ORANJ
2005 AASHA Meeting
REPORT TO ORANJ
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAHSA CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 6 – 10, 2005 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
The theme of the 2005 Annual Meeting of AAHSA is Quality through Community. Sub themes were explored by the General Session speakers:
-The Power of Partnerships - Maya Angelou, poet, author, activist and more, interwove her text with singing and recitation of her poems about how opportunities created through connections can advance an organization’s mission. Ms. Angelou was inspirational and entertaining. She energized the audience as she gave a perfect keynote speech.
- The Power of Governance – Richard Chait, Harvard University educator, author and researcher spoke about governance mostly focusing on corporate governance aspects. We all recognize that within the industry, Boards of Trustees more and more need to operate like corporations. However, Dr. Chait, judging from his answers to questions did not appreciate that in our industry the stakeholders are not just clients or customers. Residents are financial stakeholders especially in organizations that provide life care and where residents have invested their life savings.
- The Power of Teams - Patrick Lencioni, founder of a management –consulting firm focused on organizational health. He is a leading expert on the interpersonal dynamics that determine the success of the team. Mr Lencioni offered some useful ideas on building a team.
- The Power of Leaders – Kevin Carroll, a catalyst consultant and author of Rules of the Red Rubber Ball. Mr. Carroll energetically inspired the audience with his personal story as a model for motivation, passion and imagination.
Each of these speakers had something to offer toward the theme of creating community.
Among the seven education sessions I attended four are worth noting: The AAHSA Philanthropy Network; the Workshop on Governance as Leadership (follow up on the General Session); the Art of Creative Conflict Resolution and Communication Skills; and Older Driver Wellness.
AAHSA Philanthropy Network (APN). This session offered many useful hints
about what we now euphemistically call “development”. ( A
separate report on this session will be available on request). Notable
among the points made are the following:
- the usefulness of the AAHSA Philanthropy network
- community enrichment not benevolence may be a better approach to raising
funds
- the success of the program should be measured by the relationships
developed with donors and their active involvement and participation
not just the immediate donation.
Workshop on Governance as Leadership. Dr. Chait offered many suggestions
about structuring governance to create leadership. To shift people out
of their current paradigm you need to stress:
- What matters most to the organization
- Concentrate on this main thing
- Create an annual work plan
- Link committee agendas to strategic priorities
- Substitute more macro governance for less micro management
As a resident, it was clear to me that for all his qualifications, Dr. Chait did not have a clear understanding of our industry and the difference between the stakeholders or clients in CCRCs , especially not-for-profits, and other corporate models. As noted above he did not have an understanding of the personal financial investment of residents of CCRCs.
The Art of Creative Conflict Resolution. This session stressed the difference between conflict and disagreement; how to keep simple disagreements from escalating into major conflicts. The speaker gave several examples of managing conflict by setting the rules so that participants understand the difference between discussing and decision making.
Older Driver Wellness. The purpose of the project was to develop a way of offering a voluntary program for testing of aging drivers to improve their ability for safe driving as well as alert them to their own capabilities. The program was based on the collaboration of a well-formed team of consultants, occupational therapists, residents and staff form various departments. (A separate report will be available on request.)
Other sessions that were unique and moving were the entertainment for the conference by Lily Tomlin and the panel at the close of the conference on Katrina and Rita.
Lily Tomlin, after giving her usual remarkable performance of characters familiar to us all, came out on the stage, sitting in a simple chair and gave us Lily Tomlin; how she feels about old age, personal vignettes, and answers to some written questions from the audience. It was clear she knew her audience and connected with all of us in a very moving and revealing monologue.
Panel of AAHSA Involvement in Katrina and Rita. It was very moving as well as informative to hear about CCRCs who were directly affected by Katrina and Rita. There were remarkable acts of bravery and dedication in taking care especially of assisted living and nursing home residents of AAHSA members. AAHSA it self was deeply involved in mobilizing assistance. The other half of the picture is the many AAHSA members who actively assisted or donated buses, mattresses etc. etc. The panel reflected how important it is to have a national organization such as AAHSA to make the connections between those members who needed help and those who could offer appropriate assistance.
Helen L. Vukasin 11/12/05
