melvin says when asked about his impression of the event and the opportunity he and the other success award winners had to share lunch with the president and CEO of the company along with other senior leaders. “It’s a bit surreal and just magical; overwhelming in a positive way and such an opportunity for growth.”
“The company acknowledges us for what we do, and they want to hear what we have to say.”
That’s part of the Schlegel approach to service – even as the company grows, it’s important that everyone feels as though they are connected to a larger family.
During the morning of Day 2, when the group of more than 500 people began the day with unique singing session led by Nobu Adilman and Daveed Goldman of Choir! Choir! Choir, that sense of togetherness quickly became apparent.
As he later reflected on the session, Nobu says he wasn’t sure what to expect when they were invited to the conference.
“I don’t really have an idea of what senior living people are like,” Nobu says, “but we have a lot of opportunities to go into a lot of different companies and get a sense of the culture of an organization. We put people into a vulnerable place and that’s scary for a lot of people but with this group, there was a lot of incredible energy.”
It’s energy that will carry forward into the future, and energy that people put into creating communities where everyone connected to Village life can thrive.
More to come from the annual Operational Planning retreat . . .
