Leaders Reflect
What would philanthropic leaders have told themselves in December of 2019 that would help prepare them for what was to come in 2020 and 2021? Read more
Tray Wade
president and CEO, EveryStep
Dear Tray,
Two years ago, I could not have imagined how much EveryStep would be tested as an organization – to adapt, to respond, and to push our capabilities and persevere in the face of such a devastating health crisis.
I have learned so much about myself as a leader, and our employees have taught me so much about our capacity as a nonprofit health care and human services organization. If I could go back in time, I would share a few words of wisdom with myself to prepare for the challenges of 2020 and beyond …
First, start helping staff build resiliency. Focus on how to support them in their own mental health and physical care needs. They will experience feelings of isolation, caregiver fatigue and anxiety, and they will look to you to help them through as they work every day to courageously serve those in need.
Develop a unifying message, guided by EveryStep’s mission, that everyone can get behind. It will be a divided time in the nation, the state and the communities we serve. Focus on the mission – a shared passion among all EveryStep employees and volunteers – and make sure they understand that mission belongs to all of us regardless of political affiliation or polarizing beliefs.
Be prepared to be nimble; things will change on a dime. EveryStep can be flexible and innovative, and our people and programs will find new ways to serve the community. When we build and strengthen our partnerships with the business community and other organizations, great things happen, such as helping UnityPoint and John Deere deliver the COVID-19 care kits or loaning staff to county call centers for pandemic support and assisting other nonprofit organizations with derecho call center support.
Reevaluate your emergency preparedness plans; EveryStep’s needs in the face of a global pandemic will exceed anything the organization has faced in the past. Be ready with well-stocked PPE and supplies to protect and equip staff providing patient care or interacting with people we serve. Leverage the clinical expertise of your staff and leaders. They will shine in the face of the coming crisis, developing education and resources that will guide employees and help them respond to frequently changing protocols.
Prepare to redefine and expand how the organization provides care and support. We will adapt, finding new ways to grow our impact on the community when it needs it most. When new moms can’t come to our Stork’s Nest store, we’ll deliver baby supplies to their doorsteps. When homebound seniors can’t leave their homes, our volunteers will bring them groceries and send them cards. When COVID-19 limits some of our staff in making home visits, they will instead visit virtually and send resources to families in our care.
Be ready to equip staff with the equipment and technology they will need to work successfully at home. Strengthen employees’ skills in using virtual platforms so teams are ready to meet and problem-solve online, quickly access up-to-date pandemic training and resources, pivot to host support groups and grief camps online, offer care and support through iPads with our patients and clients, hold online fundraising events, and teach our volunteers how to use new technologies to help the people we serve.
Communicate clearly and often. You’ll meet twice a week with senior leaders to address evolving pandemic issues and develop plans. Transparency will be crucial. In the height of the pandemic, hold weekly videoconference calls with all employees to keep them updated, answer their questions, and offer reassurance and support. Your staff will go above and beyond every day, so be sure to recognize them – and encourage them to recognize their peers, as well. Use phone calls, video, email, internal social media and small gifts to rally employees and let them know their work is seen and appreciated.
Now is the time to be courageous around diversity, equity and inclusion. We must act to create real, sustainable changes both within EveryStep and, through the great work EveryStep does, to the communities we serve. Provide support, but step back and give space to EveryStep’s passionate and purpose-filled staff to lead efforts to develop plans, offer new perspectives and bring much-needed awareness to our employees and public. Keep it at the forefront of everyone’s minds, and do not let it fade away as the news headlines change.
Be prepared to redefine what success is. Success will be measured by keeping employees and volunteers safe while still providing great care in the homes of our patients; it will be finding new ways to serve our clients via the use of technology. The community will need so much support, so quickly; do not let the idea of “perfect” get in the way of being timely and responsive. Trust your leaders and their teams to be guided by EveryStep’s mission to empower individuals, support families and strengthen communities.
Prioritize and move forward on organizational plans that are vital to EveryStep’s continued growth and success, such as expanding home care and palliative care services to serve more rural Iowans and raising funds for much-needed renovations at EveryStep Hospice’s Kavanagh House on 56th Street.
Finaly, be ready for the most challenging, yet most rewarding years of your career, and be thankful that you are surrounded by nearly 400 fantastic employees, more than 600 amazing volunteers and an incredibly supportive community.
Why is philanthropy important to our community?
Philanthropy is the steadfast, compassionate machine that powers our community. When philanthropy is strong, our neighborhoods become stronger. EveryStep – like many local nonprofits – relies on support from our community in order to build our community. Fortunately, there is a long-standing spirit of giving in Central Iowa. The donations of time and money nonprofits receive help them address vital and otherwise unmet health care and support needs, empower at-risk populations, grow healthy families, strengthen community resources, and enrich our local culture. Philanthropy is what makes a community grow from good to great.