A Thursday evening vote approved the joining of the two YMCA regions.
According to a source present at Thursday evening's vote, the proposed merger between the Freedom Valley YMCA and the Philadelphia YMCA passed by a margin of 56 votes. The merger was announced several weeks ago, and members have argued both for and against the merger ever since. Several members expressed concerns about the speed of the merger and about overcrowding. Members were also unhappy with the voting process, which required everyone who wanted to vote be present at a meeting on Thursday night. Others praised the merger, saying that it could only benefit the organization. YMCA leadership also said it would save money by reducing insurance and supply costs. The leadership of the two YMCAs held a town hall on Monday evening, November…
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An e-mail from the Freedom Valley YMCA's management criticizes a flyer sent to members yesterday.
Freedom Valley YMCA members received an e-mail from the organization late Wednesday afternoon, November 14, regarding a flyer that was reportedly left at the Phoenixville YMCA's information desk listing seven reasons to vote against the merger with the Philadelphia YMCA. "Not one of the issues addressed in the flyer was factually accurate," the e-mail reads. YMCA leaders have repeatedly asserted that there is a "lot of misinformation" being disseminated regarding the merger. [Editor's note: A copy of the e-mail from the YMCA can be read in the PDF section of this article.] The e-mail goes on, however, to sharply criticize the language in the flyer. The e-mail reads, "An example of the type of vitriol that is now being strewn follows – …
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11:36 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
There are certainly many valid reasons for concern about the merger. Freedom Valley's leaders and other supporters are not saying all of the opposition is based on racial fears, just the creepy brochure and its coded language. The brochure and its mentality brings to mind the 2009 incident in which the Valley Club in Huntington Valley revoked its agreement with a North Philadelphia day camp for … more ›
Members and YMCA leaders squared off over the proposed Philadelphia/Freedom Valley YMCA merger.
Board members and YMCA leadership held a town hall at the Spring Valley YMCA on Monday night to discuss the proposed merger between Freedom Valley YMCAs and Philadephia YMCAs. Freedom Valley's chief volunteer officer Sanford Lipstein started off the meeting by telling the approximately 200 members in attendance that the board hasn't done a very good job of getting information out to the members regarding the merger. Lipstein gave a presentation on what the merger will and will not mean for the membership. 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 …
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4:14 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
what about premier plus members out of Bay Shore Long Island?? Got this membership for a wedding gift and I am disabled and need to swim , whirlpool n sauna. Any suggestions please.... more ›
A town hall meeting on the merger is scheduled for Monday evening.
A merger is in the works between the Philadelphia Area YMCA and the Freedom Valley YMCA; however, not everyone is pleased about the prospect or the process. Both YMCA boards have voted to approve the merger and members recently received letters explaining the deal and how members can vote. The Y is holding a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, at the Spring Valley YMCA on Linfield-Trappe Road in Limerick. This town hall comes in advance of the vote, which is scheduled to happen at Chadwick's Restaurant in Audubon on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. Philadelphia Area YMCA CEO John Flynn told Patch in a phone interview that the merger came about as the two organizations began working more closely together. "We realized that we could …
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9:00 am on Friday, November 16, 2012
Buck Davis-how arrogant you are! Your statements are irrelevant and unfounded and deserve nothing but contempt..Why don't you firstly get your facts right before you spread evil lies and rumors, and secondly realize that your fears of a merger that makes sense are because you are a bigot and a racist! Why not use this energy and passion you have to spread some compassion and kindness to people … more ›
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9:28 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I'm sure nobody will miss one less fatty blocking two lanes on the indoor track. more ›