Questions and Answers About The Kendal System

The Kendal System 2009
What is included in The Kendal System?

The Kendal System consists of 1)operating organizations (Kendal affiliates, which are separately incorporated); 2)a fund- raising and grant-making organization that supports all Kendal entities (Kendal Charitable Funds); 3)an outreach function (Kendal Outreach LLC); 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.

*For New York affiliates, the supporting organization is Kendal New York, which functions in the same ways as The Kendal Corporation does in other states, as described below.

What makes the structure of The Kendal System different from other multi-entity systems?

The Kendal System is based on a federal-type structure.  The relationship between The Kendal Corporation and the Kendal affiliates is interdependent and involves balancing autonomy and shared purpose.  While each Kendal affiliate maintains an independence that fosters creative thinking, all are guided by the mission, vision, and values of the Kendal System.  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, mutual accountability is integral to the Kendal System. This is very different from the top down, hierarchical structure of many multi-entity systems.  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. 

What is the role of The Kendal Corporation in respect to the Kendal affiliates?
The Kendal Corporation has responsibilities for leadership with respect to the affiliates and the System as a whole, though it is not a centralized authority, handing down policies and directives.  The corporate role is designed to call attention to opportunities and challenges constructively and with the expectation that the leadership of an affiliate will identify the solutions.  Corporate staff serve 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 Kendal name; 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 the 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 Practices?
First published in 1987, the booklet that articulates Kendal’s values and the principles on which they are based was reissued in 2009 in a refined version.  The booklet spells out the principles of the Religious Society of Friends on which Kendal values are based, and describes practices that reflect experience gained over the 35+ years since the opening of the first Kendal community in 1973. While other organizations measure their success by the bottom line, The Kendal System uses the Values and Practices as benchmarks for success.