The Ranch Ehrlo Society named as one of Saskatchewan’s top employers

Recently, Ranch Ehrlo Society was named as one of Saskatchewan’s top employers for 2012. Wondering what exactly this meant and how we might have obtained this prestigious award, I took it upon myself to do some reconnaissance work. I found out that employers are evaluated by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers using the same eight criteria as the national competition. These criteria are: 1) physical workplace; 2) work atmosphere & social; 3) health, financial & family benefits; 4) vacation & time off; 5) employee communications; 6) performance management; 7) training & skills development; and community involvement. Additionally, employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

Ok, I thought to myself. But what does all this mean? So I decided to talk to Jane Powell-Showchuk, director of special projects, who nominated Ranch Ehrlo for this award. From talking to Jane, I found out specific details as to how we fulfilled each of the eight above mentioned criteria. I found it fascinating to see just how much Ranch Ehrlo does for its employees, clients, and communities. I would like to highlight a few of the criteria so you can see why we won the award this year.

Health, financial & family benefits

Ranch Ehrlo Society offers a wide range of benefits to its full-time and part-time employees. These benefits continue to evolve to meet the needs of all employees.

• Premium health and dental benefits – Ranch Ehrlo pays 50% of the premiums  
• Employees have short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employees can take advantage of a pension plan, with options of contributing 3.5%, 4.5%, or 5.5% matched by the Ranch
• 3 paid family days per year for full-time employees
• Maternity Leave Benefit – 80% (55% from EI and an additional 25% top-up from the agency) for 50 weeks
• Paternity Leave Benefit – 80% (55% from EI and an additional 25% top-up from the agency) for 35 weeks
• Health Care Plan for retirees
• Bereavement leave – employees can accumulate up to 4 days with pay per year for full time staff, and up to 2 days with pay per year for part-time staff.
• Health care spending accounts of $200 annually for full-time staff and $100 for part-time staff
• $100 wellness reimbursement for membership or ongoing participation in fitness activities.

Vacation & time off

Ranch Ehrlo offers generous vacation time to its employees. Recently, the vacation leave policy was revised to include additional time off for those employees with the Ranch more than 15 years.

Vacation Leave:

• 1 to 5 years – 3 weeks
• 5 to 10 years – 4 weeks
• 10 to 15 years – 5 weeks
• 15 and over – 6 weeks
• Unpaid leave option
• Rejuvenation program for long-term employees – allows them to diversify their career portfolio and acquire new skills and experience

Training & skills development

Employee development and a culture of continuous learning permeate Ranch Ehrlo. Boundless opportunities exist for employees to engage in training and skills development.

• Front-End Group Induction Training.
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training
• CPR and Standard First Aid Certification
• Trauma Informed Care Training
• Communicable Disease and Universal Health Precautions Training
• Basic Wilderness Emergency Response of Wilderness Emergency First Responder Certification
• Bronze Medallion Certification
• Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association Certification
• Therapeutic Camp Training
• Wilderness Education Association Certification
• Suicide Intervention Training
• Ongoing Staff Training (by program area)
• Costs are offset for staff to attend conferences or seminars
• Costs for Professional Associations are offset for staff to participate in the continuing education of all agency personnel, and to further develop the skills of staff that are of direct benefit to the agency
• All Agency Meetings (twice yearly)

Educational leave and assistance policy

Ranch Ehrlo encourages its employees to pursue their education, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Ranch offers flexibility to employees taking courses as well as financial help.

• To participate in the continuing education of all agency personnel, and to further develop the skills of staff that are of direct benefit to the agency
• Education Leave and note that salary support of up to 80% may be provided for full-time staff on one or two semester education leaves when attending full-time studies to complete their degree.
• Full-time employees can receive up to 100% of tuition and required student fees for one course per semester to a maximum of two classes per academic year.
• Part-time employees can receive up to 50% tuition and required student fees for one course per semester to a maximum of two classes per academic year.

I have to say that after learning about all the reasons Ranch Ehrlo was nominated, I feel far more proud to be an employee of Ranch Ehrlo. Sometimes, when we are all busy working in our own departments, we cannot see the bigger picture of what Ranch Ehrlo does as an agency. Jane did an excellent job compiling together all the information in the nomination process that ultimately led to Ranch Ehrlo being selected as of Saskatchewan’s top employers. Thank you Jane!

I hope this helps to paint a clearer picture for everyone as to why the Ranch Ehrlo Society was nominated and won one of the 2012 Saskatchewan’s Top Employer Awards.  I also hope it makes everyone involved with Ranch Ehrlo feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment. Further, I hope those not involved with Ranch Ehrlo Society; will now want to become involved!

Stayed tuned for another blog, this time written by Jane Powell, director of special projects, that will feature Ranch Ehrlo’s extensive community involvement, which also cemented it as one of Saskatchewan’s top employers.

COA reaccreditation is an objective and reliable verification that provides confidence and support to an organization’s service recipients, board members, staff and community partners.  The COA reaccreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of both an organization’s administrative operations and its service delivery practices.  All are “measured” against international standards of best practice.  These standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence based, and outcomes-oriented. In addition, they confirm that the services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce and that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

“The reaccreditation has brought attention to our dedicated staff who continues to make the agency a success in fulfilling its mission even after the recent passing of our founder and CEO, Dr. Geoff Pawson,” commented Vice-President of Administration and Quality Improvement, Carole Bryant. “The comments that we received from the site visit were amazing and focused on our commitment to engage families, the in-depth training for our staff, and ongoing support for professional development. Many of these points were also part of the criteria for us to be selected as a top employer in Saskatchewan this year.”

Currently, Ranch Ehrlo employs over 700 people throughout the province, consisting of youth care workers, special care service staff, clinical and support staff, education providers, and administrative personnel.

Ranch Ehrlo Society is proud to be recognized as an outstanding service provider in COA’s Community of Excellence. 

Check out COA’s comments from the on-site visit.

I am looking out my window today and asked myself, how warm is it out there? I then look over at our beautiful outdoor rink and see about six or seven youth and two teachers playing hockey in just bunnyhugs, and even short sleeve shirts…….yes I said short sleeve shirts.

I grew up on the outdoor rinks in Regina. My Dad would drop me off at the rink with aboutfive or six other friends and we would play hockey all day. I remember having to bring some facial tissues as it would be cold and all of our noses would be running. I remember using “Hot Shots” to keep our hands and feet warm. I remember starting the game with two or three jackets on, and then maybe taking one off as we started to sweat. My Dad would always bring us hot chocolate in his large thermos to warm our insides.  He would make us take a 10 minute break in the shack just to stay out of the cold and to let our rosy faces get some color back. I love those memories. I have to plan to get out of my office and go and play with the residents in my short sleeves, and tell them what the outdoor rink was like in my younger days! I am sure they will have a good laugh.

Playing on the outdoor rink with simply a bunnyhug or even short sleeves….gotta love it!!!

Dr. Geoffrey Pawson Education Scholarship fund

In memory of Dr. Geoff Pawson, founder and former president/CEO of the Ranch Ehrlo Society, and in lieu of gifts and flowers, people can donate to the Dr. Geoffrey Pawson Education Scholarship fund.

The purpose of Geoff’s scholarship is to enable present and/or former residents of the Ranch Ehrlo Society and other deserving individuals to continue with post-secondary education and apprenticeship training. The focus is to improve the likelihood of long-term and continuous employment in the future of the recipients.

How to donate

For more information on how to donate, visit our page dedicated to the Dr. Geoffrey Pawson Education Scholarship

About Dr. Geoffrey Pawson

Dr. Geoff Pawson is the founder of the Ranch Ehrlo Society and former Ehrlo Community Services. Under Geoff’s guidance, the agency has grown to currently serving 250 youth and families across Saskatchewan and Canada. There have been thousands of graduates of the program, many of whom continued to maintain contact.

Dr. Pawson received many honours throughout his career such as the Order of Canada in 2000, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2001, the Family Service Canada Award in 2003, and an Honourary Doctorate of Law from the University of Regina in 2005. Geoff was an inspirational leader who had a tremendous impact at the local, provincial, national and international level for his unwavering commitment to youth.

Geoff’s legacy

Although Geoff will be profoundly missed, he has left a remarkable legacy. His mission and vision will live on at Ranch Ehrlo, as he laid a solid foundation to continue to improve upon meeting the needs and filling gaps for the most vulnerable members of our society. He truly left the world a better place.

Part of Geoff’s legacy is education and continuous learning; both are foundations of Ranch Ehrlo’s treatment philosophy. Geoff instilled a culture of learning at Ranch Ehrlo and he believed education took on many forms. Geoff saw education as a tool to help heal and advance individuals, families, communities, and society.

Donations

Donations can be made in Geoff’s honor to the Dr. Geoffrey Pawson Education Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to enable present and/or former residents of the Ranch Ehrlo Society and other deserving individuals to continue with post-secondary education and apprenticeship training. The focus is to improve the likelihood of long-term and continuous employment in the future of the recipients.

If you would like to donate, there are two ways to do so:

Cheque
Send a cheque payable to:

The Ranch Ehrlo Society
P.O. Box 570
Pilot Butte, SK 
S0G 3Z0

Credit card
Contact Janet Lacell at (306) 781-1861 and indicate that you would like to make a donation by credit card to the Dr. Geoffrey Pawson Education Scholarship.

Income tax receipts

As soon as we have receieved your donation, a tax receipt will be mailed to you.

Go foward with pride…

Key philosophies Geoff used to build Ranch Ehrlo Society

In my last interaction with Dr. Geoff Pawson back in mid-December, I had interviewed him. The topic was key philosophies such as advocacy, families, and leadership; Geoff’s interpretation of them, and how they have  helped him to build Ranch Ehrlo. The end result was quotes or phrases that we can use from now on in communications, presentations, speeches, and so on.  Geoff believed in children, youth, families, and communities. He believed everyone should be given the chance to flourish; all they need is the tools and support. I felt it prudent to share these quotes with you; essentially, part of Geoff’s legacy has been captured in these seven philosophical quotes, as everyone now has access to them and can keep a part of Geoff with them. Below are the seven key philosophies Geoff identified and discussed in our interview.

Advocacy

Advocacy is a fundamental process that has the power to change lives through establishing new expectations, values, and personal interactions. Based on a philosophy of caring and respect, advocacy can be taught, demonstrated, and lived on a daily basis. Advocacy has the power to transform societal institutions and formal structures such as schools and work places, and it can impact small communities or larger geographical areas such as cities or nations.   

Families

The family is the cornerstone upon which civil life is based and the forum by which children are taught social values and positive personal interactions. The family feeds and clothes the child, while guiding its moral development through infancy, toddlerhood, school, dating, and adulthood. Within each of these phases, the child is being prepared to assume the responsibilities of parenthood. As this occurs, the values of their parent’s home are often used as the template that initially guides new parents in the raising of their children. If the child does not experience a warm nurturing home environment, then he/she may be lacking the qualities necessary for positive citizenship, and it is necessary to teach these skills later in life, which is often a difficult process, but not impossible.

Volunteerism

Volunteerism provides opportunity for people to offer their time and talents to a range of programs committed to improving the well-being of people less fortunate than themselves and in so doing to strengthen communities. Much of the work in the charitable sector occurs primarily through the work of volunteers. At the Ranch, programs such as the Outdoor Hockey League could not be sustained without volunteers.

Leadership

Leadership at the Ranch is a process that involves an individual assuming authority over some aspect of their work and through competence and diligence having the ability to direct others toward an established goal. Leadership is not hierarchical, but is grounded throughout the organization and is evident at all levels. Basic to leadership is a clearly established personal value system that is founded on experience and knowledge, which allows the individual to have a vision for the future, to be committed to achieving established goals, and to have the competence and personal resilience to work towards desired outcomes when others reject his/ her work out of laziness, ignorance, or inability to conceptually understand the potential benefits. Leadership is not based on popularity and it can be a lonely state of being. 

Education

Education usually applies to a formal process by which people acquire levels of achievement in a particular subject as defined by a school or other regulated institution. However, there are many forms of education, each different, and many are acquired through social interactions and experience with people generally. Such learning is often referred to as “wisdom.” Age, acquired knowledge, and the full utilization of potential learning opportunities resulting in improved competence are the foundations of wisdom. Life is a constant learning process that can lead to personal improvement of benefit to family, community, and country.         

Faith

Faith is based on a belief system that recognizes the dignity and worth of human beings. From this value base, it becomes the responsibility of all people to work toward a world that is founded on decency and that directs action to provide help to those that are less fortunate. To trust in the inherent decency of human beings requires faith and a strong commitment to the values that underpin this belief system. Faith and commitment have the power to facilitate change and they offer understanding and continued acceptance when best laid plans fail.   

Inspiration

Inspiration is a personally moving and an emotionally charged process that results when a person participates in, or learns about, an idea, happening, anecdote, or program that meshes with his/ her values. This process may be positive or negative depending on one’s personal belief system, but in this writing, the positive aspects of inspiration are accentuated. Inspirational happenings that involve care and respect can be observed and /or described, and they can reinforce, define, or demonstrate values that are strongly held. Inspirational speakers often use anecdotal material to make a point in their presentations, which may lead to creative action. Properly used, inspiration can be a major change agent.

A great loss for everyone

Former President/CEO of the Ranch Ehrlo Society, Dr. Geoff Pawson, passed away this morning in Tucson, Arizona after a brief battle with cancer. Geoff was the founder and president/CEO of the Ranch Ehrlo Society and the former Ehrlo Community Services. His vision saw a small program for six troubled youth, opened in 1966; expand to today’s multi-dimensional organization. Geoff had a passion for helping young people, families and the community and he shared that passion with all those around him, including the agency’s employees.

Over the years his commitment and determination to helping those most vulnerable in the community earned him many awards including the Order of Canada, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and an Honorary Doctorate of Law.  At the time of his death, Geoff was working on an oral history book dedicated to preserving the rich history of the society. He will be greatly missed.

Share your thoughts

Anyone wishing to share their condolences or memories of Geoff can send them to remembering_geoff@ranchehrlo.ca, use the share buttons below, or leave a comment below in the comment section.

Dr. Marion MacIver has been appointed president/CEO of the Ranch Ehrlo Society

Dr. Marion MacIver officially appointed President/CEOThe board of directors of the Ranch Ehrlo Society met today and unanimously supported the appointment of Dr. Marion MacIver as president and CEO of the Ranch Ehrlo Society effective January 31, 2012. This decision was in accordance with Geoff’s wishes as he developed the succession plan that was approved by the board in 2010. 

Geoff wanted to ensure a seamless transition after his departure. Marion assumed the role of executive vice-president in 2007 and has been working closely with Geoff for the past 4 ½ years. The board, in passing its resolution, offered its full confidence and support in Marion and the administration team at the agency.

“Geoff has set a vision and a very high standard for all of us to achieve. I know if he was here now he’d tell us to work hard, keep up our service of excellence, and ‘go forward with pride’,” MacIver said in a message to employees earlier today.

Many people look to make a difference when they decided on a career at the Ranch, employees do just that.  Over its 45-year history, Ranch Ehrlo Society has developed unique and innovative programs to assist children, youth, and families. At the Ranch Ehrlo Society, dedicated youth care workers, directors, unit managers, educational and other professionals are making a difference everyday in the lives of hundreds of youth from across Canada

“What makes our programs and services stand above the crowd is our staff,” said vice-president of administration and quality improvement Carole Bryant.

She added, “The quality people we have in positions all over the agency are one of the main reasons we have been recognized for this honour. Everyone should be proud of this title and feel that their effort at the Ranch has been recognized.”

Do you ever wish that life came with an instruction manual? Maybe something from IKEA with a lot of easy to understand photos. Instead it seems we get the instructions as we go and the instructions seem to be in Chinese. I don’t claim to know the secret of life by any means but here are the 10 instructions I have learned picked up about life so far. Don’t worry they aren’t sappy.

1. When you lose something important, think kindly of the guy that says ‘where did you see it last’- they are just trying to help.
2. Try something new as often as you can even if it intimidates you. And especially if it scares you to death.
3. Sarcastic remarks, while fun at the time, rarely end with the results you want.
4. Learning to cook only two dishes isn’t that bad. That’s what packaged dinners are for.
5. Don’t post everything you do on Facebook. Some things are meant to be private.
6. Never send chain mail, even email chain mail. I promise you won’t have bad luck for seven years.
7.  It’s hard to be positive all the time but you should at least try.
8. Dodgeball sounds more fun to play then it actually is.
9. Don’t worry about being popular. The “weird” kids are much more fun.
10. Pick a team and stick with them. There are few things more important in life than loyalty. Even if that team has only won three Grey Cups in over a 100 year franchise.

What’s the one life lesson that you wished someone had taught you earlier? Share it for our youth below.