Author Preface - This post is 7 of 8 of posts related to my last weeks prior to retiring from the YMCA of South Florida after just over 40 years.
This post was intended to be my rescue speech if I was to be called upon to do a formal speech. Since it was not delivered as a speech, it became material of my impromptu speech at my retirement reception.
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Through my just over 40 years with the YMCA of South Florida, I was blessed with more amazing supervisors who I was always excited to learn from, work with and make the mission of the YMCA come alive than I had those who were not so amazing but for whatever reason were opposites and found ways to deflate me and find other ways to discount my value to the organization. Both provided me learned lessons which helped me plant my roots deeper into my passion for the organization. This post is a rambling of learned lessons, observations and some mix match thoughts as I near my last days.
When I first walked through the doors of our Greater Hollywood YMCA Family Center in July 1984, I never could have imagined the path that lay ahead. What began as a humble role has evolved into a career that has been full of purpose, passion, and countless rewarding experiences. My first job was a summer camp junior counselor/tutor, I had no idea that I would spend more than the summer here let alone just over four decades here. In fact, I remember my very first day, full of excitement and, let’s be honest, a lot more nervousness. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that this place wasn’t just an organization; it was a community. A community bound together by a shared commitment to make our communities a better place, one person, one family, one community at a time.
As I stand here today, I’m filled with a mix of emotions. On the one hand, there’s a sense of nostalgia as I reflect on the incredible journey I’ve had here at the YMCA. On the other hand, there’s a deep feeling of gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had to contribute to this wonderful organization and to work alongside all of you and cementing my legacy on almost every facet of our organization. If I had a third hand, I want to share what a truly honor it was to stand before you today as I reflect on what has been an incredible journey it has been. As we celebrate the end of one chapter of my life and the beginning of another, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude and share a few thoughts about what this journey has meant to me.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of wearing many hats — from various positions in youth and family services to numerous to leadership roles at both the family center and association office. I served in many different capacities, each one teaching me something new, challenging me in unexpected ways, and deepening my commitment to the mission we hold so dear. Every position taught me something new, deepened my understanding of the work we do, and reaffirmed my belief in the power of collective action. I’ve seen firsthand how much we can accomplish when we come together with a common purpose, and I’ve witnessed the incredible impact that our work has had on the lives of so many individuals and communities.
The unique beauty of working in a nonprofit is that the work we do is driven by a shared vision, to make a positive difference in the lives of others. It’s not about profit margins or corporate ladders; it’s about people, communities, and creating lasting change. Over the years, I’ve seen the impact of our work firsthand — the lives we’ve touched, the progress we’ve made, and the hope we’ve instilled in those who needed it most. That has been the most rewarding part of this journey. What has truly made this journey special, however, is the people I’ve had the honor to work with. Each of you, whether you’ve been here for just a short time or for many years, has contributed something unique to this organization. It is through your creativity, dedication, and compassion that we’ve been able to reach the milestones we have. I’ve learned from each of you, and I’ve been inspired by your commitment to the cause. What makes this place truly special is the people. The colleagues I’ve had the honor of working alongside, some for a short time, and others for much longer, have made every day here meaningful. The dedication, the teamwork, and the passion that each person brings to their role has been nothing short of inspiring. I’ve learned as much from all of you as I hope I’ve contributed to the organization.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to thank our donors, supporters, and volunteers. Your generosity, time, and dedication have made our work possible. You are the backbone of this organization, and without you, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve the things we’ve accomplished. I’ve seen firsthand how your commitment to our mission has fueled the work we do, and I’m endlessly grateful for your support.
As I prepare to retire, I want to emphasize that this is not a farewell, I’ll always remain part of this family It’s a new chapter, yes, but it’s not goodbye. I will continue to be a strong supporter in whatever way I can. I’ll be watching from the sidelines, cheering you all on, and confident that the work will continue to evolve and thrive in the years to come. I’m excited to see where this organization goes in the future, and I have no doubt that it will continue to grow, thrive, and make a profound difference in the communities we serve.
First, never forget the power of what we do. The work of a nonprofit is often challenging, sometimes messy, and often unseen, but it is also incredibly powerful. Every day, we are creating positive change — whether it’s through a single act of kindness, a program that lifts up a community, or a small step that leads to something bigger. Every moment counts. Remember lasting change takes time. There will be setbacks, there will be challenges, but as long as we stay true to our mission, remain flexible, and support each other, we will continue to create a lasting impact.
I want to leave you with a few thoughts of lessons I learned.
1. Nobody wants you to be perfect, but everyone expects you to do your best.
2. Life can throw some awful curve balls, learn to at least hit one to make it to first base with hopes the next batter will bring you both home to score.
3. The biggest paychecks you will ever receive is the footprints left on your heart and the impact you made.
4. No matter what, they’ll always remember the guy or gal in the Y shirt even when they grow up, before you remember them as the kid in your programs or the adult your kindness made their day.
5. In the end, you meet great people; some become mentors, others your confidant, some lifelong friends and a select few become your family.
6. There are plenty of times when you truly have to fake it until you make it.
7. What seems to work everywhere else doesn’t always work at the Y, just like what works at the Y rarely works anywhere else.
8. We all come with our own unique personalities, various talents, in some cases, heavy fragile baggage, handle accordingly.
9. Nearly everyone has some Y story or experience before coming to our Y, get to know their story and build upon it.
10. People are like ice cream, come in all flavors, shapes, colors, sizes and melt at different rates depending where they are when things get hot.
11. With that being said, people like me, an introvert, need time to recharge after dealing with people all day. Others, the extroverts need to be around people to remain charged all day.
12. Remember the Y may be the only thing that is constant and stable in someone’s life.
Finally, all of you who remain behind to continue this important work: you are in good hands. I’ve seen your passion, your dedication, and your ability to rise to any challenge. I have every confidence that you will continue to build on the foundation we’ve laid, and take this organization to even greater heights.
Thank you to each and every one of you — for your support, for your friendship, and for the incredible work we’ve done together. I will always look back on my time here with pride, knowing that we’ve made a real difference in our communities and you filled my heart with incredible memories of challenges we faced, laughter beyond measure and shared victories.
January 03, 2025
