BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF YELLOWSTONE COUNTY505 Orchard LaneBillings, MT 59101

SPRING/SUMMER 2017

BE GREAT.BeGreatYellowstone.org

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+ Youth of the Year 1+ Brian’s Message 2

+ Leaving a Legacy 2+ Staff Highlight 3+ Demographics 3

+ Welcome Beth Kohn4+ Officer Keegan 4+ BE GREAT Ball 5

+ Taco Bell Foundation 5+ Bair Family Improvement Project 6

+ Year of the Teens 7+ Board of Directors 7

IN TH

IS ISSUE

BE GREAT.BeGreatYellowstone.org

SPRING/SUMMER 2017

YOUTH OF THE YEAR

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF YELLOWSTONE COUNTY

505 Orchard LaneBillings , MT 59101

406-245-4457P406-252-3633 F

BeGreatYellowstone.org

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. While this is our mission for every child that walks through our doors, one member in particular helps us remember why we do what we do.

Jase is a junior at Billings West High School and has been attending the Club since 1st grade. He has always been energetic and independent, which hasn’t always helped him make the best decisions. The Club staff knew him by name and the new staff learned his name very quickly. Redirection, time-outs and calls home were not a foreign thing to Jase.

As Jase got older he was determined to secure one of the Club’s Junior Staff positions. He applied two times and wasn’t even considered because of his reputation in the past. After his second attempt, Jase was told that if he was serious about getting a job at the Club, he would have to make some major changes in his behavior. He needed to

realize that he was already a role model to members, just not always in a way that he should have been. It was obvious that Jase took this to heart and realized that changes needed to be made.

Productive, caring and responsible are three excellent words to describe the young man Jase has become. Jase is currently employed as a Junior Staff, at our McKinley Club and is a positive role model for Club members, his family and to his community.

Youth of the Year Coach: (left)Fritz PierceYouth of the Year Judges: (left to right) Nick Cladis, Amy Cebull, Norma Buchanan

JASE ZARZOZA

How is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County different than other youth organizations?

Places: We have places where kids can feel safe, learn and grow. People: The passion and training of our staff sets us apart. Boys & Girls Clubs are staffed by skilled professionals who invest time and knowledge into our kids.

Programs: We focus on three core areas (Academic Success; Good Character & Citizenship; Healthy Lifestyles) and make it fun, interactive and memorable for our kids. Proof: We monitor how well our programs are working and how deeply they are impacting kids’ development through an integrated measurement and evaluation system.

Your gifts mean so much- maybe more than you realize. You have the opportunity to positively influence and impact the youth of our community by supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County.

Your investment in the Club is an investment in the future of our members. Please keep us in mind as you make your charitable gifts. We need your support to reach out to more children and families and continue our valuable work.

When School’s Out, Clubs Are In!

BRIAN’S MESSAGE46 YEARS AND COUNTING; SERVING THOSE WHO NEED US MOST.

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On a cold day in February, which marked the Club’s 46th Anniversary, I arrived at work and was surprised to find a car waiting in the parking lot. As I walked to the front door a young mother with two little ones in tow got out and said “Sue Runkle from the school district told me to come see you.” I dropped everything and began the process to register two of her four children for the Bair Family program. You see, Sue Runkle is the Homeless Liaison for Billings Schools and is the person who during the past school-year has helped over 70 students whose families struggle with homelessness join the Boys & Girls Club.

Visiting with this single mother, she shared with me what it’s like to live in a shelter with four kids. Couple this with her stress of trying to figure out a safe place her two older children can go until she gets off work at 7 p.m.- the young mother was riddled with uncertainty. I was struck by her courage as we continued talking. I saw some of the worry on her face melt away as she learned about the Club experience and how we as a program would help her children arrive safely to Club, serve them a full supper and assist them every day with their homework.

As I witnessed this young mother head out the door more confident in her family’s situation, it occurred to me that after 46 years of change and growth that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County remains 100% committed to our mission and work every day to make sure that those who need us most find a place to help them on their journey towards a GREAT FUTURE.

Brian Dennis President & CEO

bdennis@bgcyellowstone.org

Karrie OwenVice President, Resource Development

kowen@bgcyellowstone.org294-4511

Leaving A Legacy

White Copy PaperFirst Aid Supplies: Bandages, Neosporin, etc.Pens and PencilsPlayground BallsDisinfecting WipesExpo Color MarkersHand SanitizerSharpie Markers BBQ Items like Chips & Hotdog BunsSunscreen & Bug Spray

Regardless of what type of organization you work in there is always one person who keeps everything afloat. I am not speaking of the President, or the ‘Boss’ per se. I am referring to the Office Manager, aka Jack of all Trades, Ringleader, Money Maestro or in our organization - Human Resources and Business Manager, aka Christine.

Christine has been with the Boys & Girls Club for 6 ½ years and it is hard to imagine a time when she was not here. It isn’t easy to describe a typical day in Christine’s world because she is constantly juggling myriad duties; from navigating the world of pension and insurance plans to running a chorale club with members, from onboarding new hires to triumphing over the tempestuous postal meter, Christine performs her duties with style and efficiency, and always with a quick sense of humor.

Christine provides much more than office supplies and HR guidance to more than a dozen full time and 40 part time staff members. On a routine day Christine will speak with and provide support in one way or another to a majority of the staff at the Boys & Girls Club. And more importantly she does it with a personality and style that have made her integral to our Club family!

STAFF HIGHLIGHT

SCHOOL-YEAR 2016/2017MEMBERSHIP DEMOGRAPHICS

Save The Date

“Tee It Up For Kids”September 1, 2017

To register your team visit

begreatyellowstone.org or call 294-4532.

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CLUBHOUSEPERCENT

FREE/REDUCED** PERCENT SINGLE

PARENT*PERCENT LIVING

IN POVERTY*MEMBERS WHO ARE HOMELESS

Bair Family 74% 51% 58% 31

Lockwood 47% 42% 34% --

Castle Rock 36% 36% 27% 6

Medicine Crow 40% 37% 38% 15

McKinley 75% 49% 62% 18

Org Totals 52% 43% 42% 70

* Data for Calendar Year 2016**The Federal subsidized school lunch program for free or reduced lunch is $43,567 (family of 4)

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Beth Kohn joined our professional leadership team this past January as our Annual Campaign Director. She moved to Billings from Whitefish last summer with her husband, Jeff, along with their beloved black lab, Ebony, and their kitty, London.

Over the past six years, Beth worked for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, where she played an important role in providing mentors to children who desperately needed a positive adult in their life.

“Growing up, I was very fortunate to have a few positive adults to help guide me through the tough middle school and high school years. I know how crucial it is to have healthy influences, whether it’s a caring adult, or a safe and supportive place to go when there may not be any other choice. Joining the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County, I get to be part of this amazing program, providing kids with everything from a positive mentor, to homework support, to learning life skills. There is really nothing better than seeing a child flourish in self-esteem and academics.”

Beth leads the organization’s Back-a-Kid Campaign, Special Events and Corporate Sponsorship Program. She’s been incredibly moved by the generous Billings community and the Clubs supporters.

Please give Beth a call to learn how you can support this valuable local organization, phone 294-4532, email bkohn@bgcyellowstone.org.

WELCOME BETH KOHNKeegan enters the club every single day with a huge smile on his face and greets everyone he sees with a “hey, darlin’!” If you’re lucky, he might even greet you with a double eye-wink and his signature “hey, sweetheart.” His positivity and willingness to help can brighten the day of anyone he meets. He is an absolute joy at the Lockwood Clubhouse.

At only five years old, he is already sharpening his leadership skills by helping the rest of the kindergarteners get into the swing of things and stay on task. The beginning of the school year is extremely difficult for Kindergarteners at Club. They are adjusting to going to school all day, and on top of that, going to Club after seven hours of school.

They do not really know how to line up, carry their trays for dinner, use scissors, walk inside, or tie shoes. However, thanks to Keegan, the kindergarteners adjusted quickly and smoothly. He is always stepping up as a leader, reminding other members when it is time to turn their voices off and listen to staff or helps set out supplies to begin activities quicker. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he says “I want to be a po-wice officer so I can keep people safe!” There is no doubt that Keegan is already establishing the leadership skills that it takes to become a police officer!

OFFICER KEEGAN...

CLUBHOUSEREGISTERED

MEMBERSAVG. DAILY

ATTENDANCEPERCENT

CAPACITY2 + VISITS

PER WEEKDURATION

OF STAYSNACKS &

MEALS

Bair Family 311 166 79% 200 2.45 3,642

Lockwood 238 140 85% 175 2.04 2,615

Castle Rock 243 143 89% 183 1.98 2,384

Medicine Crow 232 138 92% 169 2.07 1,189

McKinley 105 62 62% 76 2.52 2,675

TEENS* 219 79 61% 97 1.76Org Totals 1348 728 80% 900 12,505

*Teens include all middle and high-school members served at Bair Family, Lockwood, Castle Rock and Medicine Crow Clubhouses.

MARCH 2017 CLUBHOUSE PARTICIPATION SNAPSHOT

March 24, 2017, marked the 23rd Annual BE GREAT Ball at the Red Lion Hotel & Convention Center. This year’s event broke all past records! Because of the generous Billings community, local businesses, and an amazing committee, we were able to raise valuable funds to continue serving children who need us most right here in Yellowstone County. We packed the house with over 420 guests in attendance, along with several very dedicated and loyal volunteers. The BE GREAT Ball featured dinner, dessert, and a wide variety of Silent and Live auction items generously donated by artists, businesses, and individuals that stretched from Yellowstone County all the way to Idaho and Mexico. A special thank you to Gordon Eldredge for all of the hard work and dedication he’s shown the Club over the years. Because of his continued support, he has brought together an amazing and generous group of people that we are so grateful for.

A sincere and heartfelt thank you to our amazing community members, planning committee, and local businesses. We wouldn’t be here without you. Thank You. See you next year!

Mark your calendars for next years BE GREAT Ball on Friday, March 23, 2018. We can’t wait to see you there!

Thank You To Our Bronze Sponsors

And Our Table SponsorsA|D Creative Group • Altana Federal Credit Union • Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. • Auto Auction of Montana • The Beers Family • Patrick & Shelley Behm • Best Western ClockTower Inn • Boys & Girls Clubs Endowment Foundation • James Burke • Carpet One - Expert Flooring • Cladis Advisory, LLC • CLC Restaurants • Enterprise Holdings • First Interstate Bank - Heights • First Montana Title Co. • Graphic Imprints • Heringer Energy Resource Company • King's ACE Hardware • Langlas & Associates, Inc. • Mark Rite Lines Equipment Co. • Moulton Bellingham Attorneys • Northam Real Estate • Northwestern Mutual • Ortho Montana • PacificSource Health Plans • PayneWest Insurance • Rimrock Auto Group • Rocky Mountain Bank • Sam & Judy McDonald Foundation • Sanderson Stewart • Dave & Sandy Shenton • Tri-State Truck & Equipment • UBS Financial Services • Vertex Consulting

Group • Western Security Bank • Yellowstone Bank

Special Thanks toCo-Chairs: Chris Dorr • Sandy Shenton • Vicki Wahrlich • Committee Members: Shelley Behm • Philomina Bracy • Barb Grubbs • James Gainan • Lori Henderson • Geri Heringer • Travis Heringer • Jill Hirschi • Gwen Kircher • Rada Lorenz, Spring Schaak • Susanne Seppala • Susie Snyder • Mary Underriner • Debbie West

Briggs Distributing., Gordon & Loretta Eldridge, DiA Events Audio & Production, Intermountain Distributing, Musser Brother Auctioneers, Red Paige Moving Picture Co., United Blood Service Sta� Members,

all our Silent Auction Donors and MJ Murdock Charitable Trust

We greatly appreciate everyone’s support at the BE GREAT BALL!

begreatyellowstone.orgTACO BELL FOR TEENSBoys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Taco Bell Foundation for Teens partner to inspire and enable teens to graduate from high school, college or career-ready.

In 2014, the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens and BGCA launched a historic partnership to support the country’s next generation of leaders: America’s teens. Taco Bell Foundation for Teens has committed to a generous $30 million, five-year partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help inspire and enable teens to graduate from high school and unlock opportunities for college and careers. This historic announcement builds on a strong foundation of two decades of partnership and more than $41 million in support of Club teens.

In 2016, the partnership empowered Clubs to serve and retain more teens by offering unique experiences. It ignited a movement that empowers youth to channel their passions and achieve their individual dreams. BGCA is excited and energized by the Taco Bell Foundation partnership and the opportunity to continue creating significant impact with teens across our movement.

Locally, since 2011 the Taco Bell Foundation, Taco Bell’s in store promotion “Bells For Teens” and local franschisee Craig Langel of CLC Restaurants has gifted over $62,500 to help us take our commitment to teens to the next level and help build the next generation of leaders in the Billings community! 5

In February of 1986 the C.M. Bair Memorial Building became the flagship of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County and the home for tens of thousands of kids who need us most. Thirty years later, the Bair Family Clubhouse continues to be a critical asset for youth in our community. Over the years, with your help, we have made critical improvements to help us evolve with the changing needs of our members. However, there are facility challenges we have not been able to address. The Bair Family Improvement Project contains three elements, that if addressed, would enhance the members’ experience and safety.

Elementary Member RestroomsToday the Clubhouse serves 200 to 250 members each day, with the membership split equally between boys and girls. While the square footage of the facility can accommodate today’s participation, the restrooms are inadequate for today’s demand. Specifically, the Bair Family Clubhouse has a girl’s restroom with 2 toilets and a boy’s restroom with 2 toilets and 2 urinals. It’s not difficult to imagine the lines waiting for either restroom.

Addressing this significant facility challenge will require demolishing several walls to expand the square footage available for restrooms and reconfiguring the access to both restrooms. When complete the new Elementary Member restrooms will have: triple the capacity, new entrances to enhance access and exterior hand-washing stations to improve hygiene and safety.

Teen Program Space and Restrooms Today’s youth are facing hardships many of us cannot imagine like homelessness, hunger and social acceptance. The Boys & Girls Clubs strives to be the resource young people need to find their way during difficult growing years. This Improvement Project will demolish an unused locker room and rebuild it into teen-friendly space with: male and female restrooms with showers, multi-purpose program space and a separate entrance for future access.

Relocation of Staff Planning & Work SpaceThe restroom expansion to meet the needs of our younger members will claim the space currently used for staff offices. Therefore, the improvement project will convert an unused locker room into the work space our team needs to develop, plan and implement a world-class Club experience. This re-purposed space will include: a designated staff restroom, work stations and meeting spaces for staff, secure storage for Club equipment and personal items, and an upgraded heating and cooling system.

The total cost for the Bair Family Improvement project is $438,500.

To date $41,618 has been gifted from generous corporate sponsors like Langlas & Associates, JGA Architects Engineers Planners and Simplicity Consulting Engineering & Design. In addition, $82,000 secured in meaningful gifts from individuals at the BE GREAT Ball. Lastly, $100,000 in essential grant funds from Charles M. Bair Trust, Scott Family Foundation, Lowe’s plus an amazing $150,000 from the M.J. Murdock Trust. Collectively we have raised $372,000 towards the Project.

We are slated to begin the Improvement Project on August 21st after our 2017 Summer Program concludes. We have $67,000 left to secure to fully fund the project. We still need your help! If you are able to help us financially with the Improvement Project please call Karrie Owen at 294-4511 or e-mail at kowen@bgcyellowstone.org.

BAIR FAMILY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

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JENNY NEMER SIBINGER MEMORIAL Congratulations to Paige Hatzenbihler, 2017 award recipient of the Jenny Nemer Sibinger Memorial Scholarship through the Boys & Girls Clubs Endowment Foundation. Paige first began attending the Boys & Girls Club in 2005 and today is a Youth Development Coordinator at the Castle Rock Clubhouse. Paige shared that “Just being able to come to work and realizing I used to be one of the little ones running around makes it all the more worthwhile. I have loved sticking around with the Boys and Girls Club.” Paige is a recent graduate of Skyview High School and we wish her the best of luck as she pursues her education at Montana State University in the Fall.

(Left to Right) Joan Wilson, David Nemer, Paige Hatzenbihler, Brian Dennis

BOARD OF DIRECTORSBoys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County

OFFICERSRandy Harvey - Chair; Homestead Self StorageStefeni Freese- Vice Chair; Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co.Terry Sukut- Treasurer; JGA Architects Engineers PlannersJack Padon - Secretary;Tyler Oil Company

DIRECTORSDanielle Bauwens - EBMS, Inc.Robert Beers - Community VolunteerDr. Natalie Bohlmann - MSU-BillingsTerry Bouck - Billings Public SchoolsTodd Buchanan - Buchanan Capital LLCJack Eagle - Chair Emeritus; Yellowstone BankBen Flanagan - Langlas & AssociatesKaren Grosz - Canvas Creek Team BuildersPhil Hammond - First Interstate BankTravis Heringer - Herco Minerals LLCDevan Hoiness - PayneWest InsuranceGwen Kircher - Community VolunteerJay Kohn - KTVQ TelevisionKaren Long - Long Investments LLCConnie Prewitt - Billings Clinic

OFFICERSScott Mitchell - President; Holland & HartSkip King- Vice President, King’s ACE HardwarePat Angland- Treasurer, US Bank

DIRECTORSCatherine Bergman - Langlas & AssociatesCurtis Chrystal - Rocky Mountain BankKeith Cook - First Interstate BankRandy Jacobs - President Emeritus; Community VolunteerGreg McDonald - McDonald Land DevelopmentCal Northam - Berkshire Hathaway Home ServicesMark Sorlie- Northwestern Mutual FinancialLona Warrenburg - Stewart Title of BillingsJoan Wilson - Community Volunteer

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BOARD OF DIRECTORSBoys & Girls Clubs Endowment Foundation

JOIN US ON

FACEBOOK.COM/BEGREATYELLOWSTONE

2016 was a big year for the Boys & Girls Clubs. Across the Club movement we launched an initiative to bring America’s teens to Boys & Girls Clubs, declaring 2016 the Year of the Teen. This three year strategy is focused on increasing impact on teen members.

Locally, the Boys & Girls Clubs has teen programs at four Clubhouse locations; Castle Rock, Medicine Crow, Lockwood and Bair Family. Collectively, at the end of April 2017 the Club had 230 registered teen members.

On Friday May 19th, the organization celebrated Teens with a Late Night focused on celebrating and team building. The event highlighted and applauded all our middle and high school members for advancing grade levels on time and staying on track to graduate. Nationwide, nearly 20% of students don’t graduate.

The evening also included a strong team building session from Karen Grosz from Canvas Creek Team Building. Karen worked with our teens to paint and personalize the Bair Family Teen Center. The activity inspired members to communicate, collaborate and think creatively all while having fun.

2016 YEAR OF THE TEEN

For over 30 years, Pauline Hartman has shared her love of used goods, collectibles and antiques to benefit kids in Yellowstone County. Pauline’s passion was first ignited when she volunteered to read to children at Garfield, Ponderosa and Orchard Elementary Schools. From that experience she realized she wanted to help provide kids with a safe place to go, especially after school. So, Pauline set to work raising money through garage sales and Flea Markets in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs. Her first garage sale was held down the street from the Bair Family Clubhouse shortly before the Clubhouse opened in 1986 and still today is offered twice a year.

Along the way, she recruited her treasured friend, Kitty Sundheim to join her efforts. Through the hard work of this “Duo” and their deep concern that kids wouldn’t have a meal at home, they were able to bring the first ‘meal’ program to the Club.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Pauline. Her passion never failed, she even visited with Kitty about the next Flea Market the day before she entered the hospital. We celebrate Pauline Hartman for her desire to help local kids, her amazing generosity and her dedication to the organization.

PAULINE HARTMAN