Community Rec Magazine

Community Rec Magazine
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Each month, John Reecer the editor of Community Rec Magazine, chats with a guest from the community recreation industry to voice their insights on a specific topic.

  1. Erica Barnes on Elevating Inclusive Family Programming to Maximize Retention

    APR 16

    Erica Barnes on Elevating Inclusive Family Programming to Maximize Retention

    In episode 30, Erica Barnes, the director of business development at NinjaZone, details about challenges and opportunities facing community recreation centers. Specifically, she explains demand from families is strong, but many centers struggle to align with what they truly want — high-quality, affordable and inclusive family programming that engages all ages. She argues marketing is often blamed unfairly, and the real issues are program quality, retention and staff engagement, including continuous staff education. Barnes outlines best practices she sees among successful centers: offering kids programs that demonstrate visible progress, creating programming that genuinely appeals to children and making operations easier so staff aren’t constantly scrambling to fill schedules. She highlights a major industry trend toward non-traditional, inclusive activities serving kids who aren’t drawn to traditional sports. NinjaZone fits this shift by providing inclusive family programming plus a comprehensive support system. They tailor implementations to each center’s goals and spaces, from racquetball courts to aquatic viewing areas. Barnes’ key advice is to start thoughtfully, choose partners carefully, plan long term and avoid last-minute program launches that burden staff. Watch the podcast now for expert advice from an industry thought leader. Enjoy!

    8 min
  2. Andrew Page on Effective Staff Management in Community Rec

    APR 8

    Andrew Page on Effective Staff Management in Community Rec

    In episode 29, Andrew Page, the president and CEO of the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA shares how to cultivate a productive workforce that thrives through effective staff management strategies. In today’s fast-paced world, staffing is crucial, especially in community-focused organizations like rec centers. Page details his YMCA’s strategies for fostering a positive workplace culture and retaining dedicated employees. Whether you’re a leader in the recreation industry or looking to improve your organizational practices, this conversation will provide valuable guidance. Enjoy!

    20 min
  3. Nicci Bucher on Empowering Female Leaders in Community Recreation

    MAR 17

    Nicci Bucher on Empowering Female Leaders in Community Recreation

    In episode 28, Nicci Bucher, the president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, details effective strategies to empower women leaders in community recreation. As the first woman to hold this position at her YMCA, Bucher offers valuable perspectives on developing female leadership, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, confidence and community engagement. Bucher has dedicated over 20 years to the YMCA, primarily at the YMCA of Central Florida, and has recently taken the helm at the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. Her journey to becoming a CEO is marked by a commitment to youth development and community support. Nicci’s leadership is rooted in her belief in the potential of women to lead and make impactful contributions. Enjoy!

    12 min
  4. The Bold Reimagining of JCC of Greater Vancouver

    FEB 11

    The Bold Reimagining of JCC of Greater Vancouver

    In episode 27, Eldad Goldfarb, the executive director of JCC of Greater Vancouver, shares how an aging 63-year-old facility sparked a bold, 13-year journey to create a self-sustaining, multi-partner community campus. Starting with a board-led vision in 2013, the JCC engaged architects, 30+ community organizations, and government relations firms to shape a project that integrates a new 200,000-square-foot JCC, expanded childcare, seniors’ services, an upgraded aquatics center, a new high school, and two 40-story rental housing towers. By emphasizing inclusivity, cross-agency collaboration, and alignment with government priorities like childcare, housing and recreation, the JCC secured major provincial and federal grants plus $200 million in community funding. The project models patience, perseverance and partnership-driven planning for large-scale community recreation developments. Enjoy!

    26 min
  5. Mark Williams on Effective Automation and AI with Arly

    JAN 21

    Mark Williams on Effective Automation and AI with Arly

    In episode 26, Mark Williams, the chief growth officer of Arly, shares how community rec organizations can meet rising expectations despite limited resources. Williams explains that instead of defaulting to hiring more staff, leaders can gain capacity by standardizing processes, unifying data into a single system, and using automation and AI to simplify routine operational tasks. Williams stresses that AI should augment — not replace — the human relationships at the core of community rec, helping staff spend more time with kids and communities. He also describes how Arly brings logistics, registration, communication, staff support, and curriculum into one platform and is rolling out new AI features — all guided by clear program goals and a strong evidence base. Enjoy!

    28 min
  6. From the Courtroom to Community Rec: Lucria Ortiz on Leadership Development and Rising to the Top

    12/11/2025

    From the Courtroom to Community Rec: Lucria Ortiz on Leadership Development and Rising to the Top

    In episode 25 of the Community Rec Podcast, Lucria Ortiz, the CEO of YMCA Southcoast, shares her unconventional path from public defender in the Bronx of New York City, to nonprofit leadership in community recreation. She explains how her courtroom experience sharpened her commitment to service and ultimately led her into fundraising and leadership roles within the YMCA. Central to her journey is intentional mentorship — both receiving it and actively seeking mentors whose careers she admired, building what she calls a personal “board of advisors.” Looking ahead to 2026, she outlines three strategic priorities for YMCA Southcoast. Long term, she's leading a major capital campaign to renovate the New Bedford branch, honoring the organization’s legacy. For younger professionals, her advice includes believing leaders when they see potential in you, networking across the movement, staying open to relocation, and being deliberate about mentorship and growth opportunities. Enjoy!

    17 min
  7. Jorge Perez on the 2026 Community Rec Leadership Summit

    11/03/2025

    Jorge Perez on the 2026 Community Rec Leadership Summit

    In episode 24, Jorge Perez, the president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, details the upcoming 2026 Community Rec Leadership Summit in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Perez, a previous attendee and the moderator for the 2026 Summit, shares his enthusiasm for the event, highlighting its value in bringing together diverse leaders to explore innovative approaches in community recreation. He emphasizes the importance of being curious, making connections across different sectors and understanding the deeper purpose of their work. The summit offers attendees an opportunity to learn from each other, share insights and develop new strategies for addressing community challenges, with a focus on moving from transactional to transformational experiences. Interested in attending the Summit on February 17-19? Contact editor John Reecer at john@peakemedia.com.

    13 min
  8. How YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles Transformed Crisis into Opportunity

    10/01/2025

    How YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles Transformed Crisis into Opportunity

    In episode 23 of the Community Magazine Podcast, Christina Bragg the vice president of marketing and communications at the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, discusses the organization’s remarkable response to the devastating January fires that destroyed the Palisades Malibu YMCA branch. Despite losing their facility, the YMCA quickly mobilized its centers as support hubs, providing essential resources and becoming distribution points for over 30,000 volunteers who helped the community recover. The organization is now moving forward with an innovative dual-campus model, including rebuilding on the original Via de la Paz location and expanding a community center at Simon Meadow, demonstrating their commitment to serving the community. Supported by local officials and driven by a mission to support community members through every stage of life, the YMCA has transformed a moment of crisis into an opportunity for renewal and continued connection. Enjoy!

    9 min
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About

Each month, John Reecer the editor of Community Rec Magazine, chats with a guest from the community recreation industry to voice their insights on a specific topic.

Information

  • Creator
    Community Rec Magazine
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Community Rec Magazine