March 2025

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LYNNE VAUGHAN

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Let’s make 2025 the year of connections and work on strengthening our YMCA Alumni relationships close to home. The annual membership renewal period has ended, and starting in 2025, we have 39 units, which translates into 56 members. We want to focus our efforts on providing opportunities for our 56 members to gather close to home in 2025.

To achieve this goal, we will build on the cluster concept in Grand Canyon, particularly in areas where the majority of our members live. The map shows the massive size of the Grand Canyon Chapter service area and identifies the clusters where we will focus: Denver, Albuquerque, Tucson, and Phoenix.

Currently, the Albuquerque and Tucson Clusters are active with gatherings of YMCA Alumni members. Denver and Phoenix are new to the party, and we are hoping to get some things going on in those clusters.

We have scheduled a series of Zoom calls to take the next step. Please choose one that fits your schedule and join us. We will share our current state and next steps and hear your input and suggestions.

You do not need to sign up in advance. Just join the Zoom that works for you. Save this newsletter in your email, and on your selected day/time, you can join the Zoom call by simply clicking on the appropriate RED BUTTON below and joining us. 

Have questions before the day of your Zoom? Send me your question, and we will get back to you.

For those of you who cannot join one of the scheduled Zooms, please give us suggestions and ideas by sending them along to me.

Meeting ID: 831 8698 1043

Passcode: 256337

Meeting ID: 872 9678 1623

Passcode: 141227

Meeting ID: 829 5646 5746

Passcode: 571221

GET INVOLVED:

JOIN OUR CHAPTER BOARD

We are continuing to build our board and still have a number of vacancies. We currently have vacancies for Treasurer, Phoenix Cluster Chair, and Tucson Cluster Chair. The full board list is at the end of this issue of ECHOES. If you have an interest in helping with any of these vacancies, please email Lynne Vaughan.

WE REMEMBER:

RICH HILL

Late last year our Grand Canyon Chapter Treasurer, Richard (Rich) E. Hill, passed away Dec. 31, 2024 in Green Valley, AZ. Rich was previously Treasurer of National YMCA Alumni, and during his active career, CFO of the National YMCA and Y Retirement passed away.

Upon retiring, he was active as a volunteer, including church treasurer, president of his Green Valley HOA, and treasurer and president of the Residents Council at La Posada Continuing Care Retirement Community.

Married to his wife Susan, a pastor, for 60 years, he was also father to four daughters, Gretchen, Betsy, Barbara and Courtney, as well as a grandfather and great-grandfather. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to a charity of your choice.

He was, as they say, solid as a rock. A man of kindness and professionalism. He will be missed.

CONNECTING AND CRUISING...

GRAND CANYON AT SEA

Some 10 members of the Grand Chapter sailed away in late January on the YMCA Alumni Reunion-at-Sea aboard Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Sea. (L-R) Dave Bolton, Marian Bolton, Pam Hegarty, Margaret Fogarty, Lynne Vaughan, Teresa Hill and Kathy Hite. Not picured: John Fogarty, Peggi Simmons and Craig Altschul.

June 17-July 3, 2025:

Norway: Land of the Midnight Sun and Summer Solstice ocean cruise on Emerald Princess. Hosts: Schreiner Chapters' Jan and Patrick Murphy.

Oct. 14-22, 2025:

South America Getaway motor coach and air with Globus Tours. Host: Go Travel's Bob Cook.

Oct. 20-Nov. 3, 2025:

Ancient Adriatic Treasures cruise on Viking Ocean's newest ship. Hosts: YMCA Alumni Communications Team Peggi Simmons and Craig Altschul.

June 5-12, 2026:

Alaska: The Last Frontier ocean cruise on Celebrity Edge. Hosts: Weatherford Chapter's Jean and Bert Bock.

YMCA Alumni members, family and referred friends are always welcome on Travel Club tours and cruises. Book your personal and family adventures with Go Travel (407-774-2229). Just be sure to identify yourself as a YMCA Alumni Travel Club member.

CHAPTER LEADERS

President: Lynne Vaughan

Treasurer: Vacant

Membership: Teresa Hill

So. Arizona Cluster: Vacant

Albuquerque Cluster: Pam Hegarty

Denver Cluster: John Barclay

Past Co-Presidents: Marian and Dave Bolton

Click on the name to send an email.

ECHOES is produced by craig altschul + associates, Tucson, AZ