Jen Barry's Classification
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Joyce introduced Jen and thanked her for taking on the Auction, which is such an important role for the Club.
Jen said she was born in Midland in 1969 - a shy Aquarian. She went to Sacred Heart and the old St. Theresa's. They had their graduation party at the old Brooklea, which was much better designed because there was an exit past the bathrooms to the outside, away from the adults.
At first she thought she would be a dentist but took a year off school and tried working at Municipal Trust, which did not go well. She signed up at Georgian and became a Chef. She couldn't wait to get out of town - it was too small - and she ended up on Manitoulan. She decided she didn't like this as a career either - 'Chef's yell' and you're cooped up in the kitchen.
She came back here and took a part time job at the Retirement Lodge on King and stayed there for 14 years.
Jen said she was born in Midland in 1969 - a shy Aquarian. She went to Sacred Heart and the old St. Theresa's. They had their graduation party at the old Brooklea, which was much better designed because there was an exit past the bathrooms to the outside, away from the adults.
At first she thought she would be a dentist but took a year off school and tried working at Municipal Trust, which did not go well. She signed up at Georgian and became a Chef. She couldn't wait to get out of town - it was too small - and she ended up on Manitoulan. She decided she didn't like this as a career either - 'Chef's yell' and you're cooped up in the kitchen.
She came back here and took a part time job at the Retirement Lodge on King and stayed there for 14 years.
She started as dietary supervisor and then took some more courses at Georgian and with the OHC Association and became the director of dietary. During this she learned about other facets of the operation, under the mentorship of her boss. She also took some clinical studies at HDH. All this is now part of a structured course but at the time she had to take it in bits and pieces.
She found she was too talkative to get stuck in an office and got involved with the Seniors' Council, with the Huronia Hospitals Committee Action Team, with the Visually Impaired Support Group and with the fundraising Gala which, she now understands, she will be on for 3 years. She thought that was a commitment but has been told the Auction Chair position is a Lifetime one.
All this led to marketing and more courses and she joined Jarlette in March where she is the Customer Service Co-ordinator - a job with a 3 page description. It breaks down to 4 things - marketing strategy, occupancy, peacekeeper and complaint department.
She says the Villa tries to promote a family atmosphere in a hotel setting and to give opportunities to residents to socialize.
Bruce thanked Jen for joining, for giving an intersting and amusing speech and for taking over the auction.
She found she was too talkative to get stuck in an office and got involved with the Seniors' Council, with the Huronia Hospitals Committee Action Team, with the Visually Impaired Support Group and with the fundraising Gala which, she now understands, she will be on for 3 years. She thought that was a commitment but has been told the Auction Chair position is a Lifetime one.
All this led to marketing and more courses and she joined Jarlette in March where she is the Customer Service Co-ordinator - a job with a 3 page description. It breaks down to 4 things - marketing strategy, occupancy, peacekeeper and complaint department.
She says the Villa tries to promote a family atmosphere in a hotel setting and to give opportunities to residents to socialize.
Bruce thanked Jen for joining, for giving an intersting and amusing speech and for taking over the auction.