In December, I wrote in the Ecumen Insider, that this month I’d be introducing a mission, vision and values statement for Ecumen.  This statement is our “North Star.”  It guides everything that we do, and it underscores to everyone we serve and to everyone we come in contact with what Ecumen stands for.  As I introduce the mission, vision and values (displayed below), I want to share some background on how these were shaped by Ecumen’s board of trustees. 

 The Process

   Last fall, when our board embarked on reviewing Ecumen’s mission statement, they made some immediate observations, which follow:

 §         Creating home is such a fundamental part of who Ecumen is.  No matter someone’s job, or where they work within Ecumen, creating home is that common thread.  It’s more than a promise, it is a mission.

 §         Ecumen people aren’t satisfied with the status-quo. They work daily to provide great customer service, and at the same time they look to the future, figuring out how to do things better, innovating . . . it’s work that will help change how society views aging. We have to convey that outward vision.

 §         If you look at the foundation of Ecumen, fundamental parts exist that are absolutely mission-critical.  They are core values.  And they can never be compromised.

 What I Observed

  Developing an organization’s mission, vision and values can be difficult work.  Our trustees did a fantastic job, and they did it quickly and decisively.  That told me something very important: Collectively, we are living the words that today are being formally adopted throughout Ecumen.  Those words come to life through your commitment to creating home, living core values, and building the future of Ecumen, aging and aging services. 

 Spreading the Word

  Over the coming weeks, here at the Home Office and at Ecumen sites, you will see wall hangings with the mission, vision and values.  If you would like to download a color 8 ½ by 11-inch version of these mission, vision and values posters right now, you can do so on the Ecumen intranet (formerly webnet).  There you’ll find three different versions, just click on the mission, vision and values link.  If you have questions, please contact your site leader or Eric Schubert, director of communications, at ericschubert@ecumen.org or 651-766-4333.

On the next page, I am pleased to welcome you to Ecumen’s “North Star”: our mission, vision and values.   Thank you for bringing them to life!

Our Mission

We create home for older adults, wherever they choose to live.

Our Vision for “Changing Aging”

We envision a world in which aging is viewed and understood in radically different ways.

Our Values

Service

We intensely focus on serving our customers and delivering what they want with excellence.

  People

We believe in hiring and investing in dedicated, passionate people who make Ecumen communities great places to live and work.

 Innovation

We celebrate creativity and ingenuity, anticipate change, and understand that responsible risk is essential to delivering cutting-edge products and services.

 Spirituality

We honor our faith-based heritage by creating welcoming, inclusive communities that nurture and support the spiritual needs of the people we serve.

 Wellness

We believe that physical, intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional, and vocational growth is essential to wellness.

 Collaboration

We partner with other progressive organizations to maximize solutions for the people and communities we serve. 

Stewardship

We are committed to being financially successful and good stewards of our resources.