YMCA Board named
Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/brog/News/35118/
BENTONVILLE — The YMCA Board of Directors is ready to roll.
Officials released a list Thursday of the Board of Directors, which is the next step in starting a YMCA here. The board will determine the YMCA’s future, location and programs. "I (think) it’s an excellent opportunity to get involved in the community and interact with kids," said Erin Rushing, a department manager with CEI Engineering. Rushing has two boys, 5 years old and 10 months old.
Although he’s never used a YMCA facility, he has toured one. "I’m anxious to see what it’s about. I thought it’d be a good opportunity to utilize my skills, too," he said of his degree in landscape architecture.
The 15-member board will be supported by five ex-officio members. Chris Sooter, a Bentonville alderman, pursued a Y for two years. He organized the board with the help of James Smith of the Bank of Arkansas, and Kalene Griffith, president of the Bentonville Advertising and Promotion Commission. "We may add additional people," Griffith said Friday. "This is just a beginning list of board members."
The PepsiCo and Kimberly-Clark representatives are to be announced. "We just haven’t been able to get a chance to talk to the appropriate person," Griffith said. Both companies are national sponsors of YMCA of the USA, the national YMCA organization.
YMCA officials from Neosho, Mo., announced a possible YMCA here May 8. The Bentonville location would be under the umbrella of the Fleeman Family Southwest YMCA in Neosho. Executive Director Jenny Holweger helped conduct a feasibility study, which consisted of 32 interviews with local residents. The study found that northwest Arkansas has sufficient need and support for a YMCA.
To select board members, Sooter had to whittle down a list of nearly 100 people. Since volunteers are so plentiful in northwest Arkansas, Sooter mentioned that other committee positions will be available later.
Ex-officio board members include Bentonville Mayor Terry Coberly, Rogers Mayor Steve Womack, Centerton Mayor Ken Williams, Bentonville School District Superintendent Gary Compton and Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce President Ed Clifford.
The first board meeting will be June 15.