Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, Ft. Atkinson and Walworth County Boards of Directors unanimously voted to become one non-profit organization, Boys and Girls Club of Dane County CEO Michael Johnson confirmed to Madison365 Thursday. In the upcoming months the organization will be looking to rebrand, realign staff positions and increases services to young people throughout the region. Johnson will be CEO of the new organization, which does not yet have an official name.
“We have to go through a branding process,” Johnson said. “It’s an exciting time. It’s going to make us stronger together. We will be better able to serve our kids when we streamline resources. I’m thankful all three boards believe in my leadership.”
The executive directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Walworth County and Fort Atkinson will stay in their positions, reporting to a regional vice president of the new organization.
“We are glad to be looking at additional ways to create efficiency and to help serve more young people in rural and urban areas and I am honored we will be working together to impact kids in collective Clubs,” said Jenny Santek, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Dane County in a statement released by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County.
“We are elated to be joining forces with these excellent organizations. Together, we will reach far more kids, and create a far richer place for kids to learn, play, and grow. The opportunities before us are far greater together, as one team, and we will change the lives of kids all over southern Wisconsin” said Jason Sanders, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Walworth County in the statement.
“The Boys and Girls Club of Fort Atkinson is so excited for the opportunity to become affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County. Our local board has been pleased with what our club locations have been able to offer the elementary age population and the Fort Atkinson community over the past 13 years. We can’t wait to utilize the extended resources and leadership offered by the Dane County organization, which will allow our club sites to provide an even greater experience for our members. The benefits of joining a quality organization like the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County are endless. The kids are the big winners with this move and that is what it is all about — the kids,” said Steve Schafer, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Fort Atkinson in the statement.
