Community Rec Magazine

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Jun 2026

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About the show

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.

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33 recent

June 15, 202614 min

Eric Williams on the Keys to Lasting Impact in Community Recreation

Eric Williams, the former executive director of the Wayman Palmer branch at the YMCA of Greater Toledo, reflects on his 31-year YMCA career across rec centers from around the country, highlighting his roots in community recreation outreach and gang intervention work. He shares how early mentors shaped his leadership and helped him launch impactful programs, including a computer access initiative for youth. Willams also traces the sector’s shift from deep, relationship-based outreach toward membership-driven models, noting while financial sustainability is necessary, outreach has suffered. He identifies funding as the biggest challenge facing nonprofit recreation centers today, with declining United Way and government dollars and intense competition among local nonprofits. Despite these pressures, Williams emphasizes listening to communities, building strong networks, mentoring young professionals, and leading with passion and genuine care as the keys to lasting impact in community recreation. Enjoy!

June 3, 20268 min

Wendy White on How the AI Advantage is in the Data

In episode 32, Wendy White, the chief marketing and partner officer at Daxko, details that despite the buzz around AI, there’s one thing most people aren’t talking about — AI doesn’t create insight from nothing. It learns from the data your platform has been collecting over time. So, the better and longer a platform has been tracking member behavior, program participation and payment patterns for organizations, the smarter its AI is. This episode assists nonprofit leaders with understanding what data depth actually means for AI outcomes, and what questions they should be asking their technology partners. As one of the leading voices on AI adoption in the health and wellness space, White brings both the strategic perspective and the practical expertise to make this a conversation nonprofit leaders can actually learn from. Enjoy!

May 26, 202619 min

Marty Haberer on the Bold Campus Renovation of the Levis JCC

In Episode 31, Marty Haberer, the president and CEO of the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC, discusses a major campus reinvention centered on a new 22,000-square-foot facility with 9,000 square feet of outdoor space, including plans for an amphitheater and playground. The project stems from a strategic property swap of the JCC’s 100-acre campus and a successful $9.4 million fundraising effort. Demolition began on April 1 and reopening is targeted for November 2026. Haberer also details the JCC’s strategic exit from traditional fitness due to local country club and gym popularity, while still maintaining a focus on wellness, culture, summer camp and preschool. He emphasizes thoughtful, data-driven planning — “ready, aim, fire” — and inclusive leadership engagement for any major capital project. Enjoy!

April 16, 20267 min

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!

April 8, 202620 min

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!

March 17, 202612 min

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!

February 11, 202625 min

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!

January 21, 202628 min

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!

December 11, 202516 min

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!

November 3, 202512 min

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.