Ganetta Booker shares her thoughts on her time with the Y. She currently serves as the Senior HR Director. Her last day with the Y is on December 15.
My time at the Y was impactful, and I encountered many learning experiences during my journey. Even though it was not always perfect, these experiences contributed to my professional and personal journey. Yes, there were positive and negative influences, both of which immensely impacted my life.
Since working at the Y, I experienced trauma from one stage to the next. I have survived a divorce. One of my younger sons contemplated suicide, calling me at the crack of dawn to say goodbye, but I talked him down. I've experienced loss in the most horrific ways possible. My father's death; the untimely and tragic deaths of my younger brother and nephew, 23 years old, being shot after being robbed; the passing of my uncle, my three sisters-in-law, and brother-in-law to cancer, whom I loved so deeply and cherished dearly. It felt like it would never end, one death after the other. I became scared to answer the phones, fearing getting more horrific news. Shannon, Dorita, Alyssa, Christina, Melanie, Karena, and Ally were all in my corner, comforting me and supporting me all the way. The Y was there!
On the brighter side, I earned my MBA, one of my long-term goals, which was not easy, but I triumphed. I witnessed the birth of all my grandbabies: Mia, Liam, Omari, Draven, Osiris, Orion, and Orelius. I recall Mia going to Day Camp for the first time and how much joy that brought her. Liam, her younger brother, waited restlessly for when it was his turn to go to Day Camp, begrudgingly, because of Mia's countless stories of her adventures at the Y and the great camp counselors she had. The staff loved them, and they had their favorites.
The counselors that stand out for me are "Pretty Boy" from Day Camp, Mia's favorite, and Denise Landis. They took extra time to give Mia and Liam private swim lessons. Thanks, Denise! I remember Mia bragging as time went by that she "personally" knew the President of the Y. She even called him by name. She would say, "I spoke to Charlie today… He complimented me,” closing with a big grin! You gave her "status" and "clout," Charlie. She became a vested member; she even recruited my niece, her cousin, who ended up pleading with me to take her to camp, which of course, I did. I witnessed my younger son, Christian, learn how to swim at the Y, taught by Jenny Hutson. His first job was at the University Y and he graduated from the University of Washington during a pandemic that none of us saw coming. The Y survived the pandemic and many of you stayed steadfast throughout the turmoil of unprecedented life-changing moments. I was there with my committed colleagues, stepping out of my comfort zone because it meant contributing to the greater good. The Y was there!
On my worse days, I had interviews, investigations, or job placements back-to-back, sometimes starting at 7am, staying past 9pm. I had opportunities to laugh, share stories, and talk with my colleagues, folks like Jamie Nocula (Shelman), Jenna Lehman, Andrea Milliken, Tara Bywater, Denise Landis, Leanna Christensen, Steve Triller, Phil Carter, Brian Flattum, Stephanie Roberts, Megan Sala, Zem Murray, Abbey Lade, Anne Porter, Lynn Wilmot-Stenehjem, Andrew Homan, Kristine LeGrange, and Harold Shea to list a few. Because I was at the Y!
I have so many stories, but I will say, the young lady who came to the interview for the Youth Program Director position at Haselwood with a guitar and responded to every question playing the guitar left a lasting impression, even though she was not offered the job. Harold, I will defer to you to share the story if you please. Needless to say, she made our otherwise stressful day by serenading us.
All these milestones, these experiences, some tragic, heartwarming, and BOLD experiences graced my time at the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties. As I reflect, I had a dynamic team alongside me during all those moments. I will miss them.
Moving forward to new experiences, we are fortunate to have a new set of champions in the HR department and across the association. Dynamic servant leaders who continue to serve in our HR department and across the association and are ready and willing to walk alongside the Y through the next phase of its existence. Furthermore, I have no doubt these servant leaders will be as dynamic in bringing forth the reality of the Y becoming an anti-racist organization and fighting against micro-aggressive behaviors and tendencies, racism, discrimination, injustice against people of color and indigenous people, and socioeconomic status and marginalized communities. The Y will deliver!
I will be forever grateful to the YMCA for bringing the people I interacted with every day of my time here. I have had made some life-long great friends. Every day I'm here at the Y, I am engaged, committed, devoted, and empathetic in how I offer guidance coupled with grace, even when it is challenging. I am always learning. I consider myself a work in progress. I never know every answer, but I am willing to find the solution, and I welcome change.
The Y has been my extended family for over 11 years, and this is a sad moment for me now. It feels like a divorce but an amicable one. It's time to move on and out of the way, to allow others to contribute and attain their own experiences. I have always shown up for the Y in its time of need and vice versa. Because it was there for me during my darkest moments, I felt love from my team. I had relationships with many throughout the organization because they came to know me and understood I meant to do good and deliver sound guidance when engaged. But we are humans first. We are flawed and expect more than possible sometimes, but that's okay. I am committed to serving.
During the Y's rebuilding phase, I see only great things, new faces, and new experiences for those on this journey. The Y will show up for you if you are doing the same. I will miss the Y, the capacity I have served, the staff at the frontline, the people, and the daily grind.
But I will be present for the Y in whatever capacity I can provide.
The Y has been a close and dear companion to my family and me when it counted most. It had my back. I will forever be grateful and blessed to have been presented to receive its love and devotion. The Y will be there!
Thank you!