BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2024 November 13, Wednesday)
Don Harrold, Writer / Editor
blairtoday@mail.com – Facebook
The Blair Family YMCA is entering a new chapter of operations through a management agreement with YMCA of Greater Omaha, a move aimed at strengthening local services while maintaining the facility’s community focus.
The agreement, authorized by Blair Family YMCA’s Board of Directors, comes following the departure of Blair’s CEO in late summer. Rebecca Deterding, CEO of YMCA of Greater Omaha, will lead the 12-month management agreement through 2025.
“We are thrilled to be working with Rebecca and her team as we focus our attention on strengthening our capacity and enhancing our efforts to serve the community of Blair,” said Travis Radnor, Blair Family YMCA Chief Volunteer Officer.
Members will soon see tangible benefits from this collaboration. “Following the management agreement assessment results, Blair members may see expanded program options, faster responses to work orders, and staff training enhancements. We anticipate cost efficiencies from shared resources,” explained Tera Thomas, Vice-President of Advancement for the YMCA of Greater Omaha.
The agreement’s success will be carefully monitored. “With regional support from the Heartland Alliance of YMCAs and national expertise from YMCA of the USA, they will assess member satisfaction, program quality, and operational progress. These benchmarks will help determine if extending or adjusting the agreement is in Blair’s best interest and present recommendations to their board of directors,” Thomas stated.
Local identity remains a top priority. “Our focus is on providing Blair with the support it needs while honoring its local character. By maintaining local volunteer leadership and keeping Blair-based staff and programs in place, we ensure the community’s values and identity remain at the forefront. Omaha’s support will enhance, not replace, Blair’s operations, providing resources that empower the local team to continue delivering a community-centered experience,” Thomas emphasized.
“Rebecca and her team bring years of services to the YMCA movement and skills and experiences that we would not be able to get any other way than through the deployment of a management agreement,” Radnor added.
From the Omaha perspective, Deterding expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “We are thrilled to be working alongside one of our neighboring YMCAs to assist them to strengthen their capacity and to take advantages of the economies of scale that can help support both YMCAs,” she said.
A taskforce comprising volunteers from both YMCAs will meet regularly to assess the work being undertaken. The Blair Family YMCA, which has served Washington County for 30 years, continues to operate as a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors.
For more information about programs and services, visit www.blairymca.org.
