“We don’t rely on other CEOs enough, and we are too isolated right now. We need to check in with each other and learn our stories. In our positions, it’s incumbent upon ourselves to be vulnerable. We are here for each other. What do we as leaders bring back to one another?”
These words were said by Andrew Page, the president and CEO of the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, during the very last roundtable of the 2024 Community Rec Leadership Summit at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas.
While the focus of that specific roundtable was leadership development, the essence of Page’s remarks, that rec center leaders are most successful by striving to be accessible and helpful, could be found throughout this year’s summit.
For two-and-a-half days, leaders from YMCAs, JCCs, the Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, and Parks and Rec, alongside limited sponsors, convened on the topics of the future is youth, community engagement, innovative spaces, staffing solutions and leadership development. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from each roundtable:
The Future is Youth
- Positive changes to youth programming include creating middle school-age initiatives, adding a special mental health focus, providing more opportunities for families to be together, creating more equity and adding activities that get kids out of their comfort zones.
- Closing facilities later in the evening, hiring a director of mental health who focuses on teens and embracing technology could be successful strategies for adapting programming.
- Carissa Hill of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island said bringing activities into the community and outside of the rec center can greatly expand your reach in the community.
Community Engagement
- Michael Farris of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis said his Y does community asset mapping to determine what other organizations are trying to meet their needs.
- Services need to be expanded regularly to meet underserved populations in the community.
- Align with businesses that can help form unique collaborations. Be okay with failure and allow yourself to build relationships on trust.
- Establish clear communications with partners. Ensure a non-compete is signed and identify what success looks like for both sides of a partnership.
Innovative Spaces
- Embrace inclusivity by adding universal locker rooms and accommodate fitness influencers. Make sure everyone is comfortable in your spaces.
- Mike Brown of the YMCA of Metro Fort Worth said to focus on your staff. When they are paid correctly, they have the capacity to better innovate in your center.
- Research ahead of implementation. For example, the surge in pickleball’s popularity makes adding those types of spaces sensible while the decline in racquetball makes those spaces obsolete.
Staffing Solutions
- Bill Powell of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati said his Y embraces the work schedules of staff and provides flexible hours outside the norm of a stereotypical work week.
- Negative staffing trends include poor communication, lack of appreciation from centers, slow hiring and lack of career growth.
- Positive solutions range from raising salaries, offering age-specific benefits, PTO flexibility and embracing transparency.
Leadership Development
- Keep track of your calendar. This way you can provide times when you are available for people and when you can take time for yourself.
- Rachel Reilly of the JCC of Binghamton advised to establish your own professional and personal values so they are aligned. Also, invite others in to understand your struggle.
- Do wellness checks with your teams all the time. Check your ego at the door and embrace empathy.
If you’re interested in such valuable networking opportunities, then mark your calendar. The 2025 Community Rec Leadership Summit will be held at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, a luxury, four-star resort in Tucson, Arizona, March 3-5. New attendee and sponsor spots are now open. Email john@peakemedia.com to learn how you can join us. Hope to see you there!
