Corporate Social Responsibility: YMCA and the Infamous Guest Pass

So I'm a board member at the Chandler/Gilbert YMCA here in Phoenix. Yesterday in our monthly board meeting, one of our members shared that they heard the guest pass system was eliminated from what we offer our members. There was a little bit of a scuffle on whether or not this was true. We never clarified the status of the guest passes, but I thought it a great opportunity to write on the importance of the YMCA guest pass in line with CSR and the Y mission. 

The Valley of the Sun YMCA mission is: 

For the Y, providing “every opportunity to reach farther” is a very real promise we make to 
this community. It means that your YMCA—an organization with the capacity and will to 
inspire positive and lasting social change—is pursuing a mission to do just that. So what 
does that mean for you? 

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT…
…it means reaching farther to help children and teens reach their full potential through 
value–based programs, including child care and educational programs, sports and activities, summer day camps, overnight camps, swim programs, teen leadership programs, events, 
and clubs. Each opportunity builds skills, self-confidence, positive peer relationships—and 
unimagined successes.

FOR HEALTHY LIVING…
…it means providing every opportunity to help our members achieve their goals for peak health and well-being by offering unparalleled support, guidance, resources, and facilities. 
We know that our considerable expertise will lead hundreds to achieve their wellness goals 
and get on a path to a healthier life. 

FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY…
…it means creating a community that reaches out to give back—helping our most vulnerable and deserving neighbors achieve their dreams for better lives. The YMCA’s social service programs—including initiatives in education, health, character-building, cultural understanding, leadership, vocational training, the arts and more—inspire hope, create new opportunities for success and meaningfully change futures.

The idea of guest passes fits right into this mission perfectly. I picture family members and friends coming into the valley for the holiday and wanting to get a workout in. It is the responsibility to serve our members with a reasonable amount of guest passes so they can share the Y mission with others through the facilities, classes, and various other services. As the mission states, preserving the guest pass policy keeps a welcoming and open arms environment and culture for customers and guests so the Y can use this opportunity to "reach farther."

I will continue to blog on this case as it unfolds.