In this edition of Us!...
According to Oxford dictionary, to be nice is to be pleasant, agreeable, and satisfactory. Kindness is defined as “a type of behavior marked by acts of generosity, consideration, rendering assistance, or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward in return.” As you consider these two definitions, first be mindful that we get to embrace both. Being pleasant even as we disagree is a choice that each of us can make. Being pleasant even in challenging circumstances is yet another choice.
Kindness calls us to service. It invites compassion and accountability. Kindness calls us to community. It challenges us to grow in empathy and do the right things because they are the right things. As we celebrate Pride and Juneteenth this month, let's embrace one another and our community with a deep sense of kindness! It's sure to go a long way. I hope you enjoy this quarterly DEI edition of Us!
Dr. Lisa Williams
Vice President, Strategy, Equity & Innovation
Our PRIDE celebrations kicked-off with Y associates and volunteers walking the parade at Annapolis Pride on June 1! This is our fourth year participating and it was our biggest by far! Thank you to all the associates who supported, helped and attended this annual event. It was a great reminder about how we take pride in showing up as our best selves for all.
WHAT A DAY!
A HUGE thank you goes out to the Y associates who made our Juneteenth community celebration at the Y Swim Center in Randallstown so special! From delicious food to family fun, the day had it all! We can’t wait to do it again in 2025!
PRIDE AND JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS
Across the region, our Y calendar is jam packed with a variety of different events to celebrate PRIDE and Juneteenth. Please take a moment to check it out!
See What’s Happening Near You!
FIRST ANNUAL MEMBER SURVEY: WHAT DID WE LEARN?
As you may recall, we launched the first annual Y Member Engagement Survey this past spring. The survey’s purpose is to measure how we are doing in accomplishing our strategic plan, called “All In On Community,” which aims to foster intentionally inclusive, connected, and healthy communities. The results provide valuable insights into our members' diverse experiences and needs. A total of 2,401 members responded to the survey, which is a strong response rate, and one that we will look to build upon as we move forward. A big thanks goes out to everyone who worked so hard to support the survey’s distribution to our membership base. Your diligent efforts contributed to our ability to capture a broad range of member feedback.
While there are important differences when you break down the data by demographics and Y family center, here are some of the key highlights from the survey results:
- Inclusion and Belonging: 90% of respondents reported feeling comfortable being themselves at the Y, and 80% reported feeling a sense of belonging, inclusion, and well-being at the Y. Many members provided insightful feedback on what makes the Y welcoming and inclusive and what can be done to enhance the member experience.
- Supporting Community Needs: 70% of respondents reported that they appreciate the Y’s role in fostering a sense of community and addressing local needs. Views on the Y’s charitable work are generally positive. Preferences for specific causes vary by demographics and location.
- Meeting Physical Needs: 90% of respondents feel that the Y effectively helps them achieve their health, well-being and fitness goals.
- Demographic Representation: While we don’t collect demographic information on our members beyond age and gender, and therefore don’t have a precise baseline, as we have seen before in past Y surveys (and is typical in broad market research), responses skewed demographically toward white, female, older and highly educated members; indicating underrepresentation of other groups.
- Center Participation: Satisfaction and engagement levels were variable across Y family centers; this suggests the need for tailored strategies to support equitable access among members of the Y community.
- Program Relevance: Varied preferences among different age cohorts and demographic groups emphasize the need for diverse programming and a commitment to growing our understanding of the differences and interests among those groups.
The next steps in the process will include:
- Deeper Analysis: We will work with family center teams to continue to analyze data to understand the needs and feedback of various member segments;
- Responding to Existing Feedback: We will tailor programs and strategies to address unique preferences and experiences;
- Listening Sessions: We will conduct listening sessions with diverse member groups to expand our perspective on the experiences and needs of underrepresented groups.
Thanks again for everyone’s help! We appreciate it.
SEND A KID TO CAMP RAFFLE
Last month, Y students from Violetville Elementary, a Y Community School, were treated to a day of baseball thanks to our good friends at the Orioles! Students got the opportunity to meet Orioles All-Star (and former Y kid) Austin Hays and enjoy the game.
The fun doesn’t stop there! We are running a special Send a Kid to Camp raffle in partnership with the Orioles. Entering is simple! By making a tax-deductible gift of $357 or more to help send a kid to Y camp this summer, you will be automatically entered to win four lower reserved box seats to a game plus a meet and greet with Austin! But don’t just take our word for it, check out the video featuring the man himself!
June 14
11:00 am
Join MENTOR MD|DC in partnership with the Y as Clarissa Herman, MA, returns to lay a foundation of knowledge for LGBTQ+ identities, terminology, development, and cultural expectations. We will talk about when and how LGBTQ+ identities emerge in young people, what the many different terms mean, how to use gender-neutral language & pronouns, and how to repair after mistaking someone’s identity.
DEI Seminar: The Tools Only Work if We Use Them: Refresher on Courageous Conversations about Race
June 27
9:00 am -12:00 pm
Y Engagement Center
1506 Joh Ave, Baltimore, MD 21227
As the Y grows in its inclusive practices, associates should expect to have difficult discussions, to manage conflict, to manage varying value systems etc… This session is designed as a refresher on the tools that leaders can BOTH consider and teach as we normalize conflict that can accompany broader inclusion.
This seminar will be in-person and capped at 40 participants. Space is limited so please RSVP to lisawilliams@ymaryland.org at your earliest convenience.
More Info on Future DEI Seminars
Creating A Welcoming Environment: Enhancing Diversity and Non-Discrimination Policies and Practices Webinar
June 21
3:30 pm
This webinar underscores the importance of diversity and non-discrimination in creating a welcoming environment, offering practical strategies for implementing LGBTQ+ affirming policies and practices. Participants will gain insights into overcoming biases, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring equal opportunities, ultimately contributing to a respectful and welcoming environment.
WE > ME: Building Brotherhood Roundtable
June 22
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Goucher College
Hyman Forum and Stage
1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore, MD 21204
"How do we bring and sustain the momentum of male mentorship?"
Male mentorship is a powerful resource for boys and young men of color, empowering them to harness their strengths, overcome challenges, and thrive through life's transitions. Join the Maryland Mentor Resource Center (MMRC) for a roundtable discussion focused on building and sustaining the momentum of male mentors. This event will bring together community leaders, mental health practitioners, youth service organizations, and law enforcement representatives to explore how the theme "WE > ME: Building Brotherhood" can foster supportive mentoring relationships for boys and young men of color in our communities.
GOOD VIBES
Y Retirement Plan Update
Earlier this year we shared that, should our financial performance be at or better than our budget at mid-year, we would increase our contribution rate to the Y Retirement Plan for eligible associates from 8% to 10% (which is the contribution rate we were at prior to COVID). Thanks to the dedicated efforts of everyone in our Y association, we have successfully achieved this goal! As such, the contribution rate to the Y Retirement Plan for eligible Y associates will return to 10% as of July 1st. This increase in the organization's contribution rate represents another significant investment in our Y workforce, which is the heart and soul of our organization. We appreciate everyone's hard work and commitment to the Y's mission.
For those eligible for a Y Retirement Plan contribution, you will see this change reflected in the July 23rd payroll run. Please keep in mind that this change does not affect any contributions that you are making to the 403(b) Savings Plan. The Y Retirement Fund is one of the most important and valuable benefits available to Y associates. To learn more about the plan follow this link or contact human resources.
Y ASSOCIATE SHOUT OUTS
We have lots of wonderful Y Associate Shout Outs today. These are great stories about pitching in, reaching out, showing initiative, being a great colleague, and going the extra mile: all of which are hallmarks of Y associates and our organizational culture.
Click the blue "Shout Out" icon above to read about William Belk II, Dayana Henriquez, Leroy Pinder, and Juliette Swoboda.
If you have a colleague you'd like to "Shout Out", simply click below to fill out the nomination form.
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The Us! associate enewsletter is published monthly and we need to hear from you! Share your stories, what’s new in your Y world, and what you are proud of. We want to know and we want to share your news!
The next regular Us! enewsletter will be published on July 11th. The submission deadline is Friday, July 5th.
PAYROLL, RECRUITMENT AND RISK
GET PAID!
| Pay Period | Pay Date |
|---|---|
| June 2-15, 2024 | June 25, 2024 |
| June 16-29, 2024 | July 9, 2024 |
| June 30-July 13 | July 23, 2024 |
ASSOCIATE REFERRAL PROGRAM
If you know someone who may be a qualified candidate for an in-demand position at the Y, such as educators and instructors, please encourage them to apply. If your referred person is hired, you can potentially earn a $150 - $500 referral bonus!
WHY RISK IT?
The Y's Risk Management Team has created a monthly newsletter to highlight key risk reduction practices, reviews and reminders. This serves as an excellent quick reference for high priority risk awareness in our Y programs, centers and sites.