About Us - YMCA Annual Meeting

The Board of Directors is proud to honor our Outstanding Volunteers who are the recipients of the 2009 YMCA Chairman’s Distinguished Service Awards and to install the new Association Officers.

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2010
33rd ANNUAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS

The YMCA of Orange County has a long history of honoring our volunteer leaders for their commitment, passion and significant accomplishments that have distinguished their service to youth and families through the YMCA. On a daily basis, our volunteers make an impact in the lives of others. These dedicated men and women give of their time, their talent and treasure to help build strong kids, strong families and strong communities on a daily basis. We thank the 1000’s of volunteers that help the YMCA impact the lives of 1000’s of participants in our programs throughout Orange County. While we would like to give each volunteer a much deserved award, we are especially honored to recognize the individuals below who, through their outstanding service in 2009, are the recipients of the Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award at the 2010 Annual Meeting.

I do want to take a brief opportunity to share with you the highlights of our annual meeting. This year, due to the economy, we felt that it would be conduct our Annual Meeting on a smaller scale so instead of spending money on a large event, we are now able to use those funds in other areas to benefit our members and participants. We would like to thank the Boy Scout Council of Orange County for generously contributing the use of their meeting facility, the Outdoor Education Center, in the Irvine Regional Park. We also changed the meeting from a dinner to a breakfast. All of the Board members, from the Board of Directors to the Branch boards were invited to attend along with the recipients of the Chairman’s Distinguished Service Awards and their guests. Each year at the annual meeting the YMCA of Orange County bestows the Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award to a volunteer from each branch who has gone above and beyond to help serve the kids, families, and members of their branch. It is my pleasure to recognize and honor the following volunteers:

I want to personally recognize and thank each of these volunteers for their commitment and dedication to the YMCA and to their communities. We would not be able to have the impact in our communities without strong volunteers such as these that set a fine example for us all.

	DALE DYKEMA - YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY Dale Dykema has been devoted to the YMCA for many, many years. He has served on the Board of Directors twice, has been instrumental in helping to raise funds for the Santa Ana capital campaign and is now a strong participant on the community development team and helping the YMCA to reach out and friend raise across the county. This friend raising effort has resulted in raising the awareness of the YMCA and in raising money. Thank you, Dale, for your dedication to the YMCA.
	PATTY ROBERTSON – CENTRAL ORANGE COAST YMCA BRANCH Patty is a wife, mother, teacher, president of the YMCA aquatics booster club, a leader in the annual YMCA Partners Campaign, in charge of our annual YMCA benefit concert, and our annual swim-a-thon, and is a board member of the Central Orange Coast YMCA. Patty sits on our facilities committee and has been influential in both creating a vision of what our YMCA can be and raising the resources to get there. Patty has volunteered countless hours of service and has been an active member and volunteer since 2006.
	RICK DAYTON – CENTRAL ORANGE COAST YMCA BRANCH Rick is a board member of the Central Orange Coast YMCA. As a key member of the branch’s facilities task group he spear headed the branch’s facility remodel and volunteered countless hours of architectural services and construction expertise resulting in thousands of dollars in saving to the YMCA. Through his knowledge and professional expertise, the branch now has a comprehensive plan to continue serving its expanding membership. Rick lives right behind the YMCA and has been an active member since 1986 playing racquetball, enjoying the group cycling, yoga and body pump classes. His two college age son’s and wife, Shirley, participated in aquatics programs when the boys were younger.
	CHRISTIAN BUELL – NORTH ORANGE COUNTY FAMILY YMCA BRANCH Christian is an avid supporter of the YMCA. He campaigns and he definitely goes out and tells the Y story in the community; at his work, at his church, everywhere he goes. Christian is an engaged and active board member and a great volunteer. He brings his family and friends to events to support the YMCA and often helps at events. Christian has done these things by going out into the community and sharing the YMCA story, by campaigning, and also attending community events on behalf of the YMCA.
	NICHOLAS RODRIGUEZ - SANTA ANA FAMILY YMCA BRANCH Nick is a volunteer for the Santa Ana Youth & Government program and is no stranger to the YMCA. He has donated his time to programs such as the Partners Campaign, camping, teens, and many special events. This past year was his first with Youth & Government. He started as an advisor and happily gives of this time and attends every event – including two 3-day weekends and one 5-day trip to Sacramento. We are currently conducting our 3rd portion of the leadership program, mock trial, and again there's Nick – always there to help out. Nick is from Santa Ana and a recent college graduate. He knows and understands the community and is able to relate and connect with the students. Through his example, the students learn dedication, determination, responsibility and respect. He brings a lot of energy and a huge smile with him wherever he goes. He is a true role model and local everyday hero. We are very lucky to have Nick as part of the Santa Ana YMCA family!
Ken Clark Ron Cookston	SOUTH COUNTY BRANCHES AWARD - YGUIDES/ADVENTURE GUIDES TRANSITION TASK FORCE TEAM: Ken Clark | Ron Cookston | John Engel | Patrick Larkin | Mitchell K. Markowitz | Eric Thorson The YMCA of Orange County has been touched over many years by some wonderful volunteers. The contents of the YGuides/Adventure Guides Transition Guide and Program Manual come from six YMCA Adventure Guide leaders; Ken Clark, Ron Cookston, John Engel, Pat Larkin, Mitch Markowitz, and Eric Thorson. Through their leadership and vision, through their experience and focus, the YMCA of Orange County has received a program template for one of its staple programs, the YMCA Guides Program. Countless hours of discussion, drafting, idea sharing and brainstorming went into this guide; all led and driven by these six men. For their work they are recognized with the YMCA Distinguished Service Award for 2009. But knowing these men, the award is not important, nor is this acknowledgement. What matters most is their contribution to creating everlasting bonds and memories for fathers and children in Orange County. The YMCA of Orange County is eternally grateful for the leadership of these volunteers. Their work speaks to the very mission of the YMCA and serves to lay the foundation for positively impacting families for generations.
John Engel	Patrick Larkin Mitchell Markowitz Eric Thorson