Tim Marte was never one to sit at the same desk for a long time. As a consultant for 18 years, Marte traveled around the country and worked at many different organizations.

But even though he now has a permanent desk at Westminster Manor in Auburn, he still is not chained to it.

Whether making connections with members of the community or serving his residents at supper time, the organization's new executive director prefers to be up and about, he said.

“I don't believe in pushing paper at a desk,” Marte said.

Marte comes into the position in a challenging time, when a tough economic situation has meant a tougher time securing funding for a community like Westminster Manor. But even in these times, he said he still has the goal of making the home a premier living destination for the area's elderly.

Founded in 1962, Westminster Manor is a 32-bed residential community for senior citizens. Though the organization offers some limited personal assistance, programming and meals, the residents are given independence in a home-like environment.

Marte, 38, started at Westminster Manor in September in what has been a sort of homecoming for him. Originally from the Syracuse area, he began in central New York a consulting career through which he has worked in higher education, health care and with non profit groups as far away as Wyoming.

But this is home, Marte said of upstate New York. He is even able to bring his Chihuahua, Big, to work with him. In fact, a lot of people expect to see the puppy around the home.

“If I don't bring him in, the residents will have a problem,” he said. “It's become one of the selling points.”

One of Marte's goals as director is to add another selling point, he said. Westminster Manor should not seem like a ward or facility; it should feel like a home.

Reaching that goal means starting with little things, he continued, like putting up holiday decorations and bringing in more comfortable chairs. Though they seem small, such efforts can make someone's transition from a personal residence to Westminster much easier, Marte said.

“How can we act in a way that is just like their home?” he said. “We want to have that waiting list that shows people want to be here.”

Marte expects the biggest challenge in coming months and years to stem from the economic landscape. Where can organizations go for support when private businesses and individuals have to be tighter with their dollars?

The dilemma, he said, means that networking and forging local relationships will be vital. And it will likely mean finding creative funding options like grants or fundraisers in the near future, he said.

“It's about helping the community understand the importance of caring for the aging people in their lives,” Marte said.

So far, some of Westminster Manor's leadership thinks the organization has made the right choice. The community's mission is to provide a caring environment that serves as a comfortable home to the residents, according to Board of Directors President Gail Banks.

Marte, she stated in an e-mail, has helped foster that environment.

“With (Marte) ... this mission is fulfilled,” Banks stated. “(He) brings not only excellent administrative skills, but has the expertise to help the board of directors look toward the future,”

That environment, Marte said, will help foster a bright future.

“If my mother or grandmother, or a family member of mine were to give up some of their independence,” he began, “I'd want it to be at a special place. I'd want it to be unique.”