Membership Plans Restructured at the Y
Oskaloosa YMCA
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Dawn Collins, Mahaska County YMCA Executive Director, has announced the Mahaska County YMCA will be implementing a new tiered membership structure beginning September 1. This change is the result of a year-long assessment process of the YMCA as a whole by Collins and the Y Board of Directors.
“We are excited about this change,” said Collins, “because it addresses some inconsistencies, concerns, and confusion regarding Y membership which, admittedly, has adversely affected the bottom line. The Mahaska County YMCA has been serving Oskaloosa and Mahaska County since 1903, and I’m sure many directors and board members have taken the time to do exactly what we’ve been doing in an effort to not only meet the focus of the Y but meet the needs of the community.”
Collins said a part of the restructure was due to financial concerns but she also indicated a needed existed to provide a more flexible and simpler approach to membership options. Collins said with the Board of Directors’ help and support, the new three-tiered membership program will go into effect at the beginning of the Y’s fiscal year.
“People use the Y in different ways,” she said. “Not everyone wants to participate in everything and family definitions have changed. We have redefined the membership types which will reduce confusion, and,” added Collins, “there will now be a choice of three membership options: Basic, Classic, and Premium. We’ve also addressed a fee restructure which will provide a consistent approach to all membership types.”
Collins said the restructure will increase membership fees for some, but ‘scholarships’ for financial assistance are still available to individuals and families who qualify through income guidelines.
Existing YMCA members have been sent letters explaining the new approach and what actions they may need to take. People considering joining the Y are invited to stop by the Mahaska County YMCA to discuss the membership changes and “see what’s new and different.”
Questions can be answered by visiting the Y at 414 North 3rd Street, Oskaloosa, and talking to staff or by visiting the Y’s web site, www.mahaskaymca.org.
