In May of each year, we have an annual Board of Directors dinner to thank our Board members for all that they do.  It is always a wonderful opportunity to visit with them in a social setting outside of the pressures of operating Martha Lloyd Community Services.  We catch up on what is going on with their families and spend an enjoyable evening talking about the past, present and future.

Serving on the Board of Directors of a non-profit organization is a wonderful experience, especially when things are going well.  Unfortunately, most non-profits do not always have smooth sailing. In these tough economic times, the sailing has been rough with State budget cuts looming, their job of overall governance gets much more difficult.  Our Board of Directors has the ultimate responsibility for the actions taken and the services provided by Martha Lloyd.  They hire the President/CEO and work hard supporting me so that the agency has a long and productive existence. 

At Martha Lloyd, we have been very fortunate over the years to have a Board of Directors that is engaged in what is happening.  They take their responsibilities very seriously and constantly ask questions of me and the Administrative Team that are timely and appropriate.  They offer counsel, advice, and in many instances know someone, who knows someone, that we should talk to.

Martha Lloyd’s Board of Directors is made up of doctors, lawyers, family members of residents and local business men and women, all of whom have one thing in common, they support our mission.

‘MLCS offers individualized opportunities and support to maximize the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.’ 

When serving on a Board of Directors it would be easy to sit back and watch other more engaged members do all the work.  Our Board is different.  Every one of them has a keen interest in a specific facet of what we do or has a wealth of knowledge or expertise in non-profit organizations.  Our family members want the best possible services for their loved one at a cost effective price.  They all want the organization to be financially sound and be a productive member of the communities in which we reside.  We recognize that we are an economic engine in this rural area with an $11 million budget and over 300 employees.  Organizationally, we have an obligation to this region. 

Over the years as the service system in Pennsylvania changed for individuals with intellectual disabilities, our Board has had to process an incredible amount of information.  The system, including how it has been funded, has changed dramatically and we have had to keep pace with these changes.  It is my job as the President/CEO, along with the Administrative Team to analyze this information and to provide the Board with options and recommendations.  Their willingness to participate in these meetings and take the time necessary to understand the information is critical and I believe sets them apart.  Our current Board members include:

Matthew Brann, Esq., Lee Cummings, Henry Dunn, Jim Good, Barry Ketterer, John Mattingly, Jerry May, Marsha Melkonian, G. Peter Morris,  Virginia Schoonover, Dr. Janeen Sheehe, Howard Smith, Jr., Dr. Ted Them, Doug Ulkins and Guire Webb 

I wanted to use my space this time to formally acknowledge them for their commitment to Martha Lloyd Community Services.  Inviting them to a dinner once a year just does not seem like an adequate thank you. 

I leave you with this thought, ‘if you have ever considered becoming a Board member of a non-profit or another group, do it.’  The compensation is more than money can buy. 

Live in Peace!

Initially it was difficult to assess the damage that was done to this region; however, as the reports began to come in, we realized that we could not safely hold this event.  Even now, weeks later the damage is still being assessed and dealt with.  Roads, highways, homes and businesses were all damaged with many in the area left homeless.  I recently talked with the Superintendent of Schools for the Athens school district and he reported that they have approximately 124 students who are considered homeless.  Several of our staff were flooded and out of their homes for an extended period.  State Route 6 east of Troy is down to one lane as the westbound lane was completely washed away.  Many local roads are still closed with many detours in place.  Martha Lloyd was just on the edge of this disaster.  Driving to work on September 8 from my home in Mansfield, west of Troy on Route 6, I was stopped by State Road crews on two separate occasions asking me where I was going.  They informed me that once in Troy, all other major roadways were closed.  I began to get a sense of how bad this disaster was and that having the majority of Martha Lloyd up on the hill was a good thing. 

Throughout the ordeal our staff kept doing what they do, taking excellent care of our residents.  Donations and supplies have been collected and distributed to those staff in need.  Our Team Appreciation Committee is currently soliciting donations for our local Red Cross.  Our staff is amazing and their work ethic and generosity continues to amaze me.  It is my pleasure to work with them.

This flooding disaster was the second significant weather related event in the past six months.  Very high winds in the spring took down many trees and damaged several roofs.  We have used our response to these events as an opportunity to re-examine our Disaster Plan.  As with all plans, this is a fluid document and with new information, we adjust our plan.  Our number one concern is keeping our residents safe and secure.

One of the events cancelled that weekend was the dedication of the swimming pool.  This dedication was in memory of longtime board member Mrs. Polly M. Dawsey, who passed away unexpectedly in January of this year.  The ceremony has been rescheduled for Friday, October 21 at 11:30am, prior to the next Board of Directors meeting.  We anticipate the dedication to be well attended.

With this news, I ask that you keep the victims of this most recent disaster in your thoughts and prayers.  Watching these types of events on television does not do the damage and the personal tragedy justice.

Live in Peace!

Towanda Daily Review Excerpt:  

Perhaps somewhere up in heaven, Martha Lloyd and Polly M. Dawsey were looking down.

Maybe they were watching all the people who turned out for a very special event Friday in Troy on the Martha Lloyd Community Services grounds.

Just maybe they were having a conversation as they looked down from their heavenly abode, a good talk about all the goings on down there.

That's how one Martha Lloyd board member saw it.   click here for the full article  

We are entering our fourth year with GoodSearch.com.  The site has recently changed and you can now register as a supporter of Martha Lloyd Community Services.  Here’s how:

GoodShop.com works with more than 2,500 stores (including Target, Apple, Petsmart etc..) and every time you purchase something, a percentage will be donated to us! And, even more exciting, GoodShop also offers over 100,000 of the most up-to-date coupons and free shipping offers so you can save money at the same time. It’s win win.

GoodSearch is a Yahoo powered search engine which makes a donation to us each time you do a search.

Join the rest of our community in using these sites to help us easily raise money for our mission. Get started by clicking the “Become a Supporter” button on our profile page here!

If you do not want to register, you can still shop and search and a donation will be made to Martha Lloyd Community Services.

This past month our region of the county has been pounded with many inches of snow and rain.  The Maintenance staff has done an excellent job of keeping parking lots open and walkways clear.  At times, it has been difficult to get Direct Care staff here.  Although this happens several times every year, I am still struck by the staffs’ commitment to the individuals we serve, and their co-workers.  There are no shut downs or closures, as we operate 24/7, 365 days a year.  Our number one priority is to keep our residents safe, and we need our Direct Care staff to do that.  Everyone’s efforts are really appreciated.  The Martha Lloyd spirit is alive and well even on those days when you question yourself with, ‘why I am driving to work’.  Everyone is looking forward to the return of warmer weather. 

In my summer of 2010 message, I reported that the idea of Telemedicine was a service we wanted to pursue.  I was just notified that the Guthrie Healthcare System is moving forward with this effort, and believes that they will be operational by May 1, 2011.  Serious discussions will begin internally to make this service a reality.  A demonstration of the equipment has been scheduled for April 19.  We plan to open the demonstration to the nursing staff as well as Supervisors and hope for a large turnout.  By moving in this direction, Telemedicine will greatly reduce the number of trips to Sayre, not to mention the level of anxiety many or our residents’ experience.  By using this service, we will also be able to get excellent information and treatment plans more quickly. 

In order for Martha Lloyd to proceed with this collaborative effort, we will need to lease or purchase the equipment.  It is estimated that the initial cost of the equipment could run between $25 – 35K.  We will be exploring all possible options to secure the equipment.  I want to thank our Board of Directors and our families for their encouragement and support for this project that we have received to date.

Other dramatic news from the Guthrie Healthcare System is that they are moving ahead with plans to replace the Troy Hospital.  In their words, they have reached a ‘tipping point’ with the expected continued growth in the area.  The current inpatient beds are constantly full and with the increased use of the Emergency Department, the Hospital has exceeded its capacity.  This new facility will have a very positive effect on the lives of our residents for many years. 

The hospital in Troy has been a key component of our ability to provide healthcare services to our residents.  It has been conveniently located only blocks from many of our homes.  Dr. Good and Dr. Wood see our residents onsite as well as at the hospital, which provides for a continuity of care that is extremely important.   When our residents do require hospitalization, staff and their friends are able to visit regularly, which makes everyone feel better.  With this increased capacity, more residents may have the option to stay local.

The healthcare industry across the country is going through dramatic changes.  We are very pleased that we are able to collaborate with the Guthrie Healthcare System to improve the lives of our mutual clients.  As we struggle over the next few years to adjust to the Natural Gas development in North Central Pennsylvania, we will continue to meet the health related needs of our residents with the assistance of all our partners. 

Yours in Peace!

Bill

During this wonderful season full of holidays, gift giving, wonderful meals and of course the snow, many of us take time to reflect on what has happened to us during the past year.  This serves as a reminder of all the wonderful things that have happened as well as looking at those struggles that we all have faced.  A wise man once said, “You can’t live in the past”, and they are absolutely correct.  We did live that period of time and hopefully we learned from it and enjoyed it.  However, at times it seems that we get stuck; we become afraid to move forward or to try new things.  Sometimes we just give up and resolve ourselves to the fact that we can’t control what will happen.  We don’t like that feeling but in some ways it feels comfortable.

I recently heard the saying, “stop running from something and start running toward something.”  Initially this sounded trivial but on further reflection it really does make good sense.  Our past experiences certainly play a big part in who we are and how we think about things.  If many of those experiences were difficult or hurtful then maybe we are not reaching our potential because of them.  The idea of running from our past is an essential concept.  If we chose to, we can set goals and work very hard at reaching them and looking positively toward the future. 

It is also a lot easier if we ask for some help along the way. When we allow people to help us, the job gets easier and that person feels good about helping.  During this season, I look at all of the volunteers who man the kettles, collect the food, and donate gifts for those in need.  There is a feeling you get when you help someone and feel appreciated that is hard to beat.  It is often easier to help someone else rather than ourselves.  That’s where setting goals and working toward them will help. 

In my fourteen (14) years at Martha Lloyd, I have learned that this organization like many others is steeped in tradition.  We value the lessons we have learned, yet look towards the future to ensure that Martha Lloyd continues to provide outstanding services to individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. 

Therefore, my holiday message to you is to remember the past, live in the present, and plan for the future.  Time is of the essence so we must make the most of it.

Yours in Peace!

Bill