in this issueNASCAR Driver Brings STEM to Life for Teens

108th National Conference Informs and Inspires

Remembering Lewis Katz

Marketing.bgca.orgThe NEW Blueprint for Messaging

and Marketing the Movement

SUMMER 2014c o n n e c t i o n s

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGEDuring the Board Members Luncheon at our National Conference in San Francisco, I had the privilege of introducing Leading Edge: 2020, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s forthcoming new program designed exclusively for our volunteer leaders in the field. It is my strong belief that to achieve our collective goals of having the strongest Clubs and deepest impact on our kids, we must increase the level of board engagement throughout our Movement. Engaged board members who believe in our mission are crucial to a Club’s success, and its capacity to make the most impact on youth.

Leading Edge: 2020 will promote, recognize and support local boards in their efforts to increase board member engagement. The new program consists of three components:

• Technology – We will take advantage of streaming technology to deliver relevant presentations by leading experts. We’ll also re-launch the Spillett Leadership University School of Board Leadership, with new Web-based and in-person trainings, tools and technical assistance that focus on board activation and engagement.

• Personalized Technical Assistance – Our Directors of Organizational Development are equipped with specialized training and tools to support board transformation efforts at the local level. Technical assistance will focus on the on-boarding, engagement and succession planning for boards of directors. Furthermore, a new Governance Coaches program will be deployed for selected chief volunteer officers and board leaders.

• Best Practices – The new initiative includes an updated board recognition strategy to acknowledge organizations that increase board engagement. Their success stories will later be presented as best practices to support local board member roles and responsibilities.

I’m a firm believer that a Boys & Girls Club is only as strong as its board. I urge all Clubs to participate in Leading Edge: 2020, which will launch this fall. Strong board leadership is a huge priority for our Movement. And BGCA is committed to providing every Club the support it needs to have the most solid, most involved board possible.

Connections is published by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. It is distributed without charge to member Clubs of Boys & Girls Clubs of America as a service of their memberships.

Articles or article ideas should be submitted to the Editor, Connections, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 1275 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309. Use or return of material cannot be guaranteed and no remuneration can be made. Opinions expressed by contributing authors do not neces-sarily reflect policies of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Copyright ©2014 Boys & Girls Clubs of America. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.Job No. 2509-14

1SSN:0272-6513

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA & FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA

Honorary Chairpersons

ROBBIE BACHEMIL J. BROLICK

RICK GOINGSPETER L. HAYNES

M. ANNE SZOSTAKChairmen Emeriti

RON GIDWITZChairman of the Board

JAMES L. CLARKPresident and CEO

EVAN MCELROY Senior Vice President

Marketing & Communications

c o n n e c t i o n sv o l . 3 4 , n o . 2

KELLY GAINESEditor in Chief

JOHN COLLINSManaging Editor

MICHELLE McQUISTONAssociate Editor

BGCA CREATIVE SERVICESDesign & Layout

RON GIDWITZ CHAIRMAN

BGCA Board of Governors

CO

NT

EN

TSFEATURES

2 Marketing the Movement New service provides Clubs with comprehensive marketing assets and support

4 The Science of SpeedNASCAR driver brings STEM to life for Keystone teens

5 Keeping Young Swimmers SafeCamps teach members how to stay safe in the water

6 Golden State Gathering108th National Conference informs and inspires

9 In MemoriamRemembering Lewis Katz, a champion of youth

12 Club Alumni Become College AlumniFirst Youth of the Year scholars graduate from Marquette University

14 Attendance Equals ImpactADA planning creates greater impact for members

18 The 2013 Outcomes Report How Clubs are using data to increase capacity and impact

COLUMNS

10 President’s ReportBGCA President and CEO Jim Clark

16 Child and Club SafetyCritical Incidents: Thinking through the unthinkable

20 View from the PotomacClub leaders visit Capitol Hill for Day of Advocacy

Page 6

Page 2

Page 10

ON THE COVER Marketing.BGCA.org gets a makeover to better meet Club professionals’ needs with topnotch marketing

communication assets, campaigns and training.

W W W . B G C A . O R G

Why do we call ourselves a Movement? You have to go back to 1906, when the founders of our national organization

recognized the power of working collectively and speaking with one voice. With the creation of the Federation of Boys Clubs, the original 53 Clubs were now part of a stronger, more influential national organization that represented their common goals and viewpoint.

Today, one of the most powerful ways that we demonstrate the unity of the Boys & Girls Club Movement is through marketing. When the public connects your Boys & Girls Club with Clubs in other parts of the country, it elevates the meaning of issues in your own community. That’s why, in 2013, Boys & Girls Clubs of America launched Club Marketing. Our new service provides Clubs with comprehensive, best-in-class marketing assets and support to ensure consistent branding and fulfill the mission of this Movement.

Working with local Club professionals and staff, the Club Marketing team focuses on delivering high-quality resources and training. The team concentrates its efforts on five priority areas:

• Providing robust and strategic marketing resources

• Developing marketing campaigns• Providing training• Enhancing communications• Recognizing Clubs for their exceptional

marketing efforts

MARKETING RESOURCESAs was announced at the recent National Conference in San Francisco, the Club Marketing team has revamped Marketing.BGCA.org to better meet the needs of Club professionals. The site now features a more robust, diverse photo library that will be regularly updated with new images Club professionals can use in marketing materials without the added expense of photography.

Perhaps most exciting, the website features a new logo builder that enables Club professionals to create customized logos with the click of a button. You can choose from a library of 36 Boys & Girls Club logos, with more customizable logos expected to be added in 2015.

Additional Marketing.BGCA.org resources include templates, videos and crisis communication tools. Just enter your BGCA.net user name and password to access the website.

CAMPAIGNSNational Boys & Girls Club Week, high school graduation, back-to-school season, Day for Kids and the holiday season are all “push periods” on the BGCA marketing calendar. To ensure local Clubs can capitalize on these and other campaigns, Club Marketing is developing turnkey toolkits to align national messages with local data and strengthen brand awareness in local communities. The toolkits are available at Marketing.BGCA.org.

Club Marketing also drives local activation of national campaigns. This includes the Great Futures Campaign: The Campaign for America’s Kids. Through the efforts of a cross-functional team, the Great

*New Logo CreatorNow you can customize your Club logo in a variety of formats and use them to create personalized marketing materials.

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Futures Campaign offers an arsenal of resource development and marketing tools that your Club can draw on to raise awareness and resources in your community.

Implemented at the local level, these marketing tools will enable our entire Movement to speak in one unified voice and deliver a consistent message, while allowing for the flexibility that resonates in diverse communities. Resources include videos, how-to guides, social media graphics, a variety of print ads, a P.R. toolkit, mailer cards and much, much more.

But the pièce de résistance is a powerful new public service announcement that reinforces the critical role Clubs play during out-of-school time. The PSA is available in both English and Spanish, with narration provided by two of our foremost Club alums, the great Edward James Olmos, and our longtime National Spokesperson, Denzel Washington. The cherry on top? You can customize the PSA with your Club’s logo and website address.

TRAININGStrengthening the marketing expertise of all Club professionals is also a priority. For that reason, Marketing.BGCA.org now includes an Education Center. Features include podcasts, webinars and modules on subjects ranging from social media campaigns to crisis management. Club professionals will also be able to access articles and white papers about nonprofit marketing, as well as a catalog of case studies and best practices from Clubs around the country. The Club Marketing team will also offer tailored training opportunities and consulting services on an as-needed basis.

BETTER COMMUNICATIONTo bolster communications with Clubs, Club Marketing will be implementing a quarterly newsletter to keep Club professionals informed about upcoming marketing opportunities, trainings and resources. Next year, the department plans to launch a series of videos called “The Marketing Minute.” The 60-second videos will deliver updates on industry trends, marketing campaigns and Club best practices in a brief yet compelling format.

RECOGNITIONClub Marketing will continue to recognize marketing accomplishments of local Boys & Girls Club

organizations with the annual Marketing and Communications (MAC) Awards. Bronze, silver and gold MAC Awards are presented in nine different categories. Club professionals can submit an entry at Marketing.BGCA.org. The deadline to submit an entry is Jan. 16, 2015.

By working together and applying these marketing resources to our collective advantage, we can connect the powerful network that is the Boys & Girls Club Movement to make a national impact on the kids of America who most need the services we provide.

For further details about available marketing resources, please visit Marketing.BGCA.org or email marketing@bgca.org.

Marketing Push Periods for ClubsBe sure to mark the following seasonal push periods on your Club’s marketing calendar!

National Boys & Girls Club Week March/AprilDay for Kids • September Holiday • November - December

CONNECTIONS 3

THE SCIENCE OF SPEED

NASCAR DRIVER BRINGS STEM TO LIFE FOR KEYSTONE TEENS

By John Collins

It’s not always easy to get young people excited about STEM education. But if you can relate science, technology, engineering or math to a topic that

interests them, you just might do it. On a recent visit to the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club in Birmingham, Ala., NASCAR driver Brian Vickers did just that.

Vickers was in the area for Aaron’s Dream Weekend, a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway. He and his Michael Waltrip Racing teammates came to meet with members of Keystone Club, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier teen leadership program.

In a presentation called “The Science of Speed,” the driver and crew members demonstrated how STEM skills are applied in motorsports. At stations around the room, crew specialists answered teens’ questions about safety, mechanics, tires and other areas. They talked about the technology behind Vickers’ No. 55 Toyota and applying it at speeds that can exceed 200 mph. Keystoners also learned Waltrip Racing employs about 40 engineers and 200 people overall at its North Carolina race shop.

“We focused on science, technology, engineering and math,” said Vickers. “But it was really about encouraging kids to continue their education. Sometimes, it can be hard for them to see how important a good education is.”

NEW KEYSTONE SPONSOR NAMED The teens got the chance to see those STEM skills in action, too, as Aaron’s Foundation – Vickers’ sponsor and arranger of his visit – transported them and members from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta to Talladega for an unforgettable day at the races. More than 100 Club teens received all-access passes to explore the speedway, visit the pit areas, meet drivers, and enjoy the Aaron’s 312 Nationwide Series race from top-notch seats.

But the biggest news of the day came when Aaron’s Foundation announced its new national partnership with BGCA as national sponsor of the Keystone Club program. The $1 million annual agreement includes Aaron’s sponsorship of the National Keystone Club Conference, which brings thousands of Keystone teens together every year to participate in workshops, exchange ideas, lead service projects and socialize with their peers.

Jim Cates, president of Aaron’s Foundation, expressed excitement about working with BGCA to carry on Keystone’s 50-year tradition of positively impacting Club members ages 14 to 18. “Together, we can continue to open doors for teens to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential,” said Cates.

Vickers, who finished a respectable fourth in the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup race, believes bigger victories lie ahead. “If we made a difference for even one kid, it was worth it,” said the driver. “To think one of these kids could become an engineer because we got them interested in science or math, that’s cool.”

Crew specialists answered members’ questions at stations around the room.

Brian Vickers (above) and his crew connected with Club kids in Birmingham.

4 SUMMER 2014

In 2007, 6-year-old Zachary Archer Cohn tragically drowned in his family’s pool. To honor their son’s memory and provide parents

and caregivers with tools and information to keep their children safe in any body of water, Karen (above, back row, far right) and Brian Cohn of Connecticut co-founded The ZAC Foundation.

One of the information programs the couple created was ZAC Camp. The weeklong water safety program is designed for kids ages 5 to 9 and features three main components: in-water safety instruction, interaction and relationship-building with first responders, and classroom activities to reinforce lessons learned and help strengthen reading, writing and cognitive skills. During the camps, children learn how to stay safe in the water by following the ABC and Ds of Water Safety – Adult supervision, Barriers around water, water safety Classes, and Drain safety.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and The ZAC Foundation partnered in 2013 to bring ZAC Camps and the foundation’s water safety messages to Clubs across the country. Last year, over 1,000 children and 10 Clubs were selected to participate, and in 2014, more than 2,500 members at 25 Clubs were selected for ZAC Camp. Connections spoke with Karen about why she and her husband created the Foundation:

KEEPING YOUNG SWIMMERS SAFE

How can Club members benefit from ZAC Camps?

Karen: Statistics show that a child who doesn’t learn how to swim before the age of 12 is unlikely to ever learn. So we’re not just teaching safety lessons – we’re teaching life skills children can bring back to their parents, caregivers, siblings, neighbors and peers. It’s amazing to see children become their own advocates for water safety after the week concludes. They’re determined to share the lessons they’ve learned. It’s that excitement that allows the message of safety to leave the confines of the camp and really impact a community.

Are there other resources available through The ZAC Foundation?

Karen: Brian and I created The ZAC Foundation to arm parents, caregivers and families with the tools and information they need to stay water safe. In addition to ZAC Camps, we’ve created materials that parents and caregivers can share with families and friends. From water safety plans and fun water safety games to how to prevent drain entrapments, we have a variety of resources available for download. Through the relationship created between our Foundation and BGCA, some 3,500 members will have received our water safety training in a two-year period.

If your Club isn’t involved with the program and has a swimming pool, go to TheZACFoundation.com for resources that can help make your pool even safer.

CONNECTIONS 5

More than 2,000 Boys & Girls Club professionals, board members and stakeholders poured into San Francisco this past May to attend Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 108th National Conference. If

the 90-degree springtime temperatures that greeted them were unexpected, the conference SuperSessions, workshops and presentations proved reliably valuable as ever.

An energetic Opening Session set the tone for the conference, as BGCA Chairman Ron Gidwitz warmly welcomed attendees from across the country, as well as 19 more nations. We also heard from Money Matters Ambassador Austin McHenry, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County in Seattle. Austin led a tribute to Money Matters and the 10th anniversary of this great financial literacy program for teens, sponsored by Charles Schwab Foundation. In fact, BGCA Governor Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz served as one of the conference co-chairs, along with Trustees Constance Heldman and George Zimmer.

Over the course of three days, Club leaders focused on how to continue making the Club Experience even better and reach even more of the kids who need us most. They shared ideas and insights with their peers, and took advantage of learning opportunities that workshops and SuperSessions offered. The diverse topics included child safety, improving board impact, tween trends, bullying prevention, and making research relevant to our work.

Club youth were integral participants throughout. Like National Youth of the Year Kiana Knolland, who shared her moving personal story with a visibly affected audience. And during a panel discussion moderated by BGCA National Volunteer Susan Pocaro Goings, Military Youth of the Year RaShaan Allen and his Regional Youth of the Year counterparts Martaluz Olang, Jesse Friedman and Yossymar Rojas talked about their paths to success and the important roles their Clubs played along the way.

Several notable individuals appeared as keynote speakers, including Dr. Condoleezza Rice. The former Secretary of State and BGCA Governor’s powerful address focused on resources children need to succeed in our global economy.

Bringing it all home was our closing night Grand Finale Celebration. Attendees thrilled to electrifying performances by our talented Club kids and the

presentation of BGCA’s most prestigious awards. What a fantastic week! Let’s make it even better next year in Chicago!

Golden StateGathering

108th National Conference Informs and Inspires

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6 SUMMER 2014

1. Quentin Scott, BGCs of Cleveland, Tenn., did double-duty as Finale host and performer.

2. Dr. Condoleezza Rice

3. Kiana Knolland

4. From left: Susan Pocaro Goings with Yossymar, Martaluz, RaShaan and Jesse.

5. Executive Director Bill Tsoukalas, left, of the BGCs of Snohomish County, Wash., received the Thomas G. Garth Character and Courage Award from BGCA President/CEO Jim Clark and Irene Garth.

6. Curtain call for Club kids cast at closing night Finale.

7. Destiny Bailey, left, and Laila Cooper from the BGCs of North Alabama perform a duet

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CONNECTIONS 7

2014 TPA AWARDS Every year at the National Conference, The Professional Association

honors outstanding youth development professionals who have significantly impacted Boys & Girls Clubs and young people.

The following Club professionals were honored in San Francisco. Congratulations!

MASTERS & MENTORSJeffrey Palmer, Olivet Boys & Girls Club, Reading, Pa.

Jon Charles, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, Killeen, Texas

Pat Halberstadt, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, Calif.

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEARMarkus Jackson, V.P. of Operations, BGCs of the Tennessee Valley, Knoxville, Tenn.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OF THE YEARCindy Garza, Community Relations Supervisor, BGC of Edinburg RGV, Edinburg, Texas

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEARGary Frost, Executive Director, BGC of Manchester, N.H.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROFESSIONLori Fields, Director, BGC of Oshkosh, Wis.

HERMAN PRESCOTT AWARDSabrina Anderson, CPO, BGC of Jackson, Tenn.

CLASS OF 2014 With Courtney B. Vance returning as host, 10 former Club kids were inducted to the BGCA Alumni Hall of Fame. Among them, a philanthropic leader, a history-making senator, a renowned mayor, an All-Pro NFL receiver, an award-winning actor, an NBA legend, a world-class astronomer, a network executive, a Hall of Fame baseball manager, and a Hall of Fame football player. To get the full flavor and impact of the AHOF ceremony, visit YouTube.com/BGCA and watch the alternately moving, funny and inspiring acceptance speeches by our inductees.

Left to right: Michael D. Smith, Director, Social Innovation Fund; Texas Sen. Judith Zaffirini; Mayor Julian Castro of San Antonio; Victor Cruz, N.Y. Giants; Nick Cannon, actor/entertainer; Bill Russell, NBA Hall of Fame member; AHOF host Courtney B. Vance; Alexei Filippenko, astronomer and professor; Eric Shanks, FOX Sports President and COO; Tony La Russa, MLB Hall of Fame member; Chris Doleman, NFL Hall of Fame member.

8 SUMMER 2014

Lewis Katz1942-2014

Lew was a true humanitarian who cared deeply about

kids. He gave so much to so many, including Boys

& Girls Clubs across the country, through his active

service on BGCA’s Board of Governors. He also

founded the Boys & Girls Club of Camden County,

N.J., in his beloved hometown of Camden, and was

a key catalyst in recent efforts to fortify the Boys &

Girls Club of Atlantic City.

America’s youth lost a champion with Lew’s premature

passing. He was committed to giving children in

urban communities better opportunities to succeed,

and ending the cycle of poverty in places like Camden.

Lew’s selfless generosity and concern for all people will

be remembered by everyone who had the privilege to

know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lew’s

family and friends, and our colleagues at the Boys &

Girls Club of Camden County.

The Board of Governors, Trustees

and staff of Boys & Girls Clubs of

America were deeply shocked and

saddened by the tragic loss of our

great friend and colleague, Lewis

Katz. A plane crash on May 31 in

Massachusetts claimed the lives of

Lew and six other people, including

Susan Asbell, who was vice president

and president-elect of the Board of

Trustees of the Boys & Girls Club of

Camden County, N.J.

InMemoriam

CONNECTIONS 9

Over the past two years, we’ve worked as a Movement to develop and implement the Great Futures Impact Plan. Together, we crafted a national strategy to drive greater impact, increase brand understanding and funding, and position Boys & Girls Clubs as the #1 advocate for young people. At a time when the work Clubs do is needed more than ever, this long-term plan is absolutely essential.

On July 31, our Movement came together and brought this plan to life with the national launch of the Great Futures Campaign: The Campaign for America’s Kids. In New York, hundreds of local Club kids and alumni gathered at “The Crossroads of the World,” Times Square, to help kick off the campaign. But even more exciting was the enormous grassroots support of Boys & Girls Clubs around the country.

More than 600 Boys & Girls Club organizations pledged their local support, with nearly 200 hosting their own kick-off events to generate campaign awareness. That’s really what the Campaign for America’s Kids is about: galvanizing the nation, community by community, to help young people achieve Great Futures. A Movement working together to educate the public about the serious issues our kids face, and redefining the opportunity equation by elevating the role out-of-school time has on their future success.

Every day, we see living proof of the out-of-school time’s impact. But it’s time to do more. It’s time to drive transformational change for the kids and communities our Clubs serve. It’s time to make sure after school is part of the discussion. Because “when school’s out, Clubs are in.”

HOW CLUBS STRENGTHEN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME We do our work at Clubs during out-of-school time. After school and during the summer, Clubs provide kids with a safe, fun environment. Club staff helps fortify the home and reinforce what members learn in the classroom, provide regular opportunities to exercise, and convey and model important lessons about character and leadership. These three outcomes – Academic Success, Good Character and Leadership, and Healthy Lifestyles – are the core of our Great Futures Impact Plan.

WHEN SCHOOL’S OUT, CLUBS ARE IN

JIM CLARK PRESIDENT and CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Hundreds of Club kids, alumni, partners and supporters packed Times Square on launch day

Times Square billboards reinforced campaign messaging and branding throughout the event.

10 SUMMER 2014

President’s Report columns

Across the country, families count on local Clubs to provide an open door to a safe and enriching environment for their children. The need is great, as demonstrated at 3 p.m. every school day, when some 15 million kids around the country are left unsupervised. When the school year ends, about 43 million youth nationwide – 3 out of 4 kids – have no access to summer programs. This is our Movement’s time to illustrate the tremendous impact we have on millions of kids and articulate the outcomes they derive from being a Club member.

LOCAL3 As with everything we do, the key to success for The Great Futures Campaign is local, local, local. So to help every Club build local support, BGCA has developed bold messaging and a robust public relations kit that clearly convey how critical the out-of-school time is in determining kids’ futures.

We’ve also created customizable marketing materials that will provide added flexibility and maximum impact to Clubs’ efforts. These include new, locally taggable public service announcements for print and broadcast. By leveraging these resources, Clubs can increase brand understanding, drive revenue and build deeper relationships with community partners. (This issue’s cover story highlights all the new marketing resources available to Club. It begins on page 3.)

I encourage all Club leaders, staff and volunteers to strategize on how you can heighten awareness to increase local engagement and support. Also, please contact your Director of Organizational Development or Club Liaison Specialist if you have any questions or needs.

BUILDING YOUTH FOR THE FUTUREFor more than a century, Clubs have been building young people for the future. It’s time to turn up the volume and educate all Americans about the indispensable work Clubs are doing in communities nationwide. The Great Futures Campaign is our wake-up call to America – about our kids’ critical needs and the life-changing solutions that Boys & Girls Clubs provide.

This is an exciting time for our Movement. Together, we will rally the American public to support our most precious resource – our kids. Everyone at Boys & Girls Clubs of America looks forward to working with each and every one of you on this critical effort. Thank you for giving our nation’s children access to opportunities and experiences they may not otherwise have. Thank you for making a difference.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago’s campaign support included Club staff and more than 160 Club members rallying in downtown Chicago, chanting, “When school’s out, Clubs are in!”

Local Club kids turned out to show their support.

CONNECTIONS 11

During her time at the Club, Tamara established herself as a strong leader. As president of the Keystone Club, she led the charge to raise more than $2,200 for the Haiti Relief Fund. As the BGCA 2010-11 National Money Matters Ambassador, Tamara spoke at numerous special events about the importance for teenagers to be financially literate. Tamara also excelled at Marquette, securing internships at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as the university’s Office of Marketing & Communication. Through the Marquette en Madrid program, Tamara studied for six months in Spain last year. This fall, she will enter Marquette University Law School.

CLUB ALUMNI BECOME COLLEGE ALUMNITHE FIRST YOUTH OF THE YEAR SCHOLARS GRADUATE FROM MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY By Monica Coleman

In 2010, Marquette University and Boys & Girls Clubs of America established the Youth of the Year Scholarship. Four years later, the program’s first graduates recently received their college diplomas. This past May during commencement ceremonies on the Marquette campus in Milwaukee, Tamara Johnson, Tommy Walls Jr. and Amaya Hamilton became the first Youth of the Year scholars to earn their bachelor’s degrees.

The result of a national partnership between Marquette and BGCA, the scholarship has strong local roots. When the university created its Urban Scholars program several years ago, two of the 10 annual, full-tuition scholarships were designated for members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. Today, Club members who serve as Youth of the Year at the local, state or regional level, and meet university admission criteria, are eligible to apply for the four-year, full-tuition scholarship, valued at more than $180,000.

BGCA congratulates Amaya, Tommy and Tamara on this milestone achievement and wishes them every success on their ongoing journeys to the great futures of their dreams. Read on to find out what’s next for these remarkable Club, and university, alumni.

TAMARA JOHNSON Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls ClubPojoaque, N.M.

12 SUMMER 2014

SIBLING RIVALRY?Gary Johnson is following in his sister Tamara’s footsteps … all the way to Milwaukee. After earning his very own Youth of the Year Scholarship, Gary will enroll at Marquette this fall. Way to go, Johnsons!Visit Marquette.edu/BGCA to learn more about the Youth of the Year Scholarship.

The 2010-11 Midwest Youth of the Year is the first in his family to graduate from both high school and college. Tommy credits the Club programs Upward Bound and Stein Scholars with helping to prepare him for college through campus tours, college-readiness workshops and tutoring sessions. At Marquette, he founded Allies of the Club, a campus organization dedicated to increasing the involvement of Club alumni at local Clubs through volunteering and mentoring. Tommy received his bachelor’s degree in social welfare and justice. He plans to attend the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign to pursue a master of social work degree.

TOMMY WALLS JR. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee

This daughter of military parents and 2010-11 European Youth of the Year, Amaya was an active member of Boys & Girls Clubs on U.S. military installations in three nations for 11 years. At the Club, Amaya mentored younger children and helped them cope with the absence of deployed parents and multiple household moves. At the age of 14, she was honored with the U.S. Air Force in Europe’s Hidden Hero award for community service.

Amaya found that being a Club alum helped her make friends at Marquette. When she saw someone on campus wearing a Club T-shirt, she invariably started a conversation with them. That common bond led to several new friendships and a dependable support system.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public relations, Amaya will begin work on a master’s degree in higher education/student affairs this fall at Eastern Michigan University.

Monica Coleman is a public relations director for BGCA.

AMAYA HAMILTON Ramstein AFB Youth Programs Ramstein, Germany

CONNECTIONS 13

ATTENDANCE EQUALS IMPACTCOMPREHENSIVE ADA PLANNING GIVES CLUBS THE EDGE IN CREATING GREATER IMPACT FOR MEMBERSBy Nicole Crosby

We know that the more often kids come through the Club door, the more they come back. And the longer they stay involved, the more they

achieve. That’s why increasing average daily attendance (ADA) represents the best kind of growth for Boys & Girls Clubs – growth with impact.

Recognizing this fact, Boys & Girls Clubs of America created More Members, More Often, our member recruitment and retention strategy. As a result, our Movement is beginning to see important gains. For example, from 2012 to 2013, same-site average daily attendance increased by 5.3 percent. One key reason for this success is the tremendous support of Altria Client Services.

Through its Success360° initiative, Altria enables nonprofits that serve middle school youth and their families to deliver proven-effective programs and partner with other youth-serving organizations to better connect the services they provide to students in and out of school. Over the past two years, Success360° has provided local Boys & Girls Club organizations with more than $2.8 million to build capacity to recruit more members, encourage more frequent attendance, and better measure program and youth outcomes – with an additional $5.285 million committed for the 2014-16 grant cycle.

The Clubs profiled here started with strategic plans based on BGCA’s More Members, More Often strategy, and generous funding from the Success360° initiative. Read on to learn how increasing average daily attendance impacted the entire Club Experience.

FOCUS ON FREQUENCYWhen the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, Wash., received funding from Altria to test and implement ADA strategies, they made two important decisions: start at the top, and focus on frequency of attendance.

“More Members, More Often became a big push to the board,” said Meg Pitman, vice president of quality, impact and partnerships. Particularly important was education about the significance of frequent attendance. “Research shows if we are going to be an impactful organization, we can’t just shove kids through the doors. The magic number is frequency in attendance.”

The Seattle-based organization focused its efforts on two Clubs in high-needs neighborhoods: the Renton Skyway unit and the Smilow Rainier Vista unit. Using data from the National Youth Outcomes Initiative, Pitman and her team determined ideal staff-to-member ratios that would enable various programs to make the most impact. They enhanced offerings to middle-school age members, including a violence-intervention program.

For teen members, an employment program substantially increased participation, connecting participants with opportunities that ranged from entry-level positions with the Seattle Seahawks, to more demanding jobs at Microsoft.

A new robotics program pilot-tested at both Clubs also proved a big draw – and an unqualified success – with members currently preparing to participate in a state-wide competition. With the robotics program rolling out to 10 more sites this year, lessons learned about training staff and recruiting participants have proven to be very beneficial.

14 SUMMER 2014

The Club underwent an important cultural shift when it reached out to other youth-serving organizations. Partnerships with various agencies enabled the Club to reach youth who weren’t members, and offer new services to existing members. “No longer was a Club just within its own walls,” said Pitman. “The whole community jumped in to help where there was a need.”

Both sites saw big boosts in attendance, as ADA at the Renton Skyway unit grew by 9 percent, and an even more impressive 20 percent at Rainier Vista. Furthermore, member attendance increased not only at the Club, but also at school.

GOING FOR THE BIG WINIn Florida, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County had a problem that resurfaced every spring. When local schools completed standardized testing, students and parents saw less need for the Club’s academic support. As a result, attendance dropped every year. With Success360° funding, the Club created enhanced programs to address this seasonal shrinkage, including the AAA Bowl.

“The AAA Bowl is a battle of arts, athletics and academics,” said Chief Professional Officer Shannon Lane. The competition focuses on fun and recognition to increase member retention and attendance, with 30 members from each of the organization’s five Clubs selected to compete. To try out, members must meet attendance requirements. Those who make the team must show up to practice every day to keep their spot.

Now in its third year, the program is going strong. Some 40 parents and caregivers came out to cheer the kids on at this year’s final. Even more impressive? The kids are already working to qualify for next year’s Bowl. “We are seeing better retention of members, because they really look forward to the program,” said Lane.

The impact is clear. One member, for example, had been struggling in school. Determined to participate in the AAA Bowl, he worked hard to improve his behavior, and regularly participated in the Club’s homework help program, Power Hour. Not only did the 7-year-old make the team – he won every challenge he entered. “He was so excited,” recalled Lane.

The Club put a special focus on teen programming, including a two-week Career Camp. In the first week, participants created resumes and portfolios, practiced public speaking, and learned why an appropriate haircut and good hygiene are essential when applying for a job. Week two was dedicated to field trips. Each day featured a new career possibility. Tuesday, for instance, focused on hospitality, with visits to hotels, restaurants and a water park. Teens who completed the camp were eligible for positions as Junior Staff.

The Club’s efforts appear to be paying off, with members now averaging nearly four visits a week. From 2012 to 2013, ADA increased 13 percent at the organization’s Pueblo Bonito unit – and a massive 75 percent at its Shady Oaks unit.

Clearly, average daily attendance and frequent attendance have the capacity to deepen our impact on youth. As these case studies demonstrate, it’s best to examine your membership roster closely to determine which approaches will work best. With careful and creative planning and execution, you, too, will see more kids visiting your Club more often.

Nicole Crosby is a freelance writer/editor for BGCA.

Enhanced offerings to Club members helped ADA grow an impressive 20 percent at King County’s Smilow Rainier Vista unit.

More than 130 Lee County members participated in the Third Annual AAA Bowl, a friendly completion to showcase art, academic and athletic skills.

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CRITICAL INCIDENTSTHINKING THROUGH THE UNTHINKABLEBy Mitru Ciarlante

When safety incidents occur at a Boys & Girls Club, the first concern is to take all appropriate actions to ensure the well-being of children, parents and staff at the facility.

However, sometimes an event may generate news reports, sending a Club into crisis management, crisis response and crisis recovery. This means that the Club must manage the impact caused by the event while sustaining operations and supporting those affected by the event.

After a crisis, those in charge are often judged not for the crisis itself, but for how they handle the event and its aftermath. It is critical to be prepared and prevent an incident from becoming a pathway to instability for the organization. Handled improperly, a crisis can become a disaster that affects the well-being of members and staff, as well as operations.

CRITICAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Boys & Girls Clubs of America has long provided local Clubs with support during and after safety incidents. A 2013 National Council vote reconfirmed this commitment, as Boys & Girls Club organizations overwhelmingly approved three safety-related changes to membership requirements. These included a new standard for reporting critical incidents, which Clubs must use to be in compliance. To support this new reporting standard, BGCA created a Critical Incident Management System (CIMS). The BGCA.

columns child&Club SAFETY P R O T E C T I N G O U R K I D S

PACKING YOUR EMERGENCY KIT An Emergency Preparedness Kit is invaluable in the event of a crisis. Essential items to pack include the following:• Emergency management plans• Crisis response and communications plan• Board and staff contact list• Parent and guardian contact list• Emergency numbers

• Facility blueprints• First aid kit• Two-way radios• Flashlight• Safety vest

For more emergency planning resources and information, visit the Child Safety section of BGCA.net.

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net-based CIMS has increased our response and service levels, enabling national staff to provide Clubs with timely coaching and resources in the critical first hours following an incident.

With CIMS, a chief professional officer or chief volunteer officer logs into BGCA.net, checks the appropriate box, then indicates which one of eight incident categories best describes the crisis. Immediately, CIMS sends three emails: one to the appropriate Director of Organizational Development (DOD), one to BGCA’s General Counsel, and one to the Club in question with reminders about crisis response protocols and links to sample media holding statements.

The DOD will contact the Club within two hours after a report is filed. If the DOD is not accessible, a regional vice president, national vice president, or Child & Club Safety director will follow up to identify support and resources the organization needs.

CRISIS PREP 101The most common support BGCA provides during a critical incident is coaching Club leaders to follow their established crisis plans and policies. When managing a critical safety incident, there are two primary concerns to keep in mind: mitigating harm to individuals, and mitigating harm to operations. Organizations are best served by taking time to think through potential emergencies, and then developing protocols and procedures to respond to them. The following guidelines can help establish crisis plans for your organization.

1. Emergency Management Plans address actions that must be taken immediately to protect individuals during a natural disaster, accident or human-caused incident, such as floods, power outages or fires. Once plans are established, local safety committees should review them annually and ensure they have coordinated with emergency officials you’d rely on during such an event. In addition, regular training and drills to talk through “what-if ” scenarios can prepare staff and volunteers to respond confidently and quickly when a threat occurs.

2. Emergency Preparedness Kits can be assembled in backpacks that can be taken off-site in the event an emergency requires an evacuation. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County in California, for instance, labels its backpacks and keeps them where they’re easy to grab and go when needed. An identical kit is kept in a nearby off-site location (such as the CVO’s place of business) in case it isn’t safe to enter the building.

3. Crisis Response and Communications Plans should dovetail with Emergency Management Plans and address procedures that must be followed to protect the organization in the event of a crisis. These may include policies on media relations, designation of official spokespersons, and internal and external communications procedures. Organizations should ensure they have holding statements for the media if an incident does occur.

YOU’RE NOT ALONEWhen crisis strikes, the first priority is to ensure everyone’s immediate physical and emotional safety by implementing the Emergency Management Plan; then grab the Emergency Preparedness Kit; and follow the checklists in the Crisis Response and Communications Plan that was created when things were calm and thinking was clear – including notifying BGCA.

It’s good to remember – and to remind staff and volunteers – that your organization is not only part of a local community that wants to help you recover from crisis. Clubs are also part of a national Movement that offers support from peers, neighboring Clubs, State Alliances, Area Councils, and a national team of dedicated staff with a robust skill-set to guide you through a crisis. Don’t go it alone.

Mitru Ciarlante is a director in BGCA’s Child & Club Safety Department.

Child & Club Safety columns

CLUB HONORED FOR ADVANCING SAFETY AT NATIONAL CONFERENCEBGCA President/CEO Jim Clark presented the inaugural Honor Award for Innovation in Safety to CEO Jennifer Weiss, center, and V.P. Michelle Edwards from BGCs of Central Sonoma County, Calif.

CONNECTIONS 17

Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are on a quest to become more data-informed and outcome-driven. They’re using youth outcomes data to

demonstrate impact, strengthen operations and services, and garner more support. A new national report from Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides Clubs with another valuable resource to help maximize their use of data.

“From Indicators to Impact: 2013 Outcomes Report” is the second national outcomes publication from BGCA. It highlights 2013 findings from our National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI), the system that measures Club impact by using research-based indicators of our priority outcomes. NYOI’s primary measurement tool is the National Outcomes Survey, which is administered to Club members each spring. More than 80,000 youth took the survey at over 1,300 Club sites in 2013.

This latest report sheds new light on just how much of a positive difference a high-quality Club Experience can make for young people. Findings demonstrated, for

example, that members who attend more often and have a great Club Experience do better than other Club youth. Club members were also found to do better than youth nationally in many areas.

A HIGH-QUALITY CLUB EXPERIENCE LEADS TO GREATER IMPACTTo create the best Club Experience, Clubs provide high-yield activities and targeted programs, encourage youth to attend frequently, and employ key elements for positive youth development. This includes creating a safe environment where members can forge supportive relationships with peers and caring adults.

Data supports what common sense and research have told us for some time: members who attend more often and say their Club Experience is great, attain better outcomes than their Club peers who do not meet these criteria.

HOW CLUBS ARE USING DATA TO INCREASE CAPACITY AND IMPACT By Irma Velasco-Nuñez

ACADEMIC SUCCESS MEASURES

79.8%77.9% 78.8%

94.1%

72.6% 70.7%64.7%

86.2%

SKIPPED SCHOOL0 DAYS

EXPECT TO GO TO 4 YEAR COLLEGE (TEEN)

SCHOOL WORK IS MEANINGFUL &

IMPORTANT

I DO MY BEST WORKIN SCHOOL

100%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

80%

90%

70%

Highly Engaged and Optimal Club ExperiencePeers

Members who attend more often and have a great Club Experience skip fewer days of school, feel more connected to school and have greater postsecondary aspirations.

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BUILDING A HEALTHIER GENERATIONToday, nearly one-third of all young people in the United States are overweight or obese. While the Department of Health and Human Services’ “2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans” recommends that youth participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day, the National Center for Health Statistics suggests that only about one-quarter of U.S. youth ages 12 to 15 meet that recommendation.

HOW CLUBS USE DATA EFFECTIVELYMany Club organizations are strategically using NYOI data to deepen their impact on youth, strengthen organizational performance, secure more resources, and position themselves as youth development leaders in their communities. Consider the following examples.

COMMUNICATING OUTCOMES – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, Conn., used its 2013 NYOI data to publish a report that showcased its impact to staff, board members, donors, partners and parents. The report combined positive youth outcomes, program highlights and compelling success stories. Findings are used for PowerPoint presentations, funding applications and proposals, fundraising letters and the Club’s online donation page. “[Publishing outcomes data] allows you to foster a reputation in your community for being transparent and outcome driven, to show that you actually use data to inform your practice and delivery,” said Chad Williams, director of program services at the organization.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS – In Tennessee, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga used NYOI data to convince the school system it could be a viable partner in implementing an extended-day learning model at schools

in inner-city neighborhoods plagued by violence and crime. Despite these conditions, surveyed Club members – whose Clubs are in the same neighborhoods – reported having strong, nurturing relationships with Club staff and high expectations for their postsecondary educations. Club leaders presented this data to skeptical school principals and asked to “be part of the solution for the extended hours,” said Executive Vice President Debbie Gray. As a result, the organization is now implementing after-school programming in four schools.

GUIDING STRATEGIC PLANNING – In Appleton, Wis., the board for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley developed a four-year strategic plan based on NYOI data. Chief Professional Officer Greg Lemke-Rochon and lead staff combined NYOI data with other organizational and community data to “paint a picture for our board of where our organization and its members stood in various areas.” The board used the data to identify five broad goals and establish guidelines for gauging progress. Lemke-Rochon then convened staff members from the organization’s eight sites to create action plans with specific strategies for each site.

The CPO continues to bring Club staff together once a year for a day-long “data dive,” where they analyze available data and adjust action plans accordingly. “Start by taking a good read on your current condition,” advises Lemke-Rochon. “Then use your NYOI data to measure progress against your plan. It’s there, and it’s easy to use.”

BGCA is committed to measuring how much our young people are achieving and how effectively our Club Experience is implemented. Our measurement efforts are aimed at demonstrating our impact to stakeholders and uncovering ways to improve our services. To download the 2013 Outcomes Report, please go to BGCA.net/NYOI.

Irma Velasco-Nuñez is director of knowledge management for BGCA’s Planning and Measurement Department.

ADOLESCENT ENGAGEMENT IN MODERATE TO VIGOROUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: NCHS 2012 VS. NYOI 2013

55%

60%

67%

NCHS 2012

NYOI 2013 - OVERALL

NYOI 2013 - Highly Engaged and Optimal Experience

5+ DAYS*

25%

38%

41%

NCHS 2012

NYOI 2013 - OVERALL

NYOI 2013 - Highly Engaged and Optimal Experience

7 DAYS (recommended amount)

Club members ages 12 to 15, especially those who attend more often and have a great Club Experience, engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity at higher rates than youth of the same ages nationally.

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columns View From The Potomac

CLUBS MAKE HISTORY IN D.C.MOVEMENT LEADERS VISIT CAPITOL HILL FOR INAUGURAL DAY OF ADVOCACYBy Kevin McCartney

This past March, executives from more than 50 major metropolitan Boys & Girls Clubs (organizations with an annual budget of at least $3 million) across the country traveled to the nation’s capital for our Movement’s first-ever Day of Advocacy. It was organized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America to get our message out in force, build brand awareness and garner new support for the impact we’re making, and can continue to make, for the young people in this country who need Clubs the most. It took place during National Boys & Girls Club Week – the perfect time to turn the spotlight on how Clubs are serving kids, families and communities all across America.

WHITE HOUSE BRIEFINGAfter a welcome luncheon featuring remarks by BGCA President/CEO Jim Clark, Club leaders visited the White House for an update on My Brother’s Keeper, President Obama’s initiative to address opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure all young people can reach their full potential. Updates were also provided from the Department of Justice and Department of Agriculture, both longtime BGCA partners.

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View From The Potomac columns

21CONNECTIONS

CAPITOL HILL CALLSAfter being prepped by BGCA Government Relations staff and Congressman Chaka Fattah’s legislative team, the Club leaders paid a call on Capitol Hill. In meetings with senators and representatives from their respective states and districts, the execs explained how local Clubs impact their communities and defined the vital services Clubs provide to children and teens across the nation. Through these meetings, Clubs were able to garner widespread support for America’s FOCUS Act (H.R. 3580), bipartisan legislation sponsored by Congressman Fattah (D-PA) and Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

America’s FOCUS Act proposes establishing a fund within the Department of the Treasury, which would be underwritten by corporate fines, penalties, and settlements collected by the federal government, with 33 percent reserved for investments in STEM education and youth mentoring. If approved by the House and Senate and signed by President Obama, the potential funding available for mentoring and STEM initiatives would range in the billions of dollars.

Club leaders also spoke with representatives about BGCA’s recently launched Congressional Champions group. Comprised of members of Congress who support the work of Clubs in their communities, this new coalition will organize and engage our Congressional supporters, serve as a pipeline to communicate updates from local Clubs and BGCA, and expand our Movement’s visibility and presence on Capitol Hill.

Kevin McCartney is senior vice president of Government Relations for BGCA.

From left: BGCA President/CEO Jim Clark, Rep. Chaka Fattah, BGCA V.P. of Major Metro Services Mary O’Connor and Kevin McCartney.

From left: CEO Mike Wurm of the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows in Nevada, and Jennifer and Jason Weiss, co-CEOs for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County, Calif., were among Movement leaders participating in the Day of Advocacy.

President/CEO Brian Quail from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, Fla., addressed USDA staff during the White House briefing.

Jared Bass, legislative assistant to Congressman Fattah.

Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL), at left, with John McGovern, a board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.

CONTINUING ADVOCACY: HOW YOU CAN HELP • Ask your members of Congress to join the

BGCA Congressional Champions group.

• Ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 3850, America’s FOCUS Act.

• Regularly invite members of Congress to visit your Club.

• Coordinate with BGCA’s Office of Government Relations to learn about updates and messages to convey to your local Representative.

Join Boys & Girls Club leaders and board members from throughout your region to share ideas, celebrate achievements and develop leadership skills to transform your Club and community!

Pacific Leadership Conference Oct. 6-9 • Portland, Ore.

Midwest Leadership Conference Oct. 14-17 • Cleveland, Ohio

Northeast Leadership Conference Nov. 4-7 • San Juan, P.R.

FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Thought Leaders will share the latest trends about talent management, board development, resource development and other high-performance areas.

• Learning Teams will allow Club professionals to exchange best practices, find out new ways to improve their Club, and build a support network of professional peers.

• Sustained Development will enable attendees to leave with a plan to advance their organization themselves based on ideas learned at the conference.

Register for your Regional Conference today at BGCA.net.