1
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CLIFTON, INC.
Strategic Plan
2010-2013



ORGANIZATION PROFILE
5,110 members with 7,261 youth served through community outreach programs
 Full-service Club and 8 School Extension sites
$3.5 million budget
Purpose: This plan was created to provide focus on the priorities of the Boys & Girls Club in
looking toward the future. It is a planning tool that will guide decision-making regarding the
allocation of resources.
Description: This document is the result of an involved process that culminated in a facilitated
board workshop, but which included pre-retreat survey of community leaders and the general
public, interviews of youth members of the Clubs, and focus groups conducted by staff.
The strategic plan addresses the Club’s guiding principles and 3 Strategic Pillars that the
committee feels warrants our attention;
I.
Impact
II.
Beyond our Walls
III.
Creating a Stronger Organization
Key issues: programs, staffing, facilities, financing, technology, community involvement, board
organization, community relations and marketing, and volunteers.
Leadership: This document was a joint effort of the board, staff, Club members and community
leaders. An outside facilitator was engaged to conduct the Visioning Workshop.
Outcomes: The plan provides a blueprint for leadership to determine where to put its energy and
resources for more effective youth service.
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Mission Statement
3
Vision
3
Organization Profile
3
History and Services
4
Program
5-10
Human Resources
11
Financial
12
Facilities
13
Technology
14
Marketing
15
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
3
MISSION STATEMENT
The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton is dedicated to providing programs and services in a safe,
supervised environment, to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us
most, to realize their full potential as caring, productive and responsible citizens.
VISION
The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton strives to achieve excellence as a youth service organization,
encompassing our core beliefs: to provide our young people with life-enhancing programs,
character development opportunities and ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals.
Specifically, we envision that by 2013, we will:

expand our services to impact children, from the more than 5,200 current members to 5,500

provide a more comprehensive teen program to include opportunities for career development,
computer skill development, community and civic involvement and social and life skills

collaborate with other community agencies to maximize opportunities and resources

utilize our facility to its maximum, especially for youth programs

look to create a stronger organization and assure the public trust

look for opportunities to expand program services into schools and possibly other recreation
facilities in our community and neighboring towns ( Growth Initiative)
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, Inc. provides programs and services including preschool and after
school day care for more than 5,110 children (approximately 1,025 on a daily basis). Our
programs are presented by a trained, caring, professional staff and volunteers who help young
people take control of their lives, envision productive futures and achieve their goals.
Programs encompass a wide variety of educational, social and recreational activities, including: life
skills development and substance and violence abuse prevention programs; health and fitness
programs; literacy activities, including library, tutoring and homework help; computer workshops,
fine arts/theater arts and music; and, swimming and other sports. Leadership clubs for teens
emphasize leadership training, prevention of substance abuse and community service.
HISTORY AND SERVICES
The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton provides a tangible measure of hope for our children, who are
faced with a rapidly changing world, filled with more confusion and uncertainty than ever before.
The Club offers young people what they need and want most – adults who respect and listen to
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
4
them; a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves; and interesting,
constructive activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits. A youth development
strategy that fosters a sense of belonging, competence, usefulness and influence underlies all
Club programs and builds self-confidence and self-esteem.
The Boys Club of Clifton, formed in 1947, and the Girls Club, formed in 1965, consolidated in 1986
to form a single unit, the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, Inc. Through its predecessor organizations,
for more than 63 years the Club has been in the forefront of youth development in this community.
In addition to providing recreational and educational activities for all of our children, the Club has
actively worked with young people from disadvantaged economic, social and family circumstances.
The Club has sought to enrich the lives of girls and boys whom other youth agencies failed to
reach. The Club is dedicated to ensuring that our community’s disadvantaged youngsters have
greater access to quality programs and services that will enhance their lives and shape their
futures.
The Club is part of a nationwide affiliation of local, autonomous organizations which comprise the
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, working to help youth of all backgrounds develop the qualities
needed to become responsible citizens and leaders. It is facility-based and currently employs 19
full-time and over 144 part-time professional staff and numerous volunteers, offering daily access
to a broad range of programs in five core program areas: Education and Career Development;
Character and Leadership Development; Health and Life Skills; the Arts; and Sports, Fitness and
Recreation.
The following programs are provided by the Club on a daily or seasonal basis:







Preschool day care for children ages 21/2 to 5
After school day care for kindergarten children, ages 5 and 6
After school day care for grades 1 through 5
After school program for middle school children ( grades 6 through 8)
Leadership and community service programs for ages 13 to 18
Summer program for all ages
Swimming and other sports programs
Programs include a wide variety of educational, social and recreational activities, including: life
skills development; substance and violence abuse prevention programs; health and fitness
programs; literacy activities, including library, tutoring and homework help; workshops on
computers; fine arts/theater arts, dance, music; and swimming, and other sports. Leadership
clubs for teens emphasize leadership training, prevention of substance abuse and community
service. In addition, the Club serves as a meeting place for many senior and non-profit
organizations.
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
5
PROGRAM
Goals:
1. To assure the inclusion of the youth development strategy (YDS) in all program activities;
and integrate character development and academic enrichment into all phases of the Club
culture and philosophy
2. Expand Early Childhood Programs and provide a separate space for Kindergarten program
3. Expand Teen programs to include job ready, career launch, and BGCA Be Great Graduate
program initiatives
4. To support family involvement in Club programs and services; developing youth by
strengthening families
Strategies:

To enhance and develop programs and services with a focus on career development,
computer competency, character development and programs that help youth appreciate and
celebrate diversity

To enhance and expand education programs and incorporate the family in all Club activities

To develop a health and fitness education program utilizing programs developed by BGCA,
such as Healthy Habits-Triple Play or other applicable programs

To expand opportunities and activities for the Keystone and Torch clubs, our teen service
groups, to include implementation of an enterprise venture

To expand opportunities and training for our Counselors in Training (CIT’s), and promote
B&GC work as a viable career choice

To improve evening gym program opportunities from Sept.-Nov., and April – June

Institute adult programs to augment the existing adult swim program to include:
Classes – fitness, art, technology, dance
Programs – volleyball, basketball leagues

Institute departmental 3 yr. plans
Time Frame:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Charge the Program Committee and key staff with the task of implementing new
programs, augmenting established programs and evaluating on-going activities
Review and continue these efforts and review programs utilizing the Youth
Development Outcomes (see following page) for evaluation
Continue these efforts and evaluation of success
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
6
Boys and Girls Club of Clifton
Aquatics Department Plan
1. Replace lockers in girl’s locker rooms.
2. Replace pads for Colorado System.
3. Club will pay for employees interested in taking the Water Safety Instructor course with an
agreement to continue working for minimum of 2 years following completion of course
4. Hire an experienced person for CPR/Life Guard /First Aid training
5. Add evening swim lessons during the summer (5:30-7:00 pm)
6. Include the price of bathing cap, team suit, team picture, end-of-year party and gift in the
total price of team fee
7. Expand pool rentals to community organizations (Senior & Special Needs swim)
8. Update swim lesson schedule to reflect needs of community
9. Convert part of storage room for dry land activity
10. Host an additional swim meet and use the money raised for Florida Nationals
11. Transport Spring Swim Team swimmers to meets in PA.
12. Host a Seahawks Swim Team family barbeque during the summer
13. Extend Winter Swim Team by two weeks and include games and dry land workouts
14. Continue to advertise the aquatics program monthly in newspapers and journals
15. Increase the number of swim team members to 120 children
16. Purchase additional exercise equipment for dry land workouts
17. Increase practice time to improve swim team training process.
18. Increase participation in Florida Nationals
19. Continue to develop established summer swim team
20. Create a development program (Junior Seahawks)
21. Create a time standard to be eligible to join the swim team
22. Add an assistant swimming instructor for Level 1 & 2 swim lessons
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
7
Early Childhood Strategic 5 Year Plan

Build addition above existing early childhood program
o 2 new classrooms and “soft gym” area (soft climbing equipment ,tunnels, and
mats)
 Hire 2 new full time teachers and 6 part time teachers

Start before kindergarten care (provide transportation to schools)
o Hire two part time teachers
o Hire two bus drivers

In playground
o Replace mulch with Wondergrass ( synthetic)
o Add gardening area ( flowers and vegetables) adjacent to parking lot

Start Saturday early childhood classes (fee based)
o Cheerleading, basketball skills and drills, dance, and yoga

Movie night
o Kids only
o Big screen, popcorn , and drink

Babysitters club (monthly)
o 7- 9 pm
o Quiet time for parents … Noisy time for children

Annual Early Childhood Art Show
o Display children’s paintings, sculptures, etc.

Parent involvement
o Quarterly parent workshops
 Nutrition, stress free parenting, taming tantrums, balancing work and
family, etc.
o Annual Early Childhood Family BBQ
 Carnival games in the Early childhood parking lot
o Monthly parent-child craft project
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
8
Strategic Plan
Education Department
If we are to give young people, especially those who need us the most, the opportunities and skills
they need to become productive, caring and responsible citizens, we must begin by using
opportunities/resources available to us to enhance and improve our existing programs. To this end,
we will:








Continue to develop a network of support from educators, social service professionals,
volunteers and business professionals
Continue to collaborate with Universities and Colleges (Montclair State University, William
Patterson University, Caldwell College, and Rutgers) to assist with the delivery of our
programs through internships, service learning programs and observation hours
Continue the working relationship with the Clifton Public School System, and Clifton
Public Library to help members succeed academically and to graduate high school
Continue maintaining a safe learning environment which focuses on academic achievement,
maintaining high standards, fostering positive relationships between staff and members and
encouraging parental and community involvement
Continue to seek out and apply for grants that provide financial support for our education
programs and activities
Continue to train current staff (most of whom are student teachers, or teachers in training) to
educate them about Every Member, Every Year (this is Boys & Girls Clubs of America high
school graduation strategy—to expect every member to be promoted every year to the next
grade level, preparing them to graduate from high school and achieve real-world success.
Continue to reinforce the important role technology plays in modern society
Continue with parental involvement in members’ academic success
Future considerations:
Offer academic enrichment and accelerated learning to members through exposure to visual and
performing arts, field trips, character education, and critical thinking skills
Expand tutoring to school’s out sites; have school’s out site members bussed to club for
technology classes
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
9
Strategic Plan
Teen Programs Department
Teen Program Team (1 full-time, 2 part-time)
-programs need to be run (SMART Girls, Passport, Money Matters, Career Launch, etc.)
-scheduling is improved
-afterschool program (3-6pm) staff-to-member ratio
•New color/colors in teen center
•New kitchen area
-cabinets
-refrigerator, OR
•Convert kitchen area into reading space/computer lab
•TVs (Flat screens)/Cable
•Computers/Internet
•Updated gaming systems
•Teen Director's office in teen center
•Make teen center more enticing for HS teens
•Parties/Dances for HS to improve HS membership
•HS membership more affordable at $20 (separate member. form)
•Keystone members considered for Jr. Staff positions first
•Host more events for HS students
•Find a corporation/business/sports team to help fund Teen Program in Clifton
•"Keystone Café" "Keystone Kitchen" "Clifton Cafe"
- In-house restaurant run from kitchen
-run by Keystone & staff
-food handlers training/licensing req.
-open to members, parents, and staff
-approx. hours 2:30-8pm
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
10
Strategic Plan
Program Director
After Care Program
 Offer online registration and billing
 Computers and internet services at each site
 Develop a music program to include recorder and percussion sessions (partnership
with Menconi Music Studios)
 Update the Arts & Crafts room to display artistic colors and murals
 Implement a BGC Clifton spelling B (partnership with either Sylvan or Kumon
tutorial services)
 Paint the Games Room to display various games / games pieces as a mural
o Purchase wall mountable touch screen video game and self standing video
games
Personnel / Staff
 Hire qualified full time personnel to oversee the front desk and membership
management
 Hire full time gym coordinator
Sports Program offered to members
 Develop a double Dutch program
 Develop a 3 on 3 basketball tournament
 Develop a parent, staff & member annual basketball game
Summer Camp (*indicates possible sponsorship by the Men’s Club)
 *Summer Camp Kids’ Bingo (Prize – back to school supplies)
 *Camp style all American Barbeque at end of camp
Special Events (*indicates possible sponsor by the Men’s Club)
 *Annual Tricky Tray for kids
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
11
HUMAN RESOURCES
Board of Trustees, Staff and Volunteers
Goals:




To have a structure in place to provide support services for the Board of Trustees,
Staff and Volunteers
To recruit community leaders from the diverse Clifton community to serve on our
Board of Trustees bringing in new fresh ideas to vitalize Club operations
To ensure the delivery of quality services to members by providing a sufficient
number of dedicated, competent, educated, and trained staff
To review personnel compensation and benefits package; and retain engaged and
effective Club personnel who deliver programs with impact
Strategies:





To strengthen an already diversified Board by encouraging a greater degree of
parental involvement and representation of those in the community with the
expertise to lead the organization into the future
To extend invitations for Board involvement to individuals who have an
understanding and willingness to financially support and/or seek the financial
resources necessary to support the organization
To provide additional development opportunities for the Board members to
understand their fiduciary responsibilities expand their roles
Review, revise and approve the Compensation/Benefits package and Personnel
Manual. It is suggested that they both be reviewed by insurance representatives
and legal counsel before Board approval
Consider funding and performance standards for a part-time resource development
professional to assist in developing an annual campaign, support special events,
and assist with grant opportunities
Time Frames:
Year 1
Charge membership/nominating committee with task of aggressively identifying and
recruiting new Board member candidates and establish time frame for service
tenure
Empower the personnel committee to re-examine the table of organization and Club
compensation and benefits programs and staff performance plans and evaluation
practices to make suggestions to the executive committee for further action by the
full Board of Trustees. Conduct a review of Club Personnel Manual.
Year 2
Continue efforts and implement a Board level task force to encourage and
designate Board members to attend various state and national meetings and
provide training opportunities for Board members
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
12
To have in place a new job classification and compensation policies and practices
and establish full-time job performance plans and evaluation procedure which will
lead to annual employee compensation adjustments
Year 3
To continue these efforts and evaluate success
Financials
Goals:




To implement a plan which secures a broad base of diversified financial support adequate
to achieve the present and future goals and objectives of the organization
To ensure the resource development plan is integrated with organization’s strategic plan
and includes multi-year funding, major gifts, planned giving, individual giving, endowment
development, and includes total board involvement in resource development
To formulate new grant management accounting practices
To formulate Club Department and set up budget as per each operating department
Strategies:

To maximize fees while maintaining a fair and affordable fee structure

To have a written comprehensive plan for individual support that includes a multi-year,
annual giving strategy that ensures strong individual support (Annual Campaign)To create
a local recognition society and implement a Wills and Bequests program; encourage
advanced planned gifts, such as gift annuities and trusts; continue ongoing marketing
activities that encourage new planned gift expectancies, and provide donor stewardship of
existing planned gift agreements

To continue to seek help from corporations, current list of foundations support, and service
organizations and senior clubs

To develop a keen understanding of the potential of government funding; leveraging
government dollars to match private dollars. To actively pursue local, state and federal
funding opportunities
To gain the knowledge of grant writing and the ability to promote services that the Club
provides
(Hire full-time resource development staff person)
To reassess our current Bingo operations, facility rentals, and Club special event
fundraisers to ensure we are maximizing our return on investments in this area
To continue to develop community partnerships and collaborations
To develop a strong case statement on why the community should support the Boys & Girls
Club
To develop and implement a detailed donor recognition and cultivation plan





Time Frame:
Year 1
Charge Board committees with the following tasks:
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
13
1. To aggressively identify and recruit new Board member candidates able to provide
ongoing financial support and seek additional sources of revenue
2. To reassess current Club Resource Development Plan to maximize our Return On
Investment
3. To look into the affordability of a full-time resource development staff person
4. To build on the success of the One Campaign
5. To continue to work on endowment and utilize the Plan Giving Regional BGCA staff
to establish Club programs in this area
6. To Develop Club Case Statement
Year 2
Assess Year 1 efforts; work with staff to apply for grants; establish estate planning
program and identify and begin contact with potential donors; reevaluate bingo
Year 3
Evaluate success of these plans and begin work towards next strategic plan
FACILITIES
Goals:
1. To operate a facility capable of housing varied and diversified programs
2. To ensure the Club has a written, multi-year preventive maintenance plan and upgrade schedule
and a formal, comprehensive policy for the use of its facilities and equipment by others
3. To ensure that the organization has designated financial reserves for the maintenance and
replacement of facilities and equipment
4. To pursue a growth strategy designed to expand Club programs and serve additional youth
members
5. To explore ways to expand Club adult programming space to include gym, weight room, adult
learning classrooms, technology
Strategies:
Early Childhood, Teen Center, Learning Center, Conference Room




To collaborate with Board of Education for expanded After School Programs
To work with the Early Childhood Dept. to address kindergarten after school care in the Clifton
Schools or find space to house an afterschool kindergarten program
To investigate rentals to business schools/ outside groups for learning center
To investigate rentals for other program activities or community groups
Facility Upgrades and Improvements


To look for expansion opportunities – secure a location to build an indoor soccer, multi-use
facility in order to expand Club gym programs.
To look for a space for a Clubhouse on the eastside of Clifton ( School #17 or possibly the
Sacred Heart School building (leased space)
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
14


To continue to institute facility upgrades and start a new replacement fund account for capital
improvements and replacement
To look for space to expand the Early Childhood Department and Kinderkare programs
Time Frame:
Year 1
Charge Board Committees with:
1. Recruiting other organizations for utilization of the facility
2. Developing plan of action to expand usage of facility
3. Exploring the possibilities of adding a “Soccer Bubble” – multi-use domed facility to
expand the Club soccer, summer and recreational programs
4. Securing the necessary funding to continue facility upgrades program
Year 2
Continue efforts and establish closer relationships with other organizations for
continued collaboration in utilization of the facility
Year 3
Utilize outcome measurement tool to assess progress and address gaps
TECHNOLOGY
Goals:



To achieve computer and internet literacy for all of our Club members and to maximize the
efficiency of our administration by providing suitable computer support
To set-up a software program to tract program outcome measurements
To move toward a wireless computer system
Strategies:






To evaluate all administration computers
To investigate Lobby Guard Program for tracking visitors and parents entering the building
(Upgrade front desk security)
To standardize operating systems and software applications
To secure funding for equipment and installation through grant proposals, corporate
sponsorships and fund-raising events
To update computers in Early Childhood Department
To install 4 computers stations in the Teen Center with internet access
For the Learning Center:


To update one-third of computers in 2011, 2012, and 2013
To check for server efficiency and upgrade if necessary
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
15

To hire a coordinator to teach/conduct educational programs for the learning center
Time Frame:
Year 1
Create a Board Technology Committee to devise a plan/schedule to implement
the above strategies and secure funding to carry out the necessary Club wide
improvements needed
Year 2
Implement Technology improvement Plan
Year 3
Check and upgrade equipment and software as needed
MARKETING
Goals:
1. To significantly increase public awareness of the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton and the impact the
Club has in the lives of youth.
2. To adopt BGCA New Tagline – Great Futures Start Here…
Boys & Girls Clubs of America is proud to unveil a brand new tagline for our Movement – Great
Futures Start Here - it’s exciting, it’s compelling and it powerfully conveys the impact Boys & Girls
Clubs have on the lives of young people.
3. To set-up Constant Contact e-mail system to deliver updates, newsletters to the entire Club
family
Strategies:










To change Club Public Relations Committee to Marketing & Communications and develop
and implement a written strategy (Plan) annually to gain recognition and support in the
community while targeting the appropriate publics
To maintain a consistent public relations effort, with press releases on various Club events,
achievements or notable facts being forwarded to local media on a weekly basis
To maintain consistent acknowledgment of gifts, donations, and awards
To highlight Club and member’s success stories
To publish a newsletter on a semi-annual basis and to design and produce an agency
brochure that can be used for marketing and resource development
To publicize special events such as our golf outing
To continue website development and investigate possible cooperation with the City of
Clifton website
To explore opportunities with CATV, the Clifton Cable Station
To continue to offer facility tours to media and potential donors
To prepare and maintain an up to date press kit and to update and verify list of media
contacts
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft
16


To establish a group of speakers who are willing to address community groups/businesses
to educate and cultivate
To develop and implement a plan to include Club members in strategic community service
to expose them to volunteerism and expose the community to them
Time Frames:
Year 1
1. Require each Club department to write and send out press releases and increase
frequency to one a week
2. Explore website and cable opportunities
3. Prepare press kit
4. Evaluate on-going efforts and modify where necessary
Year 2
Establish group of speakers; evaluate on-going efforts and modify, where necessary
Year 3
Evaluate on-going efforts and modify, where necessary
BGC Clifton 2010 Strategic Plan Final Draft