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YMCA Director: ‘Organization’s core responsibilities will be well covered’

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YMCA staff photo taken prior to the budget cuts that affected some of the Y’s employees, including Staci Bertagna, former Director of Communication and Development, who was let go.  

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Doni’s note: I emailed Al Boren, director of the Shasta Family YMCA, some questions about recent staff cuts at the Y, most notably Staci Bertagna (pictured above). First you’ll see my questions, followed by Boren’s response. 

1. Do I have it correct that two of the people affected by the cuts were Cara Sabalow and Staci Bertagna — that Staci was let go, and Cara’s hours were cut? If so, what employees (positions) will assume Cara and Staci’s former duties?

2. I’ve heard your explanation that the cuts were done, in part, to better position the YMCA for its plans to build another facility on the east side. How does the Y plan to support a new building and additional employees if it’s cutting employees at its current facility? Does the Y intend to continue moving forward with its construction plan east of town?

3. Since finances are so tight at the Y, and if one of the Y’s stated goals is to provide more programming for youth in the community, it seems counter intuitive to lay off the develop director and cut the and the youth and teen director’s hours by half. How do you respond to that?

4. Some of the layoffs included maintenance employees. Since maintenance and cleanliness are important at any fitness center, how does the Y plan to compensate for the loss of employees in this area?

5. Do you have any information regarding how other Ys are dealing with the economy?

6. Do you foresee any more cuts?

7. Anything else you’d like to add?

Thanks for your time. I hope this note finds you well.

Thanks, Doni, for your inquiry about the YMCA’s recent organizational actions.

As you know, many businesses and organizations in our community are undertaking plans and strategies for responding to the economic realities we are facing. These very difficult kinds of decisions are sad, painful for all involved, especially so for those individuals and families whose lives are affected.

Over 2,000 YMCAs of all shapes and sizes across the country are dealing with financial challenges created by our economy in various ways according to their unique situations.

The intent of our Board’s Executive Committee and senior management team is to complete 2009, and enter into 2010 with balanced financial performance that will provide the level of staffing essential for high quality programs, facilities for our members, and participants today, and also building a strong financial foundation for future growth.

To achieve these goals, we must focus on the fundamental, core business areas of our organization, which are the health, services of our membership and safe, affordable quality child care. Yes, we may desire to increase community based, outreach programs for youth and teens, but these and many other kinds of wonderful programs can only be sustained by our organization if there is available grant funding. Unfortunately, these kinds of grants have not materialized, and the future does not look promising in these challenging times as many other public and private organizations can validate.

Our membership exceeds 9,000 individuals with over 4,000 children and youth under 18 years, and financial assistance provided to over 2,000 individuals. The gymnasium, pools and wellness areas are heavily utilized by people of all ages; numerous programs such as aerobics, yoga, zumba, swim lessons, and youth basketball are offered in the facility with Camp McCumber a long-standing tradition for youth in the summer. And, many community organizations and groups such as Sober Grads, Special Olympics, Healthy Shasta, and Redding School District Learn to Swim utilize the YMCA. Our child care program has a rich history of service to the community touching nearly 500 kids a day in five school sites within four school districts. The facility and these major activities constitute the core of the Shasta Family YMCA, as a family oriented health and wellness resource for the community.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and members of our senior management team to include the Associate Executive, Director of Finance/Human Resources, Director of Property Management and Assistant Director of Finance/Human Resources, have actively participated in our planning process to insure that the actions taken with assignments of essential functions critical to our organization’s core responsibilities will be well covered. No further actions are envisioned at this time, and consultation has also been provided by varied resources within the YMCA of USA.

The Shasta Family YMCA has been a part of the community for more than 70 years, and at Court Street since 1984. We feel honored to be standing on the shoulders of the many volunteers and staff, who have built such a strong health and wellness resource for the children, youth and families of our community. Our dream is to continue the strengthening of our community, when economic conditions improve, with the planning process for a future facility to serve an additional 9,000 persons, especially families, plus many new employment opportunities on Redding’s growth oriented East Side. The path and decisions along the way may not always be comfortable and easy, but we believe ultimately our efforts will touch and enrich the lives of many thousands of people in our North State.

Doni Chamberlain

Independent online journalist Doni Chamberlain founded A News Cafe in 2007 with her son, Joe Domke. Chamberlain holds a Bachelor's Degree in journalism from CSU, Chico. She's an award-winning newspaper opinion columnist, feature and food writer recognized by the Associated Press, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and E.W. Scripps. She's been featured and quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Washington Post, L.A. Times, Slate, Bloomberg News and on CNN, KQED and KPFA. She lives in Redding, California.

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