An In-depth Look

ExistW H Y W E

2016 Annual Report

1112 N. Main Street, Goshen, IN 46528 | (574) 534-9689

MHS/APG Office2160 Lincoln Highway East, Suite 7, Lancaster, PA 17602 | (717) 560-4296

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MHS strengthens and extends Anabaptist health and human services ministries in faithfully and effectively fulfilling their missions.

From Our President and Board Chair

2016 marked an increased level of collaboration across MHS and MHS-sponsored programs and events. The Anabaptist Providers Group continued its fellowship and shared services. Member organizations continued to advance their ministries through local collaboration, some even transitioning into home or parent companies so that organizations of all sizes might benefit from shared resources. Regional gatherings of executives and trustees in the Midwest and west of the Rockies garnered high attendance. In each of these examples, and many others unnamed, there is new energy surrounding how organizations might join to extend current missions, consider new ventures and share resources. These many efforts represent significant imagination and commitment to collaboration. In this season, our network faces unique opportunities and risk. Not all of our Anabaptist health and human service organization can or will survive the turbulence. Some may adapt in ways that ultimately result in some disaffiliation with the Anabaptist community of faith – though their relationship with other religious communities of faith may grow. Still others have great opportunities for strategic growth. In this context, what will MHS be up to? Stamina, some imagination and a lot of wisdom are needed for all of us to navigate in these challenging times. What remains constant is that as a community of Anabaptist health and human service ministries we will seek to follow Christ and embody Anabaptist values in our leadership, organizational cultures, and interactions with everyone we serve. We exist because we can do more together than we can alone.

Rick Stiffney, President/CEO Laurie N. Nafziger, MHS Board Chair

To Develop and Support LeadersExistW H Y W E

VBLP participants (2016-17)

Why go it alone? MHS provides many resources to guide your leadership journey, including...Valued Leadership website, webinars and blog. It was a strong first-year showing for the Valued Leadership Webinars, which have already rebooted for a second 2017 season.

The initial four webinars covered the ‘Four C’s’ of Valued Leadership: character, collaboration, culture and change. “It was refreshing to take time out to participate in the Valued Leadership webinars,” shared Executive Director of Paxton Ministries (Harrisburg, Pa.), Jodie Smiley. “I’ve found that these calls offer insight as well as challenges to me in my journey as a leader of a small non-profit organization,” she said. Mennonite Village (Albany, Ore.) President Ron Litwiller had a similar review, thanking MHS for the opportunity. “Our Senior Leadership Group appreciated Emerson’s presentation regarding

Anabaptist Values. It was especially helpful since most team members are not Mennonite. We followed up with some discussion about those values and how they are reflected in our daily operations,” Litwiller said. The following organizations had representation at all four webinars throughout the year:• Brook Lane, Hagerstown, Md. • Kings View, Fresno, Calif.• Landis Communities, Lititz, Pa.• Mennonite Village, Albany, Ore.• Oregon Mennonite Residential

Services, Albany, Ore.• OrrVilla Retirement Community, Orrville, Ohio• Paxton Ministries, Harrisburg, Pa.• The Community at Rockhill, Sellersville, Pa.• Virginia Mennonite Retirement

Community, Harrisonburg, Va.

To Serve OrganizationsExistW H Y W E

A Note from Managing Director Tim Ficker

“In 2016, MHS consulting completed a wide variety of consultations. Due to market circumstances and industry pressures, the focus of much of our work was organizational expansion and repositioning, governance education, leadership development and strategic planning.

In response to the increasing complexities of the healthcare industry, MHS Consulting added a clinical service line. We welcomed the experience and knowledge of two new veteran clinical professionals to our team.

Finally, we spent 2016 working with an exciting variety of organizations in the area of Executive Search and Transitions, from senior housing to mental health, publishing and even on denominational archive society.”

Executive Circle

After each webinar, a corresponding blog featuring an interview with a value-minded leader is posted on the Valued Leadership website, valuedleadership.org.

The website is an online leadership development resource that highlights the unique gifts Anabaptism offers organizations and leaders. It was designed with MHS members in mind but is intended to inspire reflective thought in broader Anabaptist circles and beyond.

Values-based Leadership Program

The hallmark of the Values-based Leadership Program is the opportunity to become a more effective leader by understanding your unique gifts and strengths. Participants also discuss how to lead from a servant perspective and ways to implement values into the workplace.

The 2016-2017 Values-based Leadership Program was held October 18-20, 2016, and February 21-23, 2017 and welcomed seven participants from MHS member organizations to the class of 29. Registration is now open for the 2017-2018 program, which kicks off in October.

Executive Circle

Executive Circle is a one-year program where CEOs are invited to develop a trusted, supportive network to share the challenges they face.

In 2016, six CEOS enrolled in Executive Circle, which was facilitated by MHS Senior Vice President, Emerson Lesher.

MHS Consulting What is your favorite MHS resource? Are you taking advantage of all of the options at your disposal? 2016 welcomed an abundance of resources, programs and events for MHS member organizations, all of which are back on the docket in 2017.

Affinity Networks

Affinity Networks remain as one of MHS’ best options for exchanging ideas and information with industry colleagues who have similar values and standards. Networks were reviewed and evaluated at the end of 2016. The data gathered will be used to understand which networks are most valuable to offer in the year ahead.

Show your interest in a pre-existing or new network by contacting MHS. Groups meet on various timelines, in various locations, including via videoconference.

Support, Customized.

The MHS team strives to meet your organization where you are, with customized services that best serve you and your staff.

In 2016, through the Values-based Leadership Program, MHS Senior Vice President Mim Shirk connected with the Sunshine Communities Director of Admissions and Outreach, Tami Wittkofske. Here, Wittkofske expressed interest in learning more about Mennonites. In response, Shirk offered to take both

Wittkofske and the Manager of Volunteer Services, Lori Richard, to Menno-Hof, an Amish/Mennonite information center located in Shipshewana, Ind.

According to both Sunshine Communities employees, the visit proved equally delightful and insightful.

“I gained...a deeper understanding. This will be very helpful as I am talking with new hires about what it means to be a Mennonite organization,” said Wittkofske, adding that she’d recommend the tour for others.

Richard noted the emphasis on community—a valued she see lived out daily within her own workplace.

“At Sunshine,” Richard reflected, “there is an amazing working environment, where everyone in the Sunshine community pulls together to achieve the utmost quality and exceptional care for their individuals,” she said.

“I absolutely recommend the tour of Menno Hof….For me, it was very informative and helpful in how to live out our mission and values. It is so helpful to have knowledge and know the backstory,” Richard said.

Sunshine employees visit Menno Hof Beth Ann Muthig, Donna Duss, and Alisa Miller at LeadingAge National

To Reach Beyond OurselvesExistW H Y W E

Sharing between different cultures and countries increases the potential for creativity and innovation for all parties. MHS continues to explore a variety of international activities and initiatives. Updates are shared through Around the Globe, a MHS news bulletin sent via email.

MHS Senior Vice President Serves as Executive-in-Residence in China

Traditionally in China, adult children care for their elderly parents. An “age wave” is putting this model to the test. With the support of China Christian Council, church-sponsored nursing homes and retirement communities are rapidly emerging.

In April, Emerson Lesher went to Nanping, China, to live for a month as an Executive-in-Residence. Lesher immersed himself in daily operations, sharing best practices from home, and gaining an appreciation for the way that Chinese nursing homes, churches and government are working together as a collaborative network.

Lesher shared about his trip with MHS member organizations in a one-hour webinar in July.

Since Lesher’s visit, the China Christian Council has continued to look to MHS and its member organizations for support as the lofty transition to a new understanding of senior care continues.

In September, Chuck Maines, Director of Outcome Management at Landis Homes (Lititz, Pa), spoke at the China Christian Council national workshop. He reiterated the importance of social work and social workers in nursing homes and offered outside perspective on how China might address a current caregiver shortage.

MHS Member Organizations Continues Support of “IVEP”

The International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP) is a year-long work and cultural exchange program for Christian young adults. A key component of the program is Partner Agencies, organizations that provide the visitors with the vehicle to serve.

A handful of MHS member organizations have served or currently serve in this capacity, including Peaceful Living (Harleysville, Pa.) and Garden Spot Village Retirement Community (New Holland, Pa.).

Peaceful Living CEO, Joe Landis, encourages other MHS member organizations to consider hosting a participant.

“When I started at Peaceful Living we were very small and had an even smaller budget,” he said. “By having an international volunteer I had a full-time person at half the cost. But also, because of the social capital developed around volunteering, the influence of your agency grows,” Landis said.

Joe Landis, Peaceful Living CEO, and Alisa Miller

Consolidated Financial Information (December 31, 2016, unaudited)

Mgmt

Cons

ultin

g

Mem

bers50%43%

7%

Revenue$1,900,836

Mgmt

Consu

lting

Mem

bers50%

44%

6%

Expenses$1,917,142

Statement of Activities

RevenueConsulting fees $953,922Member services fees and programs 809,742Management Contracts 137,172Total Revenue $1,900,836

ExpensesConsulting fees $950,927Member services fees and programs 848,806Management Contracts 117,409Total Expense $1,917,142

Operating loss $(16,306)

Non-operating income 19,634

Decrease in net assets $3,328

Statement of Financial Position

AssetsCash and Investments $560,014 Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses

106,125

Pledges receivable 17,700Equipment, net 16,158

Total Assets $699,997

Total Liabilities $213,334Net Assets

Unrestricted $112,236Temporarily Restricted 199,364 Permanently Restricted 175,063

Total Net Assets $486,663

Total Liabilities And Net Assets $699,997

To Connect MembersExistW H Y W E

Many leaders are feeling significant pressure from a complex health care payment landscape and growing competition. While some organizations are thriving and others are struggling, MHS President/CEO, Rick Stiffney, is confident there is common ground to be found among all. “Everyone is committed to fidelity, to mission and to figuring out how to adapt,” he said. Moving forward, Sitffney continued, “Mutual encouragement and collaboration will be key.” In 2016, MHS members could find this encouragement and collaboration at gatherings, meetings and events across the country.• Two fall gatherings, one in Goshen, Ind., hosted by

Everence, and another at Lincoln Glen Manor in San Jose, Calif., welcomed nearly 40 CEOs from three associations: MHS, Friends Services for the Aging and Fellowship of Brethren Homes.

• The annual Health Assembly, held March 30-April 1 in Sacramento, Calif., remained an important showcase of MHS’ abundant array of resources and networks.

Notably, the spring gathering took connecting members to a new level, offering an increased number of peer-led workshops that enabled attendees to learn from each other. Member-led workshops included…• Jason Abodeely, COO, Sunshine Communities–Workforce

Survival: Why Measuring Turnover is Becoming Antiquated

• Steve Lindsey, CEO, Garden Spot Village–Enhancing Resident Dining Through Aeroponics: The Next Generation of Farming

• Treva Greaser, RN, Schowalter Village, a Bluestem Community–Developing Senior Care in China

• Allen Rutter, CEO Shalom Ministries–Supervising Staff: Following a FRED Model for Supervision

• Jen Foster, CEO, Central California Mennonite Residential Services (CCMRS)–A Store of Community at CCMRS

From top: Students at Railroad Museum; Executive Circle; Rich Snyder, Cheryl Luli and Richard Martin at Midwest Regional Forum