President’s Column 202610

Council President’s Column

October at Charlestown: A Time to Participate, Appreciate, and Be Heard
From the Vice President Hope Tillman

Participate
The 2026–2027 Residents’ Council committees are in full swing. Remember that residents are welcome at all committee monthly meetings. Consider attending one or more.

Read Council minutes on My Erickson or CCICharlestown.org, and contact committee chairs for more information. Meeting schedules are posted on bulletin boards, My Erickson, and CCICharlestown.org.

Please join us for our monthly Council meeting on Tuesday, October 6 at 3:00 pm, in the Auditorium. The community Fall Fest is coming the afternoon of Friday, October 16. Each fall, we look forward to welcoming family members to Fall Fest as well as  having fun with fellow residents. This year, we also have the added pleasure of celebrating the opening of Charlestown’s newly renovated front yard. We hope to see many of you there.

Appreciate
October is also a time to demonstrate how strongly we feel about the staff who work here. The 2026 Fund Campaign, which runs from September 28 through November 6, gives us an opportunity to do just that.

I strongly believe that Charlestown staff members live up to Philanthropy’s theme for this year’s campaign: “Going the Extra Mile.”

You should have received campaign contribution cards in your cubbies this past weekend. There are many easy ways to make your contribution:

• Drop a check payable to CCI Staff Appreciation Fund in the donation box at any lobby desk.
• Stop by the Philanthropy office in Cross Creek to make a one-time or monthly contribution by credit card.
• Add your contribution to your monthly bill. Rather than writing one large check, consider making a monthly contribution.

This year, approximately 850 non-exempt, hourly employees will be recipients of your generosity. All funds received will be distributed fairly to them at the Staff Appreciation celebrations on December 2, based on their length of service and full-time or part-time employment status.

Keep in mind that our employees are not permitted to accept gifts or tips from us or our guests, but we can all contribute to support them through the Staff Appreciation Fund campaign. These contributions are considered gratuities and are not tax-deductible under IRS guidelines, unlike gifts to the Scholarship Fund or Benevolent Care Fund. Let’s try to improve on last year’s $422,629 raised last year with 66% of residents participating.  I would love to see 100% resident participation to show our staff how much we all appreciate them.

Be Heard
Later this month, the Annual Resident Satisfaction Survey will begin. This survey is an important opportunity to share praise and concerns and to offer feedback to the Administration and staff. Your voice matters.

Before completing the survey, think back over the past year:

• What has worked well?
• Where have you experienced exceptional service?
• What issues have you raised that still need more attention?
• What concerns, barriers, or ideas should be considered to help make Charlestown a better place for all of us?

Then, please take the survey. Your feedback helps Charlestown continue to improve and remain the best home for life it can be.