Y Times YMCA of Greater Houston Employee Newsletter
June 2014
A CLOUD 9 EXPERIENCE Y staff member selected to fly on Air Force plane
As a way of saying thanking the Y for its support of the military, the Air Force invited Kimberly Weaver, business office specialist, to be a special guest on an Air Force practice refueling mission.
military members in the Houston area. It’s not every day you get to witness a real Air Force mission. “I was completely shocked and excited when I got the call,” Weaver said. “I am a That’s what happened to Kimberly huge supporter of our military members. Weaver, business office specialist at the I’m very grateful that I was assigned to Association Office. the task of military memberships.” “It was amazing. Weaver, who During the refueling handles Y member I loved every mission, Weaver applications for second of it.” watched an F16C military members, - Kimberly Weaver Viper hook was nominated by up to the a staff sergeant at tanker Ellington Field to ride a military plane plane she and witness a practice refueling mission. was on to The invitation was be refueled. extended as a The Viper thank you to the positioned itself perfectly Y for providing below the tanker plane as a long, memberships to more than 700 qualifying
Clark’s Corner I am often asked, “What sets our Y apart from other associations?” The answer: We are large, we have leading indicators in many areas like financial development, membership sales/ retention and net promoter scores in program quality. But the real question should be, “What sets us FAR apart and what makes us “best of show?” That answer is: Our staff. It is those of you who come in each day, give it your very best, go home, come back, and do it again, and again, and again. I was so touched at our Staff Appreciation Day when we presented awards to people who have been with us for 35 and 40 years. That says a lot about them and about our YMCA. Thank you for all that you do, for what you stand for, your strong faith, and your desire to serve. As we move into summer and open our pools, camps and summer activities, I want to thank you for what you will bring to the program. Thanks for not just showing up, but for doing something powerful in serving others. We have been around since1886 and there is still much more to be done. Blessings to you, Clark Baker, CEO
See CLOUD 9 on the back
FUN GAMES, GOOD TIMES TOGETHER Here are some highlights of what went down at Staff Appreciation Day in April at the Kemah Boardwalk.
Mary Huggins chats with Creighton Williams prior to the beginning of the activities.
Otis Sowell hums to a song and tries to get his team to name it.
Adrienne Dishon won an iPad in a staff drawing.
Staff compete to move the red cup back to the bottom of the stack.
Jennifer Guerrero claims her prize in a staff drawing.
Staff react with laughter during a team competition.
CLOUD 9 continued telescope-like tube called a boom extended and connected to the Viper, pumping thousands of gallons of fuel into it. Aerial refueling allows the smaller planes to remain airborne and fly longer distances instead of having to land to refuel. “It was amazing,” she said of the trip. “I loved every second of it.”
Along with the refueling mission, Weaver learned about the history of the military unit and squadron. Besides witnessing this practice mission firsthand, the trip reminded her of her father, who served in the Navy for four years. “I can think of so many stories my dad told me when he was in the military and going to Germany and Spain,” she said. “He was so excited when I told him I
was going on this trip. He loved looking at the pictures I took of the mission.” Weaver said the trip made her even more grateful for her job at the Y. “I’ve always appreciated what our military service men and women do and the sacrifices they make for us,” she said. “Experiencing this firsthand gave me a much greater appreciation for everything they do and the danger they put themselves in for all of us.”
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES IN VIETNAM Staff from YMCA of Greater Houston recently visited Vietnam and renovated classrooms, taught children English and learned about the culture. Members from the trip included Jeff Watkins, Lee Brillhart, Melanie Rouser, Nora Witbrodt and Jess Stuart.
Melanie Rouser blows bubbles in the classroom with the kids. Y staff spent time in class teaching them English.
Nora Witbrodt with several students at school.
Jess Stuart playing with a student. The kids loved playing games with staff during their breaks from class.
Nora Witbrodt jumping rope with students. The kids were so excited when staff joined in with their games and activities.
Lee Brillhart hanging out with students, who loved spending time with Y staff.
Jeff Watkins with a YMCA of Vietnam volunteer holding a plaque that now hangs outside the three renovated classrooms. All photos courtesy of Robert Totaro of the Capital District YMCA.
PROMOTIONS, NEW HIRES AND SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS Promotions Kimberly Hagan, Youth Development Coordinator, WD Ley Nick Kosicki, Youth Development Director - Swim & Play, Perry Tempest Smith, Youth Development Director - Swim & Play, Vic Coppinger Melanie Thompson, Youth Development Senior Director, Camp Cullen Corey Calcote, Associate Executive Director, Katy Colleen Herman, Healthy Living Director, Katy Connie Stirgus, Outreach Coordinator, Katy Stevie Jones, Membership Director, Tellepsen Irris Thompson, Youth Development Director, Tellepsen Chase Dowell, Regional Youth Development Director Curtis Lemieux, Regional Youth Development Director Claudia Sanchez, Associate Executive Director, Aldine/North Harris Jackie Nagle, Regional Teen Director Leonard Nelson, Senior Director of Leadership Development/Training Rosemarie Philip, Director of Leadership Development Daniel Rangel, Youth Development Director, Swim & Play, Lake Houston Janis Etzler, Youth Development Coordinator - Swim & Play, South County
Trent Coots, Membership/Healthy Living Coordinator, Baytown
Zach Stuckwisch, Healthy Living Coordinator, EA Smith
Austin Gary, Youth Development Coordinator - Swim & Play, McWilliams
Jennifer Boyd, Assistant Controller, Association Office
Ashley Bradford, Youth Development Director Swim & Play, Langham Creek Kalon Collins, Youth Development Director - Sports & Play, Vic Coppinger Edna Kennedy, Associate Executive Director, Conroe Nora Witbrodt, Regional Youth Development Director Karen Sawyer, Vice President & Controller, Association Office Jon Kidwell, Healthy Living Director, Weekley
Transfers Len Masengale, Group Maintenance Director
New Hires Brandon Bell, Youth Development Director - Sports & Play, Fort Bend Kelly Lovell, Equestrian Director, Camp Cullen Cody Meredith, Youth Development Director, Huntsville Sheila McGill, Healthy Living Director, Katy Matt Thompson, Community Executive Director, Langham Creek Kevin Granderson, Youth Development Director, Northeast Kionta Carter, Healthy Living Director, Duncan
service award recipients Each year at Staff Appreciation Day, the Y recognizes staff who have been employed at the association for 20 years or more. 35 YEARS Mary Norton Gretchen Berly 30 YEARS Jaro Fritz Linda Lykos 25 YEARS Jami Huygens
From left, Robert McFadden, Linda Lykos and Clark Baker.
20 YEARS Shalondra Anderson Teresa Batema Terry Cobden Ami Collins Adrienne Dishon Keitha Pierson Jamie Scaffidi From left, Robert McFadden, Jess Stuart Jamie Scaffidi and Clark Baker.