on the survey, Mr. Jaffe told
board members that the JCC
—7: must link up with other Jewish
agencies to enhance program-
ming, and that it needs to up-
grade general fitness areas and
launch a "major marketing pro-
gram."
Mr. Sorkin remarked that be-
ing at each of the focus group
and key informant meetings
helped him to begin planning for
the future. A customer service
training program next month for
JCC program directors is one
move toward attracting and
keeping members.
A renovation and design plan
calls for new entrances, a new
multi-media center, renovations
of the child development area
and catering facility, and a re-
furbished lobby at Maple-Drake.

The JPM in Oak Park will get a
refacing and gymnasium up-
grade.
A business and management
plan is also underway, as is the
planning process to begin rais-
ing funds for the proposals. It
won't be until spring next year
that any of the capital improve-
ments can begin, Mr. Sorkin
said.
Despite the sometimes severe
criticism aimed at the JCC in
the Bloom Report, Mr. Jaffe
concluded last week that partic-
ipants in the survey "are eager
for the JCC to succeed." In exit
questionnaires, over 80 percent
of focus group participants
offered to sit on committees
and task forces to see through
some of the proposed changes,
he said. ❑

Whistle While You Work

Six JCC administrators are heading to Disney
World for a little public relations training.

JULIE EDGAR SENIOR WRITER

A

PHOTO BY DAN IEL LIPPITT

t Disney World in Orlan-
do, there is no distinction
between the people Who
greet visitors behind a
ticket booth, who serve food at a
restaurant, who operate a ride
or who sweep the streets. It's a
one-for-all, all-for-one workplace.

David Sorkin: Going to Disney World.

That spirit is one the Jewish
Community Center of Metro-
politan Detroit wants to absorb.
And with a $25,000 grant, six top,
administrators will head to Dis-
ney World on July 12 to learn
what true customer service is all
about.
The four-day Disney Univer-
sity Professional Development
Program focuses on training pro-
fessionals to train others in the
fine art of making customers feel
welcome.

"I think, in general, a feeling
in the community is that we
need to upgrade our customer
service," said Leslie Bash, ex-
ecutive director of the JCC in
Oak Park and one of the six ad-
ministrators heading south.
A study the JCC commis-
sioned on community at
titudes toward the
Center showed that cus-
tomer service is per-
ceived as weak. Ms,
Bash acknowledged that
the Bloom Report is one
impetus for the trip to
Disney.
The participants in fo-
cus groups, which were
broken down into cate-
gories that included
Huntington Woods res-
idents, Orthodox Jews,
parents of young chil
dren and senior citizens,
said they often got faulty
information from the
staff at the JCC, Ms.
Bash explained.
Along with the devel-
opment of a training
program for JCC em-
ployees, the six admin..
istrators will learn how
to create loyalties among cus-
tomers and staff.
Also going to Disney are JCC
Executive Director David
Sorkin; Margo Weitzer, direc-
tor of programming; Stuart
Wachs, recreation services di-
rector; Sharon Bender, mem-
bership director; and Nancy
Lipsey, adult and family en-
richment director at the JCC
in West Bloomfield. The Sid-
ney and Phyllis Freedland En-
dowment is funding the trip. ❑

ARC BRINGS IN DA

77- 77

Fisher Theatre
Sunday, October 5, 1997
Matinee and Evening Performance
Invitations will be mailed in late August.

Proceeds will support the homes and programs JARC operates
for people with developmental disabilities.

28366 Franklin Road • Southfield, MI 48034 • 248-352-5272

CIRCLE 'OA DATE!