YMCA Tauranga Comes Home a National Award Winner –
Again!
The YMCA Tauranga is proud to announce its success in winning two categories at the 2011 National YMCA Awards, held Saturday in Wellington.
Winning the “Y that Catches the Eye Award” for a second year running, the Tauranga Y was recognised for the establishment and adoption of its formal Board Giving Policy last year.
The groundbreaking policy, a first for a New Zealand YMCA – and possibly for any non-profit organisation in the country – sees each member of the Tauranga Y’s Board of Directors making an annual cash donation to the YMCA Tauranga that he or she considers to be “meaningful”.
The establishment of the Board Giving Policy coincided with the creation of a named endowment fund with the Acorn Foundation as part of a comprehensive fundraising campaign to cement the YMCA Tauranga’s long term financial security.
“We’re really excited that this effort has been recognised by our peers,” said Kevin Kerr, YMCA Tauranga’s President. “But really, it was an easy policy to adopt because it reflects our Board’s natural commitment to the cause. We believe it is our role to be innovative and to set the standard for leadership not only within the national YMCA movement but also for non-profit organisations in New Zealand.”
CEO Amy S. Thaler also walked away with a Certificate of Merit for Leading by Example. Nominated secretly by her staff, the award is recognition for being a positive role model, being mission driven and putting YMCA values into practice.
“I was absolutely stunned that not only did my team put me up but that I won!” said Amy. “Professional accolades are great but when it comes from one’s team it is unparalleled. I’m not often – or ever – at a loss for words but this certainly did it!”
Not resting on its laurels, the YMCA Tauranga is already eyeing a three-peat of the Y that Catches the Eye award for 2012 with its recent acquisition of Tomorrow’s Meals, a frozen meal home delivery business.
ends