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CONNECTIONSSupporting each other to better serve our neighbors JulyAugust 2017
ldquoValuesrdquo continued gtgt
Coming AttractionsAll times are Eastern except as noted
July 4-8 2017 Mennonite Church USA ConventionOrlando Florida
July 19 2017Regional Peace Church GatheringBluffton Ohio
September 6 2017 300 pmValued Leadership WebinarndashCulture
September 19 2017 1200 ndash 200 pmINMI ChaplainsGreencroft Goshen IN
October 3-6 2017Values-based Leadership ProgramLaurelville PA
October 9-10 2017Executive CircleSchaumburg IL
October 10-11 2017Great Transitions RetreatSchaumburg IL
October 18 2017 1130 am ndash 2 pmRegional Peace Church GatheringBluffton Ohio
November 30 2017 100 pmValued Leadership WebinarndashChange
Values MatterA reflection by Karen Lehman MHS Consultant
Through my recruitment and executive search work I have come to believe that hiring for an organizationrsquos values and culture is key to a candidatersquos commitment and long-term engagement and ultimately the success of the organization
Candidate experience qualifications certifications and licenses are all important to ensure performance and organizational goals can be met However understanding believing in and ldquoowningrdquo the organizationrsquos mission and values is at the heart of a successful search process
It is easy to understand how an individual develops values from family role modeling life experiences and church connectedness It is less clear how this process works in an organization
How does a group of individuals (board executives employees and various stakeholders) maintain its core values mission and culture over the years and through different leadership and organizational life cycles
Many of our Anabaptist organizations today have leaders
both at the board and executive levels that do not come from Anabaptist backgrounds Some organizations have moved away from founding missions such as creating a home for missionaries or widows and have greatly expanded the population of those served Some of our organizations may no longer even serve Anabaptists Maintaining our Anabaptist culture our unique values and mission focus has become an even greater challenge
Late last year I had the opportunity to begin a conversation about Mennonite values and culture with a colleague JDavid Yoder CEO at Sunnyside Village (Sarasota Fla) Since then we have maintained an ongoing discussion about the challenge of leading and maintaining deeply-rooted Anabaptist culture
ldquoIrsquom not trying to keep Sunnyside locked into the past 50 yearsrdquo explained J David ldquoRather wersquore laying a foundation for the next 50rdquoldquoBut to do this we need to understand what has been influential to getting us where we are We need to understand how our Anabaptist culture lays the groundwork for our futurerdquo he said
ldquoItrsquos not too early to start thinking about Assemblyrdquo We say it every year but this year it rings especially true The annual Mennonite Health Assembly is undergoing exciting changes and we want to encourage you to take part At this yearrsquos gathering we will focus on a resource that we all have Stories Through interactive general sessions discussions and learning labs we will hear and share stories surrounding the 2018 Assembly theme ldquoCelebrating Resiliencerdquo Expect an event that is engaging upbeat and as always full of resources designed with member organizations in mind
Registration for Assembly 2018 March 8-10 in Pittsburgh Pa will open this fall Visit mhsonlineorg today to submit a story or learning lab proposal
Mim Shirk Senior Vice President
In My Own Words Exciting changes for Assembly 2018
After JDavid and I had started these conversations I had the privilege of conducting an executive search to replace their retiring Health Services Administrator Throughout the process it was apparent that at the core of our search work was a focus on mission values and the Sunnyside Village culture
After each interview the search committee would come back to the question of ldquoright fitrdquo We found a lot of qualified candidates anxious to join a faith-based non-profit community but we found only a few individuals that not only had the credentials and experience but ldquogotrdquo the values and culture of the community what they call ldquothe Sunnyside Wayrdquo
All our Anabaptist organizations have an underlying ldquoSunnyside Wayrdquo Some of us can articulate what it means and some of us like Sunnyside are working hard at pinpointing all of the characteristics and values that make up the culture in existence today All are asking important questions about how we can enhance that unique character and culture of our organizations
As J David noted ldquoIf we understand who we are and what has gotten us to this point we can be confident that who we hire will move us into the next generationrdquo
On the MHS Valued Leadership website valuedleadershiporg there are stories and thought-provoking examples of the four core values that make a great leader Character Collaboration Culture and Change Anabaptist values-based search processes and hiring decisions prioritize these ldquo4 Crsquosrdquo
With a focus on values and the ldquoright fitrdquo for the culture an organization can and will maintain its core mission over the years and through different leadership and organization life cycles
Values do matter
ldquoWe found a lot of qualified candidates anxious to join a faith-based non-profit community but we found only a few individuals that not only had the credentials and experience but
ldquogotrdquo the values and culture of the community what they call ldquothe Sunnyside Wayrdquo
An Extraordinary Collaboration Continues
The second Lebanon Interfaith Elder Care Group conference met April 22 2017 in Mzaar Lebanon to bring attention to current challenges and goals The group is comprised of administrators who operate faith-based organizations serving older adults within their communities Through a connection originally established by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) MHS and Palm Village Retirement Community a MHS member organization have served as ongoing resources for the developing entity since its first gathering in 2015 As a result MHS PresidentCEO Rick Stiffney and Palm Village PresidentCEO David Reimer both participated in the spring gathering The Backstory Few options in a war-torn country
The Elder Care Group emerged in Lebanon two years ago following decades of sectarian tension conflict and war ldquoCooperation between faith-based organization is not unusual in many placesrdquo explained Stiffney in an April report ldquoBut it is profound in Lebanon especially when interfaith reaches across between the Shia Sunni Druze Maronite Latin Catholic Armenian Christian and Protestant Christian communitiesrdquo he wrote The unique collaboration was spurred by growing need As many young adults look for work and education in other countries elderly who already face the financial physical and emotional burdens of a war-torn country are left with few options for care Only 53 long-term care facilities exist in Lebanon Local leader Joyce Eid is the General Manager of Moadieh Evangelical Center the only assisted living center in Beirut
Online Resources
Webmhsonlineorg
Valued Leadershipvaluedleadershiporg
Mennonite Health Assemblyhttpsmhaelgconference wordpresscom
FacebookfacebookcompagesMenno-nite-Health-Assembly
Rickrsquos Blogmhsalliancewordpresscom
Contact Us
1112 N Main StreetGoshen IN 46528(574) 534-9689
MHSAPG Office
2160 Lincoln Highway EastSuite 7Lancaster PA 17602(717) 560-4296
Via MCC Eid connected with David Reimer PresidentCEO of Palm Village Retirement Community (Reedley Calif) and MHS in 2012 Since then both organizations have played an essential role in resourcing the emerging interfaith group Fueled by a generous memorial financial gift made on behalf of Ken Enns a former Palm Village staff and board member Stiffney and Reimer attended the second-ever conference where they served as consultant and speaker respectively Massachusetts-based architect Philippe Saad and Nadim Abi Antoun COO of Presbyterian Homes (Illinois) also presented ldquoPhillipe and Nadim have dual citizenships of Lebanon and the United States so their fluency in Arabic was invaluable to the success of the conferencerdquo Stiffney said A Call for Continued Education
After extensive conversation including presentations on board-executive relationships and senior-friendly building environments and program design group members shared openly regarding goals moving forward They strongly affirmed the need to continue to share practices and education as well as to establish themselves as a formal legal organization in Lebanon Through this group Stiffney observed ldquoThey want to support each other do joint education and be a strong and united voice in shaping faith-based services for older adults across Lebanonrdquo He concluded ldquoIn a global context of great tension and conflict the good news of reconciliation breaks through in unanticipated waysrdquo Stiffney said
MHS Seeks Applicants
MHS a community of Anabaptist health and human service ministries seeks its next CEO to lead the membership as they strengthen and extend themselves in faithfully and effectively fulfilling their missions Interested and qualified persons with proven track records in successful executive leadership are invited to apply by sending their resume with references to itbeginsdesigngroupintlcom Opportunity to apply closes 25 August 2017
Stiffney Retirement
The Board of Directors of MHS announced June 2nd that PresidentCEO Rick Siffney will retire in the spring of 2018 Stiffney will conclude 20 years of leadership with MHS and a total of 40 years in Mennonite health and human service ministry ldquoIrsquom deeply grateful to have had this opportunity to serverdquo said Stiffney in a June press release ldquoItrsquos been an honor to work with capable boards and a talented staff at MHS and with executives and boards across the country who aspire to have Anabaptist faith make a difference in the mission and impact of their organizationsrdquo Board Chair Laurie Nafziger added ldquoUnder Rickrsquos leadership MHS has grown in membership and expanded its reach We are grateful for his deep commitment to health and human service ministries grounded in Christian servicesrdquo Plans for a public farewell party to be held in conjunction with the 2018 Health Assembly in Pittsburgh Pa are currently underway
Trends
Schowalter Villa (Hesston Kan) announced the completion of a $61 million fundraising phase of the Private Homes for Everyone Campaign The campaign launched in April 2016 will enable Schowalter Villa a Bluestem Community to offer private healthcare rooms for all residents and to construct a new two-story assisted living building Subsidiary projects include two new classrooms for the Hesston Community Child Care and exterior touch-ups including new walking paths
The campaignrsquos success was attributed to over 250 individual donors the campaign steering committee and a prayer committee The new assisted living building will be named in honor of Roy and Bess Mullet in recognition of lead gifts from Excel Industries and the Mullet family ldquoWe are extremely thankful for the generosity demonstrated by Excel Industries and the Mullet familyrdquo said CEOPresident James Krehbiel in a March 2017 press release ldquoThey among many others have played a significant role in helping this project become a reality for our current and future residentsrdquo he said Construction is anticipated to be complete by Summer 2018
Member News
Groundbreaking Celebration At Mennonite Village
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Tuesday April 18 for a new $19 million remodel and addition to the Mennonite Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Albany Ore ldquoThis is a real milestone for Mennonite Village Wersquore preparing for the needs of the futurerdquo said Ron Litwiller Mennonite Village PresidentCEO The project expected to be completed in late 2018 will increase the privacy of residents in the nursing home facility by creating private rooms with bathrooms for all residents The new facility will allow Mennonite Village to continue providing the Christ-centered care people deserve and expect from our organization The project will include the removal of the north wing of Mennonite Home and the construction of a new 50000 square foot building to replace it That three-story structure will have 42 private rooms as well as community room beauty salon and state-of-the-art therapy center The rest of the existing nursing facility will be remodeled and semi-private rooms will be converted to private rooms with bathrooms Mennonite Homersquos total bed count of 95 will not change
ldquoMember Newsrdquo continued gtgt
ldquoMennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an
ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Mennonite Village now has 700 residents rdquo
Nearly 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony Participants included a longterm resident and a longterm staff member of Mennonite Home in addition to administrators and Board chairperson Mennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Over the next four years her nephews Frank and Levi Kropf designed raised funds and built the Mennonite Home for the Aged on five acres of donated land The Home was dedicated on July 27 1947 and accommodated 25 residents Mennonite Village now has 700 residents on its continuing care retirement community campus
3 New CEOs Take The Helm
Jeremy LaKoshMaple Lawn Eureka Ill
ldquoWhen I came to Maple Lawn as the CFO we faced a number of challenges across the different lines of business After we divested our Health Center and Apartment complex the opportunity to lead the
independent living market-based housing portion of our campus arose Irsquove been attached to the Eureka community for 16 years and Irsquove known some residents of Maple Lawn Homes for most of that time I am more than delighted to serve a constituency whose decades of hard work and sacrifice created the environment we get to enjoy todayrdquo
Jason AbodeelySunshine Communities Maumee Ohio
ldquoThere are several scenarios a new CEO can transition into My predecessor and I may very well have bookended those extremes While my mentor was quite literally relocated into an open CEO position that was
being temporarily filled by our previous Director of Human Resources I was blessed to have the benefit of a planned and well-executed transition My journey started more than two years prior to our executive search when I was hired as our COO I was not promised the CEO position at that point nor given assurance that my name would be considered when that opportunity arose That was the first of many thoughtful decisions
Have news to shareIf you have staff transitions you would like to announce or a job posting you would like to submit to MHS send a note to emilymhsonlineorg
that helped to shape a successful tenure as COO I was given the opportunity to succeed in the role I was hired for create an environment and culture of my own and do so with complete focus on the job at hand There was a much clearer path to success without the distraction of ldquothe next jobrdquo The next phase surrounded our discernment process Over the course of several months our board of directors lead our leadership team through a series of interviews with the intent of determining the qualities theyrsquod like to see in our next CEO One of many objectives of that process was to determine if the board was going to extend the search to outside candidates While there were several organization benefits to that process a personal benefit was the realization that my peers felt confident that I was a viable candidate With the final step completed at the MHS annual board meeting the process began for me to transition into my new role I was given the opportunity to watch listen and learn for almost a year That process proved invaluable ndash as I was also able to meaningfully transition my existing responsibilities throughout the agency in a thoughtful and strategic way Most of us acknowledge that you canrsquot fully prepare for what yoursquove never experienced There is no ldquoperfectrdquo transition when it comes to running an organization However with the right combination of planning and prayer (and a touch of luck) I feel confident my experience was one Irsquoll try and emulate when my time at Sunshine comes to a closerdquo
Leland SappPeaceful Living Harleysville Pa
ldquoNow that I am officially in my new role as CEO for Peaceful Living I find myself reflecting on this two year process How fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to work directly with Joe Landis Founder
and Former CEO as well as MHS The transition process was thorough yet smooth giving me the confidence that I needed to know that I am the right choice for this position I go to work each day with a desire to fulfill our mission of ldquoCreating Belonging for persons with disabilities within a faith communityrdquo Surrounded by a competent board and strong executive team I am confident that we will continue to move Peaceful Living forward as God intendedrdquo
It takes just a quick peek across the landscape of contemporary society to recognize that there is a deep yearning for leadership that integrates competence with character There are plenty of leaders with the first--the talent and skill to do something--but many lack integrity Integrity begins with the heart of leaders It requires attention to personal values and convictions The foundation of the Values-based Leadership Program (VBLP) is an Anabaptist Christian worldview However part of
the strength of the program is the diversity of faith stories and leadership settings represented Uniquely VBLP offers both seasoned and aspiring leaders an opportunity to deepen their self-understanding clarify the convictions they hope will shape their leadership and hone practical skills The resource or faculty team are all seasoned leaders who share vulnerably from their own journeys Participants interact closely with trustworthy peers
Interaction is coupled with opportunities for personal reflection Reading assignments and small group phone check-ins offer ongoing learning between face to face sessions It is not unusual that alumni of the program years later view the Value-based Leadership Program as one of the most formative leadership development experiences in their life For an experience that may very well change your leadership and life sign up now
Rick Stiffney PresidentCEO
The Last Word An Opportunity for Leadership Development
ldquoItrsquos not too early to start thinking about Assemblyrdquo We say it every year but this year it rings especially true The annual Mennonite Health Assembly is undergoing exciting changes and we want to encourage you to take part At this yearrsquos gathering we will focus on a resource that we all have Stories Through interactive general sessions discussions and learning labs we will hear and share stories surrounding the 2018 Assembly theme ldquoCelebrating Resiliencerdquo Expect an event that is engaging upbeat and as always full of resources designed with member organizations in mind
Registration for Assembly 2018 March 8-10 in Pittsburgh Pa will open this fall Visit mhsonlineorg today to submit a story or learning lab proposal
Mim Shirk Senior Vice President
In My Own Words Exciting changes for Assembly 2018
After JDavid and I had started these conversations I had the privilege of conducting an executive search to replace their retiring Health Services Administrator Throughout the process it was apparent that at the core of our search work was a focus on mission values and the Sunnyside Village culture
After each interview the search committee would come back to the question of ldquoright fitrdquo We found a lot of qualified candidates anxious to join a faith-based non-profit community but we found only a few individuals that not only had the credentials and experience but ldquogotrdquo the values and culture of the community what they call ldquothe Sunnyside Wayrdquo
All our Anabaptist organizations have an underlying ldquoSunnyside Wayrdquo Some of us can articulate what it means and some of us like Sunnyside are working hard at pinpointing all of the characteristics and values that make up the culture in existence today All are asking important questions about how we can enhance that unique character and culture of our organizations
As J David noted ldquoIf we understand who we are and what has gotten us to this point we can be confident that who we hire will move us into the next generationrdquo
On the MHS Valued Leadership website valuedleadershiporg there are stories and thought-provoking examples of the four core values that make a great leader Character Collaboration Culture and Change Anabaptist values-based search processes and hiring decisions prioritize these ldquo4 Crsquosrdquo
With a focus on values and the ldquoright fitrdquo for the culture an organization can and will maintain its core mission over the years and through different leadership and organization life cycles
Values do matter
ldquoWe found a lot of qualified candidates anxious to join a faith-based non-profit community but we found only a few individuals that not only had the credentials and experience but
ldquogotrdquo the values and culture of the community what they call ldquothe Sunnyside Wayrdquo
An Extraordinary Collaboration Continues
The second Lebanon Interfaith Elder Care Group conference met April 22 2017 in Mzaar Lebanon to bring attention to current challenges and goals The group is comprised of administrators who operate faith-based organizations serving older adults within their communities Through a connection originally established by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) MHS and Palm Village Retirement Community a MHS member organization have served as ongoing resources for the developing entity since its first gathering in 2015 As a result MHS PresidentCEO Rick Stiffney and Palm Village PresidentCEO David Reimer both participated in the spring gathering The Backstory Few options in a war-torn country
The Elder Care Group emerged in Lebanon two years ago following decades of sectarian tension conflict and war ldquoCooperation between faith-based organization is not unusual in many placesrdquo explained Stiffney in an April report ldquoBut it is profound in Lebanon especially when interfaith reaches across between the Shia Sunni Druze Maronite Latin Catholic Armenian Christian and Protestant Christian communitiesrdquo he wrote The unique collaboration was spurred by growing need As many young adults look for work and education in other countries elderly who already face the financial physical and emotional burdens of a war-torn country are left with few options for care Only 53 long-term care facilities exist in Lebanon Local leader Joyce Eid is the General Manager of Moadieh Evangelical Center the only assisted living center in Beirut
Online Resources
Webmhsonlineorg
Valued Leadershipvaluedleadershiporg
Mennonite Health Assemblyhttpsmhaelgconference wordpresscom
FacebookfacebookcompagesMenno-nite-Health-Assembly
Rickrsquos Blogmhsalliancewordpresscom
Contact Us
1112 N Main StreetGoshen IN 46528(574) 534-9689
MHSAPG Office
2160 Lincoln Highway EastSuite 7Lancaster PA 17602(717) 560-4296
Via MCC Eid connected with David Reimer PresidentCEO of Palm Village Retirement Community (Reedley Calif) and MHS in 2012 Since then both organizations have played an essential role in resourcing the emerging interfaith group Fueled by a generous memorial financial gift made on behalf of Ken Enns a former Palm Village staff and board member Stiffney and Reimer attended the second-ever conference where they served as consultant and speaker respectively Massachusetts-based architect Philippe Saad and Nadim Abi Antoun COO of Presbyterian Homes (Illinois) also presented ldquoPhillipe and Nadim have dual citizenships of Lebanon and the United States so their fluency in Arabic was invaluable to the success of the conferencerdquo Stiffney said A Call for Continued Education
After extensive conversation including presentations on board-executive relationships and senior-friendly building environments and program design group members shared openly regarding goals moving forward They strongly affirmed the need to continue to share practices and education as well as to establish themselves as a formal legal organization in Lebanon Through this group Stiffney observed ldquoThey want to support each other do joint education and be a strong and united voice in shaping faith-based services for older adults across Lebanonrdquo He concluded ldquoIn a global context of great tension and conflict the good news of reconciliation breaks through in unanticipated waysrdquo Stiffney said
MHS Seeks Applicants
MHS a community of Anabaptist health and human service ministries seeks its next CEO to lead the membership as they strengthen and extend themselves in faithfully and effectively fulfilling their missions Interested and qualified persons with proven track records in successful executive leadership are invited to apply by sending their resume with references to itbeginsdesigngroupintlcom Opportunity to apply closes 25 August 2017
Stiffney Retirement
The Board of Directors of MHS announced June 2nd that PresidentCEO Rick Siffney will retire in the spring of 2018 Stiffney will conclude 20 years of leadership with MHS and a total of 40 years in Mennonite health and human service ministry ldquoIrsquom deeply grateful to have had this opportunity to serverdquo said Stiffney in a June press release ldquoItrsquos been an honor to work with capable boards and a talented staff at MHS and with executives and boards across the country who aspire to have Anabaptist faith make a difference in the mission and impact of their organizationsrdquo Board Chair Laurie Nafziger added ldquoUnder Rickrsquos leadership MHS has grown in membership and expanded its reach We are grateful for his deep commitment to health and human service ministries grounded in Christian servicesrdquo Plans for a public farewell party to be held in conjunction with the 2018 Health Assembly in Pittsburgh Pa are currently underway
Trends
Schowalter Villa (Hesston Kan) announced the completion of a $61 million fundraising phase of the Private Homes for Everyone Campaign The campaign launched in April 2016 will enable Schowalter Villa a Bluestem Community to offer private healthcare rooms for all residents and to construct a new two-story assisted living building Subsidiary projects include two new classrooms for the Hesston Community Child Care and exterior touch-ups including new walking paths
The campaignrsquos success was attributed to over 250 individual donors the campaign steering committee and a prayer committee The new assisted living building will be named in honor of Roy and Bess Mullet in recognition of lead gifts from Excel Industries and the Mullet family ldquoWe are extremely thankful for the generosity demonstrated by Excel Industries and the Mullet familyrdquo said CEOPresident James Krehbiel in a March 2017 press release ldquoThey among many others have played a significant role in helping this project become a reality for our current and future residentsrdquo he said Construction is anticipated to be complete by Summer 2018
Member News
Groundbreaking Celebration At Mennonite Village
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Tuesday April 18 for a new $19 million remodel and addition to the Mennonite Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Albany Ore ldquoThis is a real milestone for Mennonite Village Wersquore preparing for the needs of the futurerdquo said Ron Litwiller Mennonite Village PresidentCEO The project expected to be completed in late 2018 will increase the privacy of residents in the nursing home facility by creating private rooms with bathrooms for all residents The new facility will allow Mennonite Village to continue providing the Christ-centered care people deserve and expect from our organization The project will include the removal of the north wing of Mennonite Home and the construction of a new 50000 square foot building to replace it That three-story structure will have 42 private rooms as well as community room beauty salon and state-of-the-art therapy center The rest of the existing nursing facility will be remodeled and semi-private rooms will be converted to private rooms with bathrooms Mennonite Homersquos total bed count of 95 will not change
ldquoMember Newsrdquo continued gtgt
ldquoMennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an
ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Mennonite Village now has 700 residents rdquo
Nearly 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony Participants included a longterm resident and a longterm staff member of Mennonite Home in addition to administrators and Board chairperson Mennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Over the next four years her nephews Frank and Levi Kropf designed raised funds and built the Mennonite Home for the Aged on five acres of donated land The Home was dedicated on July 27 1947 and accommodated 25 residents Mennonite Village now has 700 residents on its continuing care retirement community campus
3 New CEOs Take The Helm
Jeremy LaKoshMaple Lawn Eureka Ill
ldquoWhen I came to Maple Lawn as the CFO we faced a number of challenges across the different lines of business After we divested our Health Center and Apartment complex the opportunity to lead the
independent living market-based housing portion of our campus arose Irsquove been attached to the Eureka community for 16 years and Irsquove known some residents of Maple Lawn Homes for most of that time I am more than delighted to serve a constituency whose decades of hard work and sacrifice created the environment we get to enjoy todayrdquo
Jason AbodeelySunshine Communities Maumee Ohio
ldquoThere are several scenarios a new CEO can transition into My predecessor and I may very well have bookended those extremes While my mentor was quite literally relocated into an open CEO position that was
being temporarily filled by our previous Director of Human Resources I was blessed to have the benefit of a planned and well-executed transition My journey started more than two years prior to our executive search when I was hired as our COO I was not promised the CEO position at that point nor given assurance that my name would be considered when that opportunity arose That was the first of many thoughtful decisions
Have news to shareIf you have staff transitions you would like to announce or a job posting you would like to submit to MHS send a note to emilymhsonlineorg
that helped to shape a successful tenure as COO I was given the opportunity to succeed in the role I was hired for create an environment and culture of my own and do so with complete focus on the job at hand There was a much clearer path to success without the distraction of ldquothe next jobrdquo The next phase surrounded our discernment process Over the course of several months our board of directors lead our leadership team through a series of interviews with the intent of determining the qualities theyrsquod like to see in our next CEO One of many objectives of that process was to determine if the board was going to extend the search to outside candidates While there were several organization benefits to that process a personal benefit was the realization that my peers felt confident that I was a viable candidate With the final step completed at the MHS annual board meeting the process began for me to transition into my new role I was given the opportunity to watch listen and learn for almost a year That process proved invaluable ndash as I was also able to meaningfully transition my existing responsibilities throughout the agency in a thoughtful and strategic way Most of us acknowledge that you canrsquot fully prepare for what yoursquove never experienced There is no ldquoperfectrdquo transition when it comes to running an organization However with the right combination of planning and prayer (and a touch of luck) I feel confident my experience was one Irsquoll try and emulate when my time at Sunshine comes to a closerdquo
Leland SappPeaceful Living Harleysville Pa
ldquoNow that I am officially in my new role as CEO for Peaceful Living I find myself reflecting on this two year process How fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to work directly with Joe Landis Founder
and Former CEO as well as MHS The transition process was thorough yet smooth giving me the confidence that I needed to know that I am the right choice for this position I go to work each day with a desire to fulfill our mission of ldquoCreating Belonging for persons with disabilities within a faith communityrdquo Surrounded by a competent board and strong executive team I am confident that we will continue to move Peaceful Living forward as God intendedrdquo
It takes just a quick peek across the landscape of contemporary society to recognize that there is a deep yearning for leadership that integrates competence with character There are plenty of leaders with the first--the talent and skill to do something--but many lack integrity Integrity begins with the heart of leaders It requires attention to personal values and convictions The foundation of the Values-based Leadership Program (VBLP) is an Anabaptist Christian worldview However part of
the strength of the program is the diversity of faith stories and leadership settings represented Uniquely VBLP offers both seasoned and aspiring leaders an opportunity to deepen their self-understanding clarify the convictions they hope will shape their leadership and hone practical skills The resource or faculty team are all seasoned leaders who share vulnerably from their own journeys Participants interact closely with trustworthy peers
Interaction is coupled with opportunities for personal reflection Reading assignments and small group phone check-ins offer ongoing learning between face to face sessions It is not unusual that alumni of the program years later view the Value-based Leadership Program as one of the most formative leadership development experiences in their life For an experience that may very well change your leadership and life sign up now
Rick Stiffney PresidentCEO
The Last Word An Opportunity for Leadership Development
After JDavid and I had started these conversations I had the privilege of conducting an executive search to replace their retiring Health Services Administrator Throughout the process it was apparent that at the core of our search work was a focus on mission values and the Sunnyside Village culture
After each interview the search committee would come back to the question of ldquoright fitrdquo We found a lot of qualified candidates anxious to join a faith-based non-profit community but we found only a few individuals that not only had the credentials and experience but ldquogotrdquo the values and culture of the community what they call ldquothe Sunnyside Wayrdquo
All our Anabaptist organizations have an underlying ldquoSunnyside Wayrdquo Some of us can articulate what it means and some of us like Sunnyside are working hard at pinpointing all of the characteristics and values that make up the culture in existence today All are asking important questions about how we can enhance that unique character and culture of our organizations
As J David noted ldquoIf we understand who we are and what has gotten us to this point we can be confident that who we hire will move us into the next generationrdquo
On the MHS Valued Leadership website valuedleadershiporg there are stories and thought-provoking examples of the four core values that make a great leader Character Collaboration Culture and Change Anabaptist values-based search processes and hiring decisions prioritize these ldquo4 Crsquosrdquo
With a focus on values and the ldquoright fitrdquo for the culture an organization can and will maintain its core mission over the years and through different leadership and organization life cycles
Values do matter
ldquoWe found a lot of qualified candidates anxious to join a faith-based non-profit community but we found only a few individuals that not only had the credentials and experience but
ldquogotrdquo the values and culture of the community what they call ldquothe Sunnyside Wayrdquo
An Extraordinary Collaboration Continues
The second Lebanon Interfaith Elder Care Group conference met April 22 2017 in Mzaar Lebanon to bring attention to current challenges and goals The group is comprised of administrators who operate faith-based organizations serving older adults within their communities Through a connection originally established by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) MHS and Palm Village Retirement Community a MHS member organization have served as ongoing resources for the developing entity since its first gathering in 2015 As a result MHS PresidentCEO Rick Stiffney and Palm Village PresidentCEO David Reimer both participated in the spring gathering The Backstory Few options in a war-torn country
The Elder Care Group emerged in Lebanon two years ago following decades of sectarian tension conflict and war ldquoCooperation between faith-based organization is not unusual in many placesrdquo explained Stiffney in an April report ldquoBut it is profound in Lebanon especially when interfaith reaches across between the Shia Sunni Druze Maronite Latin Catholic Armenian Christian and Protestant Christian communitiesrdquo he wrote The unique collaboration was spurred by growing need As many young adults look for work and education in other countries elderly who already face the financial physical and emotional burdens of a war-torn country are left with few options for care Only 53 long-term care facilities exist in Lebanon Local leader Joyce Eid is the General Manager of Moadieh Evangelical Center the only assisted living center in Beirut
Online Resources
Webmhsonlineorg
Valued Leadershipvaluedleadershiporg
Mennonite Health Assemblyhttpsmhaelgconference wordpresscom
FacebookfacebookcompagesMenno-nite-Health-Assembly
Rickrsquos Blogmhsalliancewordpresscom
Contact Us
1112 N Main StreetGoshen IN 46528(574) 534-9689
MHSAPG Office
2160 Lincoln Highway EastSuite 7Lancaster PA 17602(717) 560-4296
Via MCC Eid connected with David Reimer PresidentCEO of Palm Village Retirement Community (Reedley Calif) and MHS in 2012 Since then both organizations have played an essential role in resourcing the emerging interfaith group Fueled by a generous memorial financial gift made on behalf of Ken Enns a former Palm Village staff and board member Stiffney and Reimer attended the second-ever conference where they served as consultant and speaker respectively Massachusetts-based architect Philippe Saad and Nadim Abi Antoun COO of Presbyterian Homes (Illinois) also presented ldquoPhillipe and Nadim have dual citizenships of Lebanon and the United States so their fluency in Arabic was invaluable to the success of the conferencerdquo Stiffney said A Call for Continued Education
After extensive conversation including presentations on board-executive relationships and senior-friendly building environments and program design group members shared openly regarding goals moving forward They strongly affirmed the need to continue to share practices and education as well as to establish themselves as a formal legal organization in Lebanon Through this group Stiffney observed ldquoThey want to support each other do joint education and be a strong and united voice in shaping faith-based services for older adults across Lebanonrdquo He concluded ldquoIn a global context of great tension and conflict the good news of reconciliation breaks through in unanticipated waysrdquo Stiffney said
MHS Seeks Applicants
MHS a community of Anabaptist health and human service ministries seeks its next CEO to lead the membership as they strengthen and extend themselves in faithfully and effectively fulfilling their missions Interested and qualified persons with proven track records in successful executive leadership are invited to apply by sending their resume with references to itbeginsdesigngroupintlcom Opportunity to apply closes 25 August 2017
Stiffney Retirement
The Board of Directors of MHS announced June 2nd that PresidentCEO Rick Siffney will retire in the spring of 2018 Stiffney will conclude 20 years of leadership with MHS and a total of 40 years in Mennonite health and human service ministry ldquoIrsquom deeply grateful to have had this opportunity to serverdquo said Stiffney in a June press release ldquoItrsquos been an honor to work with capable boards and a talented staff at MHS and with executives and boards across the country who aspire to have Anabaptist faith make a difference in the mission and impact of their organizationsrdquo Board Chair Laurie Nafziger added ldquoUnder Rickrsquos leadership MHS has grown in membership and expanded its reach We are grateful for his deep commitment to health and human service ministries grounded in Christian servicesrdquo Plans for a public farewell party to be held in conjunction with the 2018 Health Assembly in Pittsburgh Pa are currently underway
Trends
Schowalter Villa (Hesston Kan) announced the completion of a $61 million fundraising phase of the Private Homes for Everyone Campaign The campaign launched in April 2016 will enable Schowalter Villa a Bluestem Community to offer private healthcare rooms for all residents and to construct a new two-story assisted living building Subsidiary projects include two new classrooms for the Hesston Community Child Care and exterior touch-ups including new walking paths
The campaignrsquos success was attributed to over 250 individual donors the campaign steering committee and a prayer committee The new assisted living building will be named in honor of Roy and Bess Mullet in recognition of lead gifts from Excel Industries and the Mullet family ldquoWe are extremely thankful for the generosity demonstrated by Excel Industries and the Mullet familyrdquo said CEOPresident James Krehbiel in a March 2017 press release ldquoThey among many others have played a significant role in helping this project become a reality for our current and future residentsrdquo he said Construction is anticipated to be complete by Summer 2018
Member News
Groundbreaking Celebration At Mennonite Village
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Tuesday April 18 for a new $19 million remodel and addition to the Mennonite Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Albany Ore ldquoThis is a real milestone for Mennonite Village Wersquore preparing for the needs of the futurerdquo said Ron Litwiller Mennonite Village PresidentCEO The project expected to be completed in late 2018 will increase the privacy of residents in the nursing home facility by creating private rooms with bathrooms for all residents The new facility will allow Mennonite Village to continue providing the Christ-centered care people deserve and expect from our organization The project will include the removal of the north wing of Mennonite Home and the construction of a new 50000 square foot building to replace it That three-story structure will have 42 private rooms as well as community room beauty salon and state-of-the-art therapy center The rest of the existing nursing facility will be remodeled and semi-private rooms will be converted to private rooms with bathrooms Mennonite Homersquos total bed count of 95 will not change
ldquoMember Newsrdquo continued gtgt
ldquoMennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an
ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Mennonite Village now has 700 residents rdquo
Nearly 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony Participants included a longterm resident and a longterm staff member of Mennonite Home in addition to administrators and Board chairperson Mennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Over the next four years her nephews Frank and Levi Kropf designed raised funds and built the Mennonite Home for the Aged on five acres of donated land The Home was dedicated on July 27 1947 and accommodated 25 residents Mennonite Village now has 700 residents on its continuing care retirement community campus
3 New CEOs Take The Helm
Jeremy LaKoshMaple Lawn Eureka Ill
ldquoWhen I came to Maple Lawn as the CFO we faced a number of challenges across the different lines of business After we divested our Health Center and Apartment complex the opportunity to lead the
independent living market-based housing portion of our campus arose Irsquove been attached to the Eureka community for 16 years and Irsquove known some residents of Maple Lawn Homes for most of that time I am more than delighted to serve a constituency whose decades of hard work and sacrifice created the environment we get to enjoy todayrdquo
Jason AbodeelySunshine Communities Maumee Ohio
ldquoThere are several scenarios a new CEO can transition into My predecessor and I may very well have bookended those extremes While my mentor was quite literally relocated into an open CEO position that was
being temporarily filled by our previous Director of Human Resources I was blessed to have the benefit of a planned and well-executed transition My journey started more than two years prior to our executive search when I was hired as our COO I was not promised the CEO position at that point nor given assurance that my name would be considered when that opportunity arose That was the first of many thoughtful decisions
Have news to shareIf you have staff transitions you would like to announce or a job posting you would like to submit to MHS send a note to emilymhsonlineorg
that helped to shape a successful tenure as COO I was given the opportunity to succeed in the role I was hired for create an environment and culture of my own and do so with complete focus on the job at hand There was a much clearer path to success without the distraction of ldquothe next jobrdquo The next phase surrounded our discernment process Over the course of several months our board of directors lead our leadership team through a series of interviews with the intent of determining the qualities theyrsquod like to see in our next CEO One of many objectives of that process was to determine if the board was going to extend the search to outside candidates While there were several organization benefits to that process a personal benefit was the realization that my peers felt confident that I was a viable candidate With the final step completed at the MHS annual board meeting the process began for me to transition into my new role I was given the opportunity to watch listen and learn for almost a year That process proved invaluable ndash as I was also able to meaningfully transition my existing responsibilities throughout the agency in a thoughtful and strategic way Most of us acknowledge that you canrsquot fully prepare for what yoursquove never experienced There is no ldquoperfectrdquo transition when it comes to running an organization However with the right combination of planning and prayer (and a touch of luck) I feel confident my experience was one Irsquoll try and emulate when my time at Sunshine comes to a closerdquo
Leland SappPeaceful Living Harleysville Pa
ldquoNow that I am officially in my new role as CEO for Peaceful Living I find myself reflecting on this two year process How fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to work directly with Joe Landis Founder
and Former CEO as well as MHS The transition process was thorough yet smooth giving me the confidence that I needed to know that I am the right choice for this position I go to work each day with a desire to fulfill our mission of ldquoCreating Belonging for persons with disabilities within a faith communityrdquo Surrounded by a competent board and strong executive team I am confident that we will continue to move Peaceful Living forward as God intendedrdquo
It takes just a quick peek across the landscape of contemporary society to recognize that there is a deep yearning for leadership that integrates competence with character There are plenty of leaders with the first--the talent and skill to do something--but many lack integrity Integrity begins with the heart of leaders It requires attention to personal values and convictions The foundation of the Values-based Leadership Program (VBLP) is an Anabaptist Christian worldview However part of
the strength of the program is the diversity of faith stories and leadership settings represented Uniquely VBLP offers both seasoned and aspiring leaders an opportunity to deepen their self-understanding clarify the convictions they hope will shape their leadership and hone practical skills The resource or faculty team are all seasoned leaders who share vulnerably from their own journeys Participants interact closely with trustworthy peers
Interaction is coupled with opportunities for personal reflection Reading assignments and small group phone check-ins offer ongoing learning between face to face sessions It is not unusual that alumni of the program years later view the Value-based Leadership Program as one of the most formative leadership development experiences in their life For an experience that may very well change your leadership and life sign up now
Rick Stiffney PresidentCEO
The Last Word An Opportunity for Leadership Development
An Extraordinary Collaboration Continues
The second Lebanon Interfaith Elder Care Group conference met April 22 2017 in Mzaar Lebanon to bring attention to current challenges and goals The group is comprised of administrators who operate faith-based organizations serving older adults within their communities Through a connection originally established by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) MHS and Palm Village Retirement Community a MHS member organization have served as ongoing resources for the developing entity since its first gathering in 2015 As a result MHS PresidentCEO Rick Stiffney and Palm Village PresidentCEO David Reimer both participated in the spring gathering The Backstory Few options in a war-torn country
The Elder Care Group emerged in Lebanon two years ago following decades of sectarian tension conflict and war ldquoCooperation between faith-based organization is not unusual in many placesrdquo explained Stiffney in an April report ldquoBut it is profound in Lebanon especially when interfaith reaches across between the Shia Sunni Druze Maronite Latin Catholic Armenian Christian and Protestant Christian communitiesrdquo he wrote The unique collaboration was spurred by growing need As many young adults look for work and education in other countries elderly who already face the financial physical and emotional burdens of a war-torn country are left with few options for care Only 53 long-term care facilities exist in Lebanon Local leader Joyce Eid is the General Manager of Moadieh Evangelical Center the only assisted living center in Beirut
Online Resources
Webmhsonlineorg
Valued Leadershipvaluedleadershiporg
Mennonite Health Assemblyhttpsmhaelgconference wordpresscom
FacebookfacebookcompagesMenno-nite-Health-Assembly
Rickrsquos Blogmhsalliancewordpresscom
Contact Us
1112 N Main StreetGoshen IN 46528(574) 534-9689
MHSAPG Office
2160 Lincoln Highway EastSuite 7Lancaster PA 17602(717) 560-4296
Via MCC Eid connected with David Reimer PresidentCEO of Palm Village Retirement Community (Reedley Calif) and MHS in 2012 Since then both organizations have played an essential role in resourcing the emerging interfaith group Fueled by a generous memorial financial gift made on behalf of Ken Enns a former Palm Village staff and board member Stiffney and Reimer attended the second-ever conference where they served as consultant and speaker respectively Massachusetts-based architect Philippe Saad and Nadim Abi Antoun COO of Presbyterian Homes (Illinois) also presented ldquoPhillipe and Nadim have dual citizenships of Lebanon and the United States so their fluency in Arabic was invaluable to the success of the conferencerdquo Stiffney said A Call for Continued Education
After extensive conversation including presentations on board-executive relationships and senior-friendly building environments and program design group members shared openly regarding goals moving forward They strongly affirmed the need to continue to share practices and education as well as to establish themselves as a formal legal organization in Lebanon Through this group Stiffney observed ldquoThey want to support each other do joint education and be a strong and united voice in shaping faith-based services for older adults across Lebanonrdquo He concluded ldquoIn a global context of great tension and conflict the good news of reconciliation breaks through in unanticipated waysrdquo Stiffney said
MHS Seeks Applicants
MHS a community of Anabaptist health and human service ministries seeks its next CEO to lead the membership as they strengthen and extend themselves in faithfully and effectively fulfilling their missions Interested and qualified persons with proven track records in successful executive leadership are invited to apply by sending their resume with references to itbeginsdesigngroupintlcom Opportunity to apply closes 25 August 2017
Stiffney Retirement
The Board of Directors of MHS announced June 2nd that PresidentCEO Rick Siffney will retire in the spring of 2018 Stiffney will conclude 20 years of leadership with MHS and a total of 40 years in Mennonite health and human service ministry ldquoIrsquom deeply grateful to have had this opportunity to serverdquo said Stiffney in a June press release ldquoItrsquos been an honor to work with capable boards and a talented staff at MHS and with executives and boards across the country who aspire to have Anabaptist faith make a difference in the mission and impact of their organizationsrdquo Board Chair Laurie Nafziger added ldquoUnder Rickrsquos leadership MHS has grown in membership and expanded its reach We are grateful for his deep commitment to health and human service ministries grounded in Christian servicesrdquo Plans for a public farewell party to be held in conjunction with the 2018 Health Assembly in Pittsburgh Pa are currently underway
Trends
Schowalter Villa (Hesston Kan) announced the completion of a $61 million fundraising phase of the Private Homes for Everyone Campaign The campaign launched in April 2016 will enable Schowalter Villa a Bluestem Community to offer private healthcare rooms for all residents and to construct a new two-story assisted living building Subsidiary projects include two new classrooms for the Hesston Community Child Care and exterior touch-ups including new walking paths
The campaignrsquos success was attributed to over 250 individual donors the campaign steering committee and a prayer committee The new assisted living building will be named in honor of Roy and Bess Mullet in recognition of lead gifts from Excel Industries and the Mullet family ldquoWe are extremely thankful for the generosity demonstrated by Excel Industries and the Mullet familyrdquo said CEOPresident James Krehbiel in a March 2017 press release ldquoThey among many others have played a significant role in helping this project become a reality for our current and future residentsrdquo he said Construction is anticipated to be complete by Summer 2018
Member News
Groundbreaking Celebration At Mennonite Village
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Tuesday April 18 for a new $19 million remodel and addition to the Mennonite Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Albany Ore ldquoThis is a real milestone for Mennonite Village Wersquore preparing for the needs of the futurerdquo said Ron Litwiller Mennonite Village PresidentCEO The project expected to be completed in late 2018 will increase the privacy of residents in the nursing home facility by creating private rooms with bathrooms for all residents The new facility will allow Mennonite Village to continue providing the Christ-centered care people deserve and expect from our organization The project will include the removal of the north wing of Mennonite Home and the construction of a new 50000 square foot building to replace it That three-story structure will have 42 private rooms as well as community room beauty salon and state-of-the-art therapy center The rest of the existing nursing facility will be remodeled and semi-private rooms will be converted to private rooms with bathrooms Mennonite Homersquos total bed count of 95 will not change
ldquoMember Newsrdquo continued gtgt
ldquoMennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an
ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Mennonite Village now has 700 residents rdquo
Nearly 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony Participants included a longterm resident and a longterm staff member of Mennonite Home in addition to administrators and Board chairperson Mennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Over the next four years her nephews Frank and Levi Kropf designed raised funds and built the Mennonite Home for the Aged on five acres of donated land The Home was dedicated on July 27 1947 and accommodated 25 residents Mennonite Village now has 700 residents on its continuing care retirement community campus
3 New CEOs Take The Helm
Jeremy LaKoshMaple Lawn Eureka Ill
ldquoWhen I came to Maple Lawn as the CFO we faced a number of challenges across the different lines of business After we divested our Health Center and Apartment complex the opportunity to lead the
independent living market-based housing portion of our campus arose Irsquove been attached to the Eureka community for 16 years and Irsquove known some residents of Maple Lawn Homes for most of that time I am more than delighted to serve a constituency whose decades of hard work and sacrifice created the environment we get to enjoy todayrdquo
Jason AbodeelySunshine Communities Maumee Ohio
ldquoThere are several scenarios a new CEO can transition into My predecessor and I may very well have bookended those extremes While my mentor was quite literally relocated into an open CEO position that was
being temporarily filled by our previous Director of Human Resources I was blessed to have the benefit of a planned and well-executed transition My journey started more than two years prior to our executive search when I was hired as our COO I was not promised the CEO position at that point nor given assurance that my name would be considered when that opportunity arose That was the first of many thoughtful decisions
Have news to shareIf you have staff transitions you would like to announce or a job posting you would like to submit to MHS send a note to emilymhsonlineorg
that helped to shape a successful tenure as COO I was given the opportunity to succeed in the role I was hired for create an environment and culture of my own and do so with complete focus on the job at hand There was a much clearer path to success without the distraction of ldquothe next jobrdquo The next phase surrounded our discernment process Over the course of several months our board of directors lead our leadership team through a series of interviews with the intent of determining the qualities theyrsquod like to see in our next CEO One of many objectives of that process was to determine if the board was going to extend the search to outside candidates While there were several organization benefits to that process a personal benefit was the realization that my peers felt confident that I was a viable candidate With the final step completed at the MHS annual board meeting the process began for me to transition into my new role I was given the opportunity to watch listen and learn for almost a year That process proved invaluable ndash as I was also able to meaningfully transition my existing responsibilities throughout the agency in a thoughtful and strategic way Most of us acknowledge that you canrsquot fully prepare for what yoursquove never experienced There is no ldquoperfectrdquo transition when it comes to running an organization However with the right combination of planning and prayer (and a touch of luck) I feel confident my experience was one Irsquoll try and emulate when my time at Sunshine comes to a closerdquo
Leland SappPeaceful Living Harleysville Pa
ldquoNow that I am officially in my new role as CEO for Peaceful Living I find myself reflecting on this two year process How fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to work directly with Joe Landis Founder
and Former CEO as well as MHS The transition process was thorough yet smooth giving me the confidence that I needed to know that I am the right choice for this position I go to work each day with a desire to fulfill our mission of ldquoCreating Belonging for persons with disabilities within a faith communityrdquo Surrounded by a competent board and strong executive team I am confident that we will continue to move Peaceful Living forward as God intendedrdquo
It takes just a quick peek across the landscape of contemporary society to recognize that there is a deep yearning for leadership that integrates competence with character There are plenty of leaders with the first--the talent and skill to do something--but many lack integrity Integrity begins with the heart of leaders It requires attention to personal values and convictions The foundation of the Values-based Leadership Program (VBLP) is an Anabaptist Christian worldview However part of
the strength of the program is the diversity of faith stories and leadership settings represented Uniquely VBLP offers both seasoned and aspiring leaders an opportunity to deepen their self-understanding clarify the convictions they hope will shape their leadership and hone practical skills The resource or faculty team are all seasoned leaders who share vulnerably from their own journeys Participants interact closely with trustworthy peers
Interaction is coupled with opportunities for personal reflection Reading assignments and small group phone check-ins offer ongoing learning between face to face sessions It is not unusual that alumni of the program years later view the Value-based Leadership Program as one of the most formative leadership development experiences in their life For an experience that may very well change your leadership and life sign up now
Rick Stiffney PresidentCEO
The Last Word An Opportunity for Leadership Development
Online Resources
Webmhsonlineorg
Valued Leadershipvaluedleadershiporg
Mennonite Health Assemblyhttpsmhaelgconference wordpresscom
FacebookfacebookcompagesMenno-nite-Health-Assembly
Rickrsquos Blogmhsalliancewordpresscom
Contact Us
1112 N Main StreetGoshen IN 46528(574) 534-9689
MHSAPG Office
2160 Lincoln Highway EastSuite 7Lancaster PA 17602(717) 560-4296
Via MCC Eid connected with David Reimer PresidentCEO of Palm Village Retirement Community (Reedley Calif) and MHS in 2012 Since then both organizations have played an essential role in resourcing the emerging interfaith group Fueled by a generous memorial financial gift made on behalf of Ken Enns a former Palm Village staff and board member Stiffney and Reimer attended the second-ever conference where they served as consultant and speaker respectively Massachusetts-based architect Philippe Saad and Nadim Abi Antoun COO of Presbyterian Homes (Illinois) also presented ldquoPhillipe and Nadim have dual citizenships of Lebanon and the United States so their fluency in Arabic was invaluable to the success of the conferencerdquo Stiffney said A Call for Continued Education
After extensive conversation including presentations on board-executive relationships and senior-friendly building environments and program design group members shared openly regarding goals moving forward They strongly affirmed the need to continue to share practices and education as well as to establish themselves as a formal legal organization in Lebanon Through this group Stiffney observed ldquoThey want to support each other do joint education and be a strong and united voice in shaping faith-based services for older adults across Lebanonrdquo He concluded ldquoIn a global context of great tension and conflict the good news of reconciliation breaks through in unanticipated waysrdquo Stiffney said
MHS Seeks Applicants
MHS a community of Anabaptist health and human service ministries seeks its next CEO to lead the membership as they strengthen and extend themselves in faithfully and effectively fulfilling their missions Interested and qualified persons with proven track records in successful executive leadership are invited to apply by sending their resume with references to itbeginsdesigngroupintlcom Opportunity to apply closes 25 August 2017
Stiffney Retirement
The Board of Directors of MHS announced June 2nd that PresidentCEO Rick Siffney will retire in the spring of 2018 Stiffney will conclude 20 years of leadership with MHS and a total of 40 years in Mennonite health and human service ministry ldquoIrsquom deeply grateful to have had this opportunity to serverdquo said Stiffney in a June press release ldquoItrsquos been an honor to work with capable boards and a talented staff at MHS and with executives and boards across the country who aspire to have Anabaptist faith make a difference in the mission and impact of their organizationsrdquo Board Chair Laurie Nafziger added ldquoUnder Rickrsquos leadership MHS has grown in membership and expanded its reach We are grateful for his deep commitment to health and human service ministries grounded in Christian servicesrdquo Plans for a public farewell party to be held in conjunction with the 2018 Health Assembly in Pittsburgh Pa are currently underway
Trends
Schowalter Villa (Hesston Kan) announced the completion of a $61 million fundraising phase of the Private Homes for Everyone Campaign The campaign launched in April 2016 will enable Schowalter Villa a Bluestem Community to offer private healthcare rooms for all residents and to construct a new two-story assisted living building Subsidiary projects include two new classrooms for the Hesston Community Child Care and exterior touch-ups including new walking paths
The campaignrsquos success was attributed to over 250 individual donors the campaign steering committee and a prayer committee The new assisted living building will be named in honor of Roy and Bess Mullet in recognition of lead gifts from Excel Industries and the Mullet family ldquoWe are extremely thankful for the generosity demonstrated by Excel Industries and the Mullet familyrdquo said CEOPresident James Krehbiel in a March 2017 press release ldquoThey among many others have played a significant role in helping this project become a reality for our current and future residentsrdquo he said Construction is anticipated to be complete by Summer 2018
Member News
Groundbreaking Celebration At Mennonite Village
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Tuesday April 18 for a new $19 million remodel and addition to the Mennonite Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Albany Ore ldquoThis is a real milestone for Mennonite Village Wersquore preparing for the needs of the futurerdquo said Ron Litwiller Mennonite Village PresidentCEO The project expected to be completed in late 2018 will increase the privacy of residents in the nursing home facility by creating private rooms with bathrooms for all residents The new facility will allow Mennonite Village to continue providing the Christ-centered care people deserve and expect from our organization The project will include the removal of the north wing of Mennonite Home and the construction of a new 50000 square foot building to replace it That three-story structure will have 42 private rooms as well as community room beauty salon and state-of-the-art therapy center The rest of the existing nursing facility will be remodeled and semi-private rooms will be converted to private rooms with bathrooms Mennonite Homersquos total bed count of 95 will not change
ldquoMember Newsrdquo continued gtgt
ldquoMennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an
ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Mennonite Village now has 700 residents rdquo
Nearly 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony Participants included a longterm resident and a longterm staff member of Mennonite Home in addition to administrators and Board chairperson Mennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Over the next four years her nephews Frank and Levi Kropf designed raised funds and built the Mennonite Home for the Aged on five acres of donated land The Home was dedicated on July 27 1947 and accommodated 25 residents Mennonite Village now has 700 residents on its continuing care retirement community campus
3 New CEOs Take The Helm
Jeremy LaKoshMaple Lawn Eureka Ill
ldquoWhen I came to Maple Lawn as the CFO we faced a number of challenges across the different lines of business After we divested our Health Center and Apartment complex the opportunity to lead the
independent living market-based housing portion of our campus arose Irsquove been attached to the Eureka community for 16 years and Irsquove known some residents of Maple Lawn Homes for most of that time I am more than delighted to serve a constituency whose decades of hard work and sacrifice created the environment we get to enjoy todayrdquo
Jason AbodeelySunshine Communities Maumee Ohio
ldquoThere are several scenarios a new CEO can transition into My predecessor and I may very well have bookended those extremes While my mentor was quite literally relocated into an open CEO position that was
being temporarily filled by our previous Director of Human Resources I was blessed to have the benefit of a planned and well-executed transition My journey started more than two years prior to our executive search when I was hired as our COO I was not promised the CEO position at that point nor given assurance that my name would be considered when that opportunity arose That was the first of many thoughtful decisions
Have news to shareIf you have staff transitions you would like to announce or a job posting you would like to submit to MHS send a note to emilymhsonlineorg
that helped to shape a successful tenure as COO I was given the opportunity to succeed in the role I was hired for create an environment and culture of my own and do so with complete focus on the job at hand There was a much clearer path to success without the distraction of ldquothe next jobrdquo The next phase surrounded our discernment process Over the course of several months our board of directors lead our leadership team through a series of interviews with the intent of determining the qualities theyrsquod like to see in our next CEO One of many objectives of that process was to determine if the board was going to extend the search to outside candidates While there were several organization benefits to that process a personal benefit was the realization that my peers felt confident that I was a viable candidate With the final step completed at the MHS annual board meeting the process began for me to transition into my new role I was given the opportunity to watch listen and learn for almost a year That process proved invaluable ndash as I was also able to meaningfully transition my existing responsibilities throughout the agency in a thoughtful and strategic way Most of us acknowledge that you canrsquot fully prepare for what yoursquove never experienced There is no ldquoperfectrdquo transition when it comes to running an organization However with the right combination of planning and prayer (and a touch of luck) I feel confident my experience was one Irsquoll try and emulate when my time at Sunshine comes to a closerdquo
Leland SappPeaceful Living Harleysville Pa
ldquoNow that I am officially in my new role as CEO for Peaceful Living I find myself reflecting on this two year process How fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to work directly with Joe Landis Founder
and Former CEO as well as MHS The transition process was thorough yet smooth giving me the confidence that I needed to know that I am the right choice for this position I go to work each day with a desire to fulfill our mission of ldquoCreating Belonging for persons with disabilities within a faith communityrdquo Surrounded by a competent board and strong executive team I am confident that we will continue to move Peaceful Living forward as God intendedrdquo
It takes just a quick peek across the landscape of contemporary society to recognize that there is a deep yearning for leadership that integrates competence with character There are plenty of leaders with the first--the talent and skill to do something--but many lack integrity Integrity begins with the heart of leaders It requires attention to personal values and convictions The foundation of the Values-based Leadership Program (VBLP) is an Anabaptist Christian worldview However part of
the strength of the program is the diversity of faith stories and leadership settings represented Uniquely VBLP offers both seasoned and aspiring leaders an opportunity to deepen their self-understanding clarify the convictions they hope will shape their leadership and hone practical skills The resource or faculty team are all seasoned leaders who share vulnerably from their own journeys Participants interact closely with trustworthy peers
Interaction is coupled with opportunities for personal reflection Reading assignments and small group phone check-ins offer ongoing learning between face to face sessions It is not unusual that alumni of the program years later view the Value-based Leadership Program as one of the most formative leadership development experiences in their life For an experience that may very well change your leadership and life sign up now
Rick Stiffney PresidentCEO
The Last Word An Opportunity for Leadership Development
MHS Seeks Applicants
MHS a community of Anabaptist health and human service ministries seeks its next CEO to lead the membership as they strengthen and extend themselves in faithfully and effectively fulfilling their missions Interested and qualified persons with proven track records in successful executive leadership are invited to apply by sending their resume with references to itbeginsdesigngroupintlcom Opportunity to apply closes 25 August 2017
Stiffney Retirement
The Board of Directors of MHS announced June 2nd that PresidentCEO Rick Siffney will retire in the spring of 2018 Stiffney will conclude 20 years of leadership with MHS and a total of 40 years in Mennonite health and human service ministry ldquoIrsquom deeply grateful to have had this opportunity to serverdquo said Stiffney in a June press release ldquoItrsquos been an honor to work with capable boards and a talented staff at MHS and with executives and boards across the country who aspire to have Anabaptist faith make a difference in the mission and impact of their organizationsrdquo Board Chair Laurie Nafziger added ldquoUnder Rickrsquos leadership MHS has grown in membership and expanded its reach We are grateful for his deep commitment to health and human service ministries grounded in Christian servicesrdquo Plans for a public farewell party to be held in conjunction with the 2018 Health Assembly in Pittsburgh Pa are currently underway
Trends
Schowalter Villa (Hesston Kan) announced the completion of a $61 million fundraising phase of the Private Homes for Everyone Campaign The campaign launched in April 2016 will enable Schowalter Villa a Bluestem Community to offer private healthcare rooms for all residents and to construct a new two-story assisted living building Subsidiary projects include two new classrooms for the Hesston Community Child Care and exterior touch-ups including new walking paths
The campaignrsquos success was attributed to over 250 individual donors the campaign steering committee and a prayer committee The new assisted living building will be named in honor of Roy and Bess Mullet in recognition of lead gifts from Excel Industries and the Mullet family ldquoWe are extremely thankful for the generosity demonstrated by Excel Industries and the Mullet familyrdquo said CEOPresident James Krehbiel in a March 2017 press release ldquoThey among many others have played a significant role in helping this project become a reality for our current and future residentsrdquo he said Construction is anticipated to be complete by Summer 2018
Member News
Groundbreaking Celebration At Mennonite Village
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Tuesday April 18 for a new $19 million remodel and addition to the Mennonite Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Albany Ore ldquoThis is a real milestone for Mennonite Village Wersquore preparing for the needs of the futurerdquo said Ron Litwiller Mennonite Village PresidentCEO The project expected to be completed in late 2018 will increase the privacy of residents in the nursing home facility by creating private rooms with bathrooms for all residents The new facility will allow Mennonite Village to continue providing the Christ-centered care people deserve and expect from our organization The project will include the removal of the north wing of Mennonite Home and the construction of a new 50000 square foot building to replace it That three-story structure will have 42 private rooms as well as community room beauty salon and state-of-the-art therapy center The rest of the existing nursing facility will be remodeled and semi-private rooms will be converted to private rooms with bathrooms Mennonite Homersquos total bed count of 95 will not change
ldquoMember Newsrdquo continued gtgt
ldquoMennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an
ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Mennonite Village now has 700 residents rdquo
Nearly 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony Participants included a longterm resident and a longterm staff member of Mennonite Home in addition to administrators and Board chairperson Mennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Over the next four years her nephews Frank and Levi Kropf designed raised funds and built the Mennonite Home for the Aged on five acres of donated land The Home was dedicated on July 27 1947 and accommodated 25 residents Mennonite Village now has 700 residents on its continuing care retirement community campus
3 New CEOs Take The Helm
Jeremy LaKoshMaple Lawn Eureka Ill
ldquoWhen I came to Maple Lawn as the CFO we faced a number of challenges across the different lines of business After we divested our Health Center and Apartment complex the opportunity to lead the
independent living market-based housing portion of our campus arose Irsquove been attached to the Eureka community for 16 years and Irsquove known some residents of Maple Lawn Homes for most of that time I am more than delighted to serve a constituency whose decades of hard work and sacrifice created the environment we get to enjoy todayrdquo
Jason AbodeelySunshine Communities Maumee Ohio
ldquoThere are several scenarios a new CEO can transition into My predecessor and I may very well have bookended those extremes While my mentor was quite literally relocated into an open CEO position that was
being temporarily filled by our previous Director of Human Resources I was blessed to have the benefit of a planned and well-executed transition My journey started more than two years prior to our executive search when I was hired as our COO I was not promised the CEO position at that point nor given assurance that my name would be considered when that opportunity arose That was the first of many thoughtful decisions
Have news to shareIf you have staff transitions you would like to announce or a job posting you would like to submit to MHS send a note to emilymhsonlineorg
that helped to shape a successful tenure as COO I was given the opportunity to succeed in the role I was hired for create an environment and culture of my own and do so with complete focus on the job at hand There was a much clearer path to success without the distraction of ldquothe next jobrdquo The next phase surrounded our discernment process Over the course of several months our board of directors lead our leadership team through a series of interviews with the intent of determining the qualities theyrsquod like to see in our next CEO One of many objectives of that process was to determine if the board was going to extend the search to outside candidates While there were several organization benefits to that process a personal benefit was the realization that my peers felt confident that I was a viable candidate With the final step completed at the MHS annual board meeting the process began for me to transition into my new role I was given the opportunity to watch listen and learn for almost a year That process proved invaluable ndash as I was also able to meaningfully transition my existing responsibilities throughout the agency in a thoughtful and strategic way Most of us acknowledge that you canrsquot fully prepare for what yoursquove never experienced There is no ldquoperfectrdquo transition when it comes to running an organization However with the right combination of planning and prayer (and a touch of luck) I feel confident my experience was one Irsquoll try and emulate when my time at Sunshine comes to a closerdquo
Leland SappPeaceful Living Harleysville Pa
ldquoNow that I am officially in my new role as CEO for Peaceful Living I find myself reflecting on this two year process How fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to work directly with Joe Landis Founder
and Former CEO as well as MHS The transition process was thorough yet smooth giving me the confidence that I needed to know that I am the right choice for this position I go to work each day with a desire to fulfill our mission of ldquoCreating Belonging for persons with disabilities within a faith communityrdquo Surrounded by a competent board and strong executive team I am confident that we will continue to move Peaceful Living forward as God intendedrdquo
It takes just a quick peek across the landscape of contemporary society to recognize that there is a deep yearning for leadership that integrates competence with character There are plenty of leaders with the first--the talent and skill to do something--but many lack integrity Integrity begins with the heart of leaders It requires attention to personal values and convictions The foundation of the Values-based Leadership Program (VBLP) is an Anabaptist Christian worldview However part of
the strength of the program is the diversity of faith stories and leadership settings represented Uniquely VBLP offers both seasoned and aspiring leaders an opportunity to deepen their self-understanding clarify the convictions they hope will shape their leadership and hone practical skills The resource or faculty team are all seasoned leaders who share vulnerably from their own journeys Participants interact closely with trustworthy peers
Interaction is coupled with opportunities for personal reflection Reading assignments and small group phone check-ins offer ongoing learning between face to face sessions It is not unusual that alumni of the program years later view the Value-based Leadership Program as one of the most formative leadership development experiences in their life For an experience that may very well change your leadership and life sign up now
Rick Stiffney PresidentCEO
The Last Word An Opportunity for Leadership Development
Member News
Groundbreaking Celebration At Mennonite Village
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Tuesday April 18 for a new $19 million remodel and addition to the Mennonite Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Albany Ore ldquoThis is a real milestone for Mennonite Village Wersquore preparing for the needs of the futurerdquo said Ron Litwiller Mennonite Village PresidentCEO The project expected to be completed in late 2018 will increase the privacy of residents in the nursing home facility by creating private rooms with bathrooms for all residents The new facility will allow Mennonite Village to continue providing the Christ-centered care people deserve and expect from our organization The project will include the removal of the north wing of Mennonite Home and the construction of a new 50000 square foot building to replace it That three-story structure will have 42 private rooms as well as community room beauty salon and state-of-the-art therapy center The rest of the existing nursing facility will be remodeled and semi-private rooms will be converted to private rooms with bathrooms Mennonite Homersquos total bed count of 95 will not change
ldquoMember Newsrdquo continued gtgt
ldquoMennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an
ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Mennonite Village now has 700 residents rdquo
Nearly 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony Participants included a longterm resident and a longterm staff member of Mennonite Home in addition to administrators and Board chairperson Mennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Over the next four years her nephews Frank and Levi Kropf designed raised funds and built the Mennonite Home for the Aged on five acres of donated land The Home was dedicated on July 27 1947 and accommodated 25 residents Mennonite Village now has 700 residents on its continuing care retirement community campus
3 New CEOs Take The Helm
Jeremy LaKoshMaple Lawn Eureka Ill
ldquoWhen I came to Maple Lawn as the CFO we faced a number of challenges across the different lines of business After we divested our Health Center and Apartment complex the opportunity to lead the
independent living market-based housing portion of our campus arose Irsquove been attached to the Eureka community for 16 years and Irsquove known some residents of Maple Lawn Homes for most of that time I am more than delighted to serve a constituency whose decades of hard work and sacrifice created the environment we get to enjoy todayrdquo
Jason AbodeelySunshine Communities Maumee Ohio
ldquoThere are several scenarios a new CEO can transition into My predecessor and I may very well have bookended those extremes While my mentor was quite literally relocated into an open CEO position that was
being temporarily filled by our previous Director of Human Resources I was blessed to have the benefit of a planned and well-executed transition My journey started more than two years prior to our executive search when I was hired as our COO I was not promised the CEO position at that point nor given assurance that my name would be considered when that opportunity arose That was the first of many thoughtful decisions
Have news to shareIf you have staff transitions you would like to announce or a job posting you would like to submit to MHS send a note to emilymhsonlineorg
that helped to shape a successful tenure as COO I was given the opportunity to succeed in the role I was hired for create an environment and culture of my own and do so with complete focus on the job at hand There was a much clearer path to success without the distraction of ldquothe next jobrdquo The next phase surrounded our discernment process Over the course of several months our board of directors lead our leadership team through a series of interviews with the intent of determining the qualities theyrsquod like to see in our next CEO One of many objectives of that process was to determine if the board was going to extend the search to outside candidates While there were several organization benefits to that process a personal benefit was the realization that my peers felt confident that I was a viable candidate With the final step completed at the MHS annual board meeting the process began for me to transition into my new role I was given the opportunity to watch listen and learn for almost a year That process proved invaluable ndash as I was also able to meaningfully transition my existing responsibilities throughout the agency in a thoughtful and strategic way Most of us acknowledge that you canrsquot fully prepare for what yoursquove never experienced There is no ldquoperfectrdquo transition when it comes to running an organization However with the right combination of planning and prayer (and a touch of luck) I feel confident my experience was one Irsquoll try and emulate when my time at Sunshine comes to a closerdquo
Leland SappPeaceful Living Harleysville Pa
ldquoNow that I am officially in my new role as CEO for Peaceful Living I find myself reflecting on this two year process How fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to work directly with Joe Landis Founder
and Former CEO as well as MHS The transition process was thorough yet smooth giving me the confidence that I needed to know that I am the right choice for this position I go to work each day with a desire to fulfill our mission of ldquoCreating Belonging for persons with disabilities within a faith communityrdquo Surrounded by a competent board and strong executive team I am confident that we will continue to move Peaceful Living forward as God intendedrdquo
It takes just a quick peek across the landscape of contemporary society to recognize that there is a deep yearning for leadership that integrates competence with character There are plenty of leaders with the first--the talent and skill to do something--but many lack integrity Integrity begins with the heart of leaders It requires attention to personal values and convictions The foundation of the Values-based Leadership Program (VBLP) is an Anabaptist Christian worldview However part of
the strength of the program is the diversity of faith stories and leadership settings represented Uniquely VBLP offers both seasoned and aspiring leaders an opportunity to deepen their self-understanding clarify the convictions they hope will shape their leadership and hone practical skills The resource or faculty team are all seasoned leaders who share vulnerably from their own journeys Participants interact closely with trustworthy peers
Interaction is coupled with opportunities for personal reflection Reading assignments and small group phone check-ins offer ongoing learning between face to face sessions It is not unusual that alumni of the program years later view the Value-based Leadership Program as one of the most formative leadership development experiences in their life For an experience that may very well change your leadership and life sign up now
Rick Stiffney PresidentCEO
The Last Word An Opportunity for Leadership Development
Nearly 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony Participants included a longterm resident and a longterm staff member of Mennonite Home in addition to administrators and Board chairperson Mennonite Village will celebrate its 70th anniversary this summer It got its start in 1943 when Lydia H Stutzman left her $6000 estate for the construction of an ldquoold folksrsquo homerdquo Over the next four years her nephews Frank and Levi Kropf designed raised funds and built the Mennonite Home for the Aged on five acres of donated land The Home was dedicated on July 27 1947 and accommodated 25 residents Mennonite Village now has 700 residents on its continuing care retirement community campus
3 New CEOs Take The Helm
Jeremy LaKoshMaple Lawn Eureka Ill
ldquoWhen I came to Maple Lawn as the CFO we faced a number of challenges across the different lines of business After we divested our Health Center and Apartment complex the opportunity to lead the
independent living market-based housing portion of our campus arose Irsquove been attached to the Eureka community for 16 years and Irsquove known some residents of Maple Lawn Homes for most of that time I am more than delighted to serve a constituency whose decades of hard work and sacrifice created the environment we get to enjoy todayrdquo
Jason AbodeelySunshine Communities Maumee Ohio
ldquoThere are several scenarios a new CEO can transition into My predecessor and I may very well have bookended those extremes While my mentor was quite literally relocated into an open CEO position that was
being temporarily filled by our previous Director of Human Resources I was blessed to have the benefit of a planned and well-executed transition My journey started more than two years prior to our executive search when I was hired as our COO I was not promised the CEO position at that point nor given assurance that my name would be considered when that opportunity arose That was the first of many thoughtful decisions
Have news to shareIf you have staff transitions you would like to announce or a job posting you would like to submit to MHS send a note to emilymhsonlineorg
that helped to shape a successful tenure as COO I was given the opportunity to succeed in the role I was hired for create an environment and culture of my own and do so with complete focus on the job at hand There was a much clearer path to success without the distraction of ldquothe next jobrdquo The next phase surrounded our discernment process Over the course of several months our board of directors lead our leadership team through a series of interviews with the intent of determining the qualities theyrsquod like to see in our next CEO One of many objectives of that process was to determine if the board was going to extend the search to outside candidates While there were several organization benefits to that process a personal benefit was the realization that my peers felt confident that I was a viable candidate With the final step completed at the MHS annual board meeting the process began for me to transition into my new role I was given the opportunity to watch listen and learn for almost a year That process proved invaluable ndash as I was also able to meaningfully transition my existing responsibilities throughout the agency in a thoughtful and strategic way Most of us acknowledge that you canrsquot fully prepare for what yoursquove never experienced There is no ldquoperfectrdquo transition when it comes to running an organization However with the right combination of planning and prayer (and a touch of luck) I feel confident my experience was one Irsquoll try and emulate when my time at Sunshine comes to a closerdquo
Leland SappPeaceful Living Harleysville Pa
ldquoNow that I am officially in my new role as CEO for Peaceful Living I find myself reflecting on this two year process How fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to work directly with Joe Landis Founder
and Former CEO as well as MHS The transition process was thorough yet smooth giving me the confidence that I needed to know that I am the right choice for this position I go to work each day with a desire to fulfill our mission of ldquoCreating Belonging for persons with disabilities within a faith communityrdquo Surrounded by a competent board and strong executive team I am confident that we will continue to move Peaceful Living forward as God intendedrdquo
It takes just a quick peek across the landscape of contemporary society to recognize that there is a deep yearning for leadership that integrates competence with character There are plenty of leaders with the first--the talent and skill to do something--but many lack integrity Integrity begins with the heart of leaders It requires attention to personal values and convictions The foundation of the Values-based Leadership Program (VBLP) is an Anabaptist Christian worldview However part of
the strength of the program is the diversity of faith stories and leadership settings represented Uniquely VBLP offers both seasoned and aspiring leaders an opportunity to deepen their self-understanding clarify the convictions they hope will shape their leadership and hone practical skills The resource or faculty team are all seasoned leaders who share vulnerably from their own journeys Participants interact closely with trustworthy peers
Interaction is coupled with opportunities for personal reflection Reading assignments and small group phone check-ins offer ongoing learning between face to face sessions It is not unusual that alumni of the program years later view the Value-based Leadership Program as one of the most formative leadership development experiences in their life For an experience that may very well change your leadership and life sign up now
Rick Stiffney PresidentCEO
The Last Word An Opportunity for Leadership Development
Have news to shareIf you have staff transitions you would like to announce or a job posting you would like to submit to MHS send a note to emilymhsonlineorg
that helped to shape a successful tenure as COO I was given the opportunity to succeed in the role I was hired for create an environment and culture of my own and do so with complete focus on the job at hand There was a much clearer path to success without the distraction of ldquothe next jobrdquo The next phase surrounded our discernment process Over the course of several months our board of directors lead our leadership team through a series of interviews with the intent of determining the qualities theyrsquod like to see in our next CEO One of many objectives of that process was to determine if the board was going to extend the search to outside candidates While there were several organization benefits to that process a personal benefit was the realization that my peers felt confident that I was a viable candidate With the final step completed at the MHS annual board meeting the process began for me to transition into my new role I was given the opportunity to watch listen and learn for almost a year That process proved invaluable ndash as I was also able to meaningfully transition my existing responsibilities throughout the agency in a thoughtful and strategic way Most of us acknowledge that you canrsquot fully prepare for what yoursquove never experienced There is no ldquoperfectrdquo transition when it comes to running an organization However with the right combination of planning and prayer (and a touch of luck) I feel confident my experience was one Irsquoll try and emulate when my time at Sunshine comes to a closerdquo
Leland SappPeaceful Living Harleysville Pa
ldquoNow that I am officially in my new role as CEO for Peaceful Living I find myself reflecting on this two year process How fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to work directly with Joe Landis Founder
and Former CEO as well as MHS The transition process was thorough yet smooth giving me the confidence that I needed to know that I am the right choice for this position I go to work each day with a desire to fulfill our mission of ldquoCreating Belonging for persons with disabilities within a faith communityrdquo Surrounded by a competent board and strong executive team I am confident that we will continue to move Peaceful Living forward as God intendedrdquo
It takes just a quick peek across the landscape of contemporary society to recognize that there is a deep yearning for leadership that integrates competence with character There are plenty of leaders with the first--the talent and skill to do something--but many lack integrity Integrity begins with the heart of leaders It requires attention to personal values and convictions The foundation of the Values-based Leadership Program (VBLP) is an Anabaptist Christian worldview However part of
the strength of the program is the diversity of faith stories and leadership settings represented Uniquely VBLP offers both seasoned and aspiring leaders an opportunity to deepen their self-understanding clarify the convictions they hope will shape their leadership and hone practical skills The resource or faculty team are all seasoned leaders who share vulnerably from their own journeys Participants interact closely with trustworthy peers
Interaction is coupled with opportunities for personal reflection Reading assignments and small group phone check-ins offer ongoing learning between face to face sessions It is not unusual that alumni of the program years later view the Value-based Leadership Program as one of the most formative leadership development experiences in their life For an experience that may very well change your leadership and life sign up now
Rick Stiffney PresidentCEO
The Last Word An Opportunity for Leadership Development
It takes just a quick peek across the landscape of contemporary society to recognize that there is a deep yearning for leadership that integrates competence with character There are plenty of leaders with the first--the talent and skill to do something--but many lack integrity Integrity begins with the heart of leaders It requires attention to personal values and convictions The foundation of the Values-based Leadership Program (VBLP) is an Anabaptist Christian worldview However part of
the strength of the program is the diversity of faith stories and leadership settings represented Uniquely VBLP offers both seasoned and aspiring leaders an opportunity to deepen their self-understanding clarify the convictions they hope will shape their leadership and hone practical skills The resource or faculty team are all seasoned leaders who share vulnerably from their own journeys Participants interact closely with trustworthy peers
Interaction is coupled with opportunities for personal reflection Reading assignments and small group phone check-ins offer ongoing learning between face to face sessions It is not unusual that alumni of the program years later view the Value-based Leadership Program as one of the most formative leadership development experiences in their life For an experience that may very well change your leadership and life sign up now
Rick Stiffney PresidentCEO
The Last Word An Opportunity for Leadership Development
