c ounty onnections

Published for the Council and Employees of Lanark County FEBRUARY 2018

Thank you!A Message from the Warden

By Bill Dobson, 2017 Warden

Continued on Page 3

C OUNTYONNECTIONS

It has truly been an honour to represent Lanark County for the last year. I have worked with a fantastic team, including all of council, staff and, of course, our residents. I believe this has been the year of engagement. The public has responded and so they should. Many issues have been dealt with, including:• Official plan approval • Spraying of invasive weeds, which resulted in

a detailed management plan• Public transportation study• Ottawa Valley Recreation Trail with the

management plan now being reviewed• Economic development strategic plan• The location of the new Lanark County

ambulance base. The public has had considerable input this year, which has added to the democratic process in Lanark County. We have listened and responded with respect and made decisions for what was best for the majority of the residents. We have followed the Lanark County Vision 2025, which was developed in 2003-2004. Although we cannot predict the future, we can do our best to influence what it will be like. We look at what we value and build on it. We dream about what is possible and how it might be changed. In 2025 we will be celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the International Plowing Match, which was held in Lanark. The spotlight was on Lanark County and illustrated what is possible when we

CAO's Message P a g e 2Public Works P a g e 4Spirit Committee P a g e 7Clerk's Services P a g e 8 Social Services 3Focus on Fitness/Work-Life Balance Page 18Lanark Lodge P a g e 2 0 Corporate Services Page 24

IN THIS ISSUE:

We're always looking for photos! Send them any time to the contacts on Page 3.

And much more!

ARTISTIC TALENTS: Social Services staff recently got together for a paint night. Nice work, everyone!

COUNTY CONNECTIONS – FEBRUARY 2018 PAGE 2

A MESSAGE FROM THE CAO

By Kurt GreavesLet's make 2018 the best year ever!

Happy New Year! Two thousand seventeen was one crazy year. What a difference a president can make. Obama had a clear message of hope; Trump has a muddled message of fear and intimidation. In Ontario, 2018 will see provincial and municipal elections. Let's hope we see positive messages everywhere. I always try to be non-partisan as I believe in policy not politics, but I do look forward to the opportunity to vote. I encourage everyone to do their civic duty. In Lanark County, 2017

was a year of change. We had a number of long-service employees retire: Pat Hendry (43 years); Diane Pearen (41 years); Susan Truelove (36 years); Donna Corbett (34 years); Susan Coutts (31 years); Heather Jones (30 years); Brenda Ferrier (22 years); Bob Brady (10 years); Mary Kirkham (9 years); Robin Hoy (7 years); Keith Hopewell (6 years) and Karen Burrows (4 years). What a stellar group of employees. We thank them all for their huge contributions to the people of Lanark County. I wish them all the best in their well-deserved retirement. Cheers to you!

Attached you will find the summarized results of our annual employee satisfaction survey. This survey was created by the Corporate Values Committee (CVC) and is an integral tool that is reviewed by the CVC, executive management and discussed by all management at the management workshop. Your opinions really do matter; there is a commitment from top to bottom to make Lanark County an employer of choice. Anyone wishing to discuss the survey or any matters can come to my office at any time. It is up to all of us to work together, listen

Continued on Page 3

EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION SURVEY RESULTS 2014, 2015, 2016 & 20172014 2015 2016 2017

1 I am proud to tell others I work at Lanark County 100% 100% 97% 96%2 I am optimistic about the future of the organization 84% 100% 94% 88%3 I find my work challenging 89% 92% 97% 96%4 The organization inspires me to do my best work 78% 97% 87% 91%5 I am willing to put in extra effort 89% 94% 97% 100%6 The organization promotes a healthy work/life balance 73% 84% 67% 77%7 The overall morale of the staff is positive 50% 63% 55% 63%

PERSONAL & 1 I have enough training to do my job 78% 94% 97% 96%PROFESSIONAL 2 I have continuous opportunities to learn and grow 67% 76% 90% 96%GROWTH 3 My career aspirations can be achieved 72% 82% 93% 96%

1 My Coworkers treat me with respect 89% 97% 94% 96%2 The other members of my team/department help me to succeed in my job 89% 97% 94% 94%3 My direct manger/supervisor promotes a team work environment 59% 79% 93% 95%

1 My direct manager treats me fairly and with respect 72% 100% 100% 96%2 My direct manager sets clear and measureable goals 61% 79% 95% 95%3 I have confidence in my manager's decisions 61% 74% 90% 95%4 My manager acts consistently 55% 79% 93% 91%5 My manager talks to me about my progress on an ongoing basis 44% 74% 79% 78%6 My manager encourages me to offer opinions 67% 89% 97% 96%7 My manager provides staff with positive recognition for a job well done 67% 95% 86% 86%

1 I have trust and confidence in the senior management team 78% 94% 87% 88%2 The senior management team clearly communicates their goals 66% 76% 77% 86%3 Senior management acts consistently 55% 65% 81% 87%4 The management style of senior managers encourages employees best work 62% 80% 71% 91%

Overall Positive Responses 71% 86% 88% 91%

respondants 18 19 31 24total survey award recipients 50 50 55 44

% respond 36% 38% 56% 55%

ENGAGEMENT

TEAMWORK

SUPERVISOR

SENIOR MGMT


A MESSAGE FROM THE WARDENContinued from Page 1 A highlight for me was to attend the service

awards to recognize the long-term contribution of some of our employees. Professional development events, such as health and wellness week, portray the positive work ethic and good nature of our staff. Another highlight for me was to curate the Lanark County exhibit at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in Ottawa to celebrate Canada's birthday, focusing on the five regions of Canada. Lanark County is at the forefront of programs throughout Ontario. I am often asked, how do you do it and why are you in politics? I usually respond that I keep it simple; the only way you should get into politics is if you think you can improve the quality of life for your community and that you never put yourself first. I have worked hard to uphold the promises I made when I ran for warden and have enjoyed every minute of it. I would like to recognize all of you as part of a team. Each of you is a link in the chain, each of you is a cog in the wheel, each of you is important to the team. Thank you for all that you do to serve the public.

is published semi-annually by Lanark County to inform our employees about

county initiatives for which we are responsible and employee activities where

we had some fun at work.

Striving to build unity through communication.

COUNTY CONNECTIONS

If you have any questions or comments we would like to hear from you. You can reach us by contacting: Casey Whiticar: E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 1-888-9LANARK, ext. 1102 Stephanie Gray: E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 613-264-0447

and strive for daily improvement. One of the things the Corporate Values Com-mittee looked after this year was the sweatshirt order. It is really nice that everyone got a cool piece of Lanark County swag to wear with pride, just in time for Christmas. Thank you to Joanne Plontz, Sarah Pitts and Cynthia Burns, who organized all the sizes and departments. What a project delivering 300 sweatshirts. The shirts are a huge thank you to all our valued employees for their continued commitment to health and safety (H&S). We are extremely proud of everyone for taking H&S seriously and making workplace safety the top priority. Thank you to everyone who served on all our committees: Spirit, Working On Wellness, CVC and H&S. By stepping up and making a contribution you are instrumental in improving the workplace for everyone. I wish everyone good health in 2018!

all work together. Although some things change, what people value about living in Lanark County remains constant. At the top of what we value is the rural and small-town way of life, the character of the people, the history and our location. I am confident much of our vision will be realized with the leadership of council, staff and community leaders. It has been a busy year, starting off with the official opening of our state-of-the-art ambulance base in Montague and a new youth centre in Mississippi Mills. Shortly after that Glen Tay School in Tay Valley school organized a virtual trip to other schools in Canada to celebrate Canada's 150th. Preserving the past was also an important emphasis of museum events in Carleton Place and Lanark Highlands. The Perth Civitan in Drummond/North Elmsley celebrated 100 years and Beckwith continues to make us all proud by hosting the Lanark County Harvest Festival. The town of Perth hosted the Pride parade and made us feel that everyone is equal and included.

Continued from Page 2A MESSAGE FROM THE CAO


PUBLIC WORKS2018 PROJECTS We have a full roster of projects planned for 2018, including: County Road 4 (Roger Stevens Drive): Resurfacing for 5.5 km from Rideau Avenue to County Road 23 (Rosedale Road South). County Road 17 (Appleton Side Road and Cemetery Side Road): A total of 7.3 km, 5 km of pulverizing, granulars and warm mix and 2.3 km of warm mix resurfacing. County Road 8 (Watsons Corners Road): For 4 km, pulverizing, granulars and double surface treatment from Dalhousie Lake Bridge to 6th Concession A Dalhousie. County Road 16 (Wolfgove Road): For 2.8 km, pulverize, granulars, warm mix resurfacing from County Road 9 (Tatlock Road) to 12th Concession C Lanark. County Road 23 (Rosedale Road South): For 3.4 km total, 1.5 km pulverize, granulars and warm mix from Bristow Drive to Matheson Drive and 1.9 km resurfacing from Matheson Drive to County Road 4. County Road 6 (Althorpe Road): For 2.9 km, pulverize, granulars and double surface treatment from 0.9 km west of Hanna Road westerly for 2.9 km. County Road 21 (Lally Road): For 3.2 km, ditch, granulars and double surface treatment on gravel section. County Road 29: For 9.2 km, micro-surfacing from Carleton Place to Almonte. County Road 6 (Althorpe Road): For 9 km, micro-surfacing

from Bathurst 2nd Concession to 0.9 km west of Hanna Road. County Road 19 (South Lavant Road): For 8.7 km, micro-surfacing from Hwy. 511 to Poland. County Road 19 (Bennett Lake Road): For 8.2 km, micro-surfacing from County Road 36 to Arthur Road. County Road 36 (Bolingbroke Road): For 6.5 km, micro-surfacing from Leeds Boundary to Hanna Road.

County Road 24 (Campbell Side Road): For 3 km micro-surfacing from 4th Concession North Pakenham to County Road 20 (Waba Road). County Road 22 (Shaw Road): For 2.7 km, micro-surfacing from Ottawa Boundary to County Road 20 (Waba Road). County Road 1 (Rideau Ferry Road): For 10.5 km, asphalt sealer from Rideau Ferry to Perth.


PUBLIC WORKSWINTER DRIVING TIPS Lanark County Public Works shares the following tips from the Ontario Good Roads Association with colleagues to encourage safe winter driving: Everyone has to do their part to get around safely in the winter. When a winter storm is expected, all municipalities have a plan:• First, hills and bridges are treated in advance

of a storm to make them easier to plow.• As soon as snow begins, salt trucks head out

and treat expressways and main roads first, followed by smaller routes.

• Plowing begins in a similar order. With large snowfalls, plowing usually begins once the storm has ended.

Drivers need to have their own plan, which includes leaving earlier and planning a route. It is important to delay unnecessary travel during significant storms to give plows time to do their jobs. It's also safer for drivers. Other ways to drive safely this winter are shown below.

Go slow driving in snowDrive according to weather conditions, not the speed limit.• During a storm, posted speed limits are usually

too fast. Conditions can also be unpredictable and change rapidly. Adjust your speed accordingly and give yourself extra travel time.

• Avoid sudden moves, starts or stops. Start slowly on slick or snowy roads and brake gradually, giving yourself plenty of space. Steer gently into turns to maintain control.

• Be visible. Use your low-beam headlights when it is snowing. They are brighter than daytime running lights and will turn on your tail lights.

Be nice driving on iceStopping distance on ice is double that of a dry road.• Leave extra space when driving in icy conditions.• Approach intersections slowly, when they are

covered with ice or snow.• Use extra caution on bridges and ramps. Ice can

form without warning, even if roadways are dry.• Watch out for black ice, a thin, nearly invisible coat

of ice that can make the road look like shiny new asphalt. Pavement will look grey or white in the winter.

It's not a race, give plows spacePlows can't see you and you can't see the road ahead.• Plows are extra wide and throw snow and spray,

making it difficult to see if the road ahead is clear for passing.

• The safest place is well behind the plow.• Wait for plows to pull over before passing, but

don't accelerate too quickly – the road ahead is unplowed and could be slick or snowy.

• Avoid parking in the street. Plows can't clear roads that are blocked by parked cars.


PUBLIC WORKS

NEW EQUIPMENT A new plow and service truck were purchased in 2017 for public works.

STAFF CHANGES/NEW HIRES Keith Hopewell (below, with Director Terry McCann) has retired after seven years of employment with Lanark County. His last day was Jan. 5. Congratulations, Keith! There are four new temporary full-time Snow Plow Operators/Labourers working the night shift for the 2017/2018 season: Andrew Joy, Jason

HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN COMPETITION Public Works had another excellent entry in the annual pumpking carving competition.

Andrew Joy Jason Guignion Norm Baker

Cale RowanCody Rowan

Guignion, Cody Rowan, Cale Rowan. As well, Norm Baker has been hired as a Mechanic.


SPIRIT COMMITTEE

CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN:Lanark County got into the spirit with costumes, fantastic displays and the annual pumpkin-carving competition!


SOCIAL NOTES

GOT A SOCIAL NOTE?In addition to departmental highlights, there is always exciting personal news to share with co-workers. Submit info and photos about weddings, births and special activities for the "Social Notes" page to [email protected].

NEW ARRIVAL: Patty Duncan, Payroll Coordinator, became a grandma for the second time on Dec. 18. The family welcomed baby boy Liam, 8 lbs., 7 oz.

NEW GRANDMA! Joanne Burke (above) was a first-time grandma this year. Baby girl Brielle was born on July 14. Joanne visited out west on Dec. 9.

NEW ADDITION! Sean (Public Works) and Courtney Derouin, along with big sister Charley, welcomed baby girl Karsyn on Oct. 17.

CLERK'S SERVICESRETIREMENTS Some long-term employees retired this year. At right, Susan Truelove is joined by her son Mike, Terry McCann and retired County Engineer Bob Strachan. Below left, Susan with CAO Kurt Greaves. Below right, Kurt with Pat Hendry, Social Services.


CLERK'S SERVICESWELCOME JULIE Julie Stewart joined the Clerk’s Department in the capacity of County Planner on Monday, Aug. 21. Julie is a resident of Lanark County and comes to us with more than 20 years of career experience and knowledge as a Land Use Planner in a variety of roles for both the public and private sector. She has completed a wide variety of planning projects across eastern Ontario and has a comprehensive understanding of the principles of land use planning at different levels of government. Julie has a degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a Minor in Public Administration. She is a full member of the Ontario Professional Planning Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners and is accredited as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP). Julie began her career as a Junior Planner with the Township of Rideau Lakes at the time of amalgamation and within a few years was promoted to the position of Manager of Development Services. She then transitioned to the private sector as a Senior Planner with McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd., as a member of a multi-disciplinary team comprised of professional engineers, planners, hydrogeologists, biologists and surveyors. While at McIntosh Perry, she also held the position of Municipal Planner at the Town of Renfrew and the Township of Greater Madawaska through a contract position. Since 2015, Julie has been employed with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as a Lands and Waters Technical Specialist and, most recently, in the capacity of Acting District Planner. Julie has a demonstrated history of leadership within the planning community and dedicated effective representation for a variety of municipal and private sector clients and organizations. We feel very fortunate to have her join our County team.

JULIE STEWART

WELCOME CASEY Casey Whiticar joined the CAO & Clerk’s Department team in the capacity of Research Assistant on Monday, Nov. 13. Casey is a resident of Lanark County and no stranger to local government. She comes to us with more than eight years of career experience and knowledge in a variety of roles. Casey has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, an undergrad certificate in Economic Development from the University of Waterloo and a certificate in Municipal Administration from AMCTO. Casey began her career as a student intern in the Lanark County Clerk’s Department, specifically assisting with tourism and planning, and has since held positions as the Building and Planning Assistant in Tay Valley Township, Executive Assistant to the CAO/Treasurer at the County of Frontenac, Acting Clerk at Montague Township and, since January of 2013, has held the position of Economic Development Coordinator with the Town of Perth. Casey is a highly motivated self-starter with a solid understanding of local government at the upper and local tier. She has a demonstrated history of leadership and working closely with municipal staff, council and community partners. Her experience, skills, connections and enthusiasm will be a true asset to Lanark County. We feel very fortunate to have her join our team.

CASEY WHITICAR

POWER OF MENTORSHIP We are very fortunate to have retained Mary Kirkham on a casual basis in the Planning Department following her retirement in June 2017. Her knowledge and expertise is an asset to us all, but particularly to Julie and Leanne, who are both new to the department. This quote from the late Maya Angelou sums it up best: “In order to be a mentor, and an effective one, one must care. You must care. You don’t have to know how many square miles are in Idaho, you don’t need to know what is

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WARDEN’S GOLF TOURNAMENT The Annual Warden’s Golf Tournament was held on Friday, Aug. 18 at Timber Run Golf Course. The event supported the United Way’s Lanark County Youth Collective Impact Project, which is a community project aimed to end youth homelessness that is led by a collaborative of several community partners. A total of $5,900 was raised at the tournament.

the chemical makeup of chemistry, or of blood or water. Know what you know and care about the person, care about what you know and care about the person you’re sharing with.”

CLERK'S SERVICESContinued from Page 9

MENTORING: Mary Kirkham training Julie and Leanne on the GIS program.

FAMILY TEAMS: Below left, Dean and Evan Noonan, Warden Dobson, Marie White and Isabelle Bingley. Above, Connor and Kurt Greaves, Warden Dobson, Kevin and Nicole Carnrite.

THROWBACK – CAN YOU GUESS? Taking it back a few years…can you guess who these beauties are?! Hint: they may enjoy plan-ning! Yes, that’s right – our very own Julie Stewart and Mary Kirkham more than 30 years ago!

HARVEST FESTIVAL The Lanark County Harvest Festival is an opportunity for people to meet our local farmers and purchase local food and other locally made products. This year’s event was held on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Beckwith Park and celebrated the county’s bounty of the harvest,


featuring local producers, food seminars, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, local musicians, historical displays and more.

CLERK'S SERVICESThis year, we featured our partnering township, Montague, by showcasing its people, products and projects.

HARVEST FESTIVAL: From left, Marie White and Past Warden Bill Dobson; volunteers Leslie Drynan and Rachel Bingley; and volunteers Councillor Gail Code and Tracy Palmer.

WARDEN’S BANQUET Warden Bill Dobson hosted his banquet at the Mississippi Textile Museum in Almonte on Friday, Dec. 1.

FINE STYLE: Clockwise, from top left: Chris Goveia (IT) and fiancée Kristin Cron; Rodney and Casey Whiticar; Kurt and Jen Greaves; Casey Whiticar and Leslie Drynan; Marie White and Leslie Drynan.


CLERK'S SERVICESTHE POWER OF TEAM Because co-workers become our family! At right: Canada Day staff photo, Clerk's Department summer picnic. Below, annual Christmas decorating, Clerk's Department at Holiday Luncheon Holiday Luncheon photo bomb by Mary Lou White. LANARK COUNTY VAMPIRES

Below, Garry Welsh and his harem of vampires, the lady vampires and the Clerk's department.


SOCIAL SERVICESMUNICIPAL MONITOR The following article was written by Tammy Kealey-Donaldson, Ontario Works Manager, and published in the Q4 2017 issue of Municipal Monitor magazine. Crashing the Comfort Zone: How to keep long-term employees happy, engaged and productive Over the last several years, much has been written about the challenges municipalities face in re taining staff, the retention practices needed and the cost associated with staff turnover. Seldom examined is how rural municipalities frequently experience the opposite situation whereby staff remain in the same municipality throughout their career. When you consider the elimination of mandatory retirement at age 65, and the improvement in health and life expectancy, it is not unheard of to have staff with 35-plus years of service, sometimes in the same posi tion. More commonly, people leave the work environment as a result of contracts ending, restructuring, retirement or death rather than for better opportunities offered by another employer. This can result in a disproportionate amount of long -tenure employees compared to their urban counterparts. Rural municipalities must not become complacent or naively assume that because someone is a long-term employee they naturally must be content with their job, engaged and committed to the orga nization. The last thing you want to see is the "quit and stay" phenomenon, whereby people never physically leave your organization, but they are long gone emotionally and commit ment-wise. Employee retention does not speak to the overall engagement, satisfaction or productivity of said employees. Rural communities continue to be hit hard by the exodus of jobs. While municipal jobs are not considered to be the most exciting or glamorous, they are frequently deemed to be the best jobs in town. Municipal jobs most often provide flexible work schedules, job security, health bene fits, pension plans and paid vacation. They also have employee assistance programs, life insurance plans, paid training opportunities and are considered lucrative compared to many other

jobs in a rural setting. When you consider the financial compen sation, flexibility and benefits the municipal sector offers, similar work and benefits are often next to impossible to find. Our decisions to accept and main tain employment are multifaceted and not based solely on love for the job or employer. External factors such as family responsibilities, financial demands, lifestyle choices, neces sity for health coverage, comfort and convenience or the ease of maintain ing the status quo often drive people to stay in their careers for a long time. This can be compounded in a rural setting where there are limited opportunities. Working for a new organization requires a steep learning curve, having to prove oneself, building new relationships and learn ing a new corporate culture, so it is no wonder people choose to stay. It is not enough to bask in the glory of having long-tenure employees as a symbol of success. We must ask the difficult question: Are our long-term employees working to their potential, growing as individuals and provided with the necessary training opportu nities to stay on top of a fast-paced, changing municipal work environ ment? No employee, including those who have worked long term, can be considered maintenance free. Throughout someone's career there will be ebbs and flows in job satisfaction and engagement. With long-term employees, you experience a higher ratio of both. A rural municipal environment with minimal staff turnover calls for due diligence in hiring practices and ensuring a good fit, given the increased probability of long-term tenure. Finding the right person for the job initially does not mean that your work is done. Engagement practices must also be an integral part of the organization. The longer someone stays in one place, the more opportunity there is to become dis engaged, even actively so, if there are no measures to combat this. It is important not to create a culture of entitlement. When employees work for an organization for a long time there may be a sense that the employer owes them. The thought is: I have devoted so many years of my life to this



SOCIAL SERVICESContinued from Page 13organization that I am owed special treatment. For some there is a feeling that it's their time to sit back and reap the benefits of their past work. Having a number of staff with the same mentality on the countdown to retirement can have a huge impact on the organization. It affects not only the long-term employees who are not of the same mindset, but also the newer staff watching this all unfold. It can have huge monetary implications and costs in morale. As prudent and responsible employers, we must research ways to counteract negative effects. To com prehend why your staff stays, you need to ask that very question. Are your employees staying due to the challenging work, learning oppor tunities and deep commitment or are they more apt to speak of convenience, retirement package and being in their comfort zone? Their answers may surprise you. When long-term employees were asked if a person is more apt to be engaged the longer they work for an organization, the majority indicated no. Employees said the less challenged a person is the less motivated they become. Without regular changes in job content, training,special projects and committee work, things become boring and stagnant. Typically, people like opportuni ties for advancement, room to grow and the ability to enhance skills on an ongoing basis. Long-term employees may decline in their skill set if they can't acquire updated educational tools. The length of an employee's tenure does not ensure that he or she has the most up-to-date skills neces sary to do the job well. A long-term employee with no recent training may plateau or have an outdated approach. It is critical that your long -term employees constantly upgrade their skills. Substantial research data dem onstrate the advantage of having long-tenure, engaged employ ees. One consistent theme in the research is that experience counts in a knowledge-based economy. Studies suggest that long-tenureemployees can be less engaged and still manage to out-perform a less senior employee. Veteran employees have an edge, as they know the

organization's inner workings, have an in-depth knowledge base of resources and a robust understanding of how to best get things done in an efficient, seamless manner. The best condition for an employer is to have people who are engaged, are the right fit for their position, are using their natural talents and are with the organization for 10 years or more. Thus, smaller municipalities with a large number of long-term employ ees have a huge potential to benefit from higher levels of performance on the proviso that staff are engaged and in positions that match their skill sets and talents. Using the same engagement practices with long-term staff as you do with newly hired millennials may miss the mark. Much of what long-term employees are looking for does not have a dollar figure attached. You must consider that most long-term employees are at the top of their pay grid and in a small rural municipality the opportunity to advance to higher pay positions is limited due to their size. Long-tenure staff are looking for an overall sense of fulfillment and belonging. Studies clearly outline that long-term employees want intrinsic rewards, investment in workplace wellness, training/development and recognition. Employers must determine what compels and motivates their long -term staff. For some it is about having purposeful work, making a difference, being a contributing member of a team or acting as a mentor. Others require social interaction and connection with those they work with. Another group wants to be chal lenged and master new skills. Finally, some need affirmation and recogni tion for their hard work, dedication and contributions. An exemplary manager gets to know staff on a personal level and determines what a satisfactory work environment looks like while meet ing the employer's needs. If you truly value your employees and want them to be an integral part of your orga nization, it is crucial that you take the opportunity to hear from them. When asked how the organization can make them feel valued, long-term employees said: • "Provide us with more opportu nities to give


input";• "Ask our feedback before making decisions";• "Listen! Long-term employees can often

contribute more than opportunities allow." Long- term employees expect their years of experience to be called upon and put to good use. Make a concerted effort to keep your long-term employees engaged so they don't experience their work as drudgery. Maintaining

their engage ment includes providing intrinsic rewards, investing in their wellness, training and development, and recognizing their efforts. By combining these elements with a strong management team that brings out the best in people, communicates openly with staff and uses their natural talents, employers can have a happy, dynamic and productive workforce.Tammy Kealey-Donaldson is an engaged 25-year employee with the County of Lanark.

SOCIAL SERVICES

CHRISTMAS IN…OCTOBER? For Halloween 2017, Housing Manager Sandy Grey knew what she wanted the pumpkin to look like. From there, some creative thinking and maybe confusion on which holiday it really was led to a haunted Holiday Halloween or Hallowwistmas. The creativity of the “Pumpkin-Eater” won Housing the tied title of runner-up for Best Pumpkin.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES: ADVENTUROUS WINTER PLAY How many of us can think back to a time when we were kids rolling down a hill, driving your bike so fast it felt like you were flying or climbing a tree so high it made you feel like a giant? During school recesses we would climb to the top of the snow hill and wrestle to be “King of the Castle.” In the past, there was nothing special about this kind of play. It was the norm for most kids in most neighbourhoods, and yet we all survived. Fast forward a few years, and all play associated with risk had disappeared. Adventures that we all used

to enjoy as kids are deemed too risky and dangerous. Risk-taking during play had become increasingly regulated, managed and controlled and even removed all together. The limitations put on children’s play are often based on the adult’s perception of what is dangerous or risky rather than individual capabilities or giving the children the choice to judge situations for themselves. That brings us to today. The Early Years has successfully been implementing “How Does Learning Happen,” a professional resource guide that is organized around four foundations: Belonging, Well-being, Engagement and Expression. We see every child

as competent and capable. Because of this, adventurous play has made a big comeback, and we see the benefits of children being challenged in their play again. Children are highly motivated to play in adventurous ways, but they are also very good at knowing their own capacities and avoiding risks they are not ready to take. Children know far better than we do what they are ready for. Adventurous or “risky” play is seen more and more in early year’s settings, with an emphasis on outdoor play and exploration. Often using the mantra “We whether the weather no matter the weather.” We may be more inclined to



Continued from Page 15

SOCIAL SERVICES

explore in the warmer months with our littles, but there is so much to discover in our winter wonderland, whether it is in a child care centre or at home. Here are some great ideas for winter adventurous play:• Enjoy a winter nature walk• Toboggan down a big hill…

and then walk back up…repeat

• Build a snow fort• Build any kind of fort using

real tools, wood and your imagination

• Encourage kids to be helpers. They can shovel, pile wood and so much more

• Go ice skating,

snowshoeing, skiing• Throw snowballs• Climb snow banks• Fill balloons with water and

food colouring. Freeze. Remove balloon and you have colourful ice balls to play with outdoors.

“Play is the work of childhood.” Let’s value it!

STAFF RETIREMENTS IN 2017Children’s Services Brenda Ferrier joined Lanark County in the early ’80s, later took some time to raise her family and returned again in 1995, joining the new Children’s Services Department. It goes without saying that Brenda played a significant role in building and developing our new role in Children’s Services, with the responsibility moving from the provincial level to the county level. Brenda never shied away from the hard work it took and always displayed such confidence in our ability to accomplish this great undertaking. Brenda’s kind and caring manner was demonstrated through her career with clients, service providers and staff and truly lived our Corporate Values. We will most certainly miss her, but her husband, children and new granddaughters will love having her attention now. Congratulations, Brenda, and thank you!Ontario Works After more than 43 dedicated years of working for Lanark County, Pat Hendry submitted

her notice of retirement with her last day of employment on Dec. 31, 2017. Pat has seen many transformational changes in the Social Services sector during the past 40-plus years. She has been an excellent resource and provided valuable insight to newer staff, especially on how to deal with change. Pat has left behind a legacy of achievement, hard work and dedication. Best wishes and congratulations from all of us at Lanark County, Pat! Diane Pearen has been with the County for 41 years. Diane is best known for her passion for people. She has been the face of Lanark County and has been out working in the community for much of her career. When she is not supporting clients to employment she is moving them towards completing their Grade 12. She is always present at the graduation ceremonies and is proud of our clients' success and resilience. Diane truly believes in our clients abilities and provides them with the necessary resources in our community. Diane can often be found cooking breakfast/lunch for staff in Smiths Falls or bringing in her famous CHILDREN’S SERVICES TEAM –

ESCAPE MANOR: Back row, from left: Mary Lou White and Liane Clarke. Front, from left: Casey Munro, Brenda Ferrier, Chelsey Coe.

ONTARIO WORKS RETIREES: From left, Heather Jones, Pat Hendry and Diane Pearen.


SOCIAL SERVICESbrownies. She is always busy making sure staff and clients feel heard and supported. Diane is truly the heart of the organization and we will miss her dearly. Heather Jones joined Lanark County back in 1987. She initially started working at Lanark Lodge followed by Ontario Works in her role as a clerk. She later decided to go back to school and returned as a front-line Caseworker. Heather’s calm, professional and client-based approach has been an asset to our clients. She has the ability to break down steps into small manageable pieces so that

clients can experience success and gain confidence in their abilities. She also is a dedicated team member who supported her co-workers in the transition to SAMS and provided valuable

WHEN FOOD IS SERVED…IT and friends are always there to help! From left, Blair Wadsworth, Peter Garrett, Steve MacIntosh, Alex Skacel, Chris Goviea, Ken Stewart, Kevin Wills, Peter McLaren, Ryan Carroll, Stephen Prieur

SOCIAL SERVICES CELEBRATIONS

input to the Employment Focus group. We wish her all the best in her travel pursuits and know she will enjoy her retirement spending time with family and friends.

NEW HIRES

Heather Mackenzie, Children's Services Caseworker

Jacqui Robertson, Ontario Works Caseworker

Stacey Knowles, Social Housing Support Clerk


FOCUS ON FITNESS/WORK-LIFE BALANCE In this issue we are combining these articles as we have one candidate demonstrating how fitness has contributed significantly to her work-life balance. If you know someone who should be recognized for dedication and commitment to health and wellness, or for his or her hobbies and/or giving back to the community in his or her spare time, e-mail Casey Whiticar at [email protected]. For Leslie Drynan, County Clerk and Deputy CAO, fitness and work-life balance are inextricably linked. Her goal? “I want to feel good and encompass positivity in my health and, ultimately, to my everyday life. My mantra aligns with that of the Personalized Health Centre and that is to ‘Eat right, sleep right, love right, poop right, drink right and move right.’” Leslie bases her food choices around the 80/20 rule (healthy food 80 per cent of the time, allowing for treats 20 per cent of the time). She follows a “caveman-style traditional diet” and bases meals around three groups: 1. Health foods that protect the body from disease prevention (fruits and vegetables); 2. Energy foods that provide energy to the body (starches and whole grains); 3. Body-building foods that help repair and build the body (proteins). Why does she do this? “I want to be my body’s friend,” she explains. “I truly believe that every woman, every man, every human spends so much time at war with themselves that we miss out on the wonders of life.”

Leslie says she battled with her body for years and years, until she hit her late 20s. “I over trained it and under-nourished it. I thought that would make me fit into the societal perception of ‘fit and thin.’ I thought that would make me happy, and to be completely honest, I thought that’s just what women were supposed to do. That we were supposed to hate our bodies…to shrink and be small, but not too small because we needed curves in all the right places, but not too many curves. Basically to chase perfection that doesn’t exist.” She says a few years ago she started “working inward,” which is when her relationship with her body, her passions and her life changed. “I realized I didn’t need validation from anyone to be me, universally me, with my flaws and imperfections. I realized that this is my body and my life.” She switched her mindset from believing that she had to train for two hours a day to feel worthy or deserving of love and happiness to focusing on what she could accomplish at the gym, such as how much weight was on the bar and how she could change her body. She says this was a step in the right direction. She adds the most important lessons from training were about building confidence, enduring hardships and prioritizing my health. “Those lessons were permeating the rest of my life, and that is when I truly realized the value of going to the gym,” she says. “Training is not a punishment. It shouldn't be looked at as merely a way to burn calories. Training is a tool to help you become who you want to become. That's the real value. Training is IN THE MOMENT: Above, Leslie practising yoga. Top

right, pursuing her interest in learning to play the violin.


FOCUS ON FITNESS/WORK-LIFE BALANCEno longer a compulsion but a choice. For me now, my training is less about boosting my self-worth and more about my growth.” Leslie says lifting heavy weights teaches her resilience, yoga teaches her to be present, setting goals teaches her that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to, and rest days teach her the importance of stillness. “Someone recently asked me why I have gotten into stretching, yoga and meditation and I was going to say because it changes your life, then I realized that it doesn’t change your life as much as it changes the way you experience your life.” She adds training is not just about the training, it’s about the inner growth. “It is totally possible to turn a body you hate into a body you love ... it just means doing some inner work alongside the outer work. It can take a while to see that there’s really only one big decision you have to make…Will you trust yourself? Your choices? Your heart? Your body? Your appetite?” Leslie says it’s easy to be sucked into dieting at this time of year. “It’s helpful to be aware of certain words and phrases that can lure you towards dieting and take you away from trusting yourself: cleanse, detox, shred, toxins, primal, fat burning, lean, good/bad, clean, anything promising you secrets to perfect health, anything promising to cure cancer, celiac, IBS...”

When that happens, she says, remember to come back to your breath, your body and yourself. “Your body is amazing. You’ll forget that again and again your whole life, but there are lots of things you can do to help you remember. Simply keep it simple but, most importantly,

spend time actually living in your body instead of judging it or comparing it or criticizing it, and you’ll discover your body is actually a pretty amazing place to be.” Being healthy in her mind and body is something that has helped Leslie to fit everything else into her life, including learning to play the fiddle, shooting at the gun range, spending time her two godchildren and new nephew, cars and her beautiful cats. She is currently athoring a book of inspiration, motivation and life altering situations. In June 2017 she joined the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Board, something she has had a long interest in supporting. “I was born and raised in Smiths Falls, and I have a strong sense of community pride, appreciation for the vital role the hospital plays in our community and interest in giving back. I feel privileged to serve on the Board and look forward to fulfilling the mandate of this important role.” She is also actively participating as a Big Sister to a girl named Blayze through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County. They have been matched for almost a year and enjoy many activities together. Prior to the match, Leslie helped BBBS with its “Go Girls” in-school mentoring program. Leslie urges daily discipline in all things to bring lasting change. “If you want to change one thing or another thing or ANYTHING, it WILL take a daily investment of your time doing the unsexy, mundane tasks.”

LIVING LIFE: Above, Leslie with her Little Sister Blayze. At left, practising at the range.


LANARK LODGETHE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS AT LANARK LODGE Dan Renaud, a Personal Support Worker at Lanark Lodge, dresses up as Santa each year, carrying on a family tradition. The suit that he wears once belonged to his father, who also dressed up as Santa to bring joy to young children. Dan generously donates his own time to come in for the Family Christmas at Lanark Lodge and play Santa for residents, families and staff on that day. It is pretty neat to see their reaction as Santa calls the resident by name, as Dan is familiar with so many of them. The magic of Christmas touches us all, no matter our age. Thanks, Dan, for making this happen!

INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAM A HUGE SUCCESS Lanark Lodge has partnered with a local daycare to run an intergenerational program, which has been a huge success for residents, the children and a number of our staff. The great thing that is happening is that a number of staff have children and grandchildren participating in this event. It is so wonderful for staff to have their children or grandchildren in attendance at the Lodge and have an opportunity for their children to learn more about the elders, but also for the children to learn more about what their mother or grandmother does at the Lodge. Residents are always happier and more engaged when there are children around, and this program brings this to life in spades. A huge thank you to the programming staff at the Lodge for coordinating it, but also to the staff who bring their children and grandchildren in to partake – it is magic to watch!

Sarah Muir Donaldson with her son Christopher interacting during the intergenerational program.


LANARK LODGENEW HIRES

Amanda Wilson, Health

Care Aide

Darlene Potts-Edward, Nursing

Support Clerk

Julie Ottman, Health

Care Aide

Megan Norwood,

Health Care Aide

Saskia Mellan, Health Care

Aide

Sarah McCutcheon,

Health Care Aide

Ronald Deschamps, Environmental

Services Manager

Neurika Del Mundo, Health

Care Aide

Janice Bartlett, Registered

Nurse

Sarah Barrington, Registered

Practical Nurse

Ruth Barr, Cook

Victoria Johnston, Health Care

Aide

Wendy Hartley, Registered

Practical Nurse

Rachel Gukert, Health Care

Aide

Julie Girdwood, Nursing

Support Clerk

Jennifer Dunn, Health Care

Aide

Robbie Ranger, Food Services

Aide

Amanda Knight, Health Care

Aide

Wilma Donegan, Health Care

Aide

LANARK LODGE PARTNERS IN THE LOCAL FOOD DRIVE Lanark Lodge was able to roll out the beautiful painted barrels done by Glen Tay Public School students in 2013 for our annual food drive. The challenge was raised – “Food for Food” – the winner of the challenge would win not only “Bragging Rights,” but also a pizza party! True to form, Maples/Oakridge neighborhood won with 180 items gathered, Evergreens with 109 items followed by Administration/Support Services with 95 items, and Honeysuckle Haven with 61 items. We gathered 445 food items or 485 pounds of food! Congratulations to all staff for this successful event and the generosity in helping people in our community in need. We truly live out our Mission of “People Caring for People”!


CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY Lanark Lodge hosted its annual Christmas party – this is our 10th year! The event was a huge success with over 50 children in attendance. Children were joined by their parents, grandparents and our special guest, Santa! This year the children decorated cookies, created a Christmas ornaments, wrote a letter to Santa and enjoyed face-painting by Gert and Olivia, our friendly clowns. The children gathered around and waited to be called up for their gift from Old St. Nick himself! We had mixed reactions – children delighted to chat with Santa and yet others whose cries of fright could be heard in town. Lanark Lodge had the joy of many children

LANARK LODGEreturning to the party as well as some new baby additions in 2017! Our youngest child was seven weeks old! For the Lodge this event is very special as it provides an opportunity for the employer to get to know the staff and their family members a little better. It is a great way for us to build memories together.


LANARK LODGE


CORPORATE SERVICESNEW FINANCE TEAM MEMBER Peter Garrett joined the Finance team in August as Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk. Peter is very well known

PUMPKIN GATE 2017 Finance lost the Halloween pumpkin contest again despite their obvious attempt to sway the judging by depicting past Warden Bill Dobson and the annual Harvest Festival. Joan Pratt was quoted as saying “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride”.

Left, Peter by day, in his office. Above, his alter-ego...Santa!

throughout Perth – most famously as the Tay Care Children’s Centre Santa for the past 25 years!

LANARK LODGE

Top row, from left: Jesse Morton; Kim Morrison; Donna Hart-Desjardins; Managers Milene Hurdis, Heather Duncan, Jane Cunningham, Donna Baylis and Cindy McCall. Bottom row, from left: Lisa Lalonde; Sylvia and Rebecca; parade of costumes for residents to judge; Carol Cordick and Susan Barr.

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