After weeks of pouring over applications
and interviewing candidates, after choosing one and awaiting his
eventual acceptance, after honoring his request to hold off a
bit on the big announcement, it was a pleasure for the selection
committee to be able to finally introduce Bob Mann as the man
to succeed Ted Mokricky as Mayflower's Executive Director.
Bob is a native of Dallas Center, Iowa. Yes, that Dallas Center
- the same community in which Ted Mokricky grew up. These are
Ted's comments concerning this happy coincidence: "I've known
Bob Mann nearly all my life. You see, Bob was a classmate of mine
(grade school, high school, and college) and a good friend ever
since our kindergarten days. As I reflect on those early years,
even at the age of five Bob was a natural leader. He was the one
who often laid out the rules at recess time. Bob was usually the
sheriff, while the rest of us were the deputies or the bad guys.
Not that he demanded or even asked for the order, but he was an
organizer and a take-charge sort of person even at that early
age. And it was okay with the rest of us because everybody was
Bob's friend.
"Today, as we've
aged and our friendship has matured, I would attribute Bob's remarkable
ability to relate so well with people to be a product of his sincere
respect for others and his genuine interest in their well-being.
Meld his former job experiences and his educational background
to Mayflower's very capable and experienced management team, along
with a caring and compassionate staff, and the ingredients are
all in place for a successful transition."
Bob attended the University
of Northern Iowa, as did Ted, and graduated with a B.A. in Business/Marketing
Emphasis, a minor in accounting, and teaching and vocational education
certifications. Subsequent study brought him a graduate degree
in Banking from the University of Wisconsin.
Bob Mann taught school
for four years and coached two seasons of varsity and junior varsity
basketball. In 1973, he began working for Brenton Banks as a management
trainee and eventually attained the position of Senior Vice President
with corporate responsibilities within the Des Moines banks. He
joined Meredith Corporation as a controller in 1990. His next
position necessitated a move to Boulder, Colorado, where he served
as a corporate controller for Neodata Services. Four years later,
Bob made a major career change. He became Executive Director of
the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, a 45-employee facility and
the only adult shelter between Denver and Ft. Collins.
Bob returned to Des
Moines in 2002 to serve as Director of Advancement for Wesley
Retirement Services, where he was responsible for the annual campaigns
and other community development in the five continuing-care retirement
communities. While serving as Development Specialist for the Iowa
Conference, which included work with a number of Grinnell residents,
he began studies for licensed ministry in the United Methodist
Church.
Then Des Monies' Plymouth
Congregational United Church of Christ called Bob Mann to be Director
of Administration for the 3,000-member church with an annual budget
of$2 million dollars. He continued his licensing work with U.C.C.
and became a licensed minister in February 2006.
Among his most satisfying
life contributions, Bob mentions first the single, custodial parenting
of his two children, Eric and Whitney. Eric lives just north of
Ames in Gilbert, has a 17-month-old daughter, and works as a security
specialist in information technology for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
Whitney lives in Clive, has worked for ten years as a licensed
law enforcement officer for the Iowa Department of Corrections,
and has an infant daughter.
His second most important life contribution, Bob Mann feels, was
working to save the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless. In his own
words: "When I joined the Shelter in 1995, it was financially
insolvent and at risk of closing, even though it
was protecting 100-plus men and women from Colorado's life-threatening
nights. Shortly after beginning my employment, a number of board
members resigned. Board vice-chair and Boulder County Sheriff,
George Epp, asked me to stay aboard so that 'the three of us could
save the Shelter.' I asked, 'Three?' Epp replied, 'You, me, and
God.' And that's what happened. George opened doors, and I walked
through and asked for help. The staff put together a transition
program to guide homeless people back to housing and jobs. This
was later recognized as the most outstanding program of its kind
in Colorado."
About Bob's departure
from Plymouth Church, Pastor David Ruhe wrote in the church newsletter,
"In becoming the Executive Director of the Mayflower Homes,
[Bob] assumes full responsibility for a very important institution
of the United Church of Christ. . . . It seems a very good fit
from both sides and we wish them well."
About his move to Mayflower,
Bob says, "It's about providing what people need and want
in the most cost-effective way, while contributing to the local
community and encouraging the community to provide support and
love."
Work
on Bistro Completed
Mayflower's newest amenity, the J&B Bistro just south of the
Buckley dining room, is now a completed reality. Residents are
utilizing this smart sophisticated hospitality space whether by
watching the large wall mounted cable connected digital TV, playing
games or cards, or enjoying their favorite beverage. A beverage
gun is provided to dispense soda pop, lemonade, tonic water and
mixes for a variety of favorite drinks. Appropriate glassware
and an ice bin are kept on hand for ease in serving liquid refreshment.
The
décor of the dining room is repeated in the bistro. Both
areas utilize cherry wood beams and woodwork and the carpeting,
tables and chairs are identical, giving the feeling that one room
flows into the other. French doors at the entrance to the bistro
can be closed to provide privacy for social gatherings. Arrangements
can also be made to reserve the bistro for a private luncheon
or dinner.
A
limited menu of sandwiches, chips and salads is being developed
and will be available from noon into the early evening. A call
button just inside the door notifies the Buckley kitchen that
service is needed in the bistro. For resident convenience, menu
items ordered will be applied to their monthly statement.
Because of the generosity of our anonymous donor, all of the work
on the bistro was accomplished without any cost to Mayflower.
We invite you to stop by and see for yourself what a handsome
and gracious place the J&B Bistro is.
Staff
Commended for Providing Excellent Care
Following
the death of her mother, Loraine Pierson, a resident of Mayflower's
health care center, Diane Rebik of Newton, IA sent this eloquent
note of thanks to Mayflower staff.
"A heartfelt
thank you to all of you who, in the eight years she was at
Mayflower, touched Mom's life. I think it's incredible that everyone
I encountered during her residency treated her with respect and
kind-
ness. Not one complaint in 8 years! Having her at the Mayflower
absolutely made the difference in her living with a terrible illness
and me having to watch her decline. You're all so wonderful -
I just
can't say it enough."
When administration
contacted Diane for permission to print her comments, Diane continued
"It's absolutely fine with me if you use what I wrote in
my card for your newsletter. I meant every word. In fact, if anyone
ever asks for references from families of residents who have lived
there, don't hesitate to give them my name and telephone number.
I can't sing your praises enough! Did you know that Diane Connelly
came and sat with me the night mom died? This was after she was
off work…on her own time. She talked to mom for a bit, and
then stayed and kept me company. We're not personal friends. I
just got to know her when mom was in Sheltered Care. I think that
says VOLUMES about the kind of people who work for you. Caring,
loving, wonderful people, every one of them. Ministry perfectly
describes what they do at Mayflower and every resident and their
families are blessed by that ministry."
In a day and age when
the media contains so much negative publicity regarding long-term-care,
it is a ray of sunshine to receive such kind words from a family
member of a former resident. Mayflower staff were honored to have
been entrusted with the care of Loraine and take pride in the
knowledge that the care they provided made such a difference in
her life and that of her daughter, Diane.
Gift
Received in Memory of Former Resident
A gift
of $8,400 was received in November from Scott Leinen of Pella,
Iowa. The gift is in loving memory of his mother, Grace Leinen,
former Mayflower resident. This generous gift (a similar gift
was received this past summer from Scott's sister, Kimberly Heimann)
is designated for the Human Needs Endowment Fund. Earnings from
this fund are used to provide financial assistance to residents
in need. The principal amount is never spent, thus this gift becomes
a lasting honor to Grace and her family.
On behalf
of our residents, staff, and trustees, we express our appreciation
to Scott for his generosity and support of our Mayflower ministry.
Gift
Annuity Received
Bill
Arms, Mayflower resident, recently made a $1,000 gift to the
Mayflower in the form of a life-income gift annuity. Gift annuities
are popular forms of giving as they offer an attractive rate
of return which is guaranteed for the remainder of the donor's
life and also provide a charitable tax deduction. Thank you,
Bill, for your support and generosity.
