Tom Echter: Balancing the Books for a Better Community at St. James NEST

Join Nolan Formalarie as he sits down with Tom Echter, the Treasurer and a vital village leader of the NEST organization within St. James Plantation. Tom shares an insightful overview of NEST, a community-driven initiative aimed at helping residents stay in their homes for as long as possible by providing essential day-to-day services. From driving members to appointments to assisting with household tasks, NEST volunteers are dedicated to maintaining the quality of life for the community’s aging population. Tom delves into his role as Treasurer, managing the financial health of the organization, and recounts his journey to joining NEST during the COVID-19 pandemic. His motivation stems from witnessing the aging process within St. James and a desire to contribute to an organization that proactively supports its residents. Tom’s story is a testament to the power of community and foresight in creating a supportive network for the elderly. If you’re inspired to make a difference or seek support, find out how to become part of this remarkable organization by reaching out through the provided contact details.

Nolan
Hello and welcome. This is Nolan Formalarie, and I have Tom Echter here with me from the NEST organization. Tom, thank you so much for coming. So I wanted you to introduce NEST. What exactly is NEST?

Tom
Well, NEST is an organization within St. James Plantation designed to help people stay in their homes as long as they can. As volunteers we provide a number of services  such as driving people to appointments, helping them set up their Christmas decorations, get them to the respite care if a couple has a partner with dementia or something like that. So low level day to day tasks that become more difficult as you age, and we are able to help people maintain their lifestyle and stay in St. James as long as possible.

Nolan
Which is an amazing thing! I know you are a village leader within the nest organization. What is that? And what are you a leader of?

Tom
Well, okay. A leader in the NEST organization would be the equivalent of an executive team, I suppose, in a business. My particular role is the Treasurer. So I am the back office. I’m the least visible member of the leadership…

Nolan
But the most important, well, one of the most important!

Tom
I take care of the money that comes in and I send the money out and I do the accounting and tax reporting and the financial mechanics of keeping the organization solvent.

Nolan
Very nice. So how did you get involved in this and when did you get involved?

Tom
I’m one of the newer leaders and I got involved about two years ago. It was during COVID. There was an article in our local newsletter, “Just Judy”, and they were looking for somebody with QuickBooks experience. I was bored, because I was sitting at home, and I used QuickBooks in running my own business before I retired. So I responded to that, and that’s what started my relationship with NEST. I had some prior experience with non-profits while I was in my previous life. And so, between that and QuickBooks, uh, somebody’s willing to do the accounting and I got the job.

Nolan
Nice. Well, I’m sure the organization appreciates that. Tell us what do you enjoy most about being a village leader and NEST itself?

Tom
Well, first of all, I’ve been in St. James 21 years, so I’m one of the older ones, and I was younger when I moved in, obviously. And one of the things I noticed as people aged up, I could see what happens. I was a young guy, and now I’m an old guy. So I could see what happened, and the idea behind NEST, I was aware of. And so, when I saw that ad, I was just motivated to respond.

Nolan
It’s just a remarkable organization!

Tom
It really is!  Previously, I was on a foundation board for a group in Rochester that dealt with mentally disabled individuals. We were in group homes. That group got started because some of the people that ran it had a need, an immediate need. The thing that’s unusual about NEST is the people that started NEST had no need for its services! They were forward looking people who could see what was going to happen to the community, and it’s just the culture of St. James. And these were people that looked ahead, said: “you know, this is going to be a useful endeavor!” and they put it together, and it is a spectacularly well-run organization in my mind and it’s grown so much since its inception, which is just amazing. And so I enjoy working with all the leaders. They are a remarkable group of people, very professional, and they get the job done.

Nolan
Well, wonderful! We appreciate you being here, and if you want to become part of NEST, please use the email address and the phone number listed. Please reach out, we are looking for village leaders and looking for members. Tom I appreciate your time very much. Thank you.

Website: sjnest.org

Phone: (910) 250-8388

Email: info@sjnest.org