Kris Benedict

Apr 24, 2013

Dear Kris,

Last Friday, I walked into the Norcom Community Center to introduce two new SPIN friends to the NCC experience.  It was a gloomy, rainy day outside but my day was immediately brightened when we walked into the gym and were greeted by the friendliest, roller skating floor hockey instructor who invited us to join in on their spirited hockey game. Our mood couldn’t help but be lifted by this enthusiastic, welcoming, NCC employee named Kris Benedict. I quickly shared with our new friends that we were in the presence of royalty as you were SPIN’s Employee of the Month and they felt honored themselves and were more than impressed that they were able to see you in clear action; so was I!

Kris, on April 16, 2010, three years ago today,  you joined the Norcom Community Center Team (quite a special group) after spending time getting to know the uniqueness of the services and most importantly, getting to know the people, young and old, with and without disabilities who shared time at the center. We saw your gifts and talents and ensured that you would join our team.  You knew that a priority of the NCC was healthy living and it was an easy fit for your personal lifestyle so you immediately began to create opportunities for people to learn more about health and wellness.  It was easy to see from the start that you had an immediate connection with people, always seeing their possibilities, not their limitations.  Your people first interactions influence people throughout the center and in the community to treat all people with respect and dignity. We knew that you would be an outstanding Activity Specialist.

Your bright idea over a year ago led you to lead the NCC Wellness Wednesday Lunch Program creating a huge following of people to learn about purchasing healthy options as well as preparing the selected menu. You, like Emeril, really know your way around the kitchen and love to share what you know with everyone!  In addition, for the past three years, you have volunteered to share your food preparation skills to cater the annual bowling banquet at the NCC and made it a huge success year after year! Your nutritional knowledge, skills and experience is a main reason why your cooking classes have waiting lists. The Kids in the Kitchen sessions is a great example of how you influence young people to choose healthy options; your following of little chefs is growing and growing.

Of course your talents certainly do not stop in the kitchen. You share new ideas for classes and focus on how to keep the NCC offerings exciting and cutting edge. We realized that you are a talented musician and people are now benefitting through your music classes by learning how to play the piano and write music and lyrics.  Also, your love of sports, games and fitness has added new energy through friendly competition including hockey, kickball, fitness classes and more. And the best thing is that people don’t even realize they are working out! Wednesday afternoons are truly exciting at the NCC as you lead the  Wednesday afterschool pick up hockey league where whole families come to enjoy time together through sports and games and get some energy out before having to sit down and focus on homework. 

Kris, your important contributions are not only in your ability to develop and implement successful programs but your ability to demonstrate SPIN’s Pillars in all that you do.  Your can do attitude is witnessed by all NCC members who share their praise for your high customer service.  The NCC Management Team in their nomination stated that “What keeps people coming back is the customer service they get and Kris is a leader. He makes sure every customer feels like they are the most important and he is great at sharing information with everyone.” Kris, your flexibility, creativity and belief in the NCC has been very instrumental in helping the NCC to accomplish the goal of increasing room rental business to a booming success.  

Kris, on behalf of the SPIN Corporate Board, SPIN Managers, and most importantly the Norcom Community Center participants, members and staffing team, I thank you and congratulate you on this most deserving Employee of the Month award for March, 2013. Your dedicated, energized and engaged people first, high performance, professional and productive everyday actions support people of all ages, all backgrounds and all abilities to live a life of possibilities.  

With Congratulations and Appreciation, 

Judith Dotzman
Executive Director