Ecumen’s Velocity Leadership Program Graduates 2013 Class

 Seven Ecumen leaders recently completed the Ecumen Velocity Leadership Development Program, a year-long experience focused on building leadership skills and developing innovative approaches to aging services.

The graduating class members wrapped up with a ceremony at Hamline University, where they presented their action-learning project to the company’s senior leaders, Velocity alumni and their supervisors.  Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts presented Velocity award certificates to the graduates and thanked them for stepping outside their comfort zones “to explore, learn, define and shape new approaches for better living.”

The Velocity program encourages broader, more innovative thinking and development of each individual’s authentic personal leadership style. To practically apply the course work, the class has an action-learning project that addresses real issues facing Ecumen and the aging services profession. The graduating class’s action-learning project focused on developing ideas and strategies for how an Ecumen campus could potentially become an “ageless community” that is less dependent on government funding.  In addition, participants worked on individual leadership skills they want to enhance.

 “The Velocity experience is designed to prepare our leaders for a future that transforms the way we think about and deal with aging,” said Carolyn Perron, Ecumen’s Director of Training and Development, who leads Velocity. “We work on the premise that great questions lead to great answers. So the group tackles a big project designed to challenge them and grow their skills, while also helping Ecumen deal with real issues facing the organization.”

The program is built around Ecumen’s brand promise of “Innovate, Empower, Honor.” For inspiration, Velocity participants went on site visits outside the organization to see these values in action—to 3M for innovation, to the Courage Center for empowerment, and for honor to Our Lady of Peace, a free end-of-life care program for terminally ill cancer patients. Additionally, the course has a segment on authenticity and emotional intelligence to help participants get in touch with their individual leadership styles.

“Velocity is tied very closely to who we are as a company,” Perron said.  “This is a home-grown program to help our leaders put our company’s aspirations into action.”

Participants spend 10 to 15 hours a month on Velocity Program activities.  Four times during the year, the group gathers for a two-day session that includes in-depth discussions, readings and conversations.

“This is an action-learning program,” Perron said. “We operate on the belief that there is no learning without action and no action without learning.”  The group’s work is presented to senior management and informs Ecumen’s planning process.

Graduates describe the program as a journey of self-discovery.  “I went into this thinking it would be mostly about professional growth,” said Rebecca Warpula, housing manager at Ecumen of Litchfield. “But so much of it was about personal growth as well.” 

Blaine Gamst, executive director of Ecumen Scenic Shores in Two Harbors, added: “Velocity gives you the time and the tools to develop yourself.  You feel vulnerable at first, as you dive into yourself and open up to your weaknesses.  But then you start working to improve and move to a new level.”

Chris Carter, housing manager at Ecumen of Le Center, said, “Velocity encouraged you to be open to who you are as a person and build on that. I have a much clearer vision about how to apply all my experience to my job.”

The program emphasizes collaborative problem-solving that incorporates different approaches and perspectives. Participants come from all parts of the company, and graduates cite exposure to the diverse thinking of their colleagues as a key benefit of the experience.  Later this month, a new class will get underway with eight new participants. 

Following is a list of the Velocity 2013 graduating class:

Chris Carter, Housing Manager, Ecumen Le Center

Blaine Gamst, Executive Director, Ecumen Scenic Shores

Jenna Greff, Housing Manager, Ecumen Evergreen in Moorhead

Irmeli Moran, Accounting Manager, Shoreview Home Office

Mel Oelfke, Housing Manager, Ecumen Detroit Lakes

Liz Paulson, HR Rep/Corporate, Shoreview Home Office

Rebecca Warpula, Housing Manager, Ecumen of Litchfield