Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/85110
conjure certain images and memories: an iconic song accompanied by exuberant arm gestures, the smell of chlorine or the sound of sneakers squeaking on a gym floor. But leaders of the YMCA of the Fox Cities hope those familiar images are merely the starting point to understanding the wide-reaching impact the organization aims to have on the people it serves. "When one may see just a gym, we see the means to a healthy, productive life," says Breider. "When someone may Y • M • C • A • ! Mention the YMCA and it likely will see the YMCA as just a pool, we see a lifelong confidence that one gets from learning to swim at the YMCA. And we know that we're more than a child care center or a preschool – we're an opportunity for parents to continue their education or to work to support their family. another transition – a rebranding effort, which will not only present a new look to the community but give the Y a new way to describe itself and its mission – part of a tradition of good business sense that has kept the organization running and relevant for well more than a century. The YMCA organization nationwide is in the middle of " EArlY bEginnings It all started in London in 1844 by founder George Williams, who wanted to help keep young men off the streets. The Young Men's Christian Association started as simply Bible study-and-prayer sessions. Similarly, in 1887 George and Elizabeth Jones wanted to launch a YMCA chapter in Appleton to offer young men an alternative to hanging out in saloons. Their first effort stalled, but they started a reading room instead, and a year later community leaders voted to establish a YMCA. The Neenah-Menasha YMCA began as the Young Women's Club in 1911, becoming a YWCA in 1929 and then a YMCA in 1969. In 2000, the two organizations' boards voted to consolidate into the YMCA of the Fox Cities and the merger became official on Aug. 1, 2002. "Having worked on the national scene now for the last five years, I haven't seen any Ys any stronger collectively than the YMCA of the Fox Cities," says Hauser. "I've seen some Ys that are very good in one area or another, but for the overall effectiveness of a YMCA in a community, I haven't seen any doing a better job. " TEAM Y The merger of the two Ys was unique in the fact that neither was struggling to succeed and neither needed assistance from the other, Hauser says. Yet each could make the other better. "Both Ys were good, but they weren't great, order to be great and to provide great services in all of our communities, we had to join forces." Without the consolidation, the two Ys would have found " he says. "In it difficult to expand and build the Heart of the Valley, Fox West and Apple Creek branches. Local businesses had asked more than once whether merging might be the way to go since they kept getting approached by both organizations for volunteers and donations, Hauser says. "We felt like we could be much more efficient in our "To put Christian principles into practice by promoting youth, adult and family activities that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all." "One of the things that we are most proud of is our mission, and I think there were some concerns when the Y changed our brand and how we identified ourselves, " says Bill Breider, president and CEO of the YMCA of the Fox Cities. "Many people felt like the 'C' was going to be removed from 28 | INSIGHT • October 2012 the Y, and our mission has stayed the same. We continue to focus on Christian principles…We pride ourselves at being an organization that welcomes and values everybody, and we accomplish our mission by working hard to be servant leaders to help our community meet our most pressing needs. " www. insightonbusiness.com YMCA'S MISSION