Part 4 of 8 - CELEBRATION THROUGH REFLECTION

Author Preface - This post is 4 of 8 of posts related to my last weeks prior to retiring from the YMCA of South Florida after just over 40 years.

This was strictly written for my blog. It was written as a 3 titled section of my blog’s post.

Section 1: Departments Titles, Positions and Roles
A simple list of by department of the various positions and roles I held over my tenure.

Section 2: Lessons Learned through Time
This part of the post is a rambling of 40 mix and match learned life’s experiences, lessons, observations, affirmations and some reflective thoughts as I near my last days.

Section 3: My Final Act: The Last Day
A free-form poem consisting of descending syllables per line. It started with 12 went down to one and then from one back to 12 and back to one again, for a total of 36 lines. When you look at the artistic representation of mountains and valleys of the poem, as if representing the highs and lows we all go through in life.
_________________________

Section 1: Departments Titles, Positions and Roles

Summer Camp
junior counselor
senior counselor
assistant camp director
camp director
child care coordinator

Child Care
early childhood enrichment coordinator
pre-school director
extended day pre-k director
before and after school counselor
before and after school group leader
assistant site coordinator
site coordinator
site director
child care coordinator
program director

Aquatics
camp swim instructor
camp lifeguard
Membership
membership representative
front desk associate

Teens
teen club coordinator
youth in government coordinator
leaders club coordinator
21st CCLC program director
YES club program director

Executive/Administrative
business development coordinator
webmaster
systems director
compliance director
interim executive director
contract compliance director
grant administrator
DCF certified child care trainer in various courses
Y-USA certified trainer in various program and director level certifications
special projects director
human resources administrator
payroll/benefits administrator

Section 2: Lessons Learned through Time

aim for perfection by always doing your best
allow yourself to renew and reset by taking vacations
always be honest
arrive an hour early before a minute late
be genuine and sincere
be mindful of your surroundings
be patient with others
become an expert in one thing
build strong relationships
celebrate milestones and small wins
come prepared
cross train in other areas
don’t assume
don’t let exceptions become expectations
embrace change
everyone has something to contribute
exhibit empathy
find time every day to “do-you”
find your passion
greet anyone and everyone by name
keep in touch with those who touched you
know your audience
lead with integrity
leave everything and anything better than you received it
leave your legacy
remain adaptable and flexible
remain humble, yet be proud
remain respectful
seek a mentor or two, better yet be a mentor
show concern
show good manners (greetings, thank yous, etc.)
stay curious (hence my Curious George theme)
stay current in both life and your career
step out of your comfort zone
take calculated risks
take initiative
take ownership for you
take responsibility, own your actions
tomorrow is not guaranteed (in more ways than one)
volunteer outside of your work area (skills and organization

 

Section 3: My Final Act: The Last Day
 

When I put on my Y polo shirt this morning,
The surreal became all too real today.
I took a deep breath and let out a sigh,
Grabbing my lunch bag and my laptop,
As I walked out my home’s front door.
I walk into my office,
Greeting me were many,
Waiting to see me,
Share a story,
Or a hug.
Simply,
A
Bye,
For now.
I’m saying,
See you later,
With tears in my eyes,
I have tissues on hand,
Catching flood of tears flowing,
Down both of our cheeks as we spoke.
Between the farewells, I pack boxes,
I am unable to just throw things out,
As each piece I touch, flashbacks a memory.
Never thought I would feel sentimental mourning.
It feels like yesterday when my journey began,
But my just over forty years came to close,
As a loyal longstanding employee.
I reminisce fondly for my years,
From all the families I served,
To the staff members I trained.
The countless lifelong friends,
Who are family.
My legacy,
Sealed and my
Journey
Ends.

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Part 3 of 8 - CLOSING THIS CHAPTER OF MY JOURNEY

Author Preface - This post is 3 of 8 of posts related to my last weeks prior to retiring from the YMCA of South Florida after just over 40 years.

This is my actual unabridged e-mail I sent out via e-mail to those individuals I felt deserved to be told individually and/or in person but I simply ran out of time.
________________________

It’s with a heavy heart, I write this tonight.

By now the word has probably spread faster than a conflagration in a dry forest. I am sure you all have heard my news. I have officially announced I’ll be retiring from the YMCA of South Florida on December 13, 2024. It was not an easy decision, but I feel after just over forty years of service to this organization, it’s time to chase my dreams while I still am healthy enough to do it. I shared my intent to retire with my Mom, those closest to me and a few mentors who retired early. Unanimously, all agreed with my decision without any reservation.

Once I decided on the date, I first shared my intent to retire with my Mom and my closest family of friends. Then I proceeded to share with Sheryl Woods, President/CEO and my immediate supervisors. After spending almost two weeks of scheduling one-on-one meetings, small group meetings or made my rounds to share my news personally with chiefs, select leadership staff and those staff members who’ve become family through years even decades of working together I used up more than a few boxes of tissues. I eventually shared the news with those I worked with outside of the YMCA on various committees and partnerships. With time running out, unfortunately, I hadn’t reached everyone. Many were out on PTO or otherwise unavailable or were not part of any of the groups I met with may be reading the news here for the first time, my apologies. It was not easy to share my news with any one group I spoke with; but the hardest was with Sheryl and those staff who’ve become like an extension of my family.

When I first started at was then, the independent, Greater Hollywood Family YMCA. I never imagined that I would be fortunate enough to spend my entire career here. From the very first day, I was drawn to the mission and the work we do — but it was the people that kept me here. Over the years, I've worn many hats, played many roles, and watched this organization evolve and grow in ways I couldn’t have dreamed of when I first walked through the door. Each role I took on taught me something new, challenged me in ways I didn’t expect, and helped me grow both personally and professionally.

I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many passionate, dedicated individuals — all of you who have made this work so meaningful and, at times, so much fun. From program staff to board members, from volunteers to donors, you’ve all brought something special to the table. We have been partners in a mission that matters deeply: to make a difference, to lift up those who need it most, and to create a world that is a little bit kinder, a little bit better. That has always been the heart of what we do, and it is something I will carry with me long after I leave.

When I think about the people we've helped, the programs we’ve built, and the countless hours of hard work that have gone into this organization's success, I am truly proud. There are so many milestones we’ve reached together, and I’ve had the privilege of being a part of it. Whether it was launching a new initiative, navigating a difficult challenge, or simply showing up for our communities, every step of this journey has been meaningful.

After just over 40 years of a blessed career in more than a dozen variety of capacities in which I feel I sealed and left my legacy in all that I have done. It’s time to prioritize my own selfish desires while still young and healthy enough to do it. It's not what I have in life nor the many positions I carried, but it’s the lives I impacted and inspired and to a lesser extent, those who left a footprint on my heart.

It’s time for me to start writing the next chapter of my journey. I’m grateful for the opportunities given to me, the experiences I gained and the mentors who walked my journey with me for either a moment in time or for the duration.

I’d be honored, if you read my post on my blog (link below) and share your thoughts, memories, comments etc there as well as here. Feel free to look around as you will find other stories of my Y Journey as well as my life. This will be one of many posts I will write to bring closure to my career. I’ve always said, my written word is louder than my spoken word.

Enjoy!

Posting on my blog will allow me to access it, long after this day has passed and allow me to read them not just with happy tears but with a smile reflecting back on my career. Feel free to share my blog with past co-workers or current ones who may not do social media or are linked to me.

… rant over, back to your regularly scheduled day.

Blog Website: www.https://YMeJourney.blogspot.com

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A WELL LIVED LIFE

There’s no time to be lonely walking life’s journey,
With it comes blessings, promises and ambition.
You’ll be introduced to countless individuals,
Walking alongside a portion of your journey.

Only a few will follow your life’s transition,
While others will come and go throughout your life.
Those privileged few celebrate your wins with you,
Share promises and remain your lifetime confidant.

When the perseverance of living in silence,
Tells how today’s discord is buried deep within.
Your visible image stands tall, hiding secrets,
Those in your company, know nothing different.

No one knows where the road of life will lead them to,
Nor will they know which way to go at the road’s fork.
Each of our paths will be chosen and supported,
With yesterday’s happenings and tomorrow’s hope.

Before your life begins to fall down around you,
You create a list; with hopes no one sees your quirk.
With intent, each of the pros and cons calculated,
The fork begins to partially define its scope.

Yet, the unrevealed paths endure in defiance,
Just like when you finish your day, with one last win.
Although your journey left you tired and sleepless,
There were many opportunities to repent.

At the door’s grand entry, you wait for admission,
Your mind impatiently flashbacks to all the strife.
Reflecting your life’s journey, only to construe,
Maybe ruminate, yet, leaving nothing undone.

The times you start feeling alone and far from free,
You will stop stressing and seeking validation.
When burdens, problems and troubles invade your soul,
Remember, a new life awaits, once you find your key.

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Part 2 of 8 - REAL MEN DON’T CRY

Author Preface - This post is 2 of 8 of posts related to my last weeks prior to retiring from the YMCA of South Florida after just over 40 years.

This poem, I wrote from the perspective just before I announced my retirement to Sheryl A. Woods, President/CEO to my anticipated exiting the YMCA Association Office the final time. This was read at my retirement reception on December 10, 2024.
_________________________

Not wanting to waste her valuable time,

I arranged only a half hour with her.
Knowing her daily agenda is filled,
Our routine impromptu chat just won’t work.

Just minutes before my appointment time,
I wiped the remnants of my latest tears.
I looked like I lost an allergy fight,
Before taking my longest walk that day.

I grabbed a handful more tissues, a pen,
My “to do” notepad and my envelope.
I left my office, arrived at her door,
In mere seconds, not the hours it felt like.

Although her office was steps from my own,
It felt like I walked miles to get there.
By now, my nerves gotten the best of me,
As seen by the cold sweat, I broke into.

Her door slightly ajar, I knocked gently,
With her stoic smile, she welcomed me in.
Apologizing her need to wrap-up,
An e-mail she was about to send out.

Perhaps, my formality confused her,
She offered me a seat at her table.
Nervously, I decided where to sit,
I took the chair opposing the desk’s side.

Once the e-mail was sent, she left her desk,
Apologizing again, she joined me.
Taking the chair, directly facing me,
I acknowledged her and let out a sigh.

Our silence was louder than our voices,
Silently, she read my body language.
Granting time to regain my composure,
I wiped my tears again, took a deep breath.

Understanding her leadership style,
I reminded myself to be direct.
With a poker face and staying to script,
My voice cracked like a pre-pubescent boy.

Hoping another deep breath would calm me,
But anxiety riddled my body.
I stated my intent to retire,
Effective Friday, December thirteenth.

With a heavy heart, I shared my motives,
From promises made to new adventures.
Through tears, I mouthed genuine gratitude,
Telling her its time to prioritize me first.

I looked at my friends who jumped jobs often,
They questioned what kept me devoted here.
Knowing deep within why I stayed around,
As the non-cash dividends kept paying.

I spent some of our time reminiscing,
Being truly blessed with a great career.
From having met and made lifelong great friends,
To some becoming extended family.

Grateful for opportunities given,
Celebrating moments and milestones.
Best known for wearing the Y shirt proudly,
I leave a legacy in all I’ve done.

Feeling I overextended my stay,
We brought our intimate chat to a close.
It felt like only a few minutes passed,
Just passed an hour is what my watch showed.

Hearing her voice, supporting my decree,
I felt the weight on my shoulders release.
With the warmth of a hug and parted words,
I held back tears, seeing only a blur.

I walked the same steps back to my office,
Seeing fragments of my years strewn throughout.
Many memorable moments filled my brain,
I sensed this wasn’t a dream I woke up to.

Every item has a story to tell,
Each object has an untold tale to share.
My degrees quenched my thirst for knowledge,
The myriad of books kept me learning.

Seeing my large Curious George collection,
Signifying innate curiosity.
Rekindling a firm gentle reminder,
Be the child who remains curious.

There is thoughtful notes and heartfelt messages,
Along with gifts received over the years.
With the remainder of mix-n-match stuff,
Inviting guests in getting to know me.

When I leave the office, my final time,
I feel tears stream down my eyes to my cheeks.
With no more tissue, I let the tears flow,
Hearing whispers, how real men don’t cry.

Upon closing the door of this chapter,
I leave with my head held high and stand proud.
There will always be a why in all I do,
Even when the Y won’t always be seen.

As I strategize for my next chapter,
I accepted my past without regret,
I handled my present with confidence,
I will face my future without a fear.

I gather my thoughts, dust my memories,
I peruse through years of photo albums,
I scan through many handwritten letters,
Then when I’m ready, I’ll begin writing.

Knowing I am better green and growing,
Then turning red, only to ripen and rot.
In time, just as those parting before me,
I will become another faceless name.

Reflecting my over forty-year journey,
It’s not what I have in life that mattered,
It’s the lives I impacted and inspired,
And those who left their footprint in my heart. 

 

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Part 1 of 8 - TIME CALLED ME, SO I ANSWERED

Author Preface - This post is 1 of 8 of posts related to my last weeks prior to retiring from the YMCA of South Florida after just over 40 years.

This is my actual unabridged letter presented to Sheryl A Woods, President/CEO of the YMCA of South Florida during my one-on-one meeting on November 5, 2024. It may have been a bit-too long to express my intention to retire but I felt the letter probably was more for my own way of bringing closure to a just over 40-year career with the same YMCA association.
_________________________

November 5, 2024

Sheryl A Woods, President/CEO
YMCA of South Florida
900 SE Third Avenue
Suite 210
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Dear Sheryl:

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me today.

As I always say there’s always a Y and a why behind everything I say and do. By now you know me, the historian and storyteller of our amazing association, which made it even more difficult for me to share with you my retirement from the YMCA of South Florida, with my last day being December 13, 2024.

In my just over 40 years with this great organization, I have always put the YMCA first before many of my own personal life’s happenings. I do not regret doing so but missed out on opportunities as well as been put into some personal challenging moments of my life. I know at times I could be difficult, stubborn or set in my ways but all-in-all, I pride myself in always giving my all in all that I do and did whatever it took to get the job done. Many previous supervisors as well as current colleagues tell me often my biggest fault is I wear my heart (for good or bad) on my sleeve and will do whatever it takes to get the job done and done right.

I reminisced and deliberated if I am doing the right thing. I played it out using an old school, pro and cons list. I wrote down a more than a couple but less than a dozen of my career highlights and my proudest achievements over my career. I will share with you a handful, which stood out to me and are not related to how the majority of our staff currently know me, as their Payroll Administrator.

But after seeing the greater benefit of me taking this opportunity, I realized there comes a time in life to start downshift, to reprioritize what matters most, it's not money, it's not the title, it's not competitiveness and quantity; but enjoying simple joys, quality friends, self-confidence and most importantly balance in all that you do.

Therefore, filled with bittersweet emotions, this letter serves as my formal resignation from my position as Payroll Administrator at the YMCA of South Florida. I will retire after just over 40 years of dedicated service. With an incredible journey working in a variety of diverse positions and capacities I held over my tenure; I feel I have sealed my legacy and it’s time to let my efforts pay off. I remain deeply grateful for the many opportunities, experiences and support I have gained throughout my career.

I kindly request to have the opportunity to share my news first, not only with my direct supervisor but a select group of individuals who I have worked with for over 25 years or more and have become nothing less than my extended family before this is announced to the remainder of our association.

I am immensely proud of my contributions I created over the past four decades and the legacy I leave. It has been an honor to work alongside with many talented individuals and be a part of our YMCAs success and growth. I leave with a sense of self-fulfillment and accomplishment. As I reflect back, I see my footprints of my accomplishments in both programs and association-wide administrative responsibilities.

I began my tenure at the then independent Greater Hollywood Family YMCA in July 1984 and moved to the YMCA of Broward County in February 1990. The two YMCAs merged in 2000 and ultimately became a part of the larger, merged YMCA of South Florida in 2016. I believe I am, if not one of the last of the longest continually employed staff members of our YMCA. Notwithstanding, the opportunities presented to me as well as being part of an exciting, evolving organization is why I remained with our organization as long as I have.

Secured over $5.5M in annual grant funding from a combination of funding sources to significantly expand the footprint of before and after school programs and summer camps for persons with special needs programs. I helped secure additional funding and increased capacity of those same programs in our underserved communities. Responsibilities included pre-award planning and proposal writing; presentation; post-award training and monthly invoicing and outcome attainment reporting. I am immensely proud of securing and ensuring we were in compliance with our funders terms for over $75M of funding in my years as a grant writer.

• - Actively involved as co-chair in organizing and launching several state-wide conferences for both AYP, and YMCA Child Care as well as instrumental in implementing an Annual Partners Appreciation Breakfast and a two day overnight Staff Appreciation Retreat.
  
  

• - Lastly, programmatically I was one of two first certified lifeguards and swim instructors when the indoor pool opened in 1986. I was instrumental in creating a half-day pre-school program at the Greater Hollywood YMCA Family Center and began researching the feasibility of making it to a licensed full-day program prior to my resignation to join the YMCA of Broward County. I started at the YMCA of Broward County in 1990 as one of the first employees of the West Broward YMCA when it was a shared office inside the Athletic Club at Weston. I started as a Site Director and was promoted to a Child Care Program Director overseeing at my peak 15 off-site program locations and a staff of over 75.
  
  

• - Served on a committee which created the first joint summer camp and back to school training between the YMCA of Broward County and the Greater Hollywood Family YMCA and eventually became the co-chair of the annual events for the remainder of my years in these programs.
  
  

• - In partnership with United Way and several technology leaders, I served on a committee which nonprofit organizations were paired up with one of the technology leaders to assess the “wish lists” from the nonprofit organizations. I communicated the YMCAs wished to have a world-wide web presence to promote our programs, services and agency information and news. Within a few months the YMCA of Broward County launched its first domain hosted website at www.ymcabroward.org back in 1999.
  
  

I was blessed with opportunities which continued to open up for me and left me no reason to seek employment elsewhere. I was challenged with creating new association-wide policies and procedures and incorporating the foundations of a new human resources department.

As our association grew, I facilitated the opening and expansion of five family centers. Coupled with having the educational background, self-drive and a supervisor who was open to allowing my recommendations to creating new departments, implementing association-wide consistent policies and procedures as well as providing support to family centers as our association grew. I was able to take on the initative to learn the subject area through traditional classes and surround myself by subject matter experts within the YMCA movement as well as those in other non-profits, academia and government agencies.

When I first took over payroll back in 2008, we were still the YMCA of Broward County with a lot of cleanup to do after an incident of payroll theft occurred. I appreciate the trust you put into me to takeover and put in many of the established systems we have in place to prevent such an incident occurring again. As I mentioned back then, I was never a math person, let alone studied finance, accounting or even have a business degree but I will do my best to learn as much as I can about payroll and benefits. I also helped create and implement procedures and processes to help more precisely report to our funders more accurately how payroll dollars were spent and account for any post-payroll processing discrepancy processing.

Over the next year, I took the initiative to learn not one, but four different payroll platforms, from UltiPro to ADP, then ADP to Certipay. As part of the merger team, I took the lead to migrate our Certipay payroll data platform to the newer version of UltiPro while John Puleio worked to line up the general ledger and account numbers. I not only learned to handle payroll and benefits but took the initiative to take coursework on my own to learn basics of non-profit accounting, payroll and benefit administration and various workshops on regulations related to both federal and state labor laws, payroll law and regulations. I also had to take more than a few crash courses to learn how to close out the calendar quarters with 941s and RTC-6 as well as close out the year with year-end reporting as well guarantee to W-2s and W-3s are not only accurate but filed and released timely in accordance with federal law. Every year, I took the initiative to not just keep up on labor and payroll laws, changes in wage and hour reporting etc but take supplemental on-line or in-person workshops to keep myself current.

Of all the positions I’ve had in my career, payroll administrator by far is one I never thought would fall in my lap nor did I expect to remain in it as long as I have. I went through several payroll directors as supervisors, a control and even a Mark Russell. Mark was and continued to be a valuable resource and wealth of knowledge and knowing if I received a job well done from him, I indeed did well. KUDOS to him for always taking time to offer a lesson, share a tid-bit of advice or even a lecture on something that may not have been done exactly a true accountant would have. I’d be remiss to not give much gratitude and valued appreciation to my other teacher, Shenna Simpson. She had the patience to teach me basic accounting skills and supported, encouraged and a couple times filled in for me when I had to have a couple surgeries and offered many laughs and tears over the last 30 plus years is nothing less than family to me.

I think of everything I have done, I am most proud of is when I run into past participants, members or even staff who spot me in everyday situations outside of the YMCA and remember me as their camp counselor, a mentor or just as the guy from the Y who wore the t-shirt proudly.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to those past supervisors who believed in me as well as those who remained my mentors in the present day. I also want to thank my colleagues and the entire YMCA of South Florida team for their guidance, camaraderie, and friendship. I will cherish the memories and relationships forged during my time here.

As I embark on this new chapter of my life, I have to accept my past without regret, handle my present with confidence, and face my future without fear. With every job I departed, I always carried my responsibilities proudly and did them to the best of my ability, with passion and an aim for perfection, with hopes I left it in a better position than when I first arrived. Please let me know if there are any formalities or procedures I need to follow before my departure. I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and assisting with any necessary handovers to facilitate the continuity of work.

Once again, thank you for the invaluable experiences and support throughout my career with the YMCA of South Florida. I wish our organization, the YMCA of South Florida nothing but continued success and prosperity in the future.

Sincerely,

Robert W Kovacs

Robert W Kovacs

P.S. As you know, I was never one to like to be thrown into the spotlight, thank you for giving me the chance to succeed behind the scenes. By the way, you still owe me a lunch or two from back in our Broward Boulevard days that we never made it to after moving to the 900 building. I know only of a few things which happened when life got in the way…

 

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