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!