Y Talk: Helping Hands by Kelly Tyrrell

I was hired this past summer as the new Sports Director at the Carlisle Family YMCA and I am beginning my fourth month in the position. Making the transition from one job to another can be difficult for both the individual who is making the change and for the staff who is responsible to train her and show her the ropes. However, I have felt at ease moving into this new position due to the patient, friendly staff at the Y and the giving nature of the entire Carlisle community. I am thankful to work with such incredible people and to serve our Carlisle community.

What has impressed me the most about the Y staff is their willingness to help each other out and to work as a team to provide rewarding experiences to our members. I have been equally impressed with the people from the community who volunteer their time to help us achieve our goals. I am not going to mention any names in this blog because I would probably miss someone who deserves a thank you. But I do want to use this opportunity to let people know that they are appreciated.

A Great Staff

When you begin a new job, there are countless questions that you have about how things work on an everyday basis and what your responsibilities are. I took over as the Sports Director at the same time that CAYS Rec Soccer started, which is the busiest time of the year in our office. The Y staff had their hands full with the number of questions that I threw at them every day. I often approached them when they were in the middle of a work task. I was (and still am) so grateful for their patience and their willingness to pause what they were doing and to give me their full attention. I am especially grateful for the guidance of the former Sports Director, my officemate and my boss.

There have been several projects over the past three months that staff members have come together to complete as effectively and efficiently as possible. We recently received a donation that enabled us to purchase and install a new fence out at the George B. Stuart Athletic Fields on Rockledge Drive. All hands were on deck as we dedicated an entire Friday to successfully install the fence.

A few weeks ago, I lost my uncle in a car accident and I had to leave town abruptly to attend his funeral. While I was gone, my colleagues took over the responsibilities that would’ve been mine had I been in town. I really appreciated that people stepped up to help me while I was dealing with my family’s loss.

The staff members who work at the front desk, cleaning and maintenance are also such an integral part of our Y team. Not only are they so good at their jobs, but they also contribute to the positive atmosphere that we work in everyday. My workday begins with a hello from the staff at the front desk. They greet both members and staff with a friendly smile that puts us in a good mood for the rest of the day.

Our lawn care staff for the athletic fields does a fantastic job maintaining the aesthetics of the fields and the integrity of playing surfaces. They have been incredibly flexible and willing to work with me about scheduling their services.

Top-Notch Volunteers

The Carlisle Family YMCA would not be able to function as well as it does without the individuals who volunteer their time and work on a daily basis.

We have an individual who has volunteered his time this entire soccer season to help me line the fields or to do so on his own when I am unable. I have offered to pay him for his work, but he prefers to volunteer. I am impressed that he has done so much for our soccer programs, but has not asked for anything in return.

Our coaches volunteer their time every week to work with our young players. These coaches are not getting paid for what they do, but they work hard to provide the kids with a positive experience. They help develop our young kids as both players and as people. All of our coaches are patient, dedicated, selfless and positive role models for our youth.

Every Saturday we ask parents to volunteer to help us run the concession stand at the soccer fields. Their willingness to work helps us raise money for our sports programs. We also have had volunteers organize the concession stand and shed at the fields to make them cleaner and more accessible. I didn’t realize that the concession stand wasn’t organized until it was remade. Now it looks great!

A few weeks ago, we hosted the U-11 Girls bracket of the Dillsburg Dual Shootout tournament. In order to run the event successfully, we relied on the contributions from the Carlisle Youth Lacrosse players and parents. They ran the concession stand and also served as field marshals throughout the tournament. They were professional and worked extremely hard. The tournament ran quite well and it reflected positively on the CAYS programs.

Our golf cart broke down on the first day of the Dillsburg Tournament. An individual volunteered to inspect the golf cart, identify the problem and bring the cart back to life.

Invested Sponsors

We have also had numerous sponsors donate their time and money to serve the vision of the Y. Without their generosity, so much of what we do and the experiences that we provide would not be possible.

I want to say thank you to all of the people who have made my job transition so easy. I have only been here for three months so I know there will more people to thank as we move forward. You all make the Carlisle Family YMCA a special place to work. It is inspiring to think about what we can achieve by working together. I am grateful for your Helping Hands!

-by Kelly Tyrrell, Sports Director