Questions
and Answers About The Kendal System
We Became an Affiliate
of the The Kendal System in 2004
What is included
in The Kendal System?
The Kendal System consists of 1) operating organizations (Kendal
affiliates, each of which is separately incorporated); 2) a supporting
fund raising and charitable funds organization (Kendal Charitable
Funds); 3) an outreach function; and, 4) a supporting organization
(The Kendal Corporation). All of the Kendal affiliates provide
care and services for older people through a continuum. Many Kendal
affiliates are continuing care retirement communities.
What makes the structure of The Kendal System different
from other organizations?
The structure of The Kendal System is based on a federal-type
structure. This is very different from the top down, hierarchical
structure of many multi-entity organizations. The Kendal System
does not fit the typical parent-subsidiary model. It is also different
from the organization of several loosely affiliated autonomous
or independent entities. The relationship between The Kendal Corporation
and the Kendal affiliates is interdependent and involves autonomy
and shared purpose. While each Kendal affiliate maintains an independence
that fosters creative thinking, it is guided by the mission, vision,
and values of The Kendal Corporation. Recognizing that the strength
of the system as a whole, and the strength and reputations of
each of the members within it, are linked to each others' performance,
a system for mutual accountability is integral to the Kendal structure.
What is the role of The Kendal Corporation in respect
to the Kendal affiliates?
While The Kendal Corporation does not act as a centralized authority,
handing down policies and edicts, it does have responsibilities
for leadership with respect to the affiliates and the system as
a whole. The corporate role, however, is designed to call attention
to opportunities and problems constructively and with the expectation
that the leadership of the affiliate will identify the solutions.
Corporate staff serves as mentors, coaches, and advisors to affiliate
staff, rather than supervisors. The role of The Kendal Corporation,
therefore, is to enhance the performance of Kendal affiliates,
not to intervene in ways to diminish their roles and responsibilities.
The Kendal System reflects a commitment to a participative and
team-based culture.
What specific decision making authority does The Kendal
Corporation have regarding the Kendal affiliates?
Currently, the bylaws for each Kendal affiliate include eight
areas requiring The Kendal Corporation approval: 1)Changes in
the corporate purposes; 2)The incurring of indebtedness with a
value larger that that specified in the most recent affiliation
agreement; 3)The Affiliate's use of the name Kendal; 4)The substance
of resident contracts; 5) The purchase, sale, lease, or other
disposition of any real estate or improvements thereon, with a
value greater than that specified in the most recent affiliation
agreement; 6) Dissolution, merger with another entity, division,
or acquiring control of another entity; 7)The selection of new
members of the Board of Directors of the Affiliate; and 8) Amendments
to the Articles of Incorporation or the fundamental sections of
the Bylaws of the Affiliate.
How else do The Kendal Corporation and the Kendal affiliates
demonstrate mutual accountability?
The Kendal Corporation and the Kendal affiliates are interdependent
and apply a structure of shared authority. Affiliate boards of
directors are responsible for the overall operations of the individual
affiliate. The Kendal Corporation Board of Directors is responsible
for setting the strategic direction for the system as a whole.
Each Kendal affiliate has a designated seat on the board of directors
of The Kendal Corporation. The President of The Kendal Corporation,
or his/her designee, attends board meetings of the various Kendal
entities ex officio.
What is the Affiliation Agreement ?
The affiliation agreement is a written agreement detailing the
relationship between The Kendal Corporation and a Kendal affiliate.
It also clearly distinguishes the roles and responsibilities of
each entity and includes specifics about the relationship established
in the bylaws.
What is a system fee?
Each affiliate pays an annual fee in monthly installments to The
Kendal Corporation. By being part of the Kendal System, each affiliate
shares in the established reputation of the system and has the
resources of The Kendal Corporation available to it for support,
education, and advisement. The fee covers affiliation with the
system, basic services, and contributes to system financial reserves.
Recognizing that developing communities require more support and
assistance than established communities, the amount of the fee
is different for developing and established affiliates.
What are the Values and Standards?
The Kendal Corporation and all of its affiliates are governed
in harmony with the principles of the Religious Society of Friends.
This heritage embraces standards and practices that are detailed
in the publication Values and Standards. These standards and practices
reflect the experience gained over thirty years, beginning with
the earliest Kendal communities. While other organizations measure
their success by the bottom line, The Kendal System uses the Values
and Standards as benchmarks for success.
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