OMNIway forum introduces new concepts, creates networking opportunities
Friday February 15, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
ORILLIA, Ont.— The first annual OMNIway forum, which brought together 118 managers from throughout the OMNI family, was a “huge success,” says Candace Chartier, OMNI Health Care’s chief operating officer.

Managers from OMNI’s 17 long-term care homes and head office met at Fern Resort — a 19th century resort on the shores of Lake Couchiching, just outside of Orillia — from Feb. 12-14. The event marked the first time in OMNI’s history that managers from home office got to meet managers from every OMNI home at the same time.

“The whole purpose was to bring all of our managers together to introduce how OMNI is going forward in the new year,” said Chartier.

The conference, which will become a yearly event, provided a venue for managers throughout the OMNI family to interact, share ideas and, of course, have fun. The event also saw the formal unveiling of OMNI’s new human resource plan, as well as the launch of a brochure outlining the company’s newly-minted vision and values.

As part of the forum, attendees from each home were tasked to break into groups and discuss what being a member of the OMNI family meant to them.

“We wanted it to be a collaborative event so that the home’s would all break away and tell us what the OMNIway was, so we can articulate how to move forward and how to use the OMNIway brochure as a marketing tool, as well as an orientation tool for new people coming into the organization,” said Chartier.

Chartier says she hopes attendees walked away from the event with a “comprehensive understanding of the OMNIway.” She also hopes managers now have a reinforced understanding about the value and importance of teamwork in the organization, as well as the realization of how each team member in the OMNI family has their own unique contribution to make.

“We have a real talent pool here that is going to change long-term care,” said Chartier.

Following the event, managers said they enjoyed the conference, remarking how they came away with a sense of camaraderie and a clear vision of the path OMNI would like to take in continuing to position itself at the top of the long-term care sector.

“It really showed what the direction is for OMNI,” said Craig Forrest, life enrichment co-ordinator at Forest Hill in Kanata. “I met a lot of people that I had never met before, so it was great to get a lot of different ideas. I learned a lot from meeting new people.”

The forum also introduced the newest members of the OMNI family, Country Terrace. Director of care Kathy Anderson said the conference was an excellent introduction to the OMNIway for management at the London-area home.

“It was really a lot of fun for all of us,” she said. “We got a chance to meet our peers; we got a chance to learn about OMNI and it was a wonderful time. . . . I think Country Terrace will benefit from this.”