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Strategic Plan 2020-2024

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1 The Ridgewood YMCA

Dear Friends,

We are experiencing an exciting and transformational time at our Ridgewood YMCA.

Back in May of 2019, we engaged volunteers, staff and key stakeholders at both our Oak Street and Camp Bernie locations to embark on a strategic planning process. It involved internal and external research, as well as assessment of our own strengths and weaknesses as an organization. It took a considerable amount of time analyzing our current impact and areas of unmet need in the communities we serve. This helped us prioritize and select the most meaningful and appropriately framed work for the association over the course of the next 5 years (2020-2024).

The results of this process allowed us to establish key goals and strategies we feel are extremely important for us to better serve all at our Y. In order to maximize the impact of those goals and strategies, as an organization, we recognized the need to improve and increase capacity in several areas, like increasing our focus on developing cause-driven leaders, expanding and measuring our collaborative partnerships in the community, maximizing our brand, expanding fundraising efforts and enhancing our facilities. Our internal capacity strategies detailed in the plan serve as the foundation for enabling and supporting our membership and the programmatic work we have committed to through this process.

This new roadmap for our future, allows us to be more strategic and focused on truly being a preeminent community hub. Our values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are at the core of who we are. They have driven and will continue to drive our behavior as a cause-driven service organization. Our new mission and vision statements embrace those values and set a purpose for our work. Our shared vision is directly connected to that mission and steers the development of our membership, programs and activities into alignment with our future plans.

Many of us play various roles within the Y, but no matter the role, we are all said to share a passion for strengthening community. Our hope is that as a result of this strategic plan, we will do so with more purpose, passion and deeper commitment to all.

We are looking forward to advancing our cause with you to help strengthen the foundations of our community.

ERNEST LAMOURChief Executive Officer

THOMAS SCHMIDTChairman of the Board

MISSION The Ridgewood Y offers programs and community connections that positively impact lives through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, building spirit, mind and body for all.

The Ridgewood Y is a nonprofit charitable organization that serves youth, adults, and families founded on Christian principles and committed to strengthening our Northern New Jersey and Camp Bernie communities since 1902, as part of a worldwide YMCA.

VISION As a leader and partner in our ever-changing community, the Ridgewood Y seeks to be a preeminent community hub, offering multifaceted programs which enhance individual and family well-being. By 2024, we seek to double our impact and serve 50,000 children, teens, and adults; welcoming all throughout our communities.

VALUES AND OPERATING PRINCIPLES The Ridgewood Y lives the values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility through the professionalism of our staff and volunteers, the engagement and relationships with all we serve, and a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment.

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2Strategic Plan 2020-2024

MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM IMPACTThe Ridgewood Y will grow its mission impact and service from 25,000 to 50,000 people annually by 2024, and deliver high quality programming and financial success with a commitment to building spirit, mind and body for each person served.

The Ridgewood Y serves youth, families and adults in our three areas of mission, focus and impact: Youth Development • Healthy Living • Social Responsibility

Oak Street

The Oak Street Branch, located in the diverse service area of Ridgewood and its surrounding communities, currently serves 13,000 people. Oak Street will grow to serve 30,000 people by 2024. The Y works with schools, community groups, colleges/universities, senior centers, churches, local governments and other groups.

Camp Bernie

The Camp Bernie community is diverse and expansive. Groups served include schools, colleges, universities, scouts, religious organizations, sororities, fraternities, clubs, and specialty groups. Campers come from New Jersey and around the world. Camp Bernie currently serves 12,000 people annually and will grow to 20,000 annually by 2024.

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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS In support of our mission and our vision to be a preeminent community hub, the Ridgewood Y will increase collaboration with local businesses, other nonprofit organizations, municipal government, hospitals/medical systems, faith communities, large corporations, public/private school systems and senior centers.

FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS The Ridgewood Y will propose facility enhancements to achieve the highest quality possible. There will be ongoing prioritization by our Facilities Committee & Board. Strategies will include routine maintenance, assessment, member feedback, budgeting and project management.

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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & GLOBAL RECOGNITIONEvolving communities represent new opportunities for the Y. The Ridgewood Y will better understand the communities it serves at Oak Street and Camp Bernie in order to effectively respond to changing needs. To reach target groups within our community, we will implement a new strategic ambassador program. Intentional DEIG (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Global) strategy will help us reach diverse, isolated and underserved populations.

STAFF, VOLUNTEER AND LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCEStaff, volunteer and leadership excellence is a top priority for the Ridgewood Y to achieve our mission and vision. We will implement multiple strategies, focused on staff, policy volunteers and general volunteers, in order to effectively serve the community.

MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESSCreate a strong Planning and Management/Information System to support the Ridgewood Y. Implement and review Best Practices and Models which include resources from the National YMCA guidelines and others. Streamline current systems and effectiveness to ensure improved productivity for staff and community.

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FINANCIAL HEALTH An annual strategy will be developed that includes increases in annual appeal, capital, special events, grants, endowment and planned giving initiatives. This includes efforts by staff, Board and volunteers to increase donor engagement to strengthen giving and sustain giving societies for Major Gift Donors, Planned Giving and President’s Roundtable.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS In order to ensure the Strategic Plan will allow the Ridgewood YMCA to continue to improve and provide key services for the community, certain measures of success will be implemented. These measures will provide proper insight into plan performance and help secure favorable outcomes.

Strategic Plan 2020-2024

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BOARD OF DIRECTORSTom Schmidt, President

Shannon Warren, Vice President

Greg Kubikowski, Treasurer

Diane B. Kurshan, Secretary

Mark S. Balian

Bruce A. Benson

Chris Brazill

Emma Byrd

Robert M. Conenello

Michael Davis

Doug Delaney

Mark D. Hatton

Fred Hnat

Brian C. Hughes, Past Board President

Joe Jackson

Peter J. Kurshan

Karen Latimer

Arturo P. Lewis

Jessica McArthur

Sofia Melarti

Kristin O’Keeffe Merrick

Joseph H. Schmidt

Kate Clifford Toomey

Ernest Lamour, CEO

THE RIDGEWOOD YMCA

112 Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

201.444.5600

ridgewoodymca.org

YMCA CAMP BERNIE

327 Turkey Top Road, Port Murray, NJ 07865

908.832.5315

www.campbernieymca.org

Denis J. Salamone, Chairman

Paul B. Wood, Treasurer

Scott A. Belair

Robert P. Dill

Mark W. Grannon

Brian C. Hughes

Kevin O’Shea

Thomas Wells