Monday, October 7, 2019

Local 3-0-Fore’s Morale Booster

Nicole Bahlke runs the IOOF annual golf tournament

Some years ago, a manager at IOOF Seniors Homes Inc. in Barrie thought that the best way to get to know staff and build morale was by interacting with them away from work. So he along with Local 304 member Nicole Bahlke, who is a recreation facilitator at the home, started an annual golf tournament.

After the manager left IOOF, Nicole stepped in to keep the annual event going. For 15 years, she has made this tournament a huge success.

This year was record setting both in attendance and prizes. Current staff and former staff and their families as well as some residents’ family—75 in total—registered for a day of golf, prizes, and a steak dinner at the Simoro Golf Links club just outside Barrie.

All prizes were donated including a $5,000 offer for a hole in one donated by a family member of one of the residents. While there were some great golfers, no one won the hole-in-one prize.
“There were so many prizes that we had to rent a U-Haul trailer to get them here,” says Randy Dunn, who works in the maintenance department.

Some staff have participated in the tournament every year.

Asked why she attends every year, Patty Malkos, a PSW at the home, says “it’s a day of fun that lets you see coworkers in a different way.”

Nicole heartily agrees. “Working in long term care is a struggle, and we can get on each others’ nerves,” she says. “This is a way of relieving stress while having some fun and building relationships with staff and residents’ families. It’s a lot of work but you forget about that when you see your coworkers past and present enjoying the day.

“This has become a family weekend for some as they have made it a weekend event starting with the Saturday golf game. One thing is clear: everyone enjoys the day.”

Check out all the photos!

Local 3-0-Fore’s Morale Booster

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