NBA meets with YMCA leaders
Matthew Hundley / (matthew.hundley@averyjournal.com)
Newland Business Association held its first meeting of 2012 at Cannon Memorial at the invitation of Jim Richardson, CEO of Williams YMCA of Avery County. Richardson and Jack Howard, who serves as chairman of the board of directors, greeted NBA members as they gathered in Cannon’s cafeteria.
Richardson addressed the NBA, describing some of Williams YMCA contributions not only to its members but to communities throughout Avery County since it opened in 2001, reaching more than 3,000 individuals out in the community in addition to its 3,000 members.
According to Richardson, Williams YMCA of Avery County saw significant financial success in the past fiscal year, finishing $32,000 in the black. Richardson added that the financial success is thanks to the participation and membership of Avery County’s full-time residents.
Richardson concluded his speech by introducing a promotional video for the YMCA, featuring interviews with YMCA members and community leaders testifying to the benefits Williams YMCA provides for its members and various surrounding communities.
Following the video, YMCA staff entertained NBA members with a rousing rendition of Village People’s “YMCA,” complete with dancing.
Howard took a few moments to explain YMCA’s common interest with NBA.
“You get to know a lot of people,” explained Howard. “It doesn’t matter what kind of business you’re in. You can relate to people. They’ve got the same kind of problems as you. They are working on some of the same things you are trying to do. To develop members of the Y, you have got to go out to them. They are not going to come to you. When you can relate to other businesses and tell them what you’ve got and see what they’ve got, then you can support one another.”
Richardson addressed the NBA, describing some of Williams YMCA contributions not only to its members but to communities throughout Avery County since it opened in 2001, reaching more than 3,000 individuals out in the community in addition to its 3,000 members.
According to Richardson, Williams YMCA of Avery County saw significant financial success in the past fiscal year, finishing $32,000 in the black. Richardson added that the financial success is thanks to the participation and membership of Avery County’s full-time residents.
Richardson concluded his speech by introducing a promotional video for the YMCA, featuring interviews with YMCA members and community leaders testifying to the benefits Williams YMCA provides for its members and various surrounding communities.
Following the video, YMCA staff entertained NBA members with a rousing rendition of Village People’s “YMCA,” complete with dancing.
Howard took a few moments to explain YMCA’s common interest with NBA.
“You get to know a lot of people,” explained Howard. “It doesn’t matter what kind of business you’re in. You can relate to people. They’ve got the same kind of problems as you. They are working on some of the same things you are trying to do. To develop members of the Y, you have got to go out to them. They are not going to come to you. When you can relate to other businesses and tell them what you’ve got and see what they’ve got, then you can support one another.”