Howard Schultz, Executive Director/CEO of the North Suburban YMCA, has been named to the National Committee on Membership Standards (NCMS) of the national Y-USA organization. NCMS is a standing committee of Y volunteers and CEOs, charged with oversight of compliance with Y-USA qualifications by local Y organizations. The committee provides peer review of member associations to promote and protect the integrity, quality, and reputation of the YMCA around the country.
Schultz’s new role on NCMS is particularly satisfying, since the NSYMCA itself was at risk of termination in 2007. At that time, the Northbrook-based Y had been on probation for five years, burdened by $2.3M of debt, an aging facility, and declining membership. Faced with the prospect of termination, the Y’s newly-hired CEO Schultz, along with the leadership of then Board President Philip Ruben, and other key volunteer leadership including Bob Dahlke, Jr., Larry Koehler, Mary and David Otis, Don Roth, Dan Jorndt, Jim Otis, and Steven Elisco, responded to every Y standard and requirement necessary to escape from probation. The group then presented NCMS with a comprehensive plan for re-building the Y, including an ambitious fundraising plan and new leadership commitments. Based on their efforts, NCMS provided a reprieve from probation in 2007, and returned the North Suburban Y to “Good Standing” in 2008, a turning point that became the start of a major resurgence.
The committee’s decision proved to be prescient: since 2007, the NSYMCA has been transformed into a thriving member of the Y national community. A multi-million dollar facility renovation coupled with an expansion of programs and services has resulted in a record-breaking 38% growth in membership from 2012 to 2013. The dramatic turnaround was exemplified by the Y’s selection as Small Business of the Year by the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce.
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These accomplishments were motivation for Y-USA’s selection of Schultz for the National Committee, believing that a CEO with his significant experience of having gone through such an institutional challenge successfully will bring a unique perspective to their deliberations and know more readily what can be done when the various efforts are applied. "Howard was selected to the committee because of his outstanding achievements over the last few years, running an exemplary organization, meeting and exceeding membership standards and diligently carrying out the Y mission in the community," stated Tony Fragale, Vice-President for Certification and Membership Standards Y-USA. "The North Suburban YMCA is a laudable example of what a great Y looks like."
“I was delighted to learn that Howard will be serving the national community through NCMS,” commented Philip Ruben. “It is a rewarding recognition of how far our Y has come from practically having our doors closed. I’m glad that Y-USA recognizes that our experience can be a model to save other Ys, and Howard is the perfect person to offer that perspective from the trenches.”
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“Our Y survived in large part because one CEO on the CMS regional committee listened to us, understood what we were doing, and stood by us,” noted Schultz. “I feel that this is my opportunity to “pay it forward”, by helping other struggling Ys learn from our experience. It is an honor I share with all of the leaders and staff who helped us make this miraculous journey earlier, along with the outstanding leaders of today like Matt Brennan and Jeff Knipp who continue the long line of strong, community- based, visionary leadership.”
The public is invited to learn more about the Y’s future at the NSYMCA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 2. Board members will mingle with guests at an informal reception beginning at 6:00pm, followed by a business meeting at 6:45 that will include the induction of new Board officers, tributes to outstanding staff members and donors, and information about new programs and improvements to the Y. The Y is located at 2705 Techny Road in Northbrook. For more information, visit www.nsymca.org.
About the North Suburban YMCA
The North Suburban YMCA is a not-for-profit entity and relies on donations to fund capital improvements and transform the facility. All board members are community volunteers, who donate their time, talents and financial resources. Located at 2705 Techny Road in Northbrook, the YMCA has served area families in its fifteen-city region for over 45 years. The Y is about youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, providing programs and services that meet the needs of our community and are accessible to all. For more information or to make a donation, call Barb Flanagin at 847-272-7250, bflanagin@nsymca.org, or visit www.nsymca.org.
