On July 24, more than 200 Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) staff members joined together for the Second Annual Staff Symposium. The Symposium was an opportunity for professional development, fellowship, and celebration.
This year’s Symposium featured two dynamic co-emcees: 2023 BGCMA Alumna and 2020 BGCMA Youth of the Year Nila (Matthews Club), and 2022 Grant Club Youth of the Year Isaiah, who recently represented BGCMA in Washington D.C. for National Days of Advocacy (read more here). Together, the two highlighted their Club experiences and helped keep the event flowing with high energy. They also kept staff pumped for Roll Call.
Camp Kiwanis doing their Roll Call!
Each Club and Department was tasked with creating a unique, 30 second roll call that introduced their team in a fun way. This friendly competition has now become a highlight of the Staff Symposium. This year, we had official judges who scored rolls calls based on creativity, amplification, energy, overall team spirit/comradery, and preparedness. Judges then tallied their votes selecting the top three. Staff then collectively determined the winner!
Judges seated front row waiting to hear the roll calls!
A special thank you to our volunteer judges: Kristen Butts (Senior Specialist, Corporate & Cause Partnerships Boys & Girls Clubs of America), Jocline Clark (Director, Account Relationships BGCA), Jaden Faunce (Strategy Analyst Accenture), Jay Kyser (District Manager for Kohl’s), Tasia Limonius (Director of Account Relationships BGCA), and Sarah Neville (Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Manager for Papa Johns)!
The top three included the Resource Development team, Programs & Operations team, and Purpose Built Clubs. This year’s crowd-chosen Roll Call championship went to Purpose Built. Their roll called included a dance and drums!
This year’s Symposium also featured live performances from both Club members and BGCMA staff! Kenard of our Lawrenceville Club and Nicole of our Warren Club performed an original piece entitled Damage, featuring Kenard rapping over a beat and Nicole doing spoken word. Their skills and talent remind the entire organization why commit to igniting the unlimited potential of kids and teens.
The BGCMA Staff Band – Ruben Royster on bass, Zac MacElhaney on keys, Richard Johnson on drums, Byron Jackson on saxophone, and Mika Fletcher on vocals, had the entire auditorium on their feet dancing and grooving along to the music.
After a dance break, our President & CEO jumped into the theme for this year’s Symposium. This program year, BGCMA is PLAYING TO WIN as we Rise Up for our kids & teens this program year. Each Club and Department was tasked with defining dynamic ways that we all will be Playing to Win this upcoming year.
In addition to some friendly competition, dancing, and goal-planning, the Symposium also takes time to recognize staff members and Clubs who are leading the charge in our progress towards achieving our Rise 2025 strategic goals to (1 ) serve more kids, more often, (2) achieve greater impact with kids, (3) realize a strong financial position, (4) build diverse and effective leaders, and (5) promote a culture of equity & inclusion.
Honors and recognition went to the following staff and Clubs.
Priority 1: Serve More Kids, More Often
Highest Membership Percentage to Goal [More Kids]
Under 100: At-Promise South
101- 150: Chamblee
151-200: Shaquille O’Neal
Above 200: Lawrenceville
Average Daily Attendance Percentage to Goal [More Kids]
Under 100: At-Promise South
101-150: East DeKalb
151-200 Shaquille O’Neal
Above 200: Warren
Frequency of Attendance [More Often]:
Under 100: CNG
101-150: Purpose Built Slater
151-200: Whitehead
Above 200: Warren
Priority 2: Achieve Great Impact with Kids
Highest Club Experience (above 70% optimal experience) [Achieve Greater Impact]
At-Promise South
Chamblee
At-Promise West
Highest Parent Satisfaction [Achieve Greater Impact]
Warren
Priority 3: Realize a Strong Financial Position
Make Money Moves Award [Realize a Strong Financial Position]
Grant Compliance Gurur Award: Matthews
Volunteer Engagement Expert Award: A. Worley Brown
Club Tour Conessiore Award: Harland
Money Moves Master Award: Warren
Priority 4: Build Diverse & Effective Leaders
[image of 2023 Board of Directors New Cohort] Words from script
Lead @ BGCMA
[insert picture]
Priority 5: Promote a Culture of Equity & Inclusion
Keep Your Peeps Award [Promote a Culture of Equity & Inclusion]
At-Promise Southwest
At-Promise South
East DeKalb
McNair
Shaquille O’Neal
2023 Milestones
5 Years: Daishah Ross, Emily Houston, Kimberley Thomas, Christopher Coard, Zoe Burgess, Samuel Robinson, Alexis Lowery, Alethea Banks, Bridgette Battle, Elianna Hernandez, Terry Hendrix, Hope Jordan, Lucas Causey, Lynette Copeland, Carlos Ross, Margo Marks, and Nakiesha Campbell.
10 Years: John Reid, Ambernique Howard, and Keisha Lacy.
15 Years: Silas Clark, Terry Mitchell, and Janice McPherson!
20 Years Plus: Isaac Whitfield
25 Years: Debra Jacobs
35 Years: Mary Singelton
40 Years: Steve Hord
45 Years: Gail Johnson
