Cathy Belrose, Residential Services Shift Coordinator Named Employee of the Year

Cathy Belrose, Residential Services Shift Coordinator, has been named The Arc Otsego’s Employee of the Year.  Belrose has worked for The Arc Otsego since 1997, first as a Day Services Habilitation Assistant in Hyde Park and then, beginning in March of 2008, as a Residential Shift Coordinator in Cooperstown. As a Residential Services Shift Coordinator, Belrose must set the tone for the shift and serve as a role model to staff and the individuals living at the residence.  She is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities of her team, providing direct support to the individuals living at the residence and making sure that their needs and concerns are at the center of all of the team’s activities. 

The Arc Otsego’s Employee of the Year selection process begins with peer nominationswhich are solicited on a quarterly basis.  Nominations are based on how well the individual’s attitude and activities exemplify the agency’s mission.  Next, a peer group of employees, who are part of the agency Employee Recognition Committee, review the nominations and select the Employee of the Quarter.  At the end of the year, the Executive Team reviews each of the quarterly winners and selects the Employee of the Year.

In selecting this year’s Employee of the Year, Assistant Executive Director Pat Knuth noted that Cathy Belrose had been nominated repeatedly by her peers.  “The sheer number of nominations for Cathy was truly impressive.  She is clearly well-regarded by her peers.”

Belrose was honored at a luncheon held at the Brooks Roost on November 24, 2009.  In introducing Belrose, Joe Judd, Executive Director, commented that “Cathy is always willing to pitch in, is a team player with a positive attitude, cares deeply about providing the best quality of life possible for the individuals that we serve and by her example, encourages others to do the same.”  In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the agency throughout her thirteen-year career, Belrose also received a $500 Visa gift card.

(above r: Cathy Belrose with Executive Director Joe Judd)

above l: The Arc Otsego Employee Recognition Committee)