Big changes for Culver Boys & Girls Club for 2021
CULVER — Big changes are coming to the Culver Boys & Girls Club (CBGC).
CBGC Board Chair, Dana Neer, says, “To address the unique needs of the Culver community and the four-county school system our Club serves, our Board made the decision to become an independent club. While we will no longer be affiliated with the National Boys & Girls Clubs of America, this new direction will give us control of our mission and the path forward for the many families we are here to serve. This important decision to go independent will allow us to strengthen and tailor our programming and streamline administrative procedures to better address the unique challenges we are facing now and in the future.”
The Culver Boys & Girls Club started off as the Culver Community Youth Center (CCYC). Around 2008, the Club transitioned into a Boys and Girls Club. Alan Loehr, who has been on the Board since the Club’s founding, says, “We think Boys & Girls Club is a strong brand and sound organization, and it was exactly what we needed to sustain our business model and operations when we transitioned from the CCYC to CBGC. We gained the national brand recognition, many of the professional develop
ment opportunities our staff needed, and the ability to raise funds with a national brand behind us. We appreciate that part of our history and know that it will continue to serve us as we transition into a new phase of our Club’s history.”
Carol Zeglis, who has been with the Board since it became a Boys and Girls Club adds, “Though we know this change—including a name change—separates us from a nationally recognized organization, we also know our community well, and forming an independent club is in the best interest of Culver families and the youth we serve. If we’ve learned one thing from the COVID-19 experience and all the changes it meant for our Club, it’s that we need to be financially secure, operationally sound, more flexible and ready to serve in other capacities than how we are currently defined as an organization. This move will empower us to meet these challenges and optimize the talents of local community leaders—including our board—who will lead us through the years to come. For us, this is an exciting time!”
The transition to becoming an independent Club was a decision that Board members made after three years of research, analysis, conversation and ample due diligence. Says Board member Bill Githens, “We looked at numerous options and ways to improve our Club, our financial security, and the experiences our kids have. With our proximity to the North-west organization we are currently associated with, we have been one of 11 Clubs. Being the furthest away geographically was a challenge for us and for our partners at North-west. They provided excellent services to us, but as they have grown with a very large merger, we have also seen our needs grow and change.” Melva Githens, also a Board member, adds, “We are rolling out new programs related to character development, academic strength, leadership, arts and culture, and more. We want to be able to do these things without being constrained and in a way that taps into the unique nature of our community; we will be able to do a lot more as an independent Club.”
The new Club will also have a new name. Ginny Munroe, who has chaired the Board in the past, suggested that Club Director Criston Zehner engage the kids and teens in the Club (past and present) and ask them what they think the name of their Club should be. Says Munroe, “We’d like to know what the kids think of their Club and we want them to have ownership in naming it, so that they know their voices will be heard. They are our key stakeholders in this Club, so they should be given the opportunity to share their ideas and suggestions.” Zehner adds, “With all of the exciting changes taking place, we know we need to communicate with our kids and staff about it and I’m excited that the Board is reaching out to us to be part of these changes. We are keeping our community in mind in all of the discussions we have about the future of the Club—that will be key to a smooth transition. I know our Board is motivated and has put in a lot of energy and thought into ensuring these changes benefit our kids.”
Culver Community Schools Corporation Superintendent and CBGC board member Karen Shuman agrees: “I’m excited to continue partnering with the Board and organization to create solutions that work for our families. We’ve had a collaborative partnership with the Club for the past several years. I know we will continue to offer a quality afterschool program where kids want to be and parents can count on.”
Neer concludes: “We will continue to keep the public, our Club families, and our kids engaged as we move forward with this process. We greatly appreciate the recent response to our doorto-door fundraiser. The Culver community comes through for us every year and we are grateful for your continued support. We want to thank everyone and let you know that we look forward to a bright future!”