The Sonoma County Family YMCA : About Us

A YEAR OF TRANSITION & CHANGE

Click here for Financial Reports

Click here for 2009-2010 at a Glance!

All organizations must take the time to look in the mirror once in awhile and ask whether or not they are not only doing things right but are they doing the right things. This was never more appropriate than during our 2009 and 2010 fiscal year. In addition to taking a closer look at ourselves, the YMCA of the USA unveiled new branding along with a new logo to help the YMCA at large be more defined and relevant as the movement embarks on the 2nd decade of the 21st century.

For the past several years, the Y’s traditional programs such as camp, aquatics, fitness, sports, and afterschool recreation have maintained their place as productive mission-driven programs that are also strong revenue producers that help keep the Y afloat. As our economy has suffered, the Y has not been immune and we started to experience the impact of this struggling economy and the effects on our bottom line. Because of strong staff and board leadership over the years, we have been able to survive and maintain a healthy operation without sacrificing the quality that we are known for and at the same time keep our dedicated staff motivated and appreciated. Each member of the Y’s volunteer board of directors is mindful of their responsibility to the organization and demonstrates it by their role as advocates and supporters of the Y.

A highlight for the year was the work on and the completion of a new Strategic Plan. Board Chair and Strategic Plan Chair, Andrea Ham, led an impressive and diverse group of committee members, beginning in the fall of 2009. For the next five months they met with focus groups and a Y national consultant, as well as the entire board, discussing and finalizing the direction the Y will take for the next three years. The difference in this plan from past ones is that this plan is flexible and can change as the needs in the community change. The success of this plan will be measured on how well the staff and volunteers work on the set goals. These goals include focusing on more collaboration and community outreach, responding to the growing healthy lifestyle crises in our communities and an emphasis on expanding our aquatics programs, for which we are already well-known and considered experts. The need to continue to tell the Y story will also be a focus as the need for more community support is necessary for us to thrive. Another emphasis will be a greater awareness of the needs of our staff by providing training both for their personal and professional growth.

The national Y’s “Activate America” initiative, which is not a program but a “culture” has been embraced by our Y for the past few years and puts an emphasis on serving “health seekers” and being more responsive to the individual needs of our members. A conscious effort to hear what our members say is instilled through formal training of our staff to be more perceptive and to “listen first” before assuming. The installation of MobileFit, an on-line fitness trainer program, is designed to support the member in their pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. This, combined with a supportive relationship with our staff, allows for more potential success stories. By the end of 2010 we will be able to measure the impact of this investment.

Above all, the personal stories of kids, adults, seniors and families whose lives have changed because of their involvement with the Y is what it is all about: The youngster who learns a sport for the first time; a person who years ago couldn’t finish one lap around a track now participating in the Harvest Fair Run and running the entire 10k distance; a grin on the face of a child overcoming the fear of the water after just one week of swim lessons. Because of the efforts of our 100 or so campaign volunteers, a family whose head-of-household has lost employment is able to continue their membership at the Y and have part of their day filled with joy and laughter while participating in programs. That is why we are here. These are just a few of the daily examples of why we do what we do. We must never lose sight of that, because that is the “right thing to do”.

Finally, the new branding and an updated logo have helped make the Y more visible and relevant to today’s social landscape. The old Y logo, in place since 1967, will still be around as we phase in the new one, which is more modern with more colors that represent the grand diversity of the YMCA movement. The 3 focus areas, Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility, fit nicely into the Y’s mission and our vision for the future.

Are we doing the right things? After a year of exploration and discovery that answer is a resounding “Yes, we are” and we will continue to do so by always keeping our eye on the future so that we remain an organization on the cutting edge rather than one that might be falling off of it.

With your health and well-being in mind,

David Brown
President/CEO

The YMCA is a human services organization that receives no government funding; it relies on membership fees, program fees, and your generous donations to operate. Policies are made by a volunteer board of directors comprised of members of the community, and our facility is staffed by a trained, dedicated group of employees. Our goal is for our fees to be affordable to all. Those unable to pay can participate at a reduced level upon qualification. Our doors are open to all; we do not discriminate.

Sonoma County Family YMCA - 1111 College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (707) 545-9622

501c3 not-for-profit charitable organization.

Financial assistance is offered on a sliding scale providing access to those unable to pay.