Today, we’re celebrating Welcoming Week 2024, a time dedicated to fostering inclusion and building bridges between all members of our community. With the theme "Belonging Begins With Us," we’ll explore how the Y creates spaces where everyone feels they belong. Jamie Day and Rob Wilson who lead membership efforts at the Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA are joining us, and they will share their insights and experiences on making Welcoming Week a powerful expression of community connection.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:42] The hosts use their imaginations

• [3:54] Welcoming Week 2024 and Jamie and Rob give an overview of their positions at the Tull-Gwinnett Family Y

• [7:04] Discussion of what it is like being a Y member at Tull-Gwinnett. Jamie shares the work that led her to work with Hispanic communities and what the Y5 team has accomplished through the YUSA grant

• [16:20] Rob discusses why Welcoming Week is crucial for the Y

• [19:53] Jamie explains how they foster connections between newcomers and long-standing members, and Rob says the success of Welcoming Week is the Y stories they hear

• [25:07] Both Jamie and Rob share memorable stories from past Welcoming Weeks

• [28:38] Jamie and Rob share their Y stories

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Y has added the ability to translate data on its website into your native language

• Y5 is a smaller group of professionals focusing on strategically advancing topic-specific goals

• The Y is free during Welcoming Week. Come check it out

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

BIOGRAPHIES:

Jamie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of North Georgia, where she honed her skills in public relations, media, and marketing.

Starting in 2015 at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, with just a few hours per week, she worked up to the Membership Experience Director position after graduation. In her current role, she leads enhancing member retention, acquisition, and growth, ensuring we provide outstanding service and value to our dynamic community. Outside work, she enjoys tackling DIY projects, playing with her dog, and finding the perfect cup of coffee. With an ever-curious mind and a commitment to helping others, she brings a positive attitude and a smile to everything she does, striving to make a meaningful impact. Jamie is passionate about fostering equitable and welcoming spaces and bridging gaps to create inclusive environments.

Rob Wilson earned a B.A. in Communications from the University of Louisiana. Through college, he fundraised for NPR, public television and college radio. After earning a degree, he worked in children’s book publishing, and he has

Twenty years experience in property management with a focus on renovation, construction, and repurposing of town properties. His journey with the Y started in 2008, working part-time at the Y's front desk, then as a wellness coach, and ultimately becoming a Membership Experience Director. Rob's passion is engaging our senior community, as he started Lifelong Learners at the Tull-Gwinnett Family Y and the Fowler Family Y.