By Bruce Trimble
In past articles, I have explained the significant increase in need at the four locations of the Boys and Girls Club of Wisconsin Rapids Area. Increasing numbers, the number of teens utilizing the Teen Center and parents commenting on how they couldn’t maintain their work schedule without the club, all point to that need.
The cost per member per year is a focal point as well. Averaging more than 250 members a day — more than 1,900 total members annually (those registered in our database) — it costs the club roughly $400 annually per member to provide services to them.
The generosity the communities have provided plays a significant part of our operating revenue, along with the United Way, endowed funds placed in the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County, and grants and programs through Boys and Girls Club of America (federal grants dispersed through the State organizations etc.). The board of directors and staff have continually made efforts to broaden the funding base, but the unfortunate reality, and one faces all our area nonprofits, is the local economic trend over the last decade. One only needs to read the Vital Signs report from the Community Foundation to see that the availability of funds is quickly decreasing at a time when the need for services is rapidly increasing.
The Boys and Girls Club has made many changes in the past three years to cut spending while continuing to provide the quality of service the members deserve. Some of these cuts were painless, some have been difficult, and in some cases great collaborative efforts have occurred to maintain some or all of the programs and services. One of the goals of the board is to keep the services available to the community and provide full time jobs at the same time. In June, the board and I had to consider reducing summer hours at our newest site in Nekoosa. Parent meetings were held and a fundraising plan was put in place, resulting in some hours being reduced but core services were maintained. The first cut the board and I looked at was at the top. I voluntarily accepted a 25 percent reduction in salary to provide budget relief and continue services available to the club kids. We felt that cutting anything else might negatively impact services to the members. This reduction still allows management of the club to continue at the level that the club and communities have come to expect.
As we move into fall, the board and I are working on the 2012 budget. However, we are experiencing difficulty maintaining the needed income to retain staff and services to the kids in our community. I ask that everyone take a look at the great work done by the not for profits in our area. Take a close look at the Boys and Girls Club. Stop in and see firsthand the kids and the programs and service, as well as the need, and find a way to help. Make it a point to support the upcoming United Way campaign. Or send your dollars directly to the club. Look at our kids in the community and find a way to help. Our future depends on it.
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