Team building took on a new dimension for administrators and department directors at The Barry Robinson Center this week. Going above and beyond, 28 people stepped away from their desks and worked hard to spruce up resident dorms.
On Tuesday, June 4, 2019, this “day of caring” for BRC’s large campus and physical plant was a first for the center’s leadership team.
“Many companies hold various kinds of team building exercises. A lot of organizations take their leadership teams offsite, maybe to an escape room or to do volunteer work,” said Justin Hoover, vice president of administrative services.
“We scheduled this event as a service day and didn’t consider the potential for team building. But as we worked together throughout the day, we realized supporting our physical plant was helping to build and develop our team. We all learned more about each other through the activity.”
The leadership team undertook several projects. These included deep-cleaning restrooms and nursing/medication rooms, cleaning and replacing lights, and re-finishing furniture. Outside the dorms, they weeded and mulched around flower beds and trees.
“Our day of caring turned out to be a great day. It is so amazing to see how many people are willing to roll up their sleeves to ensure kids served at BRC have the best environment we can deliver,” he said.
And the leaders enjoyed the opportunity to serve. Many of the participants approached Hoover, asking for regular events like this one. After seeing and hearing such a positive, enthusiastic response, Hoover said they will hold a BRC Day of Caring quarterly.
“Our leadership team’s service is one more feature that sets us apart from other residential treatment facilities,” Hoover said. “Our teamwork is truly something special.”
Rob McCartney, BRC’s CEO, echoed Hoover’s sentiment. He added his own appreciation for the BRC leadership team.
“It was wonderful to see everyone’s commitment to making our environment a better place for our kids to live and for the rest of us to work. What an inspiring example our folks are modeling for all. This is what leadership is about,” he said.
BRC has six dorms, with capacity for 72 residents. Across the 32-acre campus, several other buildings house education, clinical, gymnasium/activity center, cafeteria, administration and a chapel. Some of these buildings date back to 1933, when BRC opened. Future BRC Days of Caring will focus on these areas.
In the past, BRC held some smaller-scale, weekend clean up days with other employees. The last one was about four years ago, Hoover said.