I no longer live in the area and don't have enough information to be on a "side". My comment is on the email sent by the Y to members. I only read the excerpt in the article and in the short bite alone I see words such as "umbrage" and "anathema". No organization with a diverse membership should use language above a sixth grade level, to be all inclusive. Your email has "not too subtle" superiority, exclusivity, and condescending overtones. Could this be indicative of the general leadership style, thereby inviting such backlash to the merger?

So what was the vote last night?

Honestly....Can anyone say "The Valley Club of Huntingdon Valley" all over again?

It would seem to me that making a profit has changed the original direction of the Y. They charge more for the use of their facilities than a gym. When I was living in Boise Idaho their monthly rate for one adult was $ 42.90 the gym I chose with all the same amenities including a pool was $ 19.00 a month.

Is it possible that the author's concern of Philly vs. Main Line is membership numbers? Perhaps, just perhaps, they are okay with a smaller organization coming into the fold versus the thousands of individuals that are part of the Philadelphia system? The YMCA should be ashamed for turning this into a racial issue. If you're so concerned about the flyer's scare tactics, perhaps you shouldn't be using them yourselves.

Also, if you don't want people to spew "falsehoods" perhaps you should have been more forthcoming in your communication plan. Telling your membership of a town-hall meeting and a vote with less than a week's notice isn't exactly my definition of "an open book". If you are concerned about all the speculation you need look no further than your own communication plan

Listen, Both sides have a point. All accusations of "racism" aside ( because there was not any mention of race) I'm sure some people are just concerned. The thought may be that the PVille Y will get more crowded (The pool I think is the main concern) and that it will slip in the comfort level for its current members. That's all. Its a valid concern. I do think people are AFRAID, since it SEEMS like more of a one directional merger- P-Ville folks ain't going to the city, but maybe the city will come to P-ville. We are a diverse community in P-ville, and there are no problems with that, but I guess some folks "imagine" large numbers of "outsiders" descending on the place, and bringing with it a vision of an "open fire hydrant" mentality. But lets remember anyone coming to the P-ville pool would be a MEMBER of the Y (albeit Philly Branch) and maybe that's what opponents are forgetting. Its easy to imagine a "fire hydrant" crowd if you forget this fact. These are our fellow MEMBERS. That being said, the P-Ville members need assurance from management that should the conditions at the Pool or elsewhere decline, or that theft, cursing, roughness, rudeness, or ANYTHING else increases in any way that it will be addressed. Our newcomers also must understand the vibe and culture of the PVille Y is chill, polite, quiet, friendly, peaceful, safe, and a fun place to bring the fam. City can spell rough and I think that's the thing most are afraid of. and THAT has ZERO to do with race...

While there was something fishy about the merger (I still can't see how it benefits the Spring Valley Y in any way) the people who argued against it did so for all the wrong reasons. They used a lot of racist "code words" and claimed people on the Y board were making money on the deal. The YMCA is a non-profit 403 B and are monitored pretty closely by the IRS to in order to keep their tax exemption so it is pretty doubtful some board member is sneaking out with a bag of cash. People on both sides need to chill out as I don't think this merger will impact anyone in the short term. If rates increase, programs decline, etc... as a result people will simply vote with their feet and leave. Let's see how this all shakes out before going nuts.

They (the YMCA) have stated that there is no reciprocity (apologies in advance for the "superior" word) as it relates to the pool. In my opinion, this is where the YMCA dropped the ball. They should have sent a long communication to all members addressing this and other questions months ago. Instead, they waited until the last minute and said very little, allowing people to "theorize" which always leads to things like this. Simply stated, they dropped the ball and are now paying for it. But at the end of the day, I don't think there will be any real change (positive or negative) to the Freedom Valley Ys.

Perhaps the dissemination (means giving out) of information regarding the merger might have been done better, I for one understand what this is about. It is a merger to improve the financial operations of the Y, more of a balance sheet issue as opposed to an issue affecting daily operations of the Y. In yesterday's Patch it says, "Lipstein said that there will be no reciprocity for use of the outdoor pools at Freedom Valley's branches, nor will Philadelphia members be allowed to sign up for fitness classes. Freedom Valley members will not be allowed to register for free classes at Philadelphia branches (they will be able to attend paid classes).

The benefits, Lipstein said, include better risk management, more purchasing power for the merged YMCAs in insurance and supply buying, and a larger presence among the national YMCA's policy-making team. "

It is an illustration of the power of numbers so that the combined Y will have more clout in the marketplace when buying things like health insurance for its employees or maintenance equipment that all the facilities need.
Unfortunately it has brought to light that there are some members of the Y who do not get what the Y is all about. Perhaps there are members of the Philly Y that don't want Spring Valley or P-ville members intruding on their facilities!

The more I learn about the reasons for the merger they make some sense. However the management at the Y did a terrible job communicating the benefits to it's members. I'm no genius when it comes to mergers but I'm pretty sure you want to control the message as best as possible before people start to speculate. I know a number of workers at the P-ville Y who were called racist simply for asking questions and trying to get informed.

From what I've learned there will be no reciprocity of the use of pools (a major concern), the mergered Y's would save over 200K yearly in national fees since they only need to pay one fee instead of two seperate fees, Freedom Valley would have access to more money from the Philadelphia Y. The Philly Y gets much more corporate support/money (IBX, Comcast and such). Freedom Valley would apparently have access to more of that money. The Philly Y would have more freedom to move corporate offices out of the city, saving money in taxes and leases.

If the management had done a better job communicating to its membership the value of the merger and what is and is not involved a lot of ugliness would have been avoided.

On a side note, some of the management at the Y is very strong yet some people in power positions haven't a clue.

I would suggest everyone attend the Diversity Workshops happening at CAT-Pickering tomorrow at 8:30a. Because as a professional who lived in a diverse community all my life, this merger has serious cultural/legal problems. I have heard more "racial slurs" from an educated community here than ever before.....simply because they think it's ACCEPTABLE.

It's not the kids of the inner city that will be the problem....It will be the adults of the townships that will bring another "The Valley Club of Huntingdon Valley" ending.

The best way to prevention is to have cultural awareness and these workshops is a start. Hope to see everyone TOMORROW AT CAT-PICKERING @ 8:30A.

The Y did send communications to the members a while ago. They knew about it and were given links to the information long before the vote. The flyer was out of line. In addition, the Rocky Run Y in Media, which is part of the Philadelphia Y and has beautiful facilities does not get busloads of inner-city youth dumping on them. It's simply not going to happen!
The flyer was inflammatory with no proof to back it up.

One of several communications I got from the Y...Including not one, but two letters informing me of the merger and the vote that were sent prior to this email. The announcement came a couple of months ago. It was sent out and several following communications. It helps if people take the time to get on the email list and open and read their snail mail.

REMINDER
Stay updated and educated
about the pending merger

The Spring Valley YMCA will host an informational meeting for members who would like to learn more about the pending merger between
Freedom Valley YMCA and Philadelphia YMCA & Vicinity.

November 12, 2012 at 7:00pm

Spring Valley YMCA
19 W. Linfield-Trappe Road, Limerick, PA

CEOs Jay Schaeffer, Freedom Valley YMCA, John Flynn, Philadelphia YMCA & Vicinity and Sandy Lipstein, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Freedom Valley YMCA will be available to address members' questions.

Visit our website to access the following information regarding the proposed merger.

Click here to view...
• Answers to the most commonly asked questions
• A message from the Chairman of the Board
• The type of privileges and limitations you can expect from an approved merger
• Voting details: Where and when do I vote?
• Plan of Merger

The Freedom Valley YMCA

God forbid mommy and her kids see a couple of "inner city kids." Yes, those people actually exist and are not just images on TV. Sheltered suburban people are as bad as backward cousin-loving country folks. The only difference is suburbanites try to use money to hide the fact that they are racist.

This merger has been approved by both sides by the vote. It is done.

The YMCA sent out plenty of communication. I received two letters in the mail, at least two emails, and there were tables set up in the lobby of both Phoenixville and Spring Valley. I really can't believe people think that it was not sufficient communication.

Im not a member of any Y ever but if I were a member of a small town Y I would not want to merge with any big city Y. Plain and simple. Its like merging two different planets. City life and country life. It doesnt mesh well. You have a good thing, it works why change it.

I think a Y membership should give access to every Y.

Judi, I'll take your word for it that you received communications. I'd appreciate the same faith in my response when I again tell you many others did not.

ha ha ha did you ever wonder why the farther you get from philadelphia the higher the home prices ?

if you looked at the big picture philadelphia is a collapsed city that the vibrant and alive people have fled ,that might be said for the whole phila area we have a saying where i live would the last person to leave pennsylvainia please turn out the lights

Harry you are grossly misinformed. Check the last census. Philadelphia is one again growing in number of residents as well as businesses. Out is actuallyin terrific shape with all the institutions of higher education which draw businesses to talent which in turn draws people. In addition they are investing a substantial amount in airport expansion. The city is growing by leaps and bounds. I'd encourage you to read the 2035 plan as your assessment is factually inaccurate.

Why would the Y in Philly want to travel here to swim when they have a Y in Philly? Is not that why the Y has local Y s? The Phoenixville wouldnt want to travel to Philly to use the pool when they have one here? Right? Why would the Y want to waste money on gas and bbbbbusing, when Y in all states have local Y s?
I can see say if a member werer visitinig a friend in another town and there was a Y in that town to use , than ,well ok THIER ALLRAEDY THERE , BUT WHY GO OUT OF THE WAY WHEN YOU CAN USE THE ONE IN YOUR HOME TOWN.
I do not know , since a membership cost way too much for my family when they all were young , and i still think it does these days... Can someone tell me how much to say , a summer membership, if they have them . Ok thanks , this just sounds a lttle crazy , to go out of the way to use a Y , if you have one in your home town.

You people understand that if people from the city get in the pool, you won't get contaminated from getting in the water too. It's not the 1950s anymore.

I am a member of the Freedom Valley Board and I was one of three board members who worked on the merger committee that met with our counterparts at the Philly Y. The important reasons for the merger have been distributed in many ways but they are apparently hard for some members to accept.
1.- The combination of the two Y's will make us among a handful of the most financially stable Y's in the country and will help to insure that we will be able to maintain the great facilities and service indefinitely
2- The merger will allow us to raise many more charitable contributions from large corporations and others who are in our expanded geographic area. We will be able to provide OVER 2 million dollars in scholarships to needy families in our existing branch areas.
3- The merger will provide more job opportunities for our employees and it will allow us to attract top notch employees because of the "scale" of our organization. The key to providing great service to our members lies with our ability to attract and retain great employees.
4- The merger will allow the Freedom Valley Y to take advantage of "pilot" programs (like diabetes prevention) where substantial funding is provided to only large organizations. We will now be able to obtain funding for many pilot programs that we can not take advantage of now.
There are more advantages but these are the primary issues that drove our merger decisions

I am a Y member and my main concern about the merger is that our prices will go up. Most of of the Y branches in the Philly Y have higher membership dues than the Freedom Valley Y (roughly $10-15 per month).

My other concern is that good programs may be dropped and/or changed. When the merger with Limerick occurred there were some programs (e.g., tween night) that my kids always enjoyed that disappeared. Of course this can work both ways so perhaps new programs may be added.

Thanks Tom. I think most of the issue was around communication. While it sounds like some members were notifed well in advance, others (myself included) received nothing. Another great eample was this weeks letter dispelling some of the myths. We have a family membership with 5 of us. We received one letter addressed to my 6 year old. Odd right? I think the merger is fairly benign from an impact to the members standpoint. Hopefully people will understand this.