Senior Service Network (SSN-Clark) is an open meeting for those serving seniors in Clark County. The meetings are coordinated by Retirement Connection, and there is no cost to attend. The Meetings held on the 3rd Friday of each month from 9-10:00 am. Please invite those you feel may be interested. For more info email: Amy Schmidt
Next Meeting
September 16, 9am
Location: Glenwood Place
Address: 5500 NE 82nd Ave, Vancouver, 98662
Topic: How do I do sales when I am a social worker at heart?
Description: Many of us came into senior services because we loved helping people. We are case managers, social workers, caregivers, teachers, and people-people. But, we found out that the positions that paid us to come to work were sales. How do we excel in sales while staying true to our roots and never wavering in our social work ethics and integrity?
-Our journey into sales from social work
-Staying true to our values and integrity
-Leveraging who were to excel in sales
Guest Presenters:
Amanda Harding, Director of Community Relations at University Village in Salmon Creek
Amanda provided critical case management in Washington schools, supporting children and teens through challenging situations. She has transferred those social work skills to counseling seniors and their families through life transitions that are often exciting and often scary.
Lacee McFarland, MSW, Director of Community Relations at The Hampton at Salmon Creek
Lacee worked in senior living as an active living coordinator, active living director, and business office manager as she put herself through a Washington State University education, graduating with a Master’s in Social Work. While passionate about a variety of issues, she chose senior living in a sales role as her first career as a social worker.
Upcoming Meeting
October 21, 9am
Location: Glenwood Place
Address: 5500 NE 82nd Ave, Vancouver, 98662
Topic: Coming to the light side: leaving my career to join the senior industry (Draft Title)
Description: Sometimes professionals in senior serving fields feel left out as mainstream media and networking groups highlight sexy industries. But, people are leaving other industries to join ours. Why would a successful business owner or career professional jump ship to an industry that’s only several decades old, is really hard at times, and doesn’t always come with social credit?
- Our stories
- What we’ve learned and why we stay
- Changing the narrative on our profession
Panelists:
- Christopher Robinson, Director of Community Relations at University Village in Salmon Creek
Christopher left more traditional sales industries to operate his own Adult Family Home. Finding purpose and meaning in serving seniors, he counsels seniors seeking a wellness-oriented lifestyle. - Panelist #2
- Panelist #3
- Panelist #4
Moderator: Benjamin Surmi, Director of Education and Culture, Koelsch Communities
Benjamin is a social gerontologist, shaping employee, resident and family experiences in senior living across 40+ communities.
