Welcome
A Tradition of Leadership
The last two years have been both exciting and eventful. Record growth,
fundraising success and a stellar Centennial celebration made it a most
memorable chapter in our history.

One person in particular played a pivotal role in achieving success during this
time. Much of her leadership took place behind the scenes, her quiet strength
helping define the very character, not only of our national organization, but
the Boys & Girls Club Movement as a whole.

From the start of her tenure as chairman, Anne Szostak recognized that with
challenge comes opportunity. Addressing vulnerabilities head on, Anne built a
stronger, better organization by stressing the importance of public trust. We are
fortunate to have had such a compassionate volunteer – and visionary leader –
preparing us for our second century of service.

We are equally fortunate to have another outstanding leader who succeeds
Anne as chairman. Rick Goings makes things happen. The chairman and CEO
of Tupperware Brands Corporation, he first joined our board in 1989 and
served as Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s chairman during 1997-98.

Most recently, he served as chair of our Government Relations Committee.
Through his “can do” spirit, Rick helped secure federal appropriations that
have totaled more than $600 million over the last decade. He also brought
state alliances to new heights, with 45 alliances generating some $56 million
from state governments last year alone.

During his early days on the board, Rick reinvented our marketing strategy,
first overseeing the name change of our organization in 1990. As chair of the
Marketing Committee, he recruited national spokesperson (and Club alumnus)
Denzel Washington, now a fellow BGCA governor. Rick also supported
development of graphic standards and national public service announcements,
creating a groundswell of awareness about our work. In short, he made us
better known – nationally and locally – than ever before.

Webster’s defines a leader as “a person who by force of example, talents or
qualities of leadership, wields commanding influence.” Throughout his years
with us, Rick Goings has personified the term. With great excitement and
confidence, I welcome him back as chairman.