2023 Board Member of The Year
Robert Beers
![Bobby Award](https://begreatyellowstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Bobby-Award-300x225.jpg)
The Board of Directors hold various responsibilities for the organization they are serving. Primarily, they ensure that the organization is staying true to the mission by offering guidance and insight of the organization’s programs and objectives.
At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County, our Board is made up of a collection of local professionals who ensure that the Club is doing Whatever It Takes to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens. Leading those professionals is Board Chair Robert Beers, who has been with the organization for over a decade and has been a tireless advocate for the Club, its mission, and its team.
Our Core Values at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County serve as a guide that informs our focus on continuous improvement to build a world-class daily experience for every child, teen, and family we serve. If our Core Values were listed in the dictionary, the picture of Robert would be next to the definition of each.
When the Board Chair-elect lost his battle with cancer, Robert willingly stepped into the void as Board Chair and led our organization out of COVID and on to new heights. As the pandemic ended, he recognized our organization, like many other non-profits, was worn down and needed a boost. He leaped into the opportunity and initiated an effort to reignite the Club & Endowment Foundation Board around a new strategic plan. A plan that would refocus the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County and position us as the Best Place for Kids & Teens, and the best place to serve and invest. Through his inspiration, and consistent focus, the Club has made incredible strides that have seen an increase in funds raised and an increase in kid and teen attendance to a daily experience that better meets their individual needs.
Beyond the improvements to the member experience, Robert has been a tireless advocate for the Club’s professional staff to ensure they have the tools and resources to successfully provide the world-class experience our members need. A recent example of his leadership and advocacy has been creating and implementing a strategic plan priority to ensure the Club is the Premier Youth Development Employer in our community. Additionally, he has continually advocated to provide our executive leaders with high level executive coaching so they can build on their skills and experience to help guide the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County toward even higher levels of success and excellence.
Robert’s efforts to improve the Club’s impact don’t stop at strategic plans and staff education. The safety and well-being of the members at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County is personal to him and he has worked hard to help ensure that our organization utilizes the best practices and tools available to keep our kids safe. Whether ensuring active engagement of the Executive/Safety Committee or being the first to volunteer for a regular Club “safety walk through”, he leads by example when it comes to keeping our kids safe.
Robert’s passion for the Club and innovative leadership over the last several years has made him the most deserving nominee of the 2023 Board Member of the Year, and in October, he earned that title at the 2023 Montana State Conference. He was presented the award in the presence of his wife, colleagues, and a room full of Club professionals who work every day to make an impact on a child’s life. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County is incredibly fortunate to have a leader like Robert on the Board fulfilling our promise to do Whatever It Takes for our young members to become their best selves on their way to a GREAT future.