Saying goodbye is hard to do

Every now and then someone says to me, “You must be relieved when you fill a vacant position.” I usually smile because, in truth, that’s only the beginning.

The reason I’ve been thinking about this lately is because our Administrative Co-ordinator, Marjory Villneff, is leaving Community Care after almost 10 years. We are genuinely happy for her because she is pursuing something that’s important to her, but we’re also very sad for ourselves. Marjory has become an invaluable member of our team. She has taken on increasing responsibility over the years, supervised staff and volunteers, solved countless problems, and quietly made sure that so many things happened behind the scenes. She is, quite simply, amazing.

Her departure means we’re now looking for the right person to step into this important role. As with every position at Community Care, finding the right person is much more challenging than simply finding someone who wants a job.

Over the years I’ve learned that experience on paper only tells part of the story. We need people who genuinely enjoy working with older adults. They need to understand that our clients come first, and that every interaction matters. A friendly voice on the telephone, patience when someone asks the same question twice, and kindness during a difficult day are just as important as technical skills.
Then there are our volunteers. More than 400 people generously give their time to Community Care. Staff don’t just work alongside volunteers; they support, encourage and appreciate them. That takes experience and a genuine respect for the contribution volunteers make to our organization.

There are also government requirements, privacy legislation, funding agreements, policies, procedures, reporting expectations and accountability. Community Care is a health service provider as well as a charitable organization. Staff members often need experience in administration, customer service, working with seniors, supervising volunteers, and navigating the many requirements that come with publicly funded services. Experience working in the not-for-profit sector is a tremendous asset because it’s a unique environment where every dollar matters and resources must be used wisely.

Being located in Prince Edward County adds another layer. We hope to find someone who wants to build a career here, who appreciates rural living and who understands the unique needs of our community. That isn’t always easy in today’s job market.

Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic. Every so often someone walks through the door who has the right qualifications, the right experience and, most importantly, the right heart. They understand that our mission is to help older adults live well at home, stay active and feel connected to their community. When that happens, you know you’ve found much more than an employee. You’ve found someone who will make a difference.

Before Marjory leaves, we’d love the community to have an opportunity to thank her for everything she has done over the past decade. Everyone is warmly invited to join us for her farewell celebration on Monday, August 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Community Care, 74A King Street, Picton. Speeches will begin at 2 p.m. and refreshments will be served. We hope you’ll stop by to wish Marjory well as she begins her next chapter.

Debbie MacDonald Moynes is Executive Director of The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association.

info@communitycareforseniors.org