Basex Names Basex Names Information OverloadInformation Overload Its 2008 Problem-of-the-Year Its 2008 Problem-of-the-YearPosted: 2007-12-19 11:20:11Posted: 2007-12-19 11:20:11

NNEW YORK, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- “Information Overload has been named EW YORK, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- “Information Overload has been named the 2008 “Problem-of-the-Year” by Basex, the leading provider of research on the productivity of knowledge workers and how technology impacts them.Information overload lowers employee effi ciency and overall productivity and has Information overload lowers employee effi ciency and overall productivity and has been identifi ed as a key challenge for companies.”

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SMarch 2008, Volume 18, # 2

Main Edition

Message from Message from Terry Allen Perl, Terry Allen Perl, President & CEOPresident & CEO

We have all experienced the impact of information overload, “eyes crossing, ears ringing, and head pounding” as we attempt to evaluate and integrate all the data we receive and in order to make good decisions. Apparently this has now reached a new level as Basex has declared it the 2008 problem of the year.

For us the issue is, how do we effectively address the challenge of keeping you informed (our employee surveys consistently indicate that communication is a major problem) and not overwhelm you with too much information (TMI)?

Our solution – “Timely, Targeted Communication,” providing Chimes Family of Services workforce and our stakeholders information and news that is relevant and directed to your needs and interests, and those of our various other stakeholders. This initiative will

evolve over the next twelve months and include:1. Revamping our web site to include an interactive design and timely news about Chimes Family of Services events, programs and supports. 2. Providing stakeholders and employees electronic versions of Chimes Times and Sounding Chimes.3. Developing a “messaging” program that supports electronic notifi cation to targeted segmented stakeholders and employees of important news and events. 4. Changing the format for Sounding Chimes from a monthly newsletter to a quarterly newsletter, including a quarterly update of our strategic plan and organizational performance.

TIMELY, TARGETED COMMUNICATIONS

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Ethics SurveyWe recently conducted an ethics survey across Chimes Family of Services from January 23 – February 9, 2008. One hundred and eighty people participated on line and one hundred and sixteen people completed the survey on paper, with a response rate of approximately 20%.

The survey will serve as a baseline to measure the effectiveness of Ethics programs that are being implemented across Chimes Family of Services. Many of the responses refl ected that the workforce is not sure if ethics is being effec-tively communicated through the organization. The comments indicated that additional training

and discussion would promote better aware-ness of ethical issues and provide guidance for decision making. For example, the most sig-nifi cant barrier to ethical behavior was identifi ed as the lack of time and/or resources to fulfi ll job responsibilities effectively.

The results of the survey are currently being re-viewed, analyzed, and synthesized into a report that will be shared with the management team of each subsidiary. Each subsidiary will design and implement a focused Ethics program based on the results of the survey and best practices within its industry.

One of the survey questions asked if the re-spondent knew how to fi le a concern through Ethics.Point – 37% percent of the workforce indicated they did NOT know how. Ethics.Point is a resource that can be found on COIN, Chimes Online Information Network at http://coin.chimes.org or on Chimes web site at www.chimes.org. Anyone can log into Ethics.Point and submit information about an event or concern anonymously. Individuals may

include contact information should they desire. Once information is submitted through Ethics.Point, the Chief Compliance Offi cer, Cecil Fox, oversees the investigation of each incident. A response is fi led through Ethics.Point that may be viewed by the party that submitted the initial complaint. If you have questions or would like additional information about Ethics.Point, con-tact Cecil Fox at Cfox@Chimes.org.

Ethics.Point

5. Sending out email notifi cation to subsidiaries welcoming new employees6. “Mr. Deeds Cares,” stories that will be sent electronically about employees that demonstrate our values, courage, accountability, respect and excellence.7. “From the President’s Desk,” electronic inspirational, motivational advice and counsel to facili-tate alignment of our efforts in achieving organizational outcomes for the people we support.

I welcome your feedback and suggestions about our new communication program. Please email your comments to me at Tperl@Chimes.org. I hope you fi nd corporate communications are more timely and meaningful with this new format. Thank you for your con-tinued dedication and commitment with supporting people with dis-abilities to achieve their goals and dreams.

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If you know of any staff member who personifi es the characteristics described in Chimes Core Val-ues, please send a note to Terry Collard at tcollard@chimes.org, with your recommendation for a “Mr. Deeds” recognition.

Angela Young, Quality Assurance at Chimes Potomac, says that three staff mem-bers were recognized on February 21 for exhibiting the standards of Courage, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. They are:

Michael RussellMichael Russell from Bonifant House

Glenda HolmesGlenda Holmes from Gaffney House

Alberta SangoAlberta Sango from Mills House

Congratulations and thank you!!

Read about Jane Gallaher of Chimes DC on the following page.

Mr. Deeds CARESChimes CORE Values

Courage• Innovative leadership and perseverance to accomplish a goal,

regardless of insurmountable obstacles• Calm confi dence when under stress.

+Accountability

• Communicating honestly and clearly• Meeting expectations for organizational conduct • Willingly acknowledge responsibility to others • Accepting responsibility for one’s actions and their

implications.

+Respect

• Demonstrating consideration for people including their needs and opinions

• Treating others with civility and courtesy• Accepting personal differences, listening to what others have to say

and refraining from ridiculing, embarrassing or hurting others.

+Excellence• Supporting a culture of performance and an opportunity to serve• Meeting and exceeding our customers’ requirements• Enhancing the quality of life and providing employment and support

for people with disabilities within the available resources • Commitment to improving key results for our mission related

outcomes, productivity, operational performance, and fi nancial results• Assuring alignment directly or indirectly with our goals and objectives • Assuring the needs and expectations of internal and external

customers are continuously met.=Successuccess

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Jane GallaherThere are many unsung heroes and heroines within Chimes Family of Services; individuals that continually exceed expectations, demon-strating his or her dedication to Chimes mis-sion and the commitment to make it happen.

During the last three years, I have worked with such a person in Chimes DC. She not only is meticulous with her own work, she challenges those around her to meet her expectations as well. Prior to working for Chimes, I thought I was a detail-oriented person until I started working for Jane Gal-laher. She can remember numbers from last year. I can’t remember what I ate for dinner yesterday.

Jane Gallaher is very dedicated and often goes the extra mile (coming in on weekends and holidays) to assure that the fi nancial statements and invoicing for Chimes DC are accurate and on time. She knows the importance of cash fl ow and how it supports Chimes mission. Even though Chimes DC is a not for profi t organization, “no money, no mission” underscores the importance of her responsibilities. If you take time to get to know her, you understand that she is a disci-plined perfectionist. Jane has been very sup-portive of my continuing development as well.

There are some little known facts about Jane…

…she has a mascot! Princess keeps Jane company during the long hours she is at work. Princess gets dolled up for every holiday – check out her picture, she is all ready for the Valentine Ball! Many people are startled when they fi rst meet Princess, but quickly realize that she poses no harm.

…Jane is also a great hula-hoop champion

…and she dotes on her granddaughter.

Jane, thank you for all that you do in supporting our mission and Chimes DC – your dedication and commitment are key to Chimes success.

Submitted by Terry Clements

Princess is ready for Valentine’s Day

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Strategic Planning and Interim InitiativesChimes International Board of Directors held a board retreat in November to discuss some of the challenges Chimes Family of Services is experiencing and to identify key focus areas for the long range strategic planning process. The Board of Directors requested immediate action on a number of interim initiatives that ad-dressed fi nancial and programmatic concerns. These initiatives included:

1. Consolidate Business Services

Chimes Delaware business offi ce was closed as of February 8, 2008. Gary Barlow has ac-cepted the position of Assistant Controller with Chimes International; the other staff declined to relocate to Baltimore and accepted severance packages. Completion: February 1, 2008

2. Implement Cost Savings

a. Staff autos - All staff involved are aware of the changes which will result in an ongoing cost savings. Completion: April 1, 2008b. Insurance - Insurances are not up for re-newal until the end of May. The policies will be consolidated at that time. Completion: June 1, 2008c. Restructure Debt - Additional funds are be-ing requested to purchase housing to accom-modate additional people being transitioned into the community because of the closure of Rosewood. The bond should be closed by April 1, 2008.d. Outsource healthcare for Chimes Mary-land - Two proposals were received, one from Dimensional and one from Liberty Healthcare. The costs were not economically viable. Active ongoing negotiations are being conducted with physicians and a director of nursing position is being recruited. Completion: March 2008e. Transportation - Chimes Maryland - Nine vendors were solicited for proposals and three responded. One vendor was exorbitantly high. Contract negotiations are continuing. Comple-tion: June 30, 2008

f. Restructure Maryland Residential and In-tervals Day staffi ng - Budgets, schedules, and needs of individuals receiving services have been evaluated and staffi ng schedules are being revised to assure each site operates within avail-able resources. Additional requests for “add-on” funding continue to be submitted. Completion: June 2008g. Development and Corporate Communica-tions -Development and Corporate Communica-tions have been consolidated within the Offi ce of the President. Completion: January 2008

3. Performance Management System

The application is being confi gured to meet Chimes specifi cations. A demonstration model will be available by March 1, 2008. The pilot will be phased in through October 2008.

4. Employment Profi les for DSP to Enhance Recruitment

Benchmark profi les are being established for three discrete categories of direct support pro-fessionals; working with people with independent ADL skills, working with people who are medical-ly fragile and working with people with challeng-ing behaviors. We are better utilizing the tools we currently have. Pradindex is working with Chimes to create a validated benchmark study of the DSP positions. This is included in our annual cost for the PI and PRO assessments.

Strategic Planning and Interim Initiatives Cont’d on Page 6

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Strategic Planning and Interim Initiatives (cont’d from Page 5)

The board identifi ed six focus areas for the long-range strategic planning process that will begin in October 2008. If anyone is interested in participating in the planning process for one of these task forces, please send an email to Terry Collard at Tcollard@chimes.org. Additional information will be shared about the strategic planning process after the annual board meeting is held in June 2008.

Governancea. Boardsb. Best Practicesc. Ethics

Chimes is the Employer of Choicea. Internal brandingb. Compensation/benefi tsc. Living wage (advocacy)d. Training (meeting the needs of multi-generations)e. Ethics

Models of Excellence a. Leadership Capacity i. Succession planningii. Talent management/Professional developmentiii. Profi le successful leadersiv. Recruit/Retain young professionalsv. Ethicsb. Enhancing and Diversifying Servicesi. Continually Improve Current Servicesii. Develop and Provide New Services

Expansion and Growtha. Administrative servicesb. Mergers and Acquisitionsc. Organic growthd. Diversifi catione. Federation model

Resource Developmenta. Fundraising/Philanthropyb. Fees for Service/Fundingc. Other opportunities for resource development

Technology Plana. Stakeholdersb. Objectivesc. Hardware/software

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Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday, March 9, 2008

Spring Forw

ard O

ne Hour

Think Green

Is your paycheck directly deposited to a bank ac-count? If so, you may have noticed that it is now be-ing printed on plain paper. Chimes recently changed from the more expensive check stock to plain paper, both as a cost savings measure and because the plain paper is more environmentally friendly.

Do you have an idea about how Chimes can be more green? If so, please send it along for consideration to Barbara Hilb, bhilb@chimes.org.

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Chimes DelawareChimes Delaware — — New HiresNew Hires

Chimes Chimes DelawareDelaware — Anniversaries — AnniversariesKehinde Adedoyin 02/10/97 11 YearsPaul More’ 02/23/98 10 YearsSharron Burke 02/28/00 8 YearsMichael Batts 02/20/01 7 YearsDeborah Dunbar 02/20/01 7 YearsCatherine Ransome 02/20/01 7 YearsNelly Bamash 02/11/02 6 YearsPatricia Gillespie 02/11/02 6 YearsMonica Jernigan 02/11/02 6 YearsJohn Kempski 02/11/02 6 YearsHellen Nyabiosi 02/11/02 6 YearsKepha Nyamwange 02/11/02 6 YearsGeorge Gibson 02/10/03 5 YearsRosemary Avenarius 02/09/04 4 YearsMaria Allen-Bogia 02/09/04 4 YearsAntoinette Cardwell 02/14/05 3 YearsJuagbe Killen 02/14/05 3 YearsDonna Stokes 02/05/07 1 YearDaesha Waters 02/05/07 1 YearPaula Watts 02/05/07 1 Year

Belinda Musa Direct Support Professional New Castle Co.Margaret Ekah Direct Support Professional New Castle Co.Rosalie Vargas Direct Support Professional Kent/Sussex Co.Muntaz Ahemed Direct Support Professional New Castle Co.Aunye Kelley Job Coach - Supported EmploymentRyan Ven Douern Case Manager - Clinical ServicesAquila Cooper Direct Support Professional Kent C.Sheila Fluellen Behavior Analyst - Clinical services

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HolcombHolcomb — Anniversaries — Anniversaries

HolcombHolcomb — — New HiresNew Hires

Years of Years of Hire Date Service Hire Date ServiceJanice Potts 02/28/94 14 Jessica Holzman 02/16/05 3Staci Ellis-Ihlenfeld 02/01/95 13 Christy Foote 02/17/05 3Susan Berryman 02/17/96 12 Ursula Brown 02/22/05 3Marion Shufelt 02/17/96 12 Margaret McLaughlin 02/01/06 2Christina Filippone 02/11/97 11 Jerold Hostetter 02/13/06 2Marilyn West-Nulty 02/17/97 11 Kristen White 02/20/06 2Richard Cossaboon 02/21/00 8 Sarah Miller 02/22/06 2Roberta Crumpler 02/05/01 7 Natilee Thomas 02/24/06 2Michelle Trasatti 02/18/02 7 Elizabeth Winterbottom 02/07/07 1Deidre Hairston 02/27/03 5 Louis Guertin 02/08/07 1Margaret Drier 02/05/04 4 Barri Pepe 02/13/07 1Charles Hill 02/06/04 4 Heather Stella 02/20/07 1Ellie Perkins 02/16/04 4 Evelyn Henderson 02/20/07 1Lashira Council 02/23/04 4 Carol Fisher 02/20/07 1Mency Breeze 02/25/04 4 Ann Muschlitz 02/26/07 1Catherine Burke 02/07/05 3 Kelly Walton 02/26/07 1Meschelle Banks 02/14/05 3 Kellie Brown 02/27/07 1

Hire Date ProgramNicole Cash 01/16/08 Clinical CoordinatorNatalie Austin 01/09/08 SAP CounselorRene Carter 01/10/08 Recovery Specialist Alicia Felder 01/16/08 Psychosocial CoordinatorChelsea Gilbert 01/29/08 Mobile TherapistNeitra Jackson 01/09/08 MR Specialist Cherie Martin 01/10/08 Mobile TherapistMary Momolu 01/09/08 Recovery Specialist Michael Nytz 01/07/08 Outpatient CounselorRoslyn McQueen 01/15/08 Accounts Receivable SpecialistSocorro Beltran del Rio 01/03/08 Therapeutic Support StaffLeon Brown 01/25/08 Recovery Specialist IMichael Hazeltine 01/28/08 Therapeutic Support StaffSheree Jenkins 01/16/08 Therapeutic Support StaffHeather Lineburger 01/18/08 Therapeutic Support StaffMonica Smith 01/08/08 Recovery Specialist IKimberly Buiano 01/31/08 CSS SpecialistTeresa Evans 01/25/08 Recovery Specialist IIAlbert Marks 01/15/08 Recovery Specialist IIJamie Gallucci 01/25/08 CSS Specialist

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MarylandMaryland — Anniversaries — Anniversaries

John McSweeney 02/21/84 24 Purnell Watkins, Jr. 02/24/05 3Janet Bell 02/02/89 19 Saundra McKnight 02/23/05 3Karen Sakkaf 02/06/89 19 Donna M. Vincent 02/01/06 2Christine Edison 02/06/90 18 Edward Griffi n 02/15/06 2Alan Manheim 02/18/91 17 Mildred Gardner 02/01/06 2Cosmas Nwagbara 02/06/92 16 Renee Reed 02/15/06 2Ruby West 02/21/97 11 Stacie Yalley 02/04/06 2Theresa Reaves 02/07/98 10 Terri Stahl 02/13/06 2Doris Peters 02/14/99 9 Amarachi Uwandu 02/08/07 1Freda Campbell 02/15/99 9 Arthur Wilder 02/08/07 1Joyce Braxton 02/08/99 9 Karen Haley 02/08/07 1Tyrone Conaway 02/01/99 9 Lenee Freeman 02/08/07 1Geneva Scott 02/27/99 9 Norita Simmons 02/08/07 1Margaret Haines 02/22/00 8 Rafi q Shaw 02/08/07 1Shontele Barney 02/22/00 8 Raymond Onukogu 02/08/07 1Diana Letzsch 02/11/02 6 Sarah Brown-Mebane 02/08/07 1Jason Gill 02/21/02 6 Tiawa Humphries 02/08/07 1Kim Fennell 02/25/02 6 Aaris Adams 02/22/07 1Robert Durham 02/25/02 6 Barbara Gibson 02/22/07 1Carol P. Coleman 02/11/03 5 Danyell Thompson 02/22/07 1Bendu Zargo 02/19/04 4 Deionna Saunders 02/22/07 1Frederick Robinson 02/15/04 4 Gary Davis 02/22/07 1Anthony Gichuru 02/14/05 3 George Noll 02/22/07 1David Grutter 02/09/05 3 Lolita Lewis 02/22/07 1Sonia Smith 02/02/05 3 Matthew Hill 02/22/07 1Barbara Hilb 02/07/05 3 Michael Dorsey 02/22/07 1Ikechukwu Nmesirionye 02/28/05 3 Renader Williamson 02/22/07 1Maxwell Anderson, Jr. 02/22/05 3

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Maryland — Maryland — New HiresNew Hires

Edith Aglebe SLA IIEmeka Anaedozie Residential Program Tech I - AONJacqueline Averettee Behavior TechMaria Blackston InstructorAshley Brown Residential Program Tech IMary Jo Castor Payroll Specialist - Chimes InternationalJessica Childs Residential Program Tech IDenise Cotton Behavior TechOlshola Fakuade Residential Program Tech IWilfred Gitau Residential Program Tech IDouglas Hart Residential Program Tech IStephen Hill, Sr. Residential Program Tech IVMaxwell Hooks Residential Program Tech IVTrevar Jackson Residential Program Tech INkechi Jiabana RNJocelyn Johnson SLA II - AONBrooke Kohles Program AssistantLisa Koppenhaver Payroll Specialist - Chimes InternationalJacqueline Maith Coach IVCalvin Masse Residential Program Tech IIUchefuma Mochaa Residential Program Tech IDesceree Mobley Residential Program Tech INnenna Okereke Assistant InstructorFaustina Perry Program AssistantMasse Selli Residential Program Tech ISihin Shiferaw NurseSelina Stevenson Behavior TechVictoria Thompson Residential Program Tech IKimberlin Wheatley Acctg. Specialist - Chimes InternationalTaneta White Residential Program Tech ICarmen Zapata Nurse

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Sounding Chimes is a publication of

Chimes InternationalDevelopment & Corporate Communications

4815 Seton DriveBaltimore, MD 21215

410.358.4325

Please submit articles for Sounding Chimes to Barbara Hilb, bhilb@chimes.org by the 15th of each

month. The information will be used in the following month’s edition.

Chimes International • Chimes District of Columbia • Chimes Maryland & Intervals • Chimes Delaware • Chimes Virginia & Potomac Region • Chimes

Developmental Services of New Jersey • Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems • Family Services Association • Open Door