2 minute read
Building Relationships to Hire and Retain Great Staff
by Mary Gaasch, Director of Advocacy and Community Relations
Believe it or not, your relationship with your legislators helps us hire and retain great staff. I see signs on nearly every business that say, “Now hiring! Join our team!” It’s no secret that Minnesota employers are hungry for workers. Demographic trends mean there are not enough workers to fill job openings. At Hammer Residences and Northeast Residence, we know that our good work depends on the relationship between the individuals we support and the Direct Support Professionals who help them live life to the fullest. But we compete with many other employers who have something we do not: the ability to set higher wages for their employees. Minnesota is the only state in the nation where our rates are set by the legislature.
And that is how you can help: Sharing your story and partnering with your loved one to help them share their story is the most powerful tool. We must help our legislators understand our needs.
Here are three easy ways to get the support of your legislator:
Write a personal email or letter. Meet with your legislator. Offer a tour.
A personal e-mail or letter is a great way to build a relationship. Thank your legislator for their service and let them know a little bit about your story. Keep it short and offer to be a resource. Always be gracious. No one representative or senator can fix these problems by themselves, and elected officials on both sides of the aisle care deeply about people with disabilities and their families. This is a good time to schedule a meeting with your legislator or your loved one’s legislator. Many legislators are willing to connect over Zoom, which makes the process very easy. If you are interested in connecting and want some help, I am happy to help set up meetings and attend with you. Sometimes it really helps legislators to understand the complexities of our work if they can see it in real life. We can help coordinate tours of homes and sapartments as we must follow COVID-19 protocols. We want the individuals who live in the home to welcome this engagement.
