This week the WorldBlu principle is Fairness + Dignity. This is what they say about it – “Democratic organizations are committed to fairness and dignity, not treating some people like “somebodies” and other people like “nobodies.” Of the ten principles, this is the highest rated principle at Messiah Village. I am pleased that most people feel like they count at Messiah Village and that they are treated fairly. It encourages an atmosphere of trust and goodwill. And, if we show this toward each other, then residents and clients will also experience an atmosphere of fairness and dignity. Blessings as you go about your important work.

The WorldBlu principle for the week is Dialogue + Listening which they define as … “Instead of the top-down monologue or dysfunctional silence that characterizes most workplaces, democratic organizations are committed to having conversations that bring out new levels of meaning and connection.” I like how we have been working at this principle over the last couple of years. Some of the ways I think we have been doing this include: huddles, learning circles, drop-in gatherings in the multipurpose room (like for the dress code policy), President’s Circle, Organizational Council’s Journey with Others, etc. I hope that Carol Hess helps us to continue to do this in all areas of the Village.

This week we highlight WorldBlu principle #2: Transparency —“Say goodbye to the ‘secret society’ mentality. Democratic organizations are transparent and open with employees about the financial health, strategy, and agenda of the organization.”

Some ways that MV is transparent with employees are as follows: State of the Village meetings, sharing strategic and operational updates in This Week @ MV newsletter, Strategic Plan is on the MV Intranet as well other information, sharing quarterly dashboard indicators with Organizational Council members, open letters, huddles, an attitude of openness, and more…

To help celebrate our making the WorldBlu list, each week I will be including one of the ten principles that WorldBlu says make up a democratic workplace. It is a way for us to continue to encourage each other to live out these principles. The first principle is: Purpose and Vision. WorldBlu defines it this way – “A democratic organization is clear about why it exists (its purpose) and where it is headed and what it hopes to achieve (its vision). These act as its true North, offering guidance and discipline to the organization’s direction.”

Outside consultants and partners who work/visit Messiah Village often comment that people who work here know the mission statement, and they don’t usually find that to be the case. I hope you feel your work is important and part of something larger than all of us!

With all the excitement about the announcement that Messiah Village won the WorldBlu Most Democratic Workplace last week, little time was given to the big news that we broke ground in Mount Joy last Tuesday!

It may come as a surprise to some that  Messiah Village manages a small active adult community in Mount Joy called Mount Joy Country Homes. This is home to 50 residents living in 38 cottages.

Over the last year, we have been promoting the news that we are planning to transform the 8-acre retirement community to a 34-acre community with 114 cottages, a community center, assisted living, and commercial space. We are now ready to break ground on the first 10 cottages.

To see the site plan in detail go to: http://www.mjch.org/the-community/master-plan.php

What is so “funny” about this ground breaking is that it rained. I can’t tell you the number of events we have tried to hold a Country Homes this past year that were rained out! It has been a running joke. So, we really should not have been surprised when it rained 4 hours early and just in time for the ceremony.

Thankfully, it didn’t stop more than 50 people from coming out to witness the historic event.

Carl Ginder who is overseeing the expansion spoke a few words and then he was joined by a team representing many different groups who are excited to see this project get started.

Participating in the ground breaking ceremony:(Left to Right) Christine Stoltzfus, Senator Brubaker’s Office; Carl Ginder, Board Chair of Mount Joy Country Homes; Todd Newpher, Mount Joy Chamber President; Ken Barto, Mount Joy Borough; Dr. Emerson Lesher, President of Messiah Village; Alex Piehl, RGS Associates; Joe Wagman, President of Wagman Construction; James Lesher, Resident and Community Manager of Mount Joy Country Homes

It was an exciting day to finally see the project begin. Everyone enjoyed celebrating afterwards.

To learn more about the new cottages that will be ready this fall, visit www.MJCH.org.