YMCA receives Eagle Award

YMCA of Greater Toledo representatives Robert Alexander, president/chief executive officer; Gina Ritzman, associate director of development; Stephanie Dames, senior vice president of development; and Eric Summons, board chairman/chief volunteer officer, attend the Eagle Award banquet.

On Friday April 11, 2008, the YMCA of Greater Toledo received the Eagle Award from the North American YMCA Development Organization (NAYDO) in Montreal, Canada. The award is presented annually at the NAYDO Conference to YMCA Associations demonstrating outstanding achievement in resource development and fundraising. The YMCA of Greater Toledo volunteers and staff were recognized as belonging to the top group of charitable causes in our community.

Corporate and Wolf Creek staff recognized   (Left to right) Bryan Bockert, Wolf Creek executive director, and Ann Lofton, Wolf Creek aquatic coordinator, recognize O.P.I.E. recipients Amanda Seabolt and John Boyd, as Tood Tibbits, YMCA of Greater Toledo senior vice president of operations/chief operating officer, presents them with their award.   (Left to right) Shawn Flack accepts his O.P.I.E award from Mark Brunsman, YMCA of Greater Toledo vice president of association services. Congratulations to Amanda Seabolt and John Boyd from Wolf Creek YMCA and Shawn Flack from the YMCA Corporate office. They are the most recent YMCA/JCC O.P.I.E. (Outstanding Performance In Employment) Award  recipients. Each was nominated for the award by their respective staff and selected by the YMCA and JCC Member Service Council. Nominees for the award must exemplify the YMCA/JCC mission; perform above job expectations; be viewed as a team leader by their peers; adhere to all YMCA/JCC Member Service standards; and have an excellent attendance record. Amanda Seabolt has been a swim instructor/lifeguard at the Wolf Creek YMCA for 2 1/2 years. During that time, she has taken a proactive approach with members and staff regarding water safety. Ann Lofton, Wolf Creek YMCA aquatics coordinator said, "Amanda makes new staff feel welcome by including them on the Wolf Creek YMCA Aquatics team." Amanda has also taught private lessons, at no charge on her own time, to a youngster who used to love the water, but had a bad experience. Amanda worked with him while his brother was in class. In a short time, the young boy regained his confidence and was able to join his brother in group lessons again. John Boyd has been with the association for eight years and is currently the Wolf Creek YMCA building supervisor. Known by members and staff as JB, he has shown tremendous intiative with security regarding the safety and well-being of members in the building and parking lot. Bryan Bockert, Wolf Creek YMCA executive director said, "John exhibits outstanding leadership characteristics is his ability to promote a welcoming, safe atmosphere." One Wolf Creek member commented, "JB greets me by name and takes a positive interest in my children. What a great way to welcom me!" Shawn Flack, association I.T. whiz, has been with the YMCA/JCC for over 4 years. No one knows how the computers within the associateion interact with one another, like Shawn. If you need his help, he can fix it. He can sit at your computer keyboard and make things happen without making you feel like a complete idiot! Just ask (insert your name here). Sarah Otis, associate vice president of child development said, "Shawn handles a great deal with respect to all, regardless of our own ignorance. His low-key temperament has disffused angry clients and put many of us at ease with his calming assurance." Todd Tibbits attests to Shawn's diligence, receiving his long distance assistance when Todd experienced problems with his laptop while at a conference out of town. Shawn was able to talk Todd through the technical issues to get the laptop working again. Please congratulate Amanda, John and Shawn. Each embodies the YMCA/JCC core values of caring, honesty, faith, respect and responsibility and demonstrates those values to us every day. Fort Meigs Y receives scholarship contribution Fort Meigs YMCA Program Director Sara Perna and Executive Director Jody Alexander (center) were presented with a $500 scholarship contribution from Office Depot at the grand opening of their new location on Route 20. Child development staff recognized by Rob Thomas Elisa Curtis and Laura Wotring were recently recognized by the Ohio Department of Education, Ohio Job and Family Services, and the Early learning Advisory Committee for their timely and accurate submission of child, program and teacher data for the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) program to the state of Ohio. Sandra Miller, director from the Office of Early Learning and School Readiness for the state of Ohio commented, "While data submission is most related to compliance requirements, your local agency infrastructure, understanding by staff of the importance of data, technical support and time related to providing the state with data reflects a sound organizational structure."                          Elisa and Laura               The YMCA of Greater Toledo Child Development program was in the top third of ELI providers from around the state with 100% compliance with the program and fiscal standards for 2007. Thank you to Elisa and Laura for their diligence!