RESPONSIBILITY

I recently nished reading the book Dare to Lead by Brené Brown as part of a leadership program I am helping facilitate for LeadingAge Wisconsin. I have read countless books on leadership during my career, but this one really struck me di erently— it focuses on the importance of courage and empathy in leadership. One quote in particular stood out to me:

“Integrity is choosing courage over comfort.”

As we continue to focus our strategic objectives through our guiding principles and priorities, this quote reinforced the importance of practicing our principles, not just professing them. As I think about the responsibility I have to those who live and work at Cedar Community—as well as to the sustainability of the organization—I understand the courage I must exemplify in my leadership role.

“Integrity is choosing courage over comfort.

Leadership isn’t always fun, quite frankly, but courageous leadership and responsibility go hand in hand. Every day, our teams gather relevant information, consider multiple perspectives, and carefully evaluate the potential consequences of the decisions we make. It is also my responsibility to sometimes make tough decisions, even if they are unpopular. I understand that these decisions must be made through the lens of our guiding principles and priorities for the long-term impact on our organization.

I know I must lead by example and inspire our team members to step out of their comfort zones from time to time. Discomfort and accountability often work in tandem, and they can be critical for driving positive change. Change can be very di cult, but we must drive that change through empathy and compassion—two key ideas we discuss as part of our orientation for new team members. The importance of listening without judgment helps us all to understand other perspectives—fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity. By embodying empathy, we build strong relationships with our residents and team members, we enhance collaboration, and we promote a strong culture.

We must continue to choose courage over comfort, as we “model Jesus’ love by creating life-enhancing relationships, services, and environments” through our guiding principles and priorities. We will continue to create a culture of accountability and trust, and we look forward to creating transformative and impactful outcomes for our community, now and into the future.

Responsibility: Environmental Stewardship Update

Cedar Community is blessed to own more than 550 acres of beautiful, natural settings on our ve campuses. We have worked to steward this land over many decades, and we continue to protect and improve the landscape. As part of our legacy of stewardship and responsibility, we are working closely with the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation on a conservation easement that will permanently protect just over 100 acres of this incredible land in the Town of West Bend. We continue to work on the many details involved in this process, and we are still targeting early fall of 2023 for completion of the easement. Stay tuned for more details!

The sculpture, Ode to Joy, by Paul Bobrowitz, was installed in The Joy Garden at Cedar Community’s Cedar Ridge Campus thanks to donations made in memory of Cedar Community resident Julia Stettler, who passed away in 2021.

Ode to Joy includes the treble clef, standing over seven feet tall in the sculpture’s center. Around the treble clef, a musical sta swirls upwards with the notes to Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, known as “Ode to Joy,” adorning it. At the top of the sculpture the sta breaks into multiple directions with the gures of people coming out of them and reaching toward the sky.

Next to the sculpture sits a rock that reads: “Celebrating the power of music to lift our souls and heal our hearts. Graciously gifted by Don and Julia Stettler with their family and friends to the Glory of God. May you be blessed by your moments here and depart to be a blessing to others.”

From the editor’s desk

Summer vacation. Whether you enjoy camping (or glamping...right, Marv and Debbie?), road tripping (Team Malchow enjoys a great road trip!), or ying to some exotic locale—I think we all enjoy seeing new things and meeting new people. One of the things I enjoy most about being part of the Cedar Community family is learning about the journeys and stories of our friends, neighbors, and team members. Each of these journeys, and the people who have taken them, makes the story of Cedar Community—OUR story—even more interesting.

Some highlights in this issue:

∙ Independent living plus residents Erna Bild and Elizabeth Feith found that friendship knows no age or bounds. Great things are worth the wait!

∙ Independent living residents Bob and Janis Weyker exemplify a life of joyful service and togetherness. Warning...things may get sticky.

∙ Cedar Community’s human resources team is putting the “human” part of their work front and center. It really is all about people.

Sarah J. Malchow, CFRE Chief Administrative O cer

∙ Music Therapist Amy Kopfmann brings inspiration, joy, and hope to others through her work with Cedar Community’s residents, families, and team members. She literally has a song in her heart and she’s sharing it with others.

I hope that each of us will nd inspiration in these stories and will be encouraged to Live More in our own journeys.

Be well,

Mission

To model Jesus’ love by creating life-enhancing relationships, services, and environments.

PS: In each and every edition, it will be my pleasure to share some of the interesting and inspiring journeys and highlights of Cedar Community residents, friends, neighbors, and team members; our commitment to quality and exceptionalism; and our focus on responsibility and stewardship. Enjoy!