Comments on: What people say about working for a not-for-profit retirement community http://wesleyretirementresources.com/http:/wesleyblog.org/2008/01/21/what-people-say-about-not-for-profit-retirement-communities/ Fri, 11 May 2012 20:21:43 +0000 hourly 1 By: Holly Isaman http://wesleyretirementresources.com/http:/wesleyblog.org/2008/01/21/what-people-say-about-not-for-profit-retirement-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Holly Isaman Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:19:29 +0000 http://wesleyretirementresources.com/?p=25#comment-21 I have worked in for-profit and not-for-profit; church related and business related; large corporation and small company; and after 35+ years in the work force, my most rewarding years have been spent here at Wesley Homes. Through our daily mission oriented efforts, we come to know that the true value in work comes from helping others. In that kind of environment, you truly learn about the joy of giving back and the true happiness that comes with that kind of commitment. John Ruskin said "The highest reward for a man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it." The mission of Wesley Homes does become part of your being and the rewards of the work are felt within the spirit. I have worked in for-profit and not-for-profit; church related and business related; large corporation and small company; and after 35+ years in the work force, my most rewarding years have been spent here at Wesley Homes. Through our daily mission oriented efforts, we come to know that the true value in work comes from helping others. In that kind of environment, you truly learn about the joy of giving back and the true happiness that comes with that kind of commitment. John Ruskin said “The highest reward for a man’s toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it.” The mission of Wesley Homes does become part of your being and the rewards of the work are felt within the spirit.

]]> By: Christine Tremain http://wesleyretirementresources.com/http:/wesleyblog.org/2008/01/21/what-people-say-about-not-for-profit-retirement-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Christine Tremain Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:07:42 +0000 http://wesleyretirementresources.com/?p=25#comment-17 I started my career in retirement housing with a family-owned, for-profit company. While I loved my work, my employers were not as interested in what residents had to say or my professional growth as the not-for-profit organizations I've worked for since. Several of my peers have left employment with not-for-profit communities to work in the for-profit world, returning soon after. There is a difference between being mission driven and profit driven! It is apparent to residents, family members and employees when their opinions are valued and seriously considered by not-for-profit boards and managers; where compassion and caring come before the bottom line. As not-for-profits, we still have to watch our expenses and be fiscally responsible. With no bottom line there is no mission. It just isn't what drives us day to day. The impact we make on the quality of life of all those we serve - residents, family members and employees - is what brings us to work each morning with a smile on our face and leaves us with a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. There is a difference between being mission driven and profit driven. Others will try to tell you otherwise but think for yourself. How can a manager who is prodded each day by owners, shareholders and banks to cut expenses and show greater earnings put residents and employees first? Where are the dollars to take care of residents who outlive their resources? Where are the grants for employees to better themselves through continued education or to help them through personal crisis? It is the not-for-profit organization that finds these dollars. There is a difference between being mission driven and profit driven. A for-profit distributes its earnings to its shareholders. A not-for-profit reinvests its profit back into services for its stakeholders - residents, family members and employees. I started my career in retirement housing with a family-owned, for-profit company. While I loved my work, my employers were not as interested in what residents had to say or my professional growth as the not-for-profit organizations I’ve worked for since. Several of my peers have left employment with not-for-profit communities to work in the for-profit world, returning soon after.

There is a difference between being mission driven and profit driven! It is apparent to residents, family members and employees when their opinions are valued and seriously considered by not-for-profit boards and managers; where compassion and caring come before the bottom line. As not-for-profits, we still have to watch our expenses and be fiscally responsible. With no bottom line there is no mission. It just isn’t what drives us day to day. The impact we make on the quality of life of all those we serve – residents, family members and employees – is what brings us to work each morning with a smile on our face and leaves us with a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

There is a difference between being mission driven and profit driven. Others will try to tell you otherwise but think for yourself. How can a manager who is prodded each day by owners, shareholders and banks to cut expenses and show greater earnings put residents and employees first? Where are the dollars to take care of residents who outlive their resources? Where are the grants for employees to better themselves through continued education or to help them through personal crisis? It is the not-for-profit organization that finds these dollars.

There is a difference between being mission driven and profit driven. A for-profit distributes its earnings to its shareholders. A not-for-profit reinvests its profit back into services for its stakeholders – residents, family members and employees.

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