The Boys & Girls Club is a wonderful organization with a mission to INSPIRE and ENABLE young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. WOW! Who doesn't want to support that? In fact, one of the first times that I really heard about the Boys & Girls Club was while watching LeBron James "THE DECISION" where he let the world know that he was taking his talents to South Beach to play for the now World Champion Miami Heat. Whether you agree with the way LeBron announced his exodus form Cleveland or not, the fact remains that the money he raised from the event went to support a number of clubs across the country, with the biggest impact made right here in Akron, OH. LBJ donated a nice chunk of change to create the LeBron James Boys & Girls Club. I also know about the club because Rach's sister, Sandi works for a club in Colorado and posts neat activities and events she is doing with the kids.
So how did I become involved with the club? Last year I heard of an organization named BVU, which stands for Business Volunteers Unlimited. It is an organization that matches non-profits with individuals who aspire to serve on a non-profit board. I met with a representative from the BVU we identified about 4 organizations that appeared to meet what I was looking for. The only problem was, they were too small. Call it ego or whatever, but I figured that if I was going to dedicate the time to a board, that it would be a highly recognizable organization that had a mission that I could strongly connect with. So the BVU put me in touch with a few people from the United Way who sponsors the local Club. Meanwhile, I was having follow up discussions with a woman named Betty Rider whom I met in mid 2012 at a fundraising event for the Conservancy of the CVNP. Betty is a board member and she invited me to tour the club and meet with the President of the local club, Teresa LeGrair. After that day, I was hooked and wanted to become more involved. So when nominations were taken in the fall of 2012, my name came up and the board approved my 3 year term beginning in January 2013. A long process, but well worth it. I am happy to say that I am enjoying my time at the club and witnessing the impact the club has on the lives of our youth, many of whom are at or below the poverty line. Until next time, I'll leave you with this powerful message from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
So how did I become involved with the club? Last year I heard of an organization named BVU, which stands for Business Volunteers Unlimited. It is an organization that matches non-profits with individuals who aspire to serve on a non-profit board. I met with a representative from the BVU we identified about 4 organizations that appeared to meet what I was looking for. The only problem was, they were too small. Call it ego or whatever, but I figured that if I was going to dedicate the time to a board, that it would be a highly recognizable organization that had a mission that I could strongly connect with. So the BVU put me in touch with a few people from the United Way who sponsors the local Club. Meanwhile, I was having follow up discussions with a woman named Betty Rider whom I met in mid 2012 at a fundraising event for the Conservancy of the CVNP. Betty is a board member and she invited me to tour the club and meet with the President of the local club, Teresa LeGrair. After that day, I was hooked and wanted to become more involved. So when nominations were taken in the fall of 2012, my name came up and the board approved my 3 year term beginning in January 2013. A long process, but well worth it. I am happy to say that I am enjoying my time at the club and witnessing the impact the club has on the lives of our youth, many of whom are at or below the poverty line. Until next time, I'll leave you with this powerful message from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.