Keystone Human Services - Comprehensive community based mental retardation, mental health, autism and early intervention services

Keystone Institute

Value-Based Retreat Series

The Keystone Institute value-based retreat series included four experimental workshops, which may be attended individually or as a series. Each workshop focuses on exploring our work in human services, what our contributions are, and what we get from the opportunity to serve others.

The four workshops are The Best Part of Me, Vision & Values, Community & Culture, and Foundations of Service.

The workshops are for all employees of Keystone Human Services. All jobs that support people are important, be they in direct service or of an administrative nature providing essential support to the people doing hands on work. Additionally, each of us is at a different place in our commitment to the work we do. This workshop series can help to define the reaffirm that commitment.

Through this retreat series, and other exploratory workshops held throughout the family of Keystone's organizations, we recognize the dedication shown by Keystone's employees honoring the sanctity and irreplaceable role of each unique human being.

These workshops afford people the opportunity to explore why they do what they do and to recognize the meaningfulness of their interactions with the people they serve. In doing this, they will be able to see what a unique and valuable contribution they have to offer to others.

Best Part of Me: What are the best parts of ourselves which we bring to the work we do?; Best Part of Me is aimed at identifying and acknowledging the gifts people have and bring to their work. Deep within the discussion lies the principle that personal values are the basis for professional values. Explorations of those values leads us to delve into the "why's" of what we do and the meaning behind our actions.
Vision & Values: What are the connections between our personal and professional values?; Vision & Values explores and relationship between personal vision and Keystone's vision. The exercises encourage peer support in developing a sense of personal leadership through personal and professional vision exploration. In addition, this workshop initiates the exploration of the concepts of work as a "calling" and why all people should be treated well. Finally, Vision & Values provides an environment for attendees to participate in "visioning" the future of Keystone and its services, effectively discovering personal leadership responsibilities within our family of agencies.
Community & Culture: What is our role in carrying out the responsibilities which come with change agentry?; Community & Culture provides a forum for addressing assumptions and attitudes around the work we do. What is our role in society's evolving understanding of differences between people, their abilities and contributions? We recognize that some of the most important social policy is being resolved within our work. What effect can we have on future generations?
Foundations of Service: What is the meaning of the human condition; what are our deepest high order intrinsic motives and beliefs relevant to offering service to others?; Foundations of Service is an exploration of foundation issues in being in service to others. This includes the philosophical assumptions, beliefs in social justice, religions and sense of spirituality people may bring to work they do. This is a forum for deep discussion and discovery with regard to the human condition, the inherent limits of formal systems, being in service to others and being served.

About the Facilitators

Hannah Smith, a 12 year Keystone employee, leads what has come to be known as the "Best Valued Community Foundations" series. along with other assistant facilitators, Hannah is working to build on the commitment Keystone has to its employees and the work they do.

Hannah was born in a small town where no one locked their doors, everyone was kept in line by their very observant neighbors, and everyone played a role in the community, a foundation she brings to her work. Hannah has co-facilitated the retreat series since 1995 and is committed to its preservation in our ever-changing world.

Dennis Felty, Keystone Human Service's President, Paula Davenport, Executive Director of Keystone Family Support Associates, and other members of senior leadership have a history of being active participants in these events.

Currently, Betsy Neuville, Executive Director of the Keystone Institute and Pam Seetoo, Education Specialist with the Keystone Institute complement the facilitation of this series.

Retreat Details

Each workshop is held either in a two-day format, including an overnight stay, or as a one-day program, which is more focused on group discussion than individual exploration. While the overnight stay is not mandatory in the two-day format, the structured free time activities allow the group to form a sense of unity, creating a uniquely supportive and open environment. Attendees should wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to work hard at exploring the work we do and the piece they play in it all.

In the case of the two-day programs, every effort is made to hold the retreat at a location away form the hustle and bustle of our agencies. Some of the extras often include hiking trails, peaceful wooded areas, fireplaces and porch swings. We also participate in group meal preparation. Specific details regarding the facilities will be announced prior to each event.