April 2024 Newsletter

I want to thank everyone for filling out the Reach Culture Survey. This is a tool to help us better understand how we are doing as a company in the area of employee engagement, and to give everyone an opportunity to share openly and honestly in an anonymous format. We will fill this out again at the end of this year and most likely make it an annual evaluation piece going forward. This first one gave us our benchmark, and it also gave us some great insight into what we can address to improve as a company. A few of the areas we are leaning into are 1) addressing quality concerns, 2) evaluating individual performance, and 3) addressing caring and clear communication. The comments provided are helping us interpret the numbers and identify additional areas to address, and we are starting to process those and act on them. Thanks again for your feedback, and helping us take specific steps forward in improving the company for our employees, as well as our customers.

Puerta de Esperanza Update

Click on the picture above to watch a 5 minute video update from the team in Guatemala at the Puerta de Esperanza CarePoint where we sponsor 40 children. If you are interested in being an encourager for one of the children by writing letters, reach out to Rich Hart and he’ll help get you set up with their system. A simple way to live our our values of Caring, Respect, and Invest In The Eternal.

And click here to find out the latest on how we are doing with our second campaign to put another well into a community in Chad, Africa that desperately needs both clean water and the Living Water through our partnership with NeverThirst.

Each month we are reminded to celebrate some very special people through their birthday and work anniversaries. Give these people a high five and encouragement, thanking them for their participation in helping us fulfill our mission.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Just For Laughs

From The Hart

There’s an old joke that goes like this:

My wife said to me the other day, “I don’t even feel like you’re listening to me!”

I thought to myself, “Now that’s a strange way to start a conversation.”

It’s funny, but there’s enough truth to it where it’s also sobering. Too often we are disengaged when we are around people, and we can be clueless as to what is on their heart and mind because we’re not even tuned in to them. They may be talking, but we are on different wavelengths altogether. 

It’s like when you’re at a crowded beach and there are 10 different radio stations being played at the same time. It becomes white noise, and more pointedly, it becomes annoying. Especially when individuals start turning up the volume on their device to cancel out everybody else’s. 

That scenario is an inconvenience. The stakes are higher when it comes to being tuned into those you work with, your family and loved ones that you see on a regular basis, where being tuned in or not can have a greater impact. Missing instructions, relaying wrong information, misunderstanding a confusing message, or acting on faulty communication can have dire consequences. And it can break down the confidence in future interactions because of past experiences. 

Barbie has been a teacher for many years, and a simple little trick she used with her elementary aged students (and sometimes her husband) is to 1) say their name, 2) get eye contact, 3) state simply and clearly the information, and 4) have them repeat it back. Overly simple? Perhaps, but it helps ensure clarity, especially when there are 28 other 2^nd graders in the room, or the game is on the TV. (What, me? Never!)

So try it the next time you’re not feeling heard. It could be a breakthrough in those frustrating times, and help you be in tune with those around you. And it will be one less other radio station you have to compete with.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month

If something requires your hands, your eyes, or your attention while you’re driving, it’s a distraction. The following habits may be common, but they’re still distracting and dangerous for you and everyone else on the road. When you’re behind the wheel, your only job is to drive!

As a reminder, our Employee Handbook states the following: “As the driver of a TCA vehicle, you are responsible for the vehicle while in your charge and must not permit unauthorized persons to drive it. You may not operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a chemical substance or other substance that can impair judgment. You may not operate a motor vehicle while texting, emailing, or otherwise using a cell phone or other handheld device without utilizing a hands-free device.”

Baptism In The Gulf

Baptism has been a historical way for someone to publicly declare that they are a follower of Jesus. Jim Foubister and the One Christ, Won City team have been working with local churches to have a shared celebration of those making this public gesture once again this year. There are going to be public baptisms on Saturday, May 4th at 10 am in the Gulf of Mexico. Three locations have been reserved for this, and the main contact for that location are as follows: 1) Coquina Beach in Bradenton, (Ronson Kutinsky 941-806-7550); 2) Maxine Barrett Park in Venice (Jim Foubister 941-223-1771); 3) Manasota Beach in Englewood (Ramon Cestero 941-786-2146 or Glenn Wanless 954-551-6729). Each location will have worship, prayer, a message, baptism and fellowship. If you have an interest in being present for this, or have a desire to be baptized, or simply have a desire to learn more, please reach out to Jim Foubister or Rich Hart. Click on the picture below to find out more.

Snap Shots

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