As I walked around Campus on July 1st, I noticed the beautiful flag display at Buckwald's to celebrate independence day. That got me thinking, “Who puts these flags up? Who takes them down after holidays? Who keeps them in pristine condition?” That led me to wonder further about who are all the night and weekend people around here that do so many tasks that I take for granted like, “Who comforts or entertains the residents that can't sleep? Who picks up the trash on the weekends? Who washes the wheelchairs for the residents while they rest? Who cooks, sets up, cleans up, and tears down the zillion meals, parties and events over the weekends? Who cleans the carpets so that they smell amazing the next day? Who sweeps all the slippery Arizona Yellow Bell blooms from the front sidewalk of HR and takes time clean our offices so we're always putting our best foot forward?” And the somewhat shameful answer is…I'm not really sure.
I've been here 11 years and I know most of you from general orientation, annual in-service trainings, and of course, our epic Christmas parties. But how often do I swing in and see you or our residents on the weekends? How often do I make a lap around Campus in the evenings before I go home to see how you're all doing? What's the scoop on your family? Or school? Or your ridiculously cute golden retriever? Again, I have to answer, somewhat shamefaced, that it's not very often. You are ALL amazing and should be thanked and celebrated much more often.
Enter…a new senior staff initiative. Under the fearless leadership of our President and CEO Michelle Just and supported by all of our senior staff team, we (Allen Bloch, Barbara Wood, Cammy Clevenger, Cheryl Knupp, David Ragan, Ivan Hilton, Michelle Just, Peggy Roberts, Rod Bailey, Scott Mardian, Tena Alonzo, Valerie Cantrell, and me) will do more than talk about the wonderful staff and residents here, we will be on Campus more often on nights and weekends to check in with so many of you that we don't see regularly – our Night and Weekend Beatitudians, Campus Angels, Behind-the-scenes Campus Ninjas that create an amazing experience for residents and guests long after the office lights have been turned off across Campus. We also want to focus on touching base with more residents and family members that may be out and about on a weekend more often than during the week.
So don't be alarmed when you see us on the weekends. We will be rotating and coming in for a few hours each weekend. Our plan is to visit with as many residents, family members, and staff as we can pack in and see how things are going and if you need anything. We'll check in with the Administration Receptionist when we arrive and they'll have the schedule of who's on deck that weekend. We'll enjoy a meal in one of our fabulous dining venues. We'll put in work orders for things if needed so they don't have to wait until Monday. We'll note who's jumping in and helping others, going above and beyond, showing our special brand of Radical Hospitality and Campus Core Values in action. The goal is not to “audit” the Campus (although, since I personally know all the policies inside-out, I will notice dress code, parking, and smoking faux pas, so do keep following all those fun guidelines), the goal is to get to know our staff, residents, and family members better. I have heard countless times in my tenure here from friends and family members, “I sleep so much better at night knowing my mom/dad/grandparent is at beatitudes Campus. Your staff do such a great job there, Tara.” And as I puff up a little more from hearing those compliments, I say to them, “Yes they do. Yes…they…do.”
We all feel better knowing the great work that goes on here 24/7. Keep it up, Team Beatitudes! We're with you!
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