RMYC announces the retirement of
our Founding CEO, Gretchen Van De Carr!
Gretchen will retire in February of 2024. Since establishing RMYC in 1993, she has seen huge success in program models, project expansion, geographic reach, and opportunities for youth! Over the past 30 years, Gretchen has led the organization through significant growth and impact.
YEAR 1 YEAR 10 YEAR 20 YEAR 30
$93,050
Gretchen’s plans after retirement include spending quality time with family, playing her drums and learning some new musical instruments (accordion?), getting back to the roots of why she founded RMYC by spending more time outside recreating, and seeking ways to use her experience and knowledge to continue to enhance this beautiful Yampa Valley!
personal info:
GVDC63@gmail.com
970-846-7983
Be sure to invite her out for lunch once in a while!
STAFF and BOARD are STRONGER than EVER!
STAFF. RMYC has a very strong staff of 15 year-round members with extensive RMYC and related experience. In fact, 71% started their corps careers in the field!
BOARD. The RMYC board of directors brings a broad range of expertise, and a variety of service time. Members include retired educators, local government staff and elected officials, accountant, attorney, outdoor gear designer, banker, program manager, forest service personnel, labor and employment specialist, realtor, and recreation specialist. The shortest serving director has been with us for 1 year, and the longest has been serving for 22 years, providing long-term historical context as well as newer perspectives. The RMYC board of directors is working with a consultant to lead the organization through three key phases to ensure a successful transition:
Prepare the organization for a leadership change.
Manage communications. Search, Select, & Hire.YOU!
You may be wondering what your role is in this process. Well, as a treasured partner, you can contribute to the success of this transition and the long-term sustainability of RMYC through a variety of ways!
ADVOCATE
You can become more knowledgeable through our website, annual reports, and meetings with staff and board members. Then, you can spread the good word to others about the strength and impact of RMYC and advocate for others to support us.
MEET & GREET
You can join the board and staff as we welcome our new CEO in early 2024 and create stronger personal relationships with staff, board, and the new CEO.
COMMITMENT
You can commit to maintaining a positive and supportive role as a donor and partner through annual donations.
LEGACY
You can become a member of our BUILDING FUTURES LEGACY PARTNERSHIP by contributing to the long-term sustainability of RMYC through supporting our Endowment and/or our Office & Housing Project.
ENDOWMENT
RMYC holds an endowment fund at the Yampa Valley Community Foundation that has averaged 7.74% of annual yield since 1999. Our goal is to grow the fund to $3.75M by 2025 to serve two purposes:
✓ Cover a portion of annual overhead expenses, and
✓ Provide a safety net in the event our operations are paused due to unforeseen incidents.
Our endowment can accept immediate or pledged contributions of cash, stock, or capital assets.
We can also accept gifts made through planned giving estate bequests, IRAs, life insurance or other long-term gifts.
OFFICE & HOUSING PROJECT
RMYC is building a 6,860 SF office and pavilion building that can hold all year-round staff and provide ample meeting, classroom, and training space. The existing offices in the Stone House and the Headquarters Building will then be repurposed into dormitory style employee housing for our long-term Field Coordinators and Crew Leaders. Engineering, architecture, and surveying have begun, and we hope to break ground in 2024.
Total project cost is estimated at $4.5M. Our hope is to raise 90% in donations and pledges prior to Gretchen’s departure as a legacy in honor of her three decades of service with RMYC.
HELP US CELEBRATE 30 YEARS!!
RMYC will be celebrating our 30th Anniversary on Saturday, September 30 at The Grand Ballroom. Save the Date
Join us for Happy Hour with Live Music, heavy apps and signature drinks followed by a nice Dinner & Champagne.
Hear stories from our alumni participants and win prizes through a Live Auction.
More to come!