Alzheimer's Association Reviews

Pros

Amazing passion and attitudes in the office
Branch office staff communicates very well
Very generous with working around your schedule in terms of office hours schedules (never any problems if there are doctor's appointments, family conflicts)
Volunteer staff are also passionate, helpful, reliable

Cons

Definite organizational issues--items would arrive in my inbox on my days off with the stipulation that I had to turn them around in a couple of hours (very difficult because sometimes I was at my other job or would not have e-mail access). There are a lot of opportunities for streamlining and budget-trimming, especially regarding the way the central offices communicate with their branch offices. Central office folks can be a bit entrenched in their "systems" and approaches. Try making helpful suggestions: your local branch will listen; the central branch may or may not blow you off. Also, if you are part-time under a certain number of hours per week, they won't offer you any benefits, which is unfortunate, because people working that "part-time" are usually the ones more in-need of such benefits. (Though I also understand the fiscal reasons for not offering benefits to these people, there are two sides to everything).

Advice to Senior Management

Keep doing exactly what you're doing in terms of creating a welcoming, open, and supportive atmosphere for employees, volunteers, caregivers, and PWDs. I really was proud to work for an organization that offers the level of service and expertise (usually for free) to some of the most overlooked populations in the US and the world. Working here, I really do feel hope for the future of families affected by Alzheimer's. I am always inspired by your mission and passion. The only major suggestion I would have is for the central offices to be more open to the "localization" and suggestions from the branch offices. Creating more room for young professionals will help keep the organization fresh.

Pros

Friendly office environment.
Interns have flexible hours

Cons

They lack a formal internship program by not providing mentoring, feedback, competitive pay, challenging work, goals, objectives, or letters of recommendations.

Advice to Senior Management

Improve the internship program. Allow students to gain experience and use knowledge from their field of study. The tasks should be relevant to the field of study. Provide interns with feedback and reviews, and recognize their work. Treat interns as employees.

Pros

meaningful and rewarding work, friendly staff, growing association

Cons

lack of resources, limited communication among chapters, little room for position advancement

Advice to Senior Management

hire more paid employees to allow work to be completed more quickly and completely

Pros

The Alzheimer's Association provides invaluable education and advocacy to individuals, families and communities facing the devastation of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Cons

Disappointing leadship within some of the local chapters.

Advice to Senior Management

Increased oversight of the local chapters executive team and their Board of Directors.

Pros

Decent benefits
Mission of organization is worthwhile
They don't over-work you to death
Ability to work independently and not be micro-managed

Cons

Communication lacks within the office environment
Performance reviews not taken seriously
No opportunity for growth
Unorganized business practices
Leadership is lacking for new employees to learn their role

Advice to Senior Management

Management in the Louisville office should respect the employees they choose to eliminate ties with and give the courtesy of a reason. This will help personal/professional growth as well as maintain healthy relationships and not burn bridges with people that can help the organization in the future.

Pros

It is for a great cause, and the branch I work at is small and intimate. Great way to learn about the nonprofit sector.

Cons

It can be depressing work.

Advice to Senior Management

Just because someone has worked there for 30 years doesn't mean they are still the best fit for the company.

Pros

The work made a difference in other people's lives.

Cons

Poorly managed at the chapter level.

Advice to Senior Management

Hire a consultant and look for ways to improve moral.

Pros

Friendly and supportive staff, relaxed work environment, excellent benefits and PTO, the work is meaningful and makes an impact, organization is highly regarded in the local community

Cons

Not much room for growth in the organization, communication between departments lacks at times, busy times are extremely busy- long hours and weekends are needed often

Advice to Senior Management

Communication regarding big decisions and changes is rarely made to all employees, there is often a disconnect in the transmission of these messages

Pros

It is a great organization, does important work for families that really need assistance. The organization has a good supportive board that really cares about the cause, and is supportive of the staff, and gets involved in both day to day activities and fundraisers and special events.

Cons

Occasionally a board member will be incompetent or know far more less than they think; or a manager will be inexperienced and drive employees away. Hopefully their past issues will not hold them back, because overall the organization is important to the community.

Advice to Senior Management

Make sure you know what you're doing; get competent, experienced board members to back you up if you don't; add an attorney to the board before you get yourself in trouble.

Pros

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America has a wonderful mission to assist those living with dementia and their family. Other than their mission statement, there is no reason to recommend anyone to work there. Employees do not feel valued. Employees are told that their work will make a difference to the population served, but employees felt that they were treated as robots rather than human being. It is ironic that an organization whose mission statement is to help others, cannot be helpful and supportive to its own employees. Therefore, due to the above reason, a reason to work for the Alzheimer's Foundation of America shall remain elusive.

Cons

There are numerous downsides of working at the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. There is a high turn over rate at this particular organization. Are you aware of the term 'revolving door'? This is the deal at this organization. Employees are not happy. Employees do not receive the support they need to complete their jobs. Employees often felt that any mistake they made would result in being fired.

Employees often felt that they had to choose their job over their personal life, which is unreasonable.
So it comes down to support, support, support. This is not a given at this particular orgainzation.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to your employees. Start giving them support, and maybe you will see difference in work attitudes.