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Edition 22
 
"Despite the forecast, live like it's spring." — Lilly Pulitzer
Team Members of the Month
Team Member of the Month is a colleague-driven, monthly recognition program for LA Y staff who exemplify the Y's Core Values while using their role, influence and insight to pursue positive change at the Y.

The following team members have been recognized for the month of January. Congratulations to you all! Your dedication, talent and inspiration have not gone unnoticed! You are shining stars!
  • Joseph Padilla (Anderson Munger)
  • Celina Santiago (Association Office)
  • Adrian Haskins (Collins & Katz)
  • Jeff Perry (Crenshaw)
  • Elizabeth Hernandez (Culver-Palms)
  • Marisol DeLaCruz & Mariaibel Resendez (East Valley)
  • Christopher Hales (Gardena-Carson)
  • Dalton Doss (Hollywood)
  • Sage Pritchett (Ketchum-Downtown)
  • Alexis Morales (Mid Valley)
  • Alex Ayala (Montebello Commerce)
  • Olivia Enriquez (North Valley)
  • Johnathan Son (South Pasadena San Marino)
  • Priscilla Castro (Southeast Rio Vista)
  • James Sabino (Torrance So Bay)
  • Ixchel Boch (Weingart ELA)
  • Anne Banna (West Valley)
  • Hailey Snyder (Westchester)
  • Jeanette Nunez (Wilmington)
 
Submit a Nomination
 
Creating a Culture of Recognition
 
When we first launched the Team Member of the Month award in October 2022, 5 LA Y staff were recognized for "using their role, influence and insight to pursue positive change at the Y". While our goal was to grow the program and eventually award one person from each branch per month, we understood that it would take some time to get used to this new program. Here we are, 15 months and 362 nominations later and Team Member of the Month has officially become part of our Association's fabric. That said, it takes time, effort and a genuine interest in lifting others up to make Team Member of the Month work and this month, we want to recognize the individuals who have really helped this initiative to gain momentum! The following individuals have taken TMM to new levels by nominating colleagues month after month:
 
With a combined 56 nominations between the 6 Team Members above, they deserve their own recognition as well and will receive a special thank you from our team! Thank you for all that YOU do to recognize others, to create a positive environment and to make sure that the LA Y is the best place to work!
Spotlight on "Together in Service"
By Omar Torres, Senior Director of Civic Engagement
In a powerful demonstration of community solidarity and support, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles recently participated in a day of volunteerism at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. This event was not just a testament to the spirit of giving back but also a part of a larger collaborative effort between the LA Y, the Regional Foodbank and a collective of non-profits known as the "Together in Service" initiative, aimed at fostering volunteerism, community engagement and addressing critical needs within the region. Mobilizing its dedicated staff and volunteers for this initiative, the LA YMCA showcased the strength of collective action from Y’s across the association. The involvement of
Victor Dominguez, the President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, alongside the staff and volunteers, underscored the organization's commitment to leading by example. Their participation in the day's activities highlighted the importance of community leaders in driving and inspiring volunteer efforts.

The volunteer activities at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank involved boxing, sorting, and gleaning food, which would later be distributed to those facing food insecurity through an extensive network of more than 600 agency partners. This collaborative effort was instrumental in preparing essential food supplies for distribution to individuals and families in need across Los Angeles County.

Victor reflected on the profound connection between the YMCA and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, particularly emphasizing the critical support provided by the food bank during the pandemic. The food bank's assistance was pivotal in enabling the YMCA to make a significant impact on community members affected by food insecurity during those challenging times. Victor's remarks highlighted a deep sense of gratitude towards the food bank and underscored the importance of "paying it forward." By supporting the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in its endeavors, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles not only acknowledges the support it received but also strengthens its commitment to community service and mutual aid.

This day of volunteerism served as a vibrant example of how organizations can come together to support one another and amplify their impact on the community. Through actions rooted in compassion and solidarity, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and its volunteers made a meaningful contribution to the fight against food insecurity, reinforcing the idea that together, we can make a difference in the lives of many.
 
Employee Survey Results
Data is an important aspect of understanding our community. We share membership numbers to understand where opportunities lie. We look at program enrollments to get a better understanding of trends and our position in meeting existing needs. We review incident reports to find better ways of making our branches even safer. As Team Members, we provide important data, too. In late 2023, we asked our staff to participate in an employee engagement survey. Below is a summary of those results and how your input will influence the LA Y in 2024:
  • Respondents had a variety of reported Y tenure, however, half of the respondents (52%) have been employed for 6 or less years at the LA Y. 19% have been with the Y for 16 or more years.

  • 66% of Team Members reported feeling Satisfied or Very Satisfied with their current roles and responsibilities.

  • While half of respondents did say that their onboarding experience included information needed to perform their roles, nearly half of respondents reported a great need for opportunities to improve upon how we connect, prepare, inspire and communicate expectations early on in the hiring process.

  • When asked about what they'd like to see in terms feeling prepared, many staff shared that they'd like more job-specific training, communication, modernized technology and equipment.

  • About 80% of our team reported that they felt recognized and appreciated, whether sometimes or all of the time.

  • Over 70% of respondents reported feeling that they belong, that they are supported by their supervisor and that they are encouraged to share ideas and suggestions with their teams and/or management.

  • The majority of our team members were not aware of the tools and resources in use like Team Member Connect, the Employee Referral Program and our @People_ymcala staff Instagram account. 32% of respondents reported that they've never heard of any of the existing resources, reflecting a need for improved ways of communicating staff-centered benefits, resources and perks.

  • Other specific areas of opportunity mentioned include compensation, staff appreciation and recognition, activities for part-time staff and general support.

We appreciate all of the feedback and open, honest responses and look forward to designing more benefits, programs and opportunities to address your needs and interests. Stay tuned as we'll share more of the ideas generated from this survey in next month's newsletter!
 
 
 
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