Hilltoppers,
What a summer this has been! It seems the only constant we have been experiencing has been change. As summer comes to an end, and people are back from vacations and sabbaticals our 2019 Fiscal Year begins. The beginning of a new fiscal year should not feel significantly different to the majority of Hilltopppers, at least if it is done well. However, considerable work is completed behind the scenes. The primary changes occur in our fiscal services department and with our Board of Directors, involving the approval of Hilltop’s annual budget, strategic vision and replacement of Board members completing their terms of service.
Colleen Anderson, with the support of many, has once again done an amazing job of pulling all the individual program budgets together to create a single Hilltop budget. This budget helps guides our future direction and decision making, however it remains very fluid throughout the year. A couple of highlights in the budget.
- $36 million total budget
- $70,000 net profit (depending on our crystal ball) which is a 0.2% margin
- $18 million of wages
- $620,000 in wage increases
- Wages and benefits are 65% of Hilltop’s expenses
Lisa Martin and Amy Jordan have taken the point to make revisions on the wage scale to reflect minimum wage increases which will occur in January, 2019. By Colorado law the minimum wage rate will move on January 1, 2019 to $11.10/hr. This change will directly affect positions placed on wage scale 1, 2 and 3. All other employees, wage scales 4 and above, will receive an increase of 2% on their regular wage increase date. The Human Resource Department will be setting up meetings with all of our departments in October to review the changes coming, and following that, will be notifying each employee as to how their wage will be affected. In addition, a total compensation statement for 2018 will be provided as well. These two documents will be sent via email to each individual near the end of the year. Please let the Human Resources Department know if you have any questions as we go forward.
In addition to approving the budget, the Board approved the attached Strategic Vision. This document is our other guiding document to assist us through the year. Feel free to print out and post, and ask me if you have any specific questions.
It is broken into three sections:
- Our People – Employees, Volunteers & Leadership
- Our Services – Clients, Programs & Community
- Our Resources – Financials, Facilities & Technology
As we kick off this new fiscal year, we recognize we are losing two very experienced Hilltop leaders, individuals I have relied on for the past 20 plus years, Kaye Hotsenpiller and Michaelle Smith. Both of these remarkable leaders have left their mark on Hilltop which will be felt for years in the future. Please join me at a celebration, open to all Hilltop employees, to say thank you and to recognized their contribution to Hilltop. The celebration will take place at the corporate office on August 29th from 4 to 6pm.
With the loss of two senior leaders, the organizational chart obviously needs to be adjusted and I have attached the latest chart to this email for you. This six-month design will allow time to evaluate and create a long term organizational chart for the future.
Michaelle’s direct reports have been spread between three individuals:
- David Livingston, corporate training manager, will report to Amy Jordan in Human Resources.
- Janet Hollingsworth, grant department manager, will report to Will Hays.
- Sheryl Click, volunteer program manager, will report to Sue Conry at the Family Resource Center.
Kaye’s responsibilities will also be divided:
- Joy French, Senior Daybreak – Montrose, will report to Cathy Story in Senior Life Options.
- Josie Anders, Family Resource Center – Montrose, will report to Will Hays.
- Sue Conry, Family Resources Center – Grand Junction, will report to Mike Stahl
- Jackie Sievers, Latimer House, will report to Mike Stahl
Another significant staff change I would like to bring to everyone’s attention is after 21 dedicated years of service, Marty Graham will be retiring this month. Marty has been the ultra-professional, stabilizing force for the Fountain’s overnight crew since the facility opened. I am really not sure how we are going to survive without Marty.
And lastly, I want to share a list of noteworthy happenings, which have occurred over the past month within Hilltop. This is a new document I review with the Board, helping to remind us of the great work being accomplished throughout the organization. Please forward me those happenings you would like to highlight in the future.
- Domestic Violence Program (DVP) site visit occurred on July 25th. They were very impressed touring the Grand Junction safe house. They commented that our safe house was innovative and the way of the future.
- Montrose Youth Services created a community garden area next to the Regional Office. Kids from various Hilltop programs have worked with CSU extension and Valley Food Partnership to explore proper soil content, proper plants, and build garden boxes, plus a drip watering system.
- The Life Adjustment Program hosted the new Executive Director for Health Care Policy & Finance, Kim Bimestefer on Bacon Campus. After a tour and lengthy discussion, she was notably impressed with the provision of service and attention to person centered service provided by LAP and Hilltop.
- Golf has been a success. The Hilltop Golf Tournament “themed” the holes to Hilltop programs adding an element of education and fun to the tournament. We made (net) $24,775, up from $20,500 in 2017, grossing $13,300. In addition, the Western Slope Triple Play hosted a three day all women tournament to benefit the Latimer House. They raised over $20,000 (might be closer to $25k, but we haven’t received the final check yet).
- The GED team out did themselves for their graduation celebration. We had an amazing turnout of approximately 175 audience members…for our 17 graduates. The commencement program was wonderful, and captured the impact our GED program has on the lives of our students.
- The Fountains recognized the Grand Junction Fire Station #2 this past week. After a difficult weekend in which the Fire Department was called several times, it was time to do something special for them. So we dropped off enough food (steaks, chicken, potatoes and salad) for them to have a meal on us and thank them for their professionalism and compassion.
- Over the past month, Hilltop stepped up for two collaborative housing efforts. First, we supported at-risk adults served by Ariel Clinical Services in our Wellington house after an emergency temporarily closed one of their facilities. In addition, we found housing for a youth from our TLP while the house she resides in underwent needed renovations.
- On July 19th, Hilltop celebrated our employees and their families at our annual Summer Picnic. Hundreds of individuals attended, enjoying good food, games, drawings and swimming.
- Chris, a LAP resident was given the opportunity (for the first time ever) to live independently in one of our single apartments. While he continues to receive support from staff, his apartment offers a level of freedom he has never experienced. He is beyond excited and has become quite the host of guests (other residents).
- And the most important of all, Kellee Echave has returned from sabbatical, and all is right with the world again! I realize this one is pretty self-serving, but I can’t help it.
As always, thank you for all you do.
Mike
