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At least six fired at YMCA
Published 1:21pm Friday, June 22, 2012By KATIE ROHMAN and JOHN EBY
Niles Daily Star
At least six people in management and supervision positions at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA have been terminated, sources confirmed for the Star Friday.
Executive director Bret Hendrie; Amy McKean, senior program director; Greg Schuman, membership and marketing director; Missy Young, finance; Penny Sobolewski, member service supervisor; and Maycie Boyle, director of dance, including a new special needs class, are no longer employed there.
The YMCA is currently managed by a 17-member board of directors.
Director Jane Brandstatter said Friday the YMCA is “changing directions.”
“We’re looking for a quick turnaround with an interim director retired from Battle Creek (Mich.),” she said.
Brandstatter said there are “no scandals.”
Interim director Dan Fullenkamp, whose first day on the job was Friday, could not confirm the reason for the terminations.
“I don’t know all the particulars,” he said.
Fullenkamp, a 22-year veteran of the YMCA, said he was contacted by the Niles-Buchanan YMCA board of directors Wednesday.
He has been given a 30-day contract.
“I’m coming up with the task of stabilizing the organization,” Fullenkamp said.
“We are figuring out” how to move forward with the vacant management positions, he said. “I need to evaluate the existing staff and their tasks and desires.”
Sobolewski, who is also a former class instructor, said she learned Friday she lost her job.
“I was told my position was being eliminated,” said Sobolewski, who previously taught classes there as well. She had no indication the action would be taken, and said she was “shocked” by the terminations.
“It is sad, because I’ve poured my heart and soul into that place,” she said. “We were like a family there.
“I think God has prepared a way for us,” she said.
Hendrie would not comment when reached Friday. Board President Sara Bell, a Niles attorney, was also not available for comment.
The Niles-Buchanan YMCA, established in 1941 and located in its 56,000-square-foot building at 905 N. Front St., Niles, since 2006, has approximately 10,000 members.
I certainly hope the Daily Star aggressively seeks out the comments and thoughts of the terminated employees, because the unsaid implication here is that there was wrong-doing. There are always two sides to every story.
There is more to this! How can out of the blue, you contact a retired person Wednesday; and he starts work Friday? You would think any person with management skills (good) would talk to their long term employees and ask for their help in ‘changing directions’. If there were no scandals, these employee’s should have had a chance to remain employed. They just needed to be told what to do better and not where to go! It is obvious the Daily Star needs to keep track of all the new employee’s to determine how they are related to the 17 member board of directors. Shame on the board, they will never see a dollar from me. Good luck to all the shafted ex-employee’s, I am not the one who should say sorry, but I will. Best wishes!
I totally agree with Buster! This whole thing is a mess and I hope the TRUTH comes out!
YOUR RIGHT THERE IS A LOT MORE TO THIS! THE PROBLEM IS THOSE MANAGERS ARE THE ROOT OF THE SCANDALS AND I BET THE BOARD WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND ANY OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT WEREN’T KNEE DEEP IN IT, BECAUSE OF THE MANAGEMENT. THE BOARD WILL NOTBE SAFE UNLESS THEY REPLACED ALL OF THEM. IT WAS BAD WHEN YOU COULD NOT GO INTO A FAMILY ESTABLISHMENT AND ALL THE STAFF WAS SITTING AROUND GOSSIPPING INSTEAD FOCUSED ON THE CUSTOMERS. KARMA IS THE WORD THEY SHOULD ALL THINK ABOUT. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS FUN WHEN THEY WERE DESTROYING LIVES. I THINK THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT SHOULD TAKE A LONG GOOD LOOK AT HOW THEY TREAT PEOPLE.
There is more to this story. The problem is that no one will tell the story and we have a right no know-especially when so many people are involved. There are 2 sides but only one side has been addressed. The board didn’t even ask the seven employees who were terminated what their side of the story was. Many good employees work there…not all bad. The fact that the board says there are no scandals and are just changing directions is ridiculous! It they were changing directions, the management should have been given the opportunity to change directions with the company. This excuse is crap. If it isn’t a scandal, then why are they being so tight lipped? Renee-exactly how did any of those people destroy lives? It’d be nice to know.
After reading this article it definitely raises some concern and feelings of uncertainty in regards to the statement that was released by YMCA representatives as to why 7 employees were removed from their duties on the same day. However, scrolling down and reading the comments that have been posted on here and other social media message boards simply confirms that the human mind will use its imagination when its feels that the entire answered as not been given.
Many viewpoints have been expressed about the 7 employees that are no longer employed at the YMCA. I have read a multitude of postings about this being unfair to them because they are “good people” or “they have worked there for a long time” or ” they seem really nice”. Those are just a few attributes that we are able to view as outsiders. Consideration needs to be given to a variety of areas such as job performance, skill level, qualifications, integrity, ability to work with others, and so on. We as outsiders are not able to see what goes on behind closed doors or within the staff. We only see what each staff member wants to portray to the public. I do not believe this is a scandal of any sort. As a Principal of a school, I have many duties and obligations to my staff, community, and students. I am expected to model the expectations and behaviors that I expect my staff to follow and if I fail to do so, then I cant expect a positive/healthy outcome for anyone. Which is why I personally believe that there was a possible breakdown in leadership which essentially caused a decline in the proper daily operations within the YMCA. I feel that the boards decision to “move in a new direction” was a wise choice considering the fact that they have 10,000 members and a fairly new 57$ million dollar property and a possible expansion at stake. For those who insert their comments based on a possible theory of what happened should gather all information before passing judgment based only on their feelings for these people. Also, there are most likely confidentiality and legal purposes as to why a majority of information cant be shared with the public. Again, as far as a scandal is concerned I truly believe that the board of directors did what they felt was necessary. I personally have only had a brief experience with the YMCA which was last spring when I came to inquire about a membership. I was treated “decent” by the staff. However, I have many friends in the community who are members of the YMCA and I have heard a great deal of rumors and stories from primary sources who have witnessed behaviors that I find absolutely appalling. In closing, I would like to remind anyone to remember that rumors travel from sea to sea and along the way become distorted. Remember to keep your professional life professional and your personal life personal because you never know who might be listening or affected by the outcome. I hope that anyone who loses their job for any reason will take the time to evaluate themselves and their performance before entering employment elsewhere because the environment of a person can be changed but a person cant always change!
I agree that the Y needed to change the direction – The leadership was deplorable. As a long term member I personally tried addressing issues with management and because the “issues” involved “friends” they were not considered issues. I know the difference between issues and incidents and these were issues. As you listen to people in the community talk about this and the change the same commonality between 3 people keep coming up, Amy, Brett and the Dance instructor. My issues were brought before this group of people as well and until I went to the Chicago branch every thing I was addressing was swept under the carpet – once they were involved the concerns were addressed – addressed not rectified. And speak about sweeping, has anyone taken a good hard look around the place, it needs a sweeping – its filthy. But then again if the staff wasnt so busy socializing on who is who and who is with who maybe some of our dollars would be spent on sweeping the place. I am thankful the cancer has been cut out and the place has a new chance for survival.
Localbusiness,
I agree! I was sitting down town Niles at a restaurant last night with my son and daughter-in-law and we overheard a group of people who cancelled their memberships at the YMCA last month due to the negative way they were treated at the YMCA as members. This group of people stated that Amy Mckean would never respond to their questions or phone calls and the staff were very rude and displayed vulgar actions! As for Bret, he was never anywhere to be found. When attempted to contact him the same response was given “he is out of the office at meetings for the day” or ” Hes on vacation” or ” We are not sure of his office hours, but you could leave a message for him”. As for the dance instructor she was everywhere within that building causing trouble and bringing her rude attitude with her. They shared a story about a very rude encounter they had with her, and her argument made absolutely no sense! She pretends to be more than what she is!
Basically, now that the “Cancer” has been removed, my wife and I will be signing up for memberships this weekend in addition to purchasing a family membership for my son and daughter-in-law and the grand babies!
Letthetruthbetold12
Being a local business person I am only looking to support our community in its growth and future for others, with the path the YMCA was on this would not be possible as you have also pointed out.
I have offered many times to be part of the solution but because the group that makes those decisions where the problem no one but those in the click where allowed. Now I am like you hoping/confident that will all change and we will become worthy of that facility again for all our families to enjoy. I have attended several days this week and am keeping a close eye on what is ACTUALLY going on. As you know actions speak louder than words.