“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Creating A Safe And Welcoming Environment
As an organization, we have adhered to the guidelines throughout the pandemic established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as those established by the state of Washington. Our staff team has done a great job enforcing these guidelines, though there have been a number of instances when members have struggled with a strict enforcement of the mask requirement and made it difficult on our team. Managing the safety and comfort for our community has been no easy task, but our team never wavered in its commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment. The selflessness exhibited by each team member has enabled our Y to operate and provide health to thousands in our community.
This past Thursday, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people would no longer be required to wear a mask, but those not fully vaccinated would be (with self-managed enforcement). Admittedly, I was excited the mask requirement was removed because it has been an arduous task for our staff to enforce as well as a significant barrier to growing our membership. Conversely, I could not help but question the sudden shift in the guidelines, and by the end of day Friday, I was receiving concerns from our members about where our Y would stand with respect to these new guidelines. One member reminded me that vaccination rates were below 47% in Pierce County and that those who refused to get vaccinated were the same people reluctant to wear a mask. It was just another reminder of how challenging it has been to navigate through this crisis. Though the Governor declared the state would be fully open on June 30, I find myself proceeding with caution. I believe we need to continue to seek safe alternatives for our members – such as offering outdoor activities, maintaining proper social distancing, and vigilantly sanitizing the premises – so our community feels safe in our Y.
Looking Ahead To Change
YMCA 360
From the outset of this crisis, we have taken the approach of being cautiously aggressive (a classic oxymoron). I have admired our willingness to explore possibilities and consistently working hard to discover new ways to engage our community. Last week, the virtual production team of Kenny Aye and Annie Doyle, with guidance from Lynn Wilmot-Stenehjem, commenced their effort to produce content for the YMCA 360 platform. There was a lot of excitement on the National Y360 call this past week, as the platform continues to grow and evolve. Ys are joining the network on a daily basis, which strengthens the potential of what Y360 will be. Being able to access the best of the Y Movement, both on-demand and in a live format – along with our own content – creates a tremendous opportunity for our Y. Michael Marquez and Bruce Caudill have been focused on designing a production studio on the second floor of the Tacoma Center Y. This will help strengthen our commitment to Y360 as well as our overall commitment to the virtual experience we intend to deliver to our communities.
Adding Staff
As has been the case throughout these past 14 months, everyone on staff is carrying multiple assignments and responsibilities, and we have been operating lean for a very long time. Last month, for the first time this year, we generated a positive variance in the budget (keeping expenses low was a big reason for that). Receiving the great news that Pierce County would once again operate under Phase 3 guidelines prompted the leadership cabinet to look at adding more staff so we are better positioned to meet the potential growth that will likely ensue.
Resident Camp At YMCA Camp Seymour
It was great to hear Scotty Jackson share his excitement (and relief) on last Friday’s Staying Connected call that he and his team now have the green light for Resident Camp. While they were proceeding as if camp would occur, they were prepared to adapt and offer alternatives, and the excitement in Scotty’s voice was thrilling as he announced there would be overnight camp at Camp Seymour once again. It is what he and the team live to do – using the camp experience to make a difference in the lives of kids. Not having it last year, on top of all we have been through, I could feel how special this summer is going to be.
YMCA Center For Community Impact
A few weeks prior, we made the decision to prepare for Summer Camp and began the process to hire. We now need to make the same decision in order to fulfill new agreements we have with the school districts. Amber Evans-Wynn (right up until she departed our organization), Kolanye Bykoff, Brian Flattum, and Toko Thompson have been working on the structure of services the Y will offer the Clover Park and Franklin Pierce School Districts. In the case of Clover Park, the agreement is contingent upon their board’s approval, which does not occur until June 14, but in order for us to be prepared for the summer, we need to begin the hiring process now. The school district has given us an assurance it will be approved, but it is simply another example of the uncertainty that surrounds us. There are many opportunities and possibilities, but there are no guarantees. We will continue to proceed; our faith is our strength.
Membership
In addition to staff required to deliver our summer programming, Brian has been working with executive directors to bring on new staff in anticipation of additional members returning to the Y. We are closely monitoring the daily membership report provided by Tiffany Stewart-Harris, as well as the registration numbers, and both have been steadily climbing. It will be necessary to post positions now, understanding it takes time to fill them. As Shannon Costanti alerted us, the labor market has been completely disrupted and it may take some time to recruit new members to our team. It is just another example of the challenges we face, but with these challenges come opportunities as well.
This has been our way of work: never sure, but preparing as best we can.
I happened to be in downtown Tacoma Thursday afternoon at the same time the Governor made his announcement. It was as if a bolt of energy shot through downtown. Two people drove passed the Tacoma Center Y, shouting that they would be back in the Y next week. Excitement was definitely in the air. For a moment, I did not think about the challenges, I just enjoyed that energy and excitement. It has been a long time, and a steep climb. Seeing the faces and hearing the words of people looking forward to returning to the Y felt really good, something I just wanted to savor.
#StayStrong #StayWithUs