The AP recently released an article titled “Major youth groups make headway against sex abuse“, which highlights the great efforts of Darkness To Light and the YMCA as well as many other child serving organizations. One of the quotes that really spoke to us when reading the article was from Kent Johnson, COO of YMCA of...
Archive for January, 2012
Social Smarts: Building Good Relationships Online
In my previous Social Smarts articles, I discussed the importance of listening to what people are saying about your brand and offered some free tools for helping you monitor it. Today, I want to spend some time discussing how to build relationships online. Whether online or in person, relationships are built on trust. Building up trust is...
Serve Others: Habitat Build in Zambia
Three years ago, Amanda Nieman went with Habitat for Humanity to build houses in Zambia. And this month she returned to Zambia to assist the local Habitat chapter. She worked in the Chipulukusu village, historically a “safe haven for criminals” fleeing the city of Ndola. The arrival of Habitat Zambia and the resulting development...
How to Prevent Falls and Stay on Your Feet in 2012
When employees slip and fall in your organization it affects your ability to carry out your mission. We commonly associate falls with members and guests, but think about the effects of an employee falling and missing one week of work. To your organization… You find a temporary replacement, or move an employee from another area. But...
“Patriots Day” at YMCA
We all know what happened last Sunday when New England beat the Ravens to earn a trip to the Super Bowl, but here’s what was going on at the Hockomock Y in the days before. Whether you’re a Pats fan or not, this is pretty cool. And our friend, Ed Hurley, CEO of the...
Falling Soccer Goal Kills 9-Year-Old Boy
WRAL, a television station in the Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville areas of North Carolina, recently posted an article on the tragic death of a 9-year-old boy who was killed by a falling soccer goal. ”Maria Escalera says her son, Juan Escalera, 9, was visiting his cousins and decided to play soccer after church. “My husband...
Where’s Redwoods
The 2012 event season has officially begun. Below is a list of the various events and conferences we will be attending in the next quarter. If you’re planning to attend, be sure to stop by and say hi to one of the following people: Date Conference Location Jan. 25 JCC Executive Seminar Kevin Trapani will be leading a keynote session...
Recorded Webinar – Mission First: Employee Safety
Yesterday, YMCA, JCC and Camp professionals joined our webinar to discuss how to create change. Changing culture may appear difficult, but with the right resources you can accomplish it. Dick Gordon, host of the nationally syndicated Public Radio show, The Story, recently did a terrific series called “A Search For Change”, featuring a series of change agents from...
2nd Annual Philanthropy LIVE! transforms Pittsburgh
There are still 4-months until Philanthropy LIVE! but I am excited about the opportunities the North American YMCA Development Officers (NAYDO) conference attendees will have to help transform Pittsburgh. This year, an estimated 1,000 philanthropy officers will attend NAYDO on April 25 -28th, and they will all be given a chance to change Pittsburgh. On April...
Mission First: Employee Safety – Changing Behavior Part 3
This post is the third and final in a series about our new initiative, Mission First: Employee Safety. The purpose of this initiative is to re-frame the conversation about workplace safety to one about the important role of staff in pursuit of your mission and ultimately, reduce injuries by providing the resources and guidance...