Hello Craig,

The Upper Midwest Chapter YMCA Alumni Officers met via Zoom Jan.19, 2023, for the first officers meeting of the year. It was great to have all officers present.

We welcomed three new officers: Sandy Stooke (Member at Large Officer), Marj Miller (Chapter Programs Officer), and Steve Harris (Communications/Newsletter Officer). Mary Felty is the new Treasurer/Membership Chapter Officer.

Mary reported that the Upper Midwest YMCA Alumni Chapter's checking account has been moved to the U.S. First Bank location in Minnetonka closer to her home. This resulted in a review of all the Upper Midwest YMCA Alumni Chapters' certifications for State Tax Exemption papers plus the Minnesota Secretary of State recognition of the National YMCA Alumni certification as a not-for-profit organization. It’s great to have all of the paper work refreshed and up-to-date for our chapter. 

Don Kerr

Upper Midwest Chapter YMCA Alumni President

The 2022 Upper Midwest YMCA Alumni Chapter Christmas Luncheon & Annual Meeting was held at the Town & Country Club in Saint Paul, MN, Dec. 5. Visiting and renewing YMCA colleague friendships is always the mission of this special Annual Event. Happy New Year, Upper Midwest YMCA Alumni Chapter. 

The Campaign for the YMCA Alumni National Service Project supporting projects on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota achieved its 2022 goal of $600,000 from YMCA Alumni members around the nation.

The National Service Project Standing Committee has set a new goal of $250,000 for 2023 to address increases in construction and inflation costs and continue building the first village of tiny homes and at least two "twigs," small Y branch in outlying communities on the Reservation.

Our chapter officers recently approved a $500 contribution towards this new goal.

Foundations and Corporate YMCAs will be added to this effort. YMCA Alumni members also are given opportunities to donate additional financial support. Click the button below to visit the National Service Project Case for Support website for everything you want to know about the project and to securely donate online at https://wawokiye.org to learn more about the National YMCA Alumni Project. -- Don Kerr, National Service Project Chapter Fundraising Chair

(Photo: First tiny home shell is completed and waiting out winter. It will be completed during the May 2023 volunteer worker "waves.")

Steve Harris, former Communications Director for the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, has accepted the position of Newsletter Editor and Communications Officer for the chapter. Steve began his Y career at the Southdale YMCA in 1995 and later served in the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Shared Services offices in communications and development.

Steve and his wife, Sue, currently live on Lake Shamineau near Brainerd, Minnesota, where Steve is a freelance writer.

“The YMCA is an amazing organization with wonderful people and I’m glad to join our alumni efforts,” he says. If you have alumni communications needs, suggestions or questions, email Steve or call him at (952) 836-7904.

Plan right NOW to be part of YMCA Alumni’s Reunion at Sea aboard the fabulous Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas Jan. 26-Feb.2, 2025 for a 7-night cruise into the beautiful Western Caribbean. The reunion is hosted by the West Region YMCA Alumni Chapters and the YMCA Alumni Travel Club.