EXTERNAL EVENTS AND TRENDS

Economy/Jobs/Politics

1.      Politics determine funding, need political action groups to go to politicians,

2.      Jobs overseas kill us

3.      This could play a big part. We need to be seeking out new business actively.

4.      Need to keep quality up and be diverse

5.      Less money due to state finances. State finances might decrease funds

6.      Less production opportunities for clients.

7.      Economy – who knows

8.      Very fluid. Could have major impact, more and more jobs overseas.

9.      This will affect us a lot in the future. More letters will have to be written to our representatives. More lobby work to keep things moving.

10. We are an outstanding success, considering the state of the local and national economy.  We must continue to be positive and proactive.  We must continue to be willing to adapt or change our operation and never look at anything as routine

11. When the economy goes down usually the special people lose jobs.

12. We will need to watch every penny and get the most we can out of every work day.

Disability

1.      Perhaps we’ll see an increase in severity of disability

2.      We will have to be willing to take more people with various disabilities as ECC grows.

3.      Be aware of the new rules and regulations.

Technical

1.      More paperless communication

2.      More computer/technical machinery will mean fewer production opportunities for clients.

3.      Our tech. is as good as any in our field and much better than most.

4.      The consumers need to learn technology to keep up with the changing world.

5.      Everyone will have to look more at updating themselves to better computer knowledge. Out technical must increase.

6.      We need to go with the trends and stay updated.

Social Cultural

1.      Perhaps the additional of non-English speaking individuals in our program

2.      The future will bring more acceptances of people with disabilities.

3.      Will have to maintain a very good social /culture with our community.

4.      Stay on top of what is going on.

STRENGTHS

1.      Care about those served, advocate for them. Really like the people we work with.

2.      Care for residents. Listen to their wants and needs and dreams. Help them in any way possible.

3.      Enjoy Newsletter, well done

4.      Excellent job of projects that consumers may participate in around Jacksonville.

5.      Keeping individuals active and motivated

6.      Organizations of each days activities are well planned

7.      I really like al the nice gifts at Christmas. They also get aid for certain holidays.

8.      I really feel I can call and get information when I need it too. They also get paid a lot more now.

9.      Adapt. The loss of EMI would have devastated many companies such as ours. I think we are actually a bit stronger because of the loss of EMI. It has caused us to make sure we have enough eggs in enough baskets.

10. Training, independent living skills, on the job skills, personal relations skills.

11. We are strong and moving at a good rate for computers.

12. Our ability to train and keep our people moving in a positive way with all or our area’s is very good.

13. Provide excellent care, teaching, and protecting our consumers.

Weakness

1.      I know that life is not easy, but if they could find more work to keep them busy.

2.      I would like to see some sort of monthly Q notes. I am willing to send copies of our monthly Q notes to you. Not enough communication between staff and management or between staff. The same people are always put in charge of activities, while those of us feel excluded. Certain staff members who are always invited to participate treat the rest of us as inferiors. The morale of staff in general is low. There is group of pets or favorites, of Tom’s, and they get preferential treatment.

3.      Perhaps a bit more communication with the board and the community. I do not know the solution to this, because our employees are very busy and I do not think we should take them away from their work for publicity purposes. Nor do I think we can afford to assign someone to this. Just something we need to work on. We need to inform as many people as possible as to what we do at ECC. There are friends and business to be had.

4.      Improve community awareness of the production capabilities.

5.      P.R needs to be enhanced.

6.      Try to move more jobs in to the community-such as clean up at fast food restaurants, janitorial work

7.      More Computers and training

8.      A better bus fleet

9.      Need to improve our skills with the technology that is now available to everyone.

10. I am concerned about ECC getting into the housing business and building new structures

Opportunity

1.      Volunteers in the community who could assist with Day program activities like Passavant Hospital utilizes volunteers

2.      Creative ways for clients to earn money.

3.      I hate to think about getting into residential, but it may come to that. If it does not work, it would be a big financial mistake. However, we have taken major steps before, (after much research and planning) and this may be another bridge we need to jump from

4.      Maybe another business for the consumers.

5.      Direct sales are very good, but would an ad in the newspaper help.

6.      Offer services directly to colleges, churches and other business you have not already approached. Assist Habitat for Humanity? Rake leaves for the elderly? Craft items-Christmas Fair- raise money for the commadetied(sp?). Anything not sold could be donated to the Salvation Army. Sometimes our local paper has free ads – offer services to the community thru those ads. Folding, stamping letters for mailings – attach labels. Continue researching grant funds.

7.      Sample ad – How can WE help YOU? Your neighbors at ECC would like to reach out and help “YOU”. Call us with your needs and we will try to help you. List skills packaging, labeling, and boxing. : Try us, you will like us” Your friend s at ECC.

8.      Is there ground around ECC to plant a garden? Start seeds late winter, plant and take to the Farmer’s market, maybe with baked goods as well. Maybe just tomatoes. Have photo taken of any and all such jobs and put into the paper.

9.      More contracts to work on

10. Maybe a merger with another agency

11. More and better use of technology

12. Diversity in activities offered to individuals served by Elm City.

Threats

1.      Elm City is her place and if she was to leave she is concerned about all the people she works with. She learns to show and appreciate what people do for her.

2.      Morale among employees is a big problem. Lack of communication between management and staff, and among staff is not good.

3.      Ideally, we should continue to wean ourselves from any state or federal funding. None of us want that to happen, but it could. Also we need to keep an eye on attrition and make sure we have the people in place to keep ECC on top of the game, should key people retire for any reason.

4.      Competition with EMI business

5.      Changes in legislation

6.      Reductions in Government funding.

7.      We should be watching our finances.

8.      Are there any vacant buildings I JX that could be modified for our use? Example empty dormitories at MAC near Aldis’s

Anything You Want to Add

1.      Possibility of Having potluck meals or picnics several times a year for families staff and consumers/clients to get acquainted

2.      I really don’t know what to say. Elm City has been our daughter’s second family. She has had so many great things because of her going there. I feel very good with what all she does. I can only say Elm City needs to have more praise for all they do. The staff has always been good to us. All I can say is thank you for everything. Tom is great; Mike is great, Gary and all the others too.

3.      We need to make sure all employees know that we are all on the same side. We have a very important role in this community and each board member and each employee and each consumer is a part of it. I can assure you that no board member has a hidden agenda. Each is there for no pay, no consideration, and no personal gain of any kind. Each is there because they believe in the mission of Elm City.

5.      ECC is trying its best to make an impact in the community for the consumer and itself.

6.      Our clean buildings have gone downhill. Need a better plan for using our people to clean.

7.      Contingency plan, if JDC were to close.